he's used to having really solid safety play in his defenses though

His ego isn't out of control. The Jets just made more plays. You have to make plays in the playoffs. And they just made more of them. It's as simple as that. But give credit to the Jets. They're a good football team. They made more plays yesterday. They did the things you have to do to win. You can't win if you don't do the things you have to do to win. And they did them. It's as simple as that.

-Belichick

His ego is out of control if you're referring to the stupid ****ing fake punt which cost them 7 points. They punt that ball and probably go into halftime 7-3, not down 14-3. That stupid coaching decision, and Brady playing average and throwing that pick, is what ultimately cost them the ballgame (as did the O-line once again deciding to suck at the worst point in the season a la the 2007 SB, and the defense's inability to stop the Jets when the Pats got it to 14-11).

But that was a brainfart, not an indication of an out-of-control ego. Belichick has done a great job for a decade now. They're always above .500 and challenging for the division title, and have made the playoffs more often than not. This season he took a team most figured for 8-10 wins at best, in a rebuilding year with the youngest defense in the league, two rookies at tight end, and two who-dats at running back (BJGE and Woodhead), and won 14 games, beating a shitload of playoff-bound and playoff-caliber teams. Did he shit his pants yesterday? Yes. Does it irritate the **** out of me that for two seasons in a row his team wasn't prepared for the playoffs? Yes. Does that mean his "ego is out of control"? Uh, no. He's shown that his way works, season in and season out.

The fake punt would have worked if Chung keeps his eye on the ball and makes a pretty easy move on Smith. Then it would have been Beli-genius. And possibly a different ball-game.

Yep, and he continualy proves it.
We spent 60 mill for a 3 year flop, he spent that for a super bowl.
Personally all these 1st round "better than Montana" (if you will) fresh outa school kids aint worth the coin their being given. Almost the same thing Al had going on for years then figured he should go waste a gazillion dollars paying guys like Woodson, Bush, or many others over the past 5 years to learn the game and pissem off enough to leave.
Al was always the master of getting that last 1-2 years out of cast offs, like Plunket, and making them love the game.
It seems Bilichik has started mastering the art of both.
Grab a pizzed off Vet at basment cost, then add a fantastic Blue chip 2nd rounder who just missed the first round.
Al got 3 rings doing it...just sayen

this was essentially a rebuilding year for NE. they will be scary the next few years if they can rebuild that D with all their high draft picks coming up (what's the number, 6 picks in the top 70?)

Monata?

Has Belichick's ego ever been in control?

Guess what? Belichick didn't even call that fake punt.

We also must take in account that he can't hold onto good coordinators and is always having to adjust there. That has to take a toll on a team.

The same argument could be made for the way Belichik deals with coordinators.

When was the last time he brought in an established coordinator or position coach to do anything?

When most teams need a coordinator they bring in someone from outside the organization that's already established. Belichik does ALL his hiring from within which gives off the vibe that he thinks he and his organization are better than everyone else.

How many organizations in the NFL are better than the Patriots? 2, maybe, at most?

He seemed pretty humble during the post-game interview.

Tony Monata.

It's been 4 years since they won a playoff game. More than 2 teams have had better success in recent history. When the Pats were winning superbowls they were running their team much more like other teams do. All the Belichik way stuff hasn't paid off where it counts.