The surreal aspect of Bill Belichick’s major media debut in his post-New England Patriots coaching career was that he shared the set with a character named “Mad Mel” on NFL Draft broadcast “The Pat McAfee Show.” Ta.
In the McAfee program, contributor Ty Schmidt impersonates ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., but he actually does it in a more novel way than Kiper currently does. He has an easy-going personality, but it’s reminiscent of more than 40 years ago, when the edgier Kuiper began to create a legend as the ultimate draftsman.
It’s a little strange that Mad Mel’s character’s comments about draft picks came before Belichick’s, but it was actually appropriate.
Belichick’s analysis was similar to vintage Kiper Jr., but with one difference. Belichick is arguably the greatest coach in NFL history, so his words had even more impact. Belichick came to perform as the opening act.
The 72-year-old Belichick, who as a coach may not have known or pretended to know, was not aware that players in their 20s were being drafted. He spoke his true feelings. “SnapFace” Anyone —New platforms including ESPN+, YouTube and TikTok aired McAfee’s program Thursday.
This is part of Belichick’s media blitz and will likely earn him millions as he bids his time on the sidelines. Wearing a blue suit, pink tie and handkerchief, he, like all six quarterbacks drafted in the first round, held no holds back.
I was particularly intrigued when he discussed his former team selecting North Carolina’s Drake Maye with the third pick in the draft.
“Drake often compares himself to Josh Allen,” Belichick said. “He’s been doing it for quite some time. I guess that’s how it is.”
Belichick noted that Maye has similar athleticism, but has already said previously that he needs some fine-tuning in his footwork. Belichick made his headlines as a refreshing change from his brief press conferences as coach, saying he wasn’t afraid to say what he thought.
He compared No. 1 pick Caleb Williams to Russell Wilson, but stressed that Williams has to become more reliable. He said all sorts of annoying things.
“Caleb Williams is really talented and can make all the pitches.
If he’s a little more consistent, he has a chance to be a really good player.”
bill belichick #PMSDraftSpectacular pic.twitter.com/AgjuUsSY2j
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 26, 2024
Former Patriot and rising broadcast star Jason McCourty attracted attention on social media Seeing his former coach, he said, “felt like I was back in a team meeting.”
Belichick was a far cry from the team meetings on McAfee’s new media show, which was far less serious than traditional shows on ESPN, ABC and NFL Network. Belichick seemed to gradually get used to it as the show went on, and when he wanted to highlight a highlight, he would break down the film and tell the show’s video editor Evan Fox, “Foxey, roll back.”
Besides Mad Mel, “Boston” Connor Campbell was also on set in a tuxedo, along with former NFL players AJ Hawk and Darius Butler. After Maye was drafted by New England, Patriots fan Boston Connor left a lengthy comment about how great of a player Maye would be. The audience then heard Belichick speak. It sounded as if he would have vetoed the nomination if he was still running the show in Foxborough.
“Drake Maye makes some great plays that you really like.
He can really drive the ball and is a tremendous athlete.” ~Bill Belichick #PMSDraftSpectacular pic.twitter.com/RvmUZpXDra
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 26, 2024
That wasn’t all. The stream featured Oz Perlman, also known as “Oz the Mentalist,” performing some magic tricks, including briefly taping up Conner’s tuxedo for most of the draft. After the Oz sequence, Belichick made a bowing motion, saying, “I don’t deserve it.”
Belichick played along with everything. He participated in a fake interview with Commissioner Roger Goodell in the opening set-up. He served as a booker and texted Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton to take the job.
Tone Diggs (real name Anthony Digilio), wearing a cowboy hat, had a draft board that Belichick pointed to as he explained his options. Belichick turned around at one point to take a photo of the crowd and soaked it all up.
This is just the beginning for Belichick. At the end of Thursday’s draft, he announced that he would have a weekly corner with McAfee on Mondays during the regular season.
This has already been decided, but a semi-regular slot on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” Manning cast has also been decided this season. He plans to write a book on leadership. He may do a podcast or video show.
On Thursday, Belichick looked like he was having fun as he sat with McAfee, Mad Mel and the crew. He even smiled.
quick click
—ESPN host Mike Greenberg interviewed Goodell before the draft began. He wasn’t exactly Frost Nixon. The funniest moment came on ESPN when Greenberg asked about streaming and Goodell said Amazon and YouTube have brought younger viewers and emphasized that that will continue.
— Laura Rutledge featured prominently in an interview with players’ families on ABC. A powerful and concise question that captures the details.
— On NFL Network, Kaylee Hartung has earned the post-designation interview spot that previously belonged to Melissa Stark. While the NFL Network focused on the fashion aspects of the players before the start of the game, and ESPN had the “College GameDay” crew do more football action in the hours before the start of the picks, Hartung – Teamed up with Newton on the red carpet.
— One of my favorite Chris “Mad Dog” Russo tricks is when he tries to criticize someone or something by bringing up random facts from the past. Case in point: on his show Thursday on Sirius Stated. The accuracy of this statement is definitely questionable, as I’m not sure if there are any 24-year-old NFL assistant GMs, let alone from Dartmouth, and if there are, I’m sure they’ve heard of the Ice Bowl. Must. Still, it was interesting.
—A beautiful tribute to the late Chris Mortensen in ESPN’s pre-draft coverage.
The NFL Draft will never be the same without our beloved Chris Mortensen ❤️ pic.twitter.com/j5lgVLXY8b
— ESPN (@espn) April 25, 2024
(Photo of Bill Belichick at his January press conference announcing his departure from the Patriots: Eric Canha / USA Today)
