National Football League

Giants more battle-tested than Patriots

Published Feb. 4, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

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It's been a strange week for those of us who've spent years decrying the various treacheries of Bill Belichick.

The sight of this suddenly merry man — kinder, gentler and, seemingly, contented — isn't merely at odds with his prickish reputation. It's disorienting.

"Been a good week all around," Belichick said in his final news conference. "The city and the accommodations . . . the practice facility, the hotel — everything here has been really outstanding."

And, yes, thanks for asking. Bill's been sleeping very well.

"Like a baby," he said.

Life is good. Coaching is good. ("Beats working," he says.) Even Rob Gronkowski's ankle, all things considered, is pretty good.

"He's gotten better on a daily basis," Belichick said cheerily. "I think he's coming along."

Good Lord. It's like he joined Up With People. The Belichick I like to recall wasn't merely taciturn. He had an ability to convey true contempt with very few words. A look. A dyspeptic expression.

That's all he needed.

The fascination with Belichick began when he infamously delivered his handwritten resignation after one day on the job as "HC of the NYJ." Unfortunately, he forgot to tell anybody he already had another deal to be HC of the NEP. This was back in the winter of 2000, and such deceit helped fans in both New York and Boston make it to another Opening Day. (Which, for all I know, might be another reason for the rest of the country to hate Belichick.)

But the full measure of his Nixonian tendencies weren't known until 2007, when he coached the best offense I ever saw. You might recall the story known as Spygate. Then again, you might not, as it has gone all but unmentioned this week. Actually, for all the talk about Happy Bill's legacy, I think the only reporter who asked him about Spygate, and whether it diminished his resume, was Brian Costello of the New York Post.

For one brief, shining moment, Belichick seemed like Belichick again. "We moved on from everything in the past," he said. "We are focused on this game. That's it."

The voice on your voicemail is more warm and fuzzy. And perhaps more authentic.

I don't believe in Belichick's sudden reformation. After all, this is the sentimentalist who, Saturday night, cut a player who had the Patriots logo shaved into his head. If Belichick says he's encouraged by what he's seen from Gronkowski, I'm thinking Gronkowski's nothing more than a decoy come game time. If Belichick's playing nice, I'm thinking he wants to humiliate the Giants in the worst possible way. It's not about revenge? Of course it is. Deep down, Belichick is what he is, which is to say, cheating or not, the best coach in football.

This might have been his best season, too — if not as a talent evaluator, then certainly as a strategist. The Patriots usually acquire a couple of key veterans in the offseason. This year it was Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth (remember him?). Belichick got nothing out of them. Rather, he had to improvise, getting to the Super Bowl with a two-tight-end set and a nickel back named Julian Edelman.

Talk all you want about the decline of the Patriots since 2007, but with time to prepare for a single opponent, I'd take Belichick over any coach — and Tom Brady over any quarterback. (By the way, don't think he's not taking this personally, either.)

Logic says the Giants should win. Much like 2007, they're peaking at the right time. Their quarterback is more confident than ever.

They've been more thoroughly tested over the past two months, winning what amounts to five consecutive elimination games, against the Jets, Cowboys, Falcons, Packers and 49ers (those last two on the road). The Giants are the stronger defensive team and, most important, have the best pass rush in football.

So, I guess I'll stay with my pick: Giants by a field goal, 24-21.

But I want you to know I didn't sleep well over it.

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