Belichick clearly beginning to get agitated by focus on deflation scandal

Twelve minutes into his Saturday press conference -- after the science but before the Spygate -- Bill Belichick gave a sample of how Deflategate will be used as Super Bowl propulsion.

Explaining that he wants his team experienced in handling balls in bad conditions, Belichick began, "Anyone who has seen us practice knows that we make it harder, not easier, to handle the ball. And our players train in conditions that a lot of people recommend we not drive in. That’s what they do.

"They’re a physically and mentally tough team that works hard, that trains hard, that prepares hard, and have met every challenge that I’ve put in front of ‘em,” Belichick said with some passion. "And I know that because I work ‘em every day."

Over the past five days, with the legitimacy of their accomplishments being questioned, there was potential for the team to become distracted and defensive with the Super Bowl looming.

Belichick gave a recitation of the facts as he would likely lay them out in the locker room.

"This team was the best team in the AFC in the regular season. We won two games in the playoffs against two good football teams. Best team in the postseason. And that’s what this team is," he said. "And I know that because I’ve been with ‘em every day and I’m proud of this team. So, I just want to share with you what I’ve learned over the past week. I’m embarrassed to talk about the amount of time that I’ve put into this relative to the other important challenge in front of us."

The entire press conference was an example of "Doing What's Best for the Team" and crisis management.

His recitation of the lengths the team went to in replicating the conditions to come up with an explanation shows the seriousness with which they took the allegations. His -- for lack of a better phrase -- call to arms to the team and by extension the fanbase. His unmistakable intention to speak of it on Saturday and never again. All of it was a well-orchestrated effort to close the book as far as he was concerned. 

He's on to Seattle.

-- Tom E. Curran, CSNNE.com

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