Being brought down to earth? He was one freakish play away from coaching the best season in NFL history. (but I do sooooo find the guy irritating)
First Spygate, now losing the biggest game of his career, with more negative attention hanging over his head going forward...
He's not untouchable, the way he was three years ago. The Patriots don't just continue to win in the face of all odds, losing free agents, plugging holes after injuries, contract holdouts, etc., and still winning Super Bowls. They even went out and grabbed as much offensive talent as they could, and while they had a great year, they still came up short in the biggest game of their careers.
And when you consider Belichick's decision to go for it on 4th and 13, along with the decision to keep sending out 5 receivers instead of keeping a man in to help slow down the Giants pass rush, you have to look at him and wonder what's going on in his head, as opposed to marveling at the great decision making that led him to three Super Bowls in four years. He used to be this ultra-conservative play-caller, a micro-manager even, but he was always under control of the situation. He didn't appear in control last night. At times, it looked like he was in over his head.
And a part of my opinion has to do with the sense of entitlement the Patriots seemed to have prior to this game, and most of the season. Sort of like Tom Brady's reaction to Plaxico Burress predicting that they would only score 17 points, as if because they scored 37 points a game that it would just come automatically. Players were inviting the Giants to their celebration after party during the game. Richard Seymour told the Giants offense to give up on the game-winning drive. They acted like they were "supposed" to win it all. They were all brought back down to earth.