Belichick’s last stand
We very well be in the last week of Bill Belichick’s tenure has Football Czar of the New England Patriots. It’s got me anxious, nervous, a little sad. I mean the guy has been the coach of the Patriots for a 1/3 of his life. And he’s old as shit. To think of anything coming to an end with that kind of longevity comes with a bag full of emotions. Especially with the pedigree and baggage attached. In case you need a reminder:
13 Conference Championships (8 straight 2011-2018)
9 Superbowl Appearances
6 Superbowl Victories
2 Major Scandals
1 Convicted Suicidal Murder
The Greatest Profession Athlete of All Time
The first dynasty revolutionized the NFL. Ty Law’s defense man handled the Rams and Peyton’s pussy Colts so bad they had to change the rules. The same rules Brady, Moss, and Welker exploited for the only 16-0 team in history. When that went sideways they zigged again with the game changing two tight end set and the emergence of another GOAT in Rob Gronkowski. And just when you thought the Patriots were done, 10 years after their last Super Bowl run they pull out another 3 Super Bowls in 5 seasons all with different styles of play.
2014 - Revis solidifies a defense to compliment Brady. We witness the Monalisa of 4th quarter QB play and maybe the most famous Superbowl play in history with Malcolm Butler.
2016 - We ride the back of Tom Brady once again, 28-3. The greatest comeback in NFL, possibly, sports history.
2018 - A retro performance bringing us back to where is all started. Defense and a running game. But, not with out one more patented Brady game in KC.
It’s fun to run down these memories because the past four years have been such hot garbage. The climax of said garbage coming to an end this Sunday. With Belichick taking the field vs his most hated advisory and annual doormat, NY Jets. There is not doubt in my mind the Patriots win on Sunday. Leaving them with a 5 - 12 mark on the season, but a smiling Belichick. Perhaps waving ever so cheekily to the crowd as if to say,
“You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that sideline -- you need me on that sideline”
And the question remains. Will Kraft have the balls to pull the trigger? Will he have the financial fortitude to eat the $20 million in salary next season? Does he have the stomach to be the guy who forced both Brady and Belichick out the door? If you ask me Kraft has mostly skated in these post Brady years. Lets take a quick look at some of the decisions that I believe have turned Belichick from the “I do what best for the team” to the “I do what’s best for spite” guy.
It starts with Garoppolo. Right or wrong, Belichick found the next guy in his mind. It was Kraft that forced the trade and the spite train was off to a roaring start. A mediocre return and soft landing spot for Bill’s buddy Jimmy.
Next came the demands from the now emboldened QB. The Brady and Alex Guerrero mess creating an internal struggle between coach and QB. Splitting the locker room causing at least a temporary turmoil.
Then Brady took the next step and demanded say in personal. He needed more weapons. He would not see a repeat of 2006 with retirement so closely approaching. Belichick acquiesced and we saw personal moves like N’Keal Harry in the 1st round, Mohmand Sanu for a 2nd, $9 million guarantied for that cretin Antonio Brown.
The next logical step was not only not extend Brady, but removed the right to Franchise tag him. As an honorary member of the Kraft family he had earned that right. How do you think Bill felt about that move? Well, just look at his refusal to even have a real conversation with Brady to bring him back at the 11th hour. Relationship severed.
Finally free of Brady, Belichick had Mac Jones forced down his throat.
The medaling from Kraft dipped into the coaching staff with the dismissal of Matt Patricia and a forced upon hiring of Billy O’Brien.
- The issues started at the very beginning: Per Callahan and Kyed's sources, Belichick "preferred to keep" Matt Patricia and "grow together" with his 2022 offensive play-caller but ultimately "relented" and allowed the team to hire O'Brien as offensive coordinator.
Belichick then "denied" O'Brien the opportunity to build out his own offensive coaching staff, allowing just one outside hire in tight ends coach Will Lawing.
"The staff dynamic is completely f—ed,” one source told Callahan and Kyed. SOURCE
All the while. Take a look at the corresponding moves from Belichick. When power or decisions are stripped from him he turns around and makes some temper tantrum of a move to prove his point. E.I. Cole Strange in the first round. Riley Rieff, Ju Ju Smith Shuester instead of 3rd down specialist Jakobi Myers. Oh, Mac Jones is mentally breaking down before our eyes? Keep throwing him out there, it’s the owner’s boy. Such a genius.
Did we mention how cheap the Kraft’s have been too? The bottom of the league in cash spending over the past 10 years.
The master class of NFL leadership displayed from Belichick over the past 24 season has been nothing short of remarkable. Aided of course largely by Brady. Kraft’s diplomacy to keep it all going deserves ample praise. But, both of these two share blame in the demise post Brady. And they both know it. Will they be able to find the Elegant Solution Kraft so hopes for, or has Belichick’s worst season has a Professional Head Coach forced his hand? We’ll find out early next week.