Willie
Willie McGinest ended his 12-year career as a New England Patriot yesterday, signing a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns. He'd been released by the Patriots shortly after the new CBA was approved so the team could avoid paying him a $7 million bonus. And now I'm all sad.
McGinest was a true team player. Wait a minute - it's not an obit. I feel like he's lost, so I'm a bit in mourning. McGinest IS a true team player. He 'brings it' on the field and in the locker room. The Boston Globe reported a couple of years ago that when Bethel Johnson and a couple of other young players were horsing around in the locker room, playing basketball with a ball of tape and a laundry bin, Willie took their ball and told them: 'go read your playbook.'
And, by the account, none of the brash youngsters said a word. You don't back-talk Willie McGinest in his house.
During the improbable run to the Patriots Super Bowl 36 victory, there had been media reports that the Steelers had been given a day off for players to make hotel and other plans for the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Bill Belichick cleverly used that for motivation - though it was a fairly normal thing to do in the NFL.
And I'll never forget the sideline shot of Willie, as the game was ending, shouting at anybody who would listen: "Cancel those reservations! Cancel all those reservations!"
Originally a pass rushing outside linebacker drafted out of USC by Bill Parcells, McGinest was switched to a pass-rushing end by 1996. He keyed their unsuccessful Super Bowl run that season, but suffered some nagging injuries the next few years. Playing the 'elephant' DE spot for Pete Carroll's 4-3, McGinest was solid but didn't stand out.
Belechick's arrival rejuvenated his career, putting him back in the 3-4 OLB spot where he'd started his career. As a leader and a big-game player, he made some spectacular contributions to the three-time champion Patriots.
In their last (latest) Super Bowl victory over the Eagles, the coaching staff decided that a 4-3 front would be more effective against the Eagles offense. Even though they hadn't played a 4-3 all year, and that sort of drastic change is unheard of in the NFL, Belichick and staff installed it - and called it the "Calley" defense. Why? Because it was built around McGinest, a USC California guy.
The defensive coach who created that scheme - Romeo Crennell - is now the head coach in Cleveland. And that's where Willie's headed.
So hail and farewell, mighty warrior! You will be missed!
And he never stopped being "Willie." I kept waiting for him to request the public name change to "William," but it never happened.
McGinest was a true team player. Wait a minute - it's not an obit. I feel like he's lost, so I'm a bit in mourning. McGinest IS a true team player. He 'brings it' on the field and in the locker room. The Boston Globe reported a couple of years ago that when Bethel Johnson and a couple of other young players were horsing around in the locker room, playing basketball with a ball of tape and a laundry bin, Willie took their ball and told them: 'go read your playbook.'
And, by the account, none of the brash youngsters said a word. You don't back-talk Willie McGinest in his house.
During the improbable run to the Patriots Super Bowl 36 victory, there had been media reports that the Steelers had been given a day off for players to make hotel and other plans for the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Bill Belichick cleverly used that for motivation - though it was a fairly normal thing to do in the NFL.
And I'll never forget the sideline shot of Willie, as the game was ending, shouting at anybody who would listen: "Cancel those reservations! Cancel all those reservations!"
Originally a pass rushing outside linebacker drafted out of USC by Bill Parcells, McGinest was switched to a pass-rushing end by 1996. He keyed their unsuccessful Super Bowl run that season, but suffered some nagging injuries the next few years. Playing the 'elephant' DE spot for Pete Carroll's 4-3, McGinest was solid but didn't stand out.
Belechick's arrival rejuvenated his career, putting him back in the 3-4 OLB spot where he'd started his career. As a leader and a big-game player, he made some spectacular contributions to the three-time champion Patriots.
In their last (latest) Super Bowl victory over the Eagles, the coaching staff decided that a 4-3 front would be more effective against the Eagles offense. Even though they hadn't played a 4-3 all year, and that sort of drastic change is unheard of in the NFL, Belichick and staff installed it - and called it the "Calley" defense. Why? Because it was built around McGinest, a USC California guy.
The defensive coach who created that scheme - Romeo Crennell - is now the head coach in Cleveland. And that's where Willie's headed.
So hail and farewell, mighty warrior! You will be missed!
And he never stopped being "Willie." I kept waiting for him to request the public name change to "William," but it never happened.
posted by fiduciary at 8:17 AM
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