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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Patriots’ Belichick tries to move on


Bill Belichick isn't giving media glimpse into his involvement. Associated Press
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Jimmy Golen Associated Press

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – When he stands on an NFL sideline for 16 Sundays and a few more each year, Bill Belichick is an undisputed master, with a single-minded and cerebral approach that helped him win three Super Bowls during what might still be a Hall of Fame career.

It’s everywhere else that he’s had trouble.

The New England coach tried again Friday to move on from the sideline spying scandal in which he was fined $500,000 and ordered to forfeit a top draft choice – the latest misstep in a year of distractions for the coach who preaches about avoiding them.

“It’s over, and we’re moving on,” Belichick said. “Right now, all of my energy and focus and attention is on the San Diego Chargers and our game Sunday night. So, that’s where we’re at.”

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced Thursday night that he would fine Belichick the maximum amount and dock the team $250,000 and a first-round draft pick next year (or a lesser pick if the Patriots miss the playoffs).

It was the biggest fine in NFL history for a coach and would be the first time a first-round draft pick has been confiscated as a penalty.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft issued a statement in which he said he accepted Belichick’s apology.

Others weren’t ready to put it in the past.

“Really, a sad day for the NFL,” Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy said after practice. “It’s another case of the 99 percent good things that are happening being overshadowed by 1 percent bad. Again, people aren’t talking about our product, they’re talking about a negative incident.”

It’s been that way all year for Belichick.

His marriage broke up after he was named as the other man in a New Jersey divorce that set the gossip columns atwitter. Former linebacker Ted Johnson accused Belichick of overruling the doctors and sending him back onto the field too soon after a concussion.

That’s not to mention the loss to the Colts in the AFC championship, a game in which the Patriots had a 15-point lead at halftime.

“All I know is there better not be an asterisk by any of the Super Bowls I was with them,” said Christian Fauria, a tight end on the 2003 and 2004 title teams, who is now with the Carolina Panthers. “I better call my wife and tell her to put (my rings) in a safe.”

Belichick said that video assistant Matt Estrella, whose camera was confiscated while he was on the Jets’ sideline, will not be on the sideline for Sunday night’s game. “We will change our procedure on that,” the coach said.

Estrella will not be punished, league spokesman Greg Aiello said. Miami Dolphins quarterback Trent Green was among those doubting the sincerity of Belichick’s apology, comparing the coach to the megalomaniacal Marine played by Jack Nicholson in the movie “A Few Good Men.”

“Belichick is sitting there, and you know he is getting peeved that he is even in there – the audacity to bring him in and question him,” Green said.

“The visual I have is that eventually Belichick kind of snapped and said, ‘You’re darn right I (did).’ “