DALLAS -- Analyst Rich Gannon, who works for CBS and Sirius NFL Radio, said today that he selected Bill Belichick with his Associated Press Coach of the Year vote.
Gannon is one of 50 voters and the results will be announced tonight. Saying he believes it will be a close vote, he was ultimately deciding between Belichick, Falcons coach Mike Smith, Chiefs coach Todd Haley and Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris.
"I think he did an outstanding job with that group this year," Gannon said today at the Super Bowl. "All the young players, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, I just think it's been incredible what they've been able to accomplish. They took the ball away more than any team in football and they were [excellent] in not giving it away. Then I looked at the offense and the changes they've had, with essentially two new running backs, changes at the receiver position, the development of two young players at the tight end position, not having Logan Mankins the first seven games of the season.
"It's hard to win 14 games in this business. I know people are disappointed in New England about the fact they've had disappointing losses in the playoffs the last two years. But I can say this because I'm not in New England, but if people in New England are complaining, they're spoiled. They're doing something right there, because they win a lot of football games. Bill has a lot to do with it."