Former New York Jets and New York Giants coaches in 30 for 30: Review

Cowboys coach Bill Parcells (Photo by Robert B. Stanton/NFLPhotoLibrary)
Cowboys coach Bill Parcells (Photo by Robert B. Stanton/NFLPhotoLibrary)

Reviewing the 30 for 30 which featured former New York Jets and New York Giants coaches Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick.

One started his career with the Baltimore Colts, the other with the New York Giants. They worked together with the Giants as well as with the New York Jets. They achieved their earliest triumphs with Big Blue and brought Gang Green to the brink of the Super Bowl. They are two of the finest minds in NFL history. Of course I am talking about Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick. They were featured on ESPN’s latest “30 for 30” installment entitled, The Two Bills. If you didn’t see it on premiere night check it out when you can as it was more than worth it.

A significant portion of the program was dedicated to their time with the Giants, which makes sense as it was the longest stretch in their careers to that point. After all, these two men did win two Super Bowls together. People may not know or remember that Belichick was the special teams coach when he started with the Giants. The program chronicles how Belichick earned the respect of the defense once he took over as the coordinator. Listen to how Lawrence Taylor talks about it.

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One of the more interesting elements we learn about is the humility of Belichick. They talk about how Parcells had meetings in his office with Belichick to help him get ready for his coaching chance. Belichick couldn’t be more gracious in thanking his former teacher for all of those moments.

Even when watching footage of Belichick coaching against Parcells with the Browns, Belichick was gracious of the man they call “the Tuna”. Jets fans, who knew that the man in the hood had a heart?

The situation with the Patriots is pretty much what we knew about it at the time. They played the famous, ” …buy the groceries”, quote. It’s a bit ironic to hear Robert Kraft say that the league was complicit in favor of the Jets back then after all that has happened since. Many would argue that the league is complicit in many things that are in the Patriots favor these days.

Even Parcells, who had a lot of anger back then, acknowledged that he could have handled things in New England better. I am sure Jets fans are glad he didn’t though.

Next: Recruiting Cousins for Gang Green

The most interesting part was learning about the relationship that these two men shared then and still share today. There were many rumors back then that Belichick and Parcells didn’t get along. Based on the program that couldn’t be further from the truth. There is a humorous point where someone tries to get Belichick and Parcells to admit they love each other. They never say it but you can tell they do.

Check it out if you get the chance. No football fan in the area will be disappointed.