If this idea keeps gaining steam, the NFL might have a pay-per-view showdown ready to roll.
Amid the typically serious nature of the Patriots’ conference calls Monday, head coach Bill Belichick, director of player personnel Nick Caserio and linebackers coach Matt Patricia all weighed in on a potential mano-a-mano bout between the Pats and Jets.
Initially, Belichick broke down the tale of the tape between himself and Jets head coach Rex Ryan, and then Caserio took it up a notch.
“I’d say that’s pretty accurate,” said Caserio, who acknowledged Belichick has the speed advantage while Ryan can counter with power. “I don’t think anybody wants to see those two race or line up against one another on the field. It might take a long time. The most important thing is how our players prepare. Each coach will prepare his team. In the end, the players are the ones that are out there on the field on Sunday, and they’re the ones that are going to be making the plays.
“Maybe on the side we can see how Rex and Bill would do, maybe at halftime. Maybe that can be a good halftime show or something like that.”
OK, so a halftime footrace between Belichick and Ryan? Now we’re talking. (Cue the foot jokes …now.) Caserio was also asked if he’d line up an undercard meeting against Jets general manager Mike Tanenbaum.
“Sure, if Mike’s up for it, I’d be more than happy to,” Caserio said. “Hopefully, I don’t embarrass myself.”
Patricia, though, was a tad bit wary of the idea. However, Patricia recognized one advantage he’s got on everyone else. Nearly as recognizable as Belichick’s hoodie, Patricia’s wardrobe staple has been his blue mesh shorts, which he wears at every practice, even when it’s so cold that players are wearing extra layers and face masks.
“The problem I’ve got right now is that I’m pretty much out of breath just walking up the stairs to practice, so I am just going to stick to making sure I don’t get any of those challenges right there,” Patricia said of the possibility over scheduling his own race. “I would have a problem with that I think. I can probably stand outside the longest in shorts. I think I could take that one. The rest of that, I think I would have an issue with.”
See, the Jets aren’t the only team that knows how to have fun.
