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Former Patriots coach Bill Belichick currently doesn't have a job, but he's definitely keeping busy.

He recently spoke at Nebraska's annual coaching clinic. Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule, who was blown out as an NFL coach in Carolina, was blown away by Belichick.

"He is so smart, he's seen so much, that he can make the complex so simple that it humbles you and embarrasses you," Rhule said, via KETV 7 in Omaha. "I was embarrassed . . . Listening to him, how smart he is, how simple it was. He went four and a half hours just with the coaches. Forget the clinic, like, he came in and met with our coaching staff. And three and a half hours in, I was like, 'Coach, would you like a water? Cup of coffee? Would you like to use the restroom?' Because I desperately had to use the restroom, you know? And he's like, 'I'm fine, Matt.' I was like, 'Yes, sir.' Just sitting there and just talking, right?

"And just his recall from things 15 years ago. And the only reason why we don't get through more information is because he's having to slow down to make sure you understand what he's saying. I mean, so you have this man who's a savant, right? Who's been a defensive coordinator. He's been a special teams coordinator. He's coached, you know, he could be an offensive coordinator. He's been a head coach twice. He's been a G.M. . . . He's talking about football in a way that just like, I mean, illuminates things, that makes things so simple that you're like, 'Oh my goodness.'"

Oh my goodness is right. And seven teams could have hired him this year. None did.

The problem in most places is that Belichick's presence would disrupt positions that weren't vacant at the time the team was looking for a coach. Even if he would be willing to be just the coach and nothing more, his presence and that humbling and embarrassing knowledge will make it very hard for whoever has final say over the draft or the roster to be comfortable in that job.

Will someone give Belichick full power next year? That's likely what it will take. Not to get Belichick to say yes, but to ensure that there's no one on the payroll who would fear being exposed as fraudulent in comparison to Belichick. There aren't many who wouldn't be, especially if the team is doing poorly enough to fire its coaching staff.

So, yes, Belichick should be back in the NFL next year. He should be in the NFL this year. Neither guarantees that his absence will be limited to one year. Especially with age discrimination a very real but very downplayed reality for coaching and front-office jobs in the NFL.

The hot spot nevertheless continues to be the NFC East, where three teams could be hot on his trail before the 2024 season ends — the Cowboys, the Eagles, and the Giants.

Saquon Barkley Would Change One Thing About His Giants Exit After Joining Rival Eagles

As Saquon Barkley slipped on the black hoodie with the Eagles logo and dressed his daughter in the gear of his longtime rival, a new reality set in.

Barkley no longer has to worry about figuring out how to carry the Giants to upsets of the favored Eagles.

He is an Eagle.

Saquon Barkley speaks during his introductory Eagles press conference on March 14, 2024. AP Saquon Barkley was all smiles at his introductory Eagles press conference on March 14, 2024. AP

"We've been on the worse side of the rivalry, I guess you could say, for the past couple years," Barkley said Thursday afternoon at an introductory news conference.

Really, Barkley needs no introduction in New York or Philadelphia after spending the first six years of his career — one winning season — as the face of the Giants.

Eighteen months of negotiating an extension with the Giants went nowhere, so he agreed Monday to a three-year, $37.5 million free-agent contract with the Eagles.

Barkley, 27, has no regrets about choosing the Eagles over offers from the Texans and Bears. Just about the abrupt way he left.

Reflecting on announcing his own signing with a hastily worded farewell and two Eagles emojis, Barkley said, "I don't think I really handled it the right way on social media. I think I could've gave a proper goodbye."

Saquon Barkley speaks to reporters at his introductory Eagles press conference on March 14, 2024. AP

Take 2 happened later Thursday, when Barkley wrote on X "to acknowledge all the Giant fans that have supported me and my family over the last six years. When I was drafted here I wanted my impact off the field to rival the accomplishments we had on it, and I can only hope that I came close [to] doing that."

Calling the past three days a "whirlwind of emotions," Barkley thanked ownership and the organization, said Giants fans "will forever hold a place in my heart," and ended on, "the NFL is a business, and I hope that everyone can respect my decision."

Barkley's welcome started Thursday when he pulled up to the training complex and new teammate Brandon Graham was waiting to joke with him about how tackling is off limits now.

The Eagles denied all New York-based media access to the news conference.

Saquon Barkley left the Giants after six seasons. Getty Images

"I'm just ready to get the business side off of it," Barkley said. "The last two years, so many people would come up to talk to me about me getting [franchise-] tagged or talk about contracts. Now all that's done. The business side is done. We can keep the main thing the main thing — and that's winning football games."

In addition to guaranteed money that topped any of the Giants' offers made between November 2022 and the final one in July 2023, the Eagles presented Barkley a chance to play close to his childhood home of Coplay, Pa., where his children can be near their grandparents, in front of fans who rooted for him at Penn State and with the best offensive line and cast of playmakers (Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith) of his career.

"At the point I am in my career, to be able to get a fresh start is good," Barkley said. "I feel like I'm a special player, and I feel like I've still got a lot left. I've got a lot to prove, and I can't wait on the field with those guys and show it to the world."

Barkley averaged 92.1 yards per scrimmage and scored seven touchdowns in nine games against the Eagles, as the Giants went 2-7.

He missed three others as part of his 24 career games missed due to injuries (14 to a torn ACL in 2020).

"When it came to my attention the Eagles were interested in me, I definitely got excited about it," Barkley said. "Watching from afar, everything they are about, the culture here, the fans here, I'm just happy to be a part of this organization. I'm ready to go."

The Next Epidemic

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Column/Opinion

April 9, 2024 at 2:58 a.M.

by Philip Martin

"It never occurred to me that one man could start to play with the faith of 50 million people--with the singlemindedness of a burglar blowing a safe."

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