Coach of the year is....

Slimdust

Bill Belichick, New England.

In this case, cheaters win.

Like when a player is suspended for failing a steroid test, Belichick's major transgression — having his staff illegally videotape the New York Jets' signals in the season-opener — weighed heavily against his candidacy.

And Belichick was still the clear choice.

He masterminded the most impressive regular season in NFL history. But a 16-0 record isn't the only thing that sets New England apart. The Patriots play smarter than any other team and never beat themselves. No other squad changes its schemes and personnel as much on a game-to-game basis without a drop-off. Injuries are never an excuse because New England's substitutes are so well prepared.

If you owned a team, which coach would you rather have on the sideline entering the playoffs?

Belichick is expected to win this award but he won't be a unanimous choice. There are voters who will hold "Spygate" against him or harbor animosity because of Belichick's smugness and droning news conferences. (The snide comments made by some of my peers during Belichick's postgame news conference after Saturday night's 38-35 victory over the New York Giants were embarrassing and unprofessional.)

Others believe the honor should be given to a coach whose team greatly exceeds low media expectations. Green Bay's Mike McCarthy, Cleveland's Romeo Crennel and Buffalo's Dick Jauron are worthy selections under that scenario. I would have given all three more consideration had the Patriots finished a mortal 15-1 rather than 16-0.

But they didn't.

foxsports.com

PS3 Online Name: xJimmyx23

www.haulingkings.com

Twist of Lemon

Sure is easy to be coach of the year with Tom Brady at QB Theres people who have done maybe not as much (regarding records and 16-0) but more with less talent. Without having to lean on there QB every game

Dakstang

MMA Moderator

Anybody could be coach of the year if they had all the weapons New England has...

A monkey could have been head coach of the Patriots this year and been named coach of the year.

Stop talkin' bout stayin' the course
You keep on beatin' that old dead horse
You know they lied about why we went to War
I can't take it no more