Belichick’s analysis was top-of-the-charts stuff
It must have been so strange for Bill Belichick to not be in a war room after 50 seasons coaching in the NFL and 24 in charge of the Patriots.
But during his spin as an analyst on Pat McAfee’s rollicking draft show Thursday night, which streamed on ESPN+ and YouTube among other services, he was prepared as if he were still running a team.
The result requires a minor amendment from me.
I’ve written a couple of times that Belichick would be excellent on television. Turns out he already is.
After a couple of decades of wondering what Belichick really thought about the annual assortment of NFL draft prospects, it was beyond compelling to finally find out.
Belichick’s gravitas and knowledge are unparalleled, but the question was how forthcoming he would be.
Draft experts typically cushion every criticism of first-round picks while favoring if-all-goes-right analysis that inevitably leads to virtually every prospect being compared to an established star.
Would Belichick fall into the same pattern? Oh no.
Belichick’s role among McAfee (likable despite talking like a sentient monster truck) and his kooky cast was to analyze each first-round pick with preloaded clips, similar to a more conventional broadcast’s approach.
He did so with matter-of-fact bluntness, candor, praise, and even hints of disgust at times. It was reminiscent of those rare glimpses we’d get behind the Patriots curtain on a Belichick-approved NFL Films documentary now and then.
Some of his former players thought so too, with amusement. Devin McCourty posted, “If you played for Bill and want to be back in team meetings but not worry about your bad plays showing up on the film, then turn on the @PatMcAfeeShow this is GOLD.”
Added Tedy Bruschi, “Love seeing Bill covering the draft! All of his pauses are where he would usually drop F Bombs.”
Belichick was particularly frank when it came to his former employer’s selection at No. 3, North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye.
“He makes some big plays like this,” said Belichick as Maye threw a touchdown pass in a game against Clemson. “This is an amazing play, where he throws going backward, and puts the ball on the money. Those are highlight plays that you really like from Maye.”
“That’s as open as [receivers are] going to get in the NFL,” Belichick said of a play where Maye held the ball too long. “You’ve got to deliver it in there. He’s kind of quick to bail out of the pocket. He’s going to have to hang in there a little longer and find those receivers.”
Belichick seemed especially down on Maye’s footwork, a well-known flaw for the 21-year-old quarterback.
“You can see here his feet are all over the place,” he said. “Never resets his feet, never really gets set to throw. Gets strip-sacked. Too much hopping around.”
He also seemed to take a dig at Maye, who has often said that Bills quarterback Josh Allen is one of his role models.
“Drake compares himself a lot to Josh Allen; he’s been doing that for quite a while. We’ll see about that,” said Belichick, who was sometimes reluctant to praise Allen when coaching the Patriots. “I think there are some similarities in terms of the size and athleticism. Josh Allen’s a pretty special player.”
Belichick did say Maye is “a kid who can make all the throws.” Thank goodness he didn’t say, “It’s nothing Matt Patricia and Joe Judge couldn’t fix.”
(It’s worth noting that Belichick’s pal Nick Saban raved about Maye on the ABC broadcast. “I have a lot of respect for this guy. This guy is wired right. He is wired right,” said Saban, who noted that Maye decommitted from Alabama after Bryce Young committed. “I should be mad at him,” he joked.)
Belichick had more praise for Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who went 10th to the Vikings.
“There’s not much to not like about McCarthy,” said Belichick, mentioning that McCarthy probably needs to gain weight. “This guy has a quick release, he can get the ball out, he reads coverages well, he’s just got a lot more experience than, uh …”
A.J. Hawk, McAfee’s comically stoic sidekick, interrupted Belichick before he could finish the thought. Was he going to say Maye?
Belichick actually had McCarthy as the No. 17 prospect on his big board revealed early in the broadcast. His top five were Southern Cal quarterback Caleb Williams, Louisiana State quarterback Jayden Daniels, Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Louisiana State receiver Malik Nabers, and . . . Maye.
Given that it was somewhat of a contradiction given his analysis of
Maye and McCarthy, I wish McAfee had asked him whom he would have taken had he been making the call at No. 3.
We’ll never know what he would have done. But we know what he thinks, and that made for a terrific show, even if we’re officially at the “this guy again?” stage regarding Oz the Mentalist appearances on NFL programming.
Belichick seemed to genuinely enjoy himself, and by the end of the first round, I found myself wishing he’d put out an annual draft guide to accompany his upcoming book project.
At least we’ll be seeing him more. McAfee revealed at the end of the broadcast that Belichick would be joining his show on Mondays, presumably during the season.
Belichick already is committed to regular appearances on ESPN’s “ManningCast” on Monday nights, another excellent fit for his personality and expertise. It would be satisfying to see him connect with NFL Films for a project here and there.
After Monday, this much is certain: We’d better enjoy Belichick on television while we can.
His straightforward analysis and insight will be a recurring reminder to NFL owners that the most knowledgeable football mind on the planet is available to coach their team. The first time Belichick dissects the Cowboys this year, Jerry Jones probably will attempt to hire him the next day.