What do you get for the football coach who has everything? Well, one option is to get something everyone knows he has piles of. That was the approach WEEI host Greg Hill took this past week when the Greg Hill Show hosted New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick for his weekly appearance on the program.
Patriots-Broncos anti-analysis
I’m not here to analyze the Patriots game this Sunday. That sounds like actual work Chris Mason, Mark Daniels, Karen Guregian or Matt Vautour would do (suckers). Instead, I’m here to point out 5-10 observations and general tidbits that have at least a tangential connection to Sunday’s game.
1. Bill Belichick ot a hoodie for Christmas on live radio
Toward the end of Belichick’s appearance on WEEI on Monday, Hill asked the coach if it was OK to give him a little gift. Here’s how the exchange went:
Hill: “I would like to, before you go, express the gratitude of the region, whether we end up having you on, I hope we have you on all next season we’re here. But I brought you a gift for Christmas. Is that OK? It’s a hoodie.”
Belichick: “Oh great, I don’t have any of those.”
Hill: “I took the liberty of pre-cutting the sleeves. I don’t know if that’s going to be an issue or not. But this is a collaboration that my foundation and Cisco (Brewers) did. I know you love Nantucket. So this is for you. So, Merry Christmas from the entire show. I hope you find time to wear that and enjoy that, maybe if possible, on camera, so I get a little extra publicity.
Belichick: “Well, happy holidays to everyone and to our listeners and I appreciate the support.”
2. The Non-Bill Belichick-Approved Answer of the Week
A special edition of this award goes to David Andrews, who was named this year’s recipient of the Rob Hobson Media Good Guy Award. Each year, the award goes to the Patriots player who goes above and beyond his obligations to speak to the media — as selected by New England media.
Andrews was a deserving winner this year. He was the first to face the cameras after every game this season and took every hard question in stride, even after losses.
Andrews was appreciative of the award, especially since his wife has been getting on him about sounding too melancholy in front of the media.
My wife thinks I could do better at the media. But I tell her, there’s a chain of command I’m answering to. She thinks I sound a little too melancholy, like the head coach sometimes. Maybe now that will get her off my back for that.”
3. Was Chad Johnson on PEDS? Yeah, McDonald’s
Remember Chad Johnson? You know, the former NFL receiver who once changed his name to Chad Ochocinco?
Johnson, who had a short stint in New England, was one of the league’s most colorful stars during his career. He famously rose to stardom while championing a diet that consisted heavily of fast food.
This week, a clip popped up on Reddit showing Johnson talking with Shannon Sharpe on their Nightcap podcast. In it, Johnson admits to taking a substance called GDM, which helped fuel his game.
Johnson: “I was taking GDM back then.”
Sharpe: “Oh, Lord have mercy.”
Johnson: “Don’t you laugh. I was taking GDM back then. You don’t know what GDM is?
Sharpe: “No, what is it Ocho?
Johnson: “(Expletive) McDonald’s”
4. The “He’s on That Team Now?” Player of the Week: QB Jarrett Stidham
Since being traded away from the Patriots last year, Stidham has bounced around a bit. He had a brief two-game stint as a starter last season with the Las Vegas Raiders and moved across the division to Denver this past season to backup Russell Wilson.
5. Name of the Week: WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
This is another familiar face. Humphrey was a preseason standout who started on the practice squad before appearing in six games with New England in 2022. This past offseason, he landed in Denver and again started the year on the practice squad. He’s appeared in 14 games this season, catching 11 passes for 93 yards and 2 touchdowns.
As for the name, “Lil’Jordan” stems from his older brother, Terry Michael, who wanted a brother named after Michael Jordan. Their mother, not wanting two Michaels, came up with “Lil’Jordan” as a compromise.
