Belichick opens up in praise of Giants counterpart Coughlin
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}By Larry Fine
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Reuters) - New England coach Bill Belichick can be terse and robotic with the media, but the three-time Super Bowl winner was unreserved Wednesday in praise of his Sunday counterpart, Giants coach Tom Coughlin.
Belichick's Patriots host the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium Sunday in a battle of 5-2 teams.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Tom and I go back to our days with the Giants," Belichick told reporters in a conference call to New York's practice facility. "I have a lot of respect for Tom. I think he does a great job."
The last time the coaches plotted a meaningful game against one another was at Super Bowl XLII where the wild card Giants ruined New England's bid for a perfect season and a fourth Super Bowl crown under Belichick with a 17-14 upset victory.
The Patriots coach, considered one of the NFL's greatest defensive minds, reminisced about the start of their friendship more than 20 years ago.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Tom and I had a good relationship there where we worked against each other every day in one-on-ones, seven-on-sevens, passing drills, things like that.
"He talked a lot about how receivers would attack different coverages or different techniques and vice versa. I talked to him about the receivers. I really learned a lot those years working with Tom as a defensive backfield coach.
"It definitely helped me understand some things from an offensive perspective that he was able to help me with."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The two coaches kept in touch over the years.
"I think he works hard, he's a tough hard-working guy that puts a lot of time in," said Belichick. "I know his teams are well prepared. I know he's very thorough and demands a lot from his players, from his team, and I have a lot of respect for that. We try to do the same thing.
"I always had a good relationship with Tom and his family and it all started in New York. We've gone our separate ways, but we always stayed in touch and I have always admired what Tom has done, whether it was at BC or Jacksonville or with the Giants.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"He's a good football coach, a good person, a good man and he treats people fairly and he's honest. He's tough. I respect all those things."
(Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)