Belichick addressed the media earlier today in his weekly pre-game conference. This week Belichick discussed the aftermath of the California game and the challenges presented by Virginia. Belichick also addressed a couple of lingering program questions.
The most notable new information: Armand Hawkins has returned to active status. UNC Compliance has cleared the cornerbacks coach, and Belichick noted that the coaches would lean on UNC Compliance more to make sure no one was running afoul of NCAA rules.
On Virginia: Belichick praised their winning streak, resiliency in close games, and ball security. He noted Virginia’s experience on defense with so many juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Belichick singled out their defensive line, especially their ends, as a problem, noting their ability to get opponents into 3rd and long and then get off the field.
As far as Virginia’s ability to put up points, Belichick referenced Chandler Morris (QB) and J’Mari Taylor (running back) as great players and a problem. He also praised Morris’ ability to create outside of the original play design, while mentioning Gio’s ability to do the same. Belichick observed some parallels with Clemson’s offense while praising Tony Elliott, Virginia’s head coach and former Clemson Offensive Coordinator during their title runs. Frankly, I had a hard time following that section, since Virginia’s offense and Clemson’s don’t seem to to bear much resemblance to each other these days.
“Certainly some similarities to the Clemson system that he’s from his time there, that he’s brought to Virginia. But they developed that into their own Virginia package. I’m not saying it’s Clemson, but there are some elements of the Clemson system, especially offensively.”
To me, that entire segment felt odd, given that Virginia averages 200 yards more a game than UNC and leads the conference in points scored. Within the conference, the Cavaliers don’t have a top five rusher, a top 15 receiver, or a top five QB. Their offense is very much a whole exceeding the sum of their parts, and I hoped to hear a noted defensive guru shed some light on what makes their offense tick. Virginia will be on paper the best offense UNC faces this season, currently ranked a bit ahead of TCU in efficiency and well ahead of Clemson. A coach like Belichick could get into its Xs and Os a bit without telegraphing UNC’s game plan. That, however, would be interesting. Can’t have that, apparently.
Belichick refuted a report that Morris had expressed interest in UNC or had contact with the UNC program prior to choosing Virginia for his final year. Morris, a 6th year player, transferred from North Texas after spending three seasons at TCU and his freshman year at Oklahoma.
“I don’t really know what the source of that was. His agent didn’t know anything about it. We didn’t know anything about it. Just making up stories. I don’t know where that came from.”
After California:
When asked about the mood of the team following the close loss to California, Belichick suggested the team left the contest in roughly the same emotional shape it entered. He dismissed the idea the team may have seen it either as a moral victory or a reason to despair. Most answers on both games retreated to the word “work.” As far as lessons learned, citations included ball security and the amount of work on that issue dating back to spring practice.
The Documentary: “Paused.” No cancellation, no greenlight. Limbo.
Summary: These press conferences clearly intend to make as little noise as possible, a “do no harm” approach featuring obvious football truths: hold onto the ball, stay out of 3rd and long, get off the field on defense, brief flattery for opposing coaches and a few players. I suppose that’s the only safe terrain for Belichick at the moment. The celebrity side of his presence, the ‘Deion effect” cited as a force multiplier for attracting a spotlight to the program, has turned incredibly negative. Deion spent much of his career relishing the limelight and the slings and arrows that can attract. His pressers in seasons 1 and 2 often made as much news as his games. Bill’s clearly not comfortable playing that media game or leveraging attention into program value.
That leaves only football open for discussion, and UNC football’s been bad. The result: short press conferences short on anything interesting. That’s what you want if game day leaves fans feeling happy. It hits different when the football’s bad. I’m fine with, “I’d rather walk the walk than talk about it,” but that presumes a walk with wins. In the absence of those, a coach being paid $10 million a year and constantly touting “process” needs to shed some light on what the “the process” looks like, where it stands, and what’s being done to move things forward.
