With all due respect to Green Bay legend Vince Lombardi , but it may be time to change the championship trophy name.

Bill Belichick is on the verge of surpassing the legend's playoff winning percentage; the two are currently tied at 9-1. He is well on his way to being the best coach of all-time. So how about the Belichick Golden Ball or something.

Mr. Belichick deserves some sort of recognition for his efforts. The Portland Press Herald's Mike Lowe agrees. He asks, "What will the NFL do for Belichick?"

Perhaps a hip, new nickname would be more appropriate than renaming the trophy.

Not since The Gipper have I heard a nickname associated with a head coach. Well, at least not one that a newspaper site can print. With that in mind, I've been debating nicknames for Belichick. If there is a coach that deserves one, it is he.

How about the Unibomber, those hooded sweatshirts are something else.

The Professor, he studies the game and teaches other teams a lesson. He also learns from his mistakes, never losing to the same quarterback twice in a season. Each week is like graduation.

The Guru, he knows something others don't.

Maybe B.B., he is a straightshooter.

Perhaps 5-Dollar-Bill, he makes the most of his payroll.

The Savior, also comes to mind. Before Belichick joined the Patriots, New Englanders didn't have much to cheer about. Yes we were in the Super Bowl in 1997, but we lost to Green Bay. But aside from that appearance, the Celtics, Bruins and Red Sox all were hibernating from championships like a bear in winter.

Then Bill arrived, resurrecting the pride of New Englanders. We have been able to hold our heads high for the past four years. No longer are we pitied. Now we are feared and for good reason.

People believe in Bill - the players, the ownership, and most certainly the fans.

Who doesn't believe in Belichick?

Well Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan is now saying, "In Bill I trust."

Where has he been?

Bill Belichick has brought the Patriots two Super Bowls and has the NFL record for consecutive wins, but it took a playoff win versus the Colts, for Mr. Ryan to get on board.

I'm not sure what happened in 2002, but that blip aside, I've been a believer since he arrived.

Reader comments: How should the NFL recognize Bill Belichick's accomplishments? What nickname would you give Coach Bill Belichick?

Okay, I've lasted as long as I could without writing about the Patriots. As you may recall, this blog began with the Pats. Though I've been concentrating on the Sox since then, it is time to speak up.

What has prompted my sudden action? Steelers fans. They're out there. Some right in our own backyard. The nerve!

One (a friend and colleague) wrote me as he sat on his couch with a broken leg (he fell off a mountain almost two weeks ago now):

"How are things going? Like the AP story about Ben - 'taking the gloves off.' I'm more worried about the Patriots defense than the damn gloves. My opinion on Ben's performance: No he is not the best quarterback and makes mistakes. But when the game is on the line, he and the whole team pulls together to move the ball downfield. The Pats need to put this game away early - which they can. If the Steelers keep the score within a touchdown, they can win it in the last two minutes.

Continue reading "Steelers vs. Pats - a classic"

I've finally caught up on my sleep. And although the snow has yet to fall, it seemingly has been a long winter. I pine for the arrival of Opening Day (April 4), but will settle to see the pitchers and catchers report in February. Still a long way off.

The warmth I felt from the sight of the trophy on Dec. 16 is beginning to fade although the memory lingers, imprinted on my mind for perhaps an eternity. Standing in line - thousands strong - waiting for the sun to push the shade, as we inched our way toward the entrance. What fun. Friendly Fenway somehow had crept its way north. There is something truly special about Red Sox fans, especially in December.

The muffled clapping met the first sighting of the World Series trophy.

Never has an inanimate object received such applause, I am sure. While small in numbers, the collective heart of the group was large - larger than anything I could put into words. These were strangers no longer. A new found kinship had emerged.

The moment is frozen forever in my mind and in photographs.

Continue reading "Looking forward then back"