While NFL free agency was ramping up, tabloid photos showed a shirtless New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick winding down on a beach in Barbados, girlfriend at his side.
An admiring coach from a rival team marveled at the juxtaposition.
"While Bill is strolling on the beach," this coach said, "his proteges are out there working with metal detectors looking for the shiniest specks that they can turn over for $18 million a year."
Indeed, that was the reported price the Detroit Lions, led by former Belichick underlings Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn, paid for free-agent Patriots defensive lineman Trey Flowers.