If we know anything about Belicheat it's that he only says what he wants you to hear. That whole ESPN article seemed very much from the Belichick side of things because it was so anti-Brady, Kraft and Guerrero.
While he is potentially laying the groundwork for his eventual exit from the Pats, it seems like a weird time for this. I would expect to hear this type of story during the off-season after another playoff failure by New England and not right before their playoffs begin. The timing suggests to me that it is more a motivational tool for the team and for Brady to get their acts together.
During the playoff runs where the Pats are favored to win, that is usually where they fall flat in the crucial games. It has been when they have looked about to collapse or as underdogs that they find ways to win. During the 10 year drought of Super Bowls that ended with their past two victories, they were always expected to win. But in the last two Super Bowls, as underdogs in 50 and barely favorites in 51, they came through. I see this whole story as a way for Belichick to make us all think they are down and for him to motivate the team.
In New York, stories are coming out that Belichick is looking to make his way to the Giants. This I find hard to believe. Not only would the Giants probably have to give up the 2nd overall pick for him because he is still under contract, just think of what he would cost. Gruden gets $100 million for 10 years (and possible part ownership of the team) and now the most revered active coach basically gets a blank check. He would cost at least $100 million but for half the years.
