Sometimes it’s hard to ignore FOX Sports’ Skip Bayless. He’s a sharp mind, though he generally uses his intellect to irk and annoy fanbases to keep his viewership engaged. And on Tuesday, he made such a transparent attempt at that — a poking, prodding statement which seems only to exist for the sake of irritation — that I couldn’t help but laugh.
Bayless got worked up over Bill Belichick referencing quarterback Jarrett Stidham as “Stid.” A NICKNAME?! Yes, a nickname.
“I can’t remember one time that Bill Belichick ever referred to any player he’s ever coached by his nickname,” Bayless said. “He’s not a nickname user. Especially with an unproven second-year quarterback. What are you doing? Stid? Seriously? Did he ever call Tom, ‘Tommy.’ No!”
"I can't remember one time that Bill Belichick ever referred to any player he's ever coached by his nickname. He's not a nickname user. Especially with an unproven 2nd-year quarterback. What are you doing? Stid? Seriously?"
— @RealSkipBayless pic.twitter.com/BaKaGGgwmM
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) April 14, 2020
For Bayless, this is a big deal. It shouldn’t be. But it is.
“He used affection that he would never use for any other player,” Bayless said. “And I thought that tiny, little four-letter nickname spoke volumes about what he’s about to do. … This is the kid that (Belichick) is going to say, ‘Watch this. I found him in the fourth round. He’s going to be my new Tom Brady.'”
There is a distinct possibility that Belichick does indeed feel good about Stidham. The team’s decision to allow Brady’s transition is telling — Stidham seemed to a major part of their plans for 2020. Belichick has signed just Brian Hoyer as a source of competition. They could have made that competition stiffer with Jameis Winston and Cam Newton sitting in free agency (albeit with much bigger contract demands than Hoyer). But they’re sticking with Stid and Hoyer. And, yes, there’s a possibility that Belichick is looking forward to developing a new quarterback after so many years with Brady.
For now, that’s all just speculation.
To think that the nickname, “Stid,” confirms those assessments is absolutely insane. So, I’ll use Bayless’ words: “What are you doing? Stid? Seriously?” Let’s not make too much out of what even Bayless called a “tiny, little four-letter nickname.”
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