JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick expressed some admiration for the job Jaguars coach Gus Bradley has done in his two-plus seasons in Jacksonville.
The two coaches met before last Sunday’s game at Gillette Stadium and since Belichick was mic’d up by the Patriots’ official website, the conversation was recorded. The video is nearly four minutes long and it obviously includes a lot of Patriots highlights from their 51-17 victory, but the conversation occurs right at the beginning so Jaguars fans don’t have to see any of that.
If you don’t want to watch, here’s what was said:
Bradley: "Coach Belichick, I know we’ve never talked but you’ve been really good for me. I’m kind of watching and stuff. Without you knowing you’ve helped me. I know maybe a lot of people say it but I mean it. It’s been good, so I appreciate that."
Belichick: "Likewise. I’ve got a lot of respect for what you’ve done with this team. It’s a young team, but I can see where you’re going."
The video also caught the two coaches’ post-game meeting, and Belichick addressed one of the reasons why the Jaguars have struggled in the early part of the season: injuries. The Jaguars played without three starters and lost four more players -- including three starters in the secondary -- against the Patriots.
"Hope you get healthy now," Belichick said.