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Bill Belichick, head coach of the New England Patriots since 2000, who came over in a trade with the New York Jets after Parcells’ departure, has always been a very calculating, if not subdued leader. He’s never supplied bulletin-board material to opponents; rather he embellishes upcoming foes with praise for all their attributes. His soft-spoken, usually accurate demeanor steers him away from all that is distracting or controversial.

Yet when prompted by Chad Johnson, the vocal and attention-seeking champion of end-zone antics, to allow him man coverage from Asante Samuel this week, Bill replied, “Tell him we’d cover him one-on-one all the time, but he pushes off more than any receiver in the league.” Bill followed with, “He must be paying off the officials not to call it, so we’re going to have to double-cover him some.”

If ever the pot were to call the kettle black. If Chad Johnson is the kettle, Belichick is the pot. Bill, look at the bottom of your pot and make a mental note of just how deep, dark and black it indeed is.

Yes, the art of pushing off was perfected by none other than Michael Irvin, a physical receiver, who made a living (career) gaining separation off the line. And yes, analytical minds are left to ponder the extent of the impact on Irvin’s career were the enforcement against such push-offs late in his career to have been called in his prime.

However, if Mr. Belichick wants to sing about taking advantage of calls not made, he has no further to look than his own New England Patriots. Under Bill’s rule, Ty Law mugged, manhandled and draped Rams running back Marshall Faulk all day long in Super Bowl XXXVI, drastically reducing the entire “Greatest Show on Turf’s” effectiveness. It was only called one time, when it had become too obvious to continue to not call, as Faulk, during one of many field-long assaults, fumbled, resulting in seven points the other way. This one was called back, but it was the only one.

In the AFC Championship game in 2003 against the Indianapolis Colts, Belichick’s secondary, again Ty Law in particular, mauled, held and otherwise removed receiver Marvin Harrison and tight end Marcus Pollard all game long. This time the crimes were not taxed with a yellow flag at all. Peyton Manning was less a prime target for the duration.

Both incidents contributed very, very heavily to Super Bowls achieved those respective years, with the latter resulting in re-enforcement of the NFL’s contact with receiver pass interference rules, subsequently nicknamed “the Patriot Rule”.

So while it’s so easy to merely take for granted a pinnacle that’s already in one’s pocket, without regard to what didn’t necessarily have to have been afforded, Belichick should learn to take the good with the bad. For when it comes to referees turning the other cheek, two Super Bowls suggest Belichick is the ultimate beneficiary!