http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/sports/epaper/2005/02/06/a23_sabanbelichick_0206.html "In our first rookie mini-camp here, I shook Belichick's hand and just started laughing," said defensive end Jarvis Green, who played at LSU. "He's like, 'What's so funny?' It's the way they talk. Their mannerisms. I was laughing because it was the same. Exactly the same." By Joe Schad Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Sunday, February 06, 2005 JACKSONVILLE — The template has been set, and it is no surprise that the Miami Dolphins will try to use it. The Dolphins hired a man in Nick Saban who knows more about Bill Belichick than probably anybody, including Belichick's wife. They hired a man who shares his philosophy in evaluating players and choosing only the ones who fit his system. Super Bowl Patriots top Eagles Latest news, stats, more on New England's victory. Photos Super Bowl action Belichick's New England Patriots are vying for a third Super Bowl championship in four years tonight at Alltel Stadium against the Philadelphia Eagles. Apparently the philosophy works. "You reach a point, which is a hard point to reach," Belichick said this week, "where you look at a player and say, 'You know, this guy is a really good football player and is going to play a long time in the NFL and make a lot of plays, but he just doesn't fit in our system.' What are we going to do with him? He is going to be perfect somewhere else, but he's just not what we need. We've just got to move on." And so it is no surprise, for several reasons, that the roster New England takes into Super Bowl XXXIX includes six players who played at LSU, including five who played for Saban. Beyond the reality that they share defensive philosophy and strategy and style, is this: Saban has recruited the type of players whom Belichick ends up wanting to draft. Why? Because they've been talking about these things since they worked together for the Cleveland Browns a decade ago. "I'm not big on comparisons, but you can make that determination," Saban said of Belichick last week. Saban can explain, in extraordinary detail, what he is looking for in every player at every position. Take cornerback for example. "You have to play the ball in the deep part of the field," Saban said. "You have to be able to tackle. And you have to be able to play man-to-man on third down." Saban elaborates by discussing "quick feet to change direction, lower body explosion, vertical jump and character and intelligence." Belichick and Saban don't just talk the same football. They talk the same way. And they coach the same things. Cornerback Randall Gay wasn't even drafted out of LSU this season, but he's contributing now to the Patriots. "It was so easy," Gay said. "Same terminology. Same calls. One thing I didn't have to worry about was the playbook." Though Saban is more expansive, the words that flow from his mouth and Belichick's are eerily similar. Players say Saban yells a bit more, but the similarities in message are uncanny. "In our first rookie mini-camp here, I shook Belichick's hand and just started laughing," said defensive end Jarvis Green, who played at LSU. "He's like, 'What's so funny?' It's the way they talk. Their mannerisms. I was laughing because it was the same. Exactly the same." What's funny is coaches across the country are reaching to be compared to Belichick. Who wouldn't? But Saban is truly the first copy. It took awhile for Belichick to end constant comparisons to Bill Parcells. It no doubt will take some time for Saban to distinguish himself. "No B.S. from those guys," said Patriots quarterback Rohan Davey, who played for Saban. "Hard, efficient, down-to-the-detail guys. When I first met coach Belichick I laughed. He had the pencil in his ear, just like coach Saban. They both walk around practice and take notes." Saban and Belichick have been comparing notes for years. Of course, that will end now, as they become division rivals.
