[vincesanity82]

Largely due to the fact that the question of the number of years remaining on New England coach Bill Belichick's contract is guarded almost as closely as the codes for the nuclear football, the unknown status of Belichik's future tenure invites constant speculation.

The current speculation in some league and media circles is that Belichick's contract with the Pats expires after the 2007 season, and that he will leave. The fact that the Pats have loaded the cannon via free agency and trades, adding folks like linebacker Adalius Thomas and receivers Randy Moss (who coincidentally has a one-year deal), Donte' Stallworth, Wes Welker, and Kelley Washington, has only intensified beliefs that Belichick wants to make a run at a fourth Super Bowl victory before walking away.

But while some think he will retire, others believe that he'll take a new job. One prominent national media type has suggested to us that Belichick would like to be the first coach to win a Super Bowl in each conference.

To make that happen, Belichick would have to land in the NFC. The most obvious place for him to go is back to New York, given that he was the defensive coordinator for the Giants when the team won championships in 1986 and 1990. But some believe that his entanglement with former Giants receptionist Sharon Shenocca will keep the Mara family from approving the move.

The source who thinks that Belichick craves an NFC Super Bowl win thinks that Washington, Dallas, Carolina, and Tampa are the potential destinations. We'll also throw the Vikings into the mix, since owner Zygi Wilf is a life-long Giants fan who once waited outside of a bathroom to get Lawrence Taylor's autograph. (We hope L.T. washed his hands before he grabbed the pen.) Wilf is wise enough to heed the quiet criticism of current coach Brad Childress, even if the rest of the front office is doing their best to prop up the field boss for fear of being run out the door if a guy like Belichick were to come to town.

Anyway, it's all speculation for now. But unless and until someone says that Belichick is under contract beyond 2007 with the Pats and plans to honor it, the two Bills -- Belichick and Cowher -- should be penciled in at the top of the list for the 2008 coaching carousel.

ProFootballTalk.com -- The Best Pro Football Scoop on the Internet

[vincesanity82]

I voted no because the pats will give him an offer he cant refuse..Hes had much success with the pats, if the organization doesnt offer him mad money to stay Id be suprised..

[EmpireWF]

There was a lot of speculation in the off-season before the Giants gave an extension to Coughlin.

Only way he stays with New England is if he gets paid, simple as that.q

[simple simon]

he wont leave yet ...... not for a few years

[Bette]

Originally Posted by simple simon

he wont leave yet ...... not for a few years

I'm not so sure about that. This is a guy who might be ready for a new challenge, so I dont think the money is going to be enough incentive for him to stay.

[LSC9901]

I'm sure money will be a factor but the W/L record will need to be taken into account also. More W's = more $$$$$

[Bette]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I'm sure money will be a factor but the W/L record will need to be taken into account also. More W's = more $$$$$

I disagree. This guy is a football genius and he might just decide to take on a challenge. Got to get kind of boring in New England, what with winning all the time.

[bears9]

no hes nothing without football he'll be around in 08

[azrael492]

I think they would be stupid to let him get away.

I would like to see him start over in Cleveland. He was awful the first time around. I bet he could build them into a contender now.

[Bette]

Let's give him a real challenge. How about Detroit???

[secsportsfan]

looks like his real genius has been getting away with cheating -- till now

check out Belichick Spygate Scandal: The Untold Story

[legend]

A football genius would take a quarterback like what the Vikings and Redskins now have and win Super Bowls. Funny how all the geniuses had guys like Brady, Aikman, Montana, etc. throwing the passes.
Belichick has few friends in the New England media because of his arrogance and secretiveness. They will soon get around to uncovering every bit of dirt that they can on him and make it so he will not wish to return there. Then the genius can go back to Cleveland, where apparently he was not yet a genius the first time around.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Come on...he got caught...like a pitcher getting caught cutting up a ball...no way in hell though is that gonna cost him a coaching career...unless PETA gets involved.

[EmpireWF]

I don't think Belichick is stupid enough to leave New England unless he wants to retire. The only QB better than Brady is Manning.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Come on...he got caught...like a pitcher getting caught cutting up a ball...no way in hell though is that gonna cost him a coaching career...unless PETA gets involved.

If they can figure a way they will.