Bill Belichick is a monster and he must be stopped before he kills again.

After reading Brian McGrory's column in today's Globe, one would think that Belichick grabbed a tripod and drove it through Globe photographer Jim Davis' chest on his way to hug it out with Eric Mangini. Obviously, nothing even close to that happened. Belichick's mild shove of Davis was so jarring that immediately after the coach made contact with the photographer, Davis went right back to snapping pictures.

But McGrory has taken all he can of Belichick's Reign of Terror and he's not going to take it anymore. He labels Belichick a "boor of the highest order" and a hypocrite because last week he called the potentially season-ending block on Rodney Harrison a "cheap-shot." Because pushing a photographer's arm is the exact same thing as a borderline in-game block that may have ruined a professional athlete's knee.

Here's Belichick's problem, and it has nothing to do with the fact that he dresses like he's from Appalachia and has the personality of a wet mop: He thinks he's above everybody else. He treats every Sunday with more secrecy than the US generals handle our strategy in Iraq. He believes three Super Bowl championships give him immunity against moronity. They don't.

Is this the same Brian McGrory who has a blood feud with Hingham because all the Christmas lights are the same color and now he's all over Belichick because he wears a ripped sweatshirt? And if the people running the war in Iraq were half as competent as Belichick is at his job, I would be planning my spring break trip to Tikrit right now.

Believe me, I understand he's brilliant. I wouldn't miss a moment of next Sunday's game. I know that if they win, it's disproportionately due to painstaking work of the coach.

But why does it have to be an either/or? Why can't a model sports franchise like the New England Patriots have a coach who is both excellent and at least somewhat of a decent guy? Why can't Bob or Jonathan Kraft call him aside and teach him a modicum of class?

Bri, the only reason the Patriots are a "model sports franchise" is because of Bill Belichick. Certainly, the Krafts are outstanding owners but without Belichick's blueprint, this franchise is not a three time Super Bowl winner. I understand that sports isn't your forte but what sainted coach would you be happy with coaching the Patriots? John Wooden is technically still alive but I'm not sure a 96-year old former college basketball coach is what the Patriots need to remain a "model sports franchise."

It's Tuesday, January 9th, 2007. The state has a new governor. The state's former governor just launched his presidential campaign. Gun violence has virtually shut down parts of the state. President Bush is proposing sending 20,000 additional troops to Iraq. And Brian McGrory has declared war on Bill Belichick. And newspaper circulations are down why?