I have spoken to Belichick on occasion since then, usually as one of a number of reporters at a press conference.

After the Pats beat the Colts in Indianapolis earlier this year, Belichick was absolutely giddy at the press conference after the game. He gave his usual spiel about the importance of what was to come the rest of the year, but he was pleased with his team’s play in the come-from-behind victory over its top rival and doing it on the road.

He answered questions about Tom Brady, Randy Moss, the play of the defense and every other aspect of the game. When I asked him a question, he looked right in my eyes when he answered me.

Maybe he didn’t work the room like Larry David or Jerry Seinfeld, but you may have noticed that NFL coaches are not a particularly humorous bunch. Do you remember Mike Shanahan’s last joke? How about Lovie Smith’s? I didn’t think so.

While we’re at it, the whole Spygate controversy that motivated his team to play its best football all year long and take their undefeated record to the Super Bowl against the Giants is much ado about nothing. Stealing signals has been part of both baseball and football for years. Belichick just took it to another level by using technology to help him get a better read on his opponent. He didn’t do anything any of his opponents didn’t have the opportunity to do. Maybe he was pushing it a little bit, but Robert Kraft pays him to win football games. He was doing everything he could to give his team an advantage — a legal advantage.

Commissioner Roger Goodell may have taken issue with it and taken away the team’s first-round draft pick — but not the one they acquired from the 49ers.

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Opposing general managers and personnel directors in the AFC have to slap their heads with a sense of wonder at the thought of the Patriots having the 7th pick in the draft. What makes them special is that neither Belichick nor Scott Pioli will whiff on the pick. No team has done a better job drafting players and signing free agents than the Patriots.

Belichick won’t pat himself, his players or his coaches on the back. There’s always another game to play and another game to win. Why is that so hard to understand? If Belichick wants love, he goes to his family. Football is his job and he goes about it as well as anyone in pro sports.

I think that’s pretty admirable and I’ll take his call at any time — but try to make it before 10.