If not for Tyree and Manningham, Belichick is the greatest

For starters, let’s get one thing straight. Bill Belichick is a Hall of Fame coach regardless of what you think about the videotaping scandal. And as far as I’m concerned, it does not minimize my view of the man’s coaching ability. He was an integral part of two Super Bowl champions with the New York Giants, he presided over a dynasty with the New England Patriots that won three Super Bowls in four years, and he has kept the Patriots near the top of the NFL for more than a decade. Enough said.

Two painfully close losses to the Giants in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI don’t tarnish any legacy. He is one of just three head coaches (along with Hall of Famers Don Shula and tom Landry) to appear in five Super Bowls. That’s impressive, to say the least.

For those who just don’t like Belichick and point to spygate as a bone of contention to his greatness, Super Bowl XLVI came so close to elevating Belichick to another level.

How cool was it when NFL Films captured Belichick on the sidelines before the Giants’ game-winning drive, imploring his defense to make Eli Manning throw to Mario Manningham?

“This is still a Nicks and Cruz offense,” he shouted. “Make them throw to Manningham.”

Simply put, if Manningham doesn’t make that once-in-a-lifetime grab and keep his feet in-bounds on a perfect Manning pass to start that drive, then Belichick’s genius status is stronger than ever.

It played out just the way he wanted it to. Same as when he had the Giants right where he wanted them in Super Bowl XLII before David Tyree made the greatest play in Super Bowl history.

Think about it. Belichick is two crazy, improbable, unbelievable catches away from being a coach with five Super Bowl titles and a perfect season on his resume. And don’t forget, it’s not like those catches were made by Plaxico Burress or Hakeem Nicks or even Victor Cruz.

Belichick’s status as the unquestioned greatest coach in NFL history is held back by David Tyree and Mario Manningham. That’s almost too ridiculous to comprehend.

But if two unfathomable catches by two unfathomable Super Bowl heroes is all that stands between Belichick and re-naming the Vince Lombardi Trophy after him, then he’s at least earned the right to be in the conversation.