The Patriots don’t need any added motivation to win Saturday’s divisional playoff game, but that didn’t stop Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton from giving them some.
Hamilton, who is in his first season with the Colts, spent three seasons as an offensive assistant with the New York Jets (2003-2005), giving him plenty of experience game planning against Bill Belichick. But when Hamilton was asked about preparing for the Patriots on Wednesday, he pulled the biggest no-no in the book, taking a veiled shot at Belichick with a reference to Spygate.
“I do know for a fact that it was always a 60-minute chess match,” Hamilton said, per the Indianapolis Star. “It was ever-changing looks and disguises and they always tend to find ways to figure out some of your signals.”
Spygate was arguably the biggest scandal in the NFL during the 2000s, as the Patriots were found to be illegally taping opponent’s signals. The scandal resulted in a $500,000 fine for Belichick and a $250,000 fine for the Patriots organization. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell also stripped the Patriots of their first-round pick in the 2008 draft.
Hamilton may have poked a little fun at Belichick with his sly comment, but he was sure to mention that he still holds the coach in very high regard.
“It’s truly an honor to have an opportunity to field a team and compete against the likes of Coach Belichick, who will go down as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Football League,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton might have endless amounts of respect for Belichick, but obviously he doesn’t quite understand the type of competitor the hooded genius can be. Otherwise, he might have known enough to adhere to the “do not disturb” sign.
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