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Listen to Bill Belichick tear into 'Tuck Rule' referee after Week 3 fumble (Video)

We’re absolute suckers for the “Sound FX” series produced by the NFL, and when it’s Bill Belichick who is mic’d up, we’re not going to miss it.

The New England Patriots head coach is doing some of his best work this season, and the Patriots’ 27-0 blanking of the Houston Texans in Week 3 was a maestro performance by him and his team. With the cameras and microphones rolling for that game, we got to see some of that brilliance at work.

Bill Belichick had words for referee Walt Coleman. Yes, that Walt Coleman. (Getty Images)
Bill Belichick had words for referee Walt Coleman. Yes, that Walt Coleman. (Getty Images)

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There’s interesting stuff throughout, including Belichick schmoozing with the former Patriots players and coaches now employed by the Texans, as well as the bits and pieces of Patriots’ strategy we get glimpses of.

But for our money the most interesting segment starts when Belichick asks his special-teams coordinator, Joe Judge, what he wants to do with the ensuing kickoff.

“You want to just bang this one?” Judge asks rhetorically.

“Nope. Make ‘em run it,” Belichick says definitively.

Smart move. The Texans’ Charles James coughed the ball up, although it was initially ruled down by contact. Belchick, clearly annoyed, throws the red challenge flag with some great theatrics. Then he lets the referee know his displeasure, just in case the flag toss wasn’t clear enough.

“How can you call that down? The ball was out!” Belichick said to the referee. “Oh my god, it’s not even close!”

The referee’s name? None other than Walt Coleman, the man who made a pretty famous call in this town at the old stadium. You might have heard of the “Tuck Rule,” yeah?

The replay official got the call right. Line judge Kevin Codey is heard later apologizing to Belichick for missing the initial call, saying he was shielded during the play. Belichick seems to understand.

It’s a fascinating exchange between two old pros, Belichick and Coleman, who will be tied forever in NFL history, of course. But it’s pretty obvious that Coleman has no bias, just in case you’re wondering. And the more interesting aspect is to see how Belichick works the refereeing crew during the course of the game — and the mutual respect from both sides.

Carson Wentz and Philly look like the real deal; NFL Week 3 recap


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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!