Pepper Johnson talks about how players find it tough to read Bill Belichick
But hold your horses until you read this stuff in context.
Johnson of course was most recently the linebackers coach for the New England Patriots. He'd been with Bill Belichick since the very beginning of his New England tenure, and before that he'd been with him as a player on the New York Giants. So, I think Johnson knows Bill pretty well.
The personality of Belichick has always alluded the public but Johnson, speaking on a Bills radio show, gave some insight as to what he's like on the inside. Mostly, what you see is what you get.
NESN:
“He is what you see. That is him,” Johnson said. “It’s like his mind is constantly going. He’s always thinking. He’s always trying to stay three steps, three months, three years ahead. So lots of times, you can’t really take him personal, because he has walked by me plenty of times in the hallway and doesn’t say hello, or with his head down or whatever.
“I know a lot of players, when they first experience Bill, they think, ‘This guy is dry. He doesn’t address anybody. Did I do anything wrong? Is he mad at me?’ I’m like, ‘Trust me, if he’s not talking to you, it’s a good thing. It’s just being Bill.’ But as soon as he stops you in the hall and starts talking to you, that’s when you need to pay attention and see what you’ve been doing wrong in the past or out there on the field, because something is coming.”
I don't think that's a knock on Belichick as much as just trying to explain what his personality is. I think we all could've guessed that it was something like that.
Johnson does touch on why he decided to leave New England after so long, saying that he ultimately wanted to get out of Bill's shadow.
“My legs are still shaking a little bit. But I’m excited. I’m so excited,” Johnson said Tuesday. “I always have been a fan of Doug and the Buffalo Bills, just getting the opportunity to spread my wings and getting up from under the shadows of Coach Belichick. So it’s a good thing and a good opportunity. ”
Hard to blame Johnson, who never advanced past being an assistant coach on Belichick's staff. Word was he was not happy that he did not get the open defensive coordiantor gig that eventually became Matt Patricia's.
Some great insight from Pepper Johnson, who the Pats will have to face twice next year as a Bills coach.
