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Bill Belichick speaks about wide receivers, roster moves at coaches breakfast 03.27.12 at 11:37 am ET
By

Bill Belichick

Patriots coach Bill Belichick‘s notoriously terse relationship with the media has been well-documented, so it was not much of a surprise when last year he was a no-show for the coaches breakfast at the NFL owners meetings. This year, however, the breakfast seemed to be more his cup of tea, as Belichick made an appearance and fielded questions from the media for about 45 minutes. Still, Belichick spoke mostly in generalities during his session with reporters.

Belichick refused to get specific when talking about expectations for wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, who reportedly restructured his contract so that he will earn $1 million in 2012 rather than $3 million.

“I think I have the same expectations for all our players, it doesn’t make a difference who they are or what year they are in — come in, work hard, be prepared, go out there and compete on the field,” Belichick told the assembled media. “There is no difference for any player – first year, second year, 10th year.”

Ochocinco recorded 15 catches for 276 yards and a touchdown in his first season with New England. Those totals were the lowest by any of the team’s regular receivers, and the Patriots largely targeted receivers other than Ochocinco in most games. In the offseason, New England appears to have continued to look away from Ochocinco, as it signed receivers Brandon Lloyd, Donte’ Stallworth and Anthony Gonzalez in addition to re-signing Deion Branch for another year.

“You always try to have competition at every position,” Belichick said. “We’ve always had about that many receivers going to camp — 10, 11, somewhere in there — [and] we’ll see what the roster limit ends up being this year.”

Belichick had no update on the status of Wes Welker, whom the Patriots used a franchise tag on but have yet to negotiate a contract with. Belichick said he did not know if Welker will participate in offseason activities.

When asked about the potential for offensive linesman Matt Light‘s retirement, Belichick refused to speculate.

“If we have any announcements to make on any players, we’ll make them when appropriate,” Belichick said.

Belichick offered a brief glimpse into his thoughts on the league’s suspension of Saints coach Sean Payton. Patriots beat writer Ian Rapoport tweeted: Bill Belichick called the situation surrounding Sean Payton “unfortunate” and said the league “did what it did.”

Belichick also flashed his sense of humor. According to the Patriots Twitter account, when a reporter began a question about character by asking “How much do you weigh,” Belichick quickly responded by saying “too much.”

Read More: Bill Belichick, Chad Ochocinco, Matt Light, sean payton Print  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Anonymous

    A-Gon all the way.

  • Bagoon

    results are obvious when presented with the overt bias with which the note was written, but it really is quite clear that, amongst these 3, gonzo is the best value, and mostly due to his superior fielding skills- all three are essentially a wash on the O side of things

  • Anonymous

    Unless you can quantify the value of what the Red Sox gave up in 3 top prospects, you can not compare the contracts.  We should know in about 5 years.  If Casey Kelley and Rizzo become All Stars within this period, the Red Sox would have been better off paying more for A-Gon as a FA.  If the prospects are busts, then we can call Theo a genius.

    Frankly, after watching A-Gon on the basepaths (like Mike Lowell in his last season),  and reading his comments at seasons end, I think I would have preferred Pujols.

  • Anonymous

    Unless you can quantify the value of what the Red Sox gave up in 3 top prospects, you can not compare the contracts.  We should know in about 5 years.  If Casey Kelley and Rizzo become All Stars within this period, the Red Sox would have been better off paying more for A-Gon as a FA.  If the prospects are busts, then we can call Theo a genius.

    Frankly, after watching A-Gon on the basepaths (like Mike Lowell in his last season),  and reading his comments at seasons end, I think I would have preferred Pujols.

  • Bethgenua

    This article is complete garbage. Talk about being biased.

  • Bethgenua

    This article is complete garbage. Talk about being biased.

  • JimDaytona

    Puhols without question, how can anyone disagree. Right handed power, first base for now, DH later. This player could hit the ball off / over the Green Monster well into his 40′s.

  • JimDaytona

    Puhols without question, how can anyone disagree. Right handed power, first base for now, DH later. This player could hit the ball off / over the Green Monster well into his 40′s.

  • Thehorse1950

    Prince Fielder should remain the healthiest? Really? He’s a tremendous talent, no question, but seriously, with that body? Mo Vaughn anyone?

  • Thehorse1950

    Prince Fielder should remain the healthiest? Really? He’s a tremendous talent, no question, but seriously, with that body? Mo Vaughn anyone?

  • anguillaman3

    The real issue of this offseason is that teams throughout the American League are spending a lot of $$$ and making big deals to improve their rosters , while the Sox are cutting $$$ and players. So far we are minus Papelbon and Scutaro and those players are being replaced with lower cost less proven players.  TEXAS, DETROIT, LA ANGELS, and YANKEES have not been afraid to spend $$$ and go over the “artificial” payroll cap to improve themselves.  As currently constituted, its looking more and more likely that the SOX will not be able to even win the wild card.

  • Bhdyer20

    Texas, Detroit, and LA will not be over the luxuary tax which is not artificial it is real. 

  • Ortiz34renteria16

    Sox would have also had to give up a 1st rd pick. So we gave up 3 good prospects but we saved over 50 mill an a couple of A-Gones Twilight years, we got A-Gone an essentially a 1st rd pick. So we could have given up more money an years an 1st rd pick or 3 good prospects to save money an years an keep a 1st rd pick. I hate giving up prospects but in the right deal im making the move an this was the right deal. It would take Rizzo an Kelly to live up to expectations for this deal to look like we lost mybe. Its a win no matter what tho. Its money saved A-Gone an who ever we take with our 1st rd pick vs Kelly, Rizzo an Feuntes. Im liking our odds on winning that one.

  • Anonymous

    If you really want to compare you would have 2 see what draft picks Angels & Tigers had to get up to sign those guys

  • Nighttrain75

    that and i’d rather have gonzo when he is 36 than albert when he is 42

  • cw007929

    If your talking about when A-Gon said that it was god’s will that they lost, Albert’s a christian too and would have said the same thing. And if you want to pay and extra 100M for 10 more SB, you go right ahead.

  • The Mt. Man

    Bill made a funny!

  • The Mt. Man

    Bill made a funny!

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