Coach Bill Belichick Conference Call 12/31: Final thoughts on loss to Buffalo

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

Good morning, Bill. In reviewing the game, just start with that opening kickoff return.

On the blocking, what did you see as a key block that maybe sprung that for Jalen to be able to do that?

Bill Belichick (0:13)

Yeah, pretty much all the players we had, had everybody.

Slater and Farrow got the kickoff blocks. A good double team block with HA and Mahfou, Tavai, Matt Wilson did a great job on the backside. And it was obviously a good run by Jalen. Jalen getting past the safety and then running through pass. We pretty much had hats on everybody through the alley there.

SPEAKER_1 (0:53)

And Jim Barmore had the big game last week. When you reviewed the film, did you notice by any chance the Bills do anything in terms of paying extra attention to him, maybe based on that game last week?

Bill Belichick (1:10)

Yeah, I'll probably have to take a little closer look at that. I mean, I haven't gone through it as thoroughly as I will.

But we had to talk about that. We had to talk about that all week. Gotcha.

SPEAKER_1 (1:26)

And then one last one. It was the first we saw of Jake Andrews late in the game over there at left guard.

I don't know if you had a chance to watch it close enough, but I was just curious how you thought that looked and if that was a result of maybe Antonio not being available at that time or if it was more something else.

Bill Belichick (1:47)

Yeah, I would say something else, but I'll find out.

SPEAKER_1 (1:51)

Did it look like you hung in there okay?

Bill Belichick (1:55)

Yeah.

SPEAKER_4 (1:56)

And we'll go to Doug Kide, followed by Chris Ryan, and for each other to get five stars if you have questions.

Doug Kyed (2:02)

Good morning, Bill. Happy New Year. What did you see on Alex Austin's interception from him personally on that play?

Bill Belichick (2:11)

You know, similar to the play that similar to the play that Ramsey made.

They were running the tight end from the defensive left all the way across down the right sideline and trying to clear out the corner. And Alex read it, fell off his guy, came over and made the play. Not the same play, but similar type of play. Good play, good catch, you don't want to high point the ball.

Doug Kyed (2:53)

Thanks. And what does Bailey Zappi just offer with his mobility and his occasional ability to make plays with his legs?

Bill Belichick (3:06)

What does it offer? I'm not really following it.

I mean, run for a first down, there's nobody there. So I don't think, not that I have a quarterback, there's going to be a lot of design runs for, but any quarterback that's under pressure steps up in the pocket, there's space, then that's what you should do with a run.

SPEAKER_4 (3:36)

All right, next question will be Chris Ryan. I'll make my final request for you to raise your hand if you have a question for Coach Belichick.

Chris Ryan (3:45)

Morning, Bill. Happy New Year. Obviously, this will be a lot of focus this week on your future.

And I just was wondering what your level of desire to return to the Patriots is, if there's been any discussions regarding that.

Bill Belichick (4:00)

Yeah, you know, focused on getting ready for the Jets. I mean, we haven't played in a long time, but in the whole season. So I'm going to work on the Jets here and get ready to go.

Chris Ryan (4:12)

And just in terms of your time in New England, you spent over a third of your life as the head coach of this team.

What are the fans? What has everything kind of meant to you? Has there been any time for reflection?

Bill Belichick (4:29)

Well, I'll deal with that some other time. Right now is try to get the team ready for the Jets, finish up the Buffalo game, and continue to coach the team and try to help the players and the team play better.

Chris Ryan (4:44)

And just in terms of the Bills game, you mentioned obviously the start was problematic and led to the conclusion. But when you look at the competitiveness, the team has shown down the stretch. What has that meant to you?

Bill Belichick (5:02)

Yeah, I'll talk about that quite a bit, Chris. I don't really have anything to add. Can we hang in there and follow that?

Thank you.

SPEAKER_4 (5:10)

And this is a short one. Looks like Mike Kavlich is the final question. Go ahead, Mike.

Mike Kavlich (5:15)