What I’ve always thought was a silly theory was out in force again over the weekend: namely, that Bill Parcells was nothing without Bill Belichick. It’s true that Parcells won his two Super Bowls with Belichick as his defensive coordinator, and he made his only other Super Bowl appearance with Belichick on his coaching staff—in 1996, in New England. Still, we often hear it said, “Football’s the ultimate team game.” Yet when we want to make a case for the uselessness of some head coach or some quarterback or some whatever, we point out how he was nothing without a valuable person or two in his organization or on his coaching staff or on his team. I think it’s wrong-headed. Did you know: • Don Shula, in 15 coaching seasons without Bill Arnsparger on his defensive staff, was a 6-7 playoff coach with no world titles? • Paul Brown never won a playoff game without Otto Graham as his quarterback. • Bill Belichick’s career record without Tom Brady under center: 51-62 (.451). • Bill Walsh’s career record without Joe Montana under center: 17-23-1 (.427). I’m all for giving a guy credit for assisting someone, and to not credit Belichick for his immense assistance to Parcells is short-sighted. Parcells got a ton of help from very valuable coaches and players. As did Brown, Shula, Walsh and Belichick. mmqb.si/2013/08/05/riley-cooper-peter-king-monday-morning-quarterback/6/
Posted on: Mon, 05 Aug 2013 22:33:39 +0000