Yesterday, owners and coaches of all 32 member clubs arrived in Boca Raton, Florida for the NFL's annual league meeting. The meeting will run through Wedensday and was officially opened yesterday with a speech by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Guess who did not take the time to hear it.
Correct, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who decided to skip Goodell's opening remarks, according to Jeff Howe:
Goodell is giving a speech to head coaches, owners, etc. in a banquet room. Belichick is walking down the hall in the opposite direction.
Belichick swimming against the tide is nothing new and an integral part of what makes him the best coach in the NFL. Therefore seeing him not in attendance at the opening speech is no surprise; especially considering that Goodell is responsible for forfeiting two first round draft picks in Belichick's 17-year tenure as Patriots head coach - both times on rather questionable grounds.
While he was a no-show at yesterday's official opening of the league meeting, Belichick will eventually face the media on Tuesday. Goodell will face dodge questions one day later.
Media availability is not the central part of the annual meeting, though. The 32 franchises and their representatives will also discuss major issues like the 19 rule change proposals, which will be voted on this week. There may be a chance that Deflategate and the punishments handed down by the league will also be mentioned but don't expect any major developments.