Josh McDaniels departure is the beginning of the end for Belichick
We have to look back to 2019. This is where this bell curve starts. Tom Brady is the most miserable 8 - 0 quarterback in the history of the NFL. Since that time the Patriots are a middling 21 - 22 including 2 play off losses, a 7 - 9 record with Cam Newton and a soft resurgence last year at 10 - 7.
All of that is to say last year felt like a quick turn around after booting the best player in NFL history out the door. You spent like crazy in free agency, drafted a QB in the 1st round, had your other draft picks hit, and challenged for the division before falling apart at the end. It felt like the team was building towards the future and had dug themselves out of the Cam Newton size hole. All of that changed the day McDaniels took the job in Vegas or at least shortly after.
It goes to show the importance of Josh McDaniels for this team. The difference between a coaching staff with McDaniels and one with out him feels huge right now. Yes, part of that is because of the impact Josh had on this offense for the 10 plus years in New England. Yes, a huge part is because you have a 2nd year QB that still needs a good deal of molding. The system won’t change, but who is pulling the strings for Mac now? Actually, who the hell is calling the plays?
Who does Bill Belichick think he is? Even the greatest coach of all time needs help. Let me tell what I don’t classify as help. Joe Judge and Matt Patricia. Two ex Patriots coaches. Two miserably failed head coaches. Two guys who have had zero success on the offensive side of the ball and close to no experience. The guy who called this shit is now in charge of the quarterback room?
The NFL combine has started. Free Agency is a couple weeks away. Billy O’Brien aint walking through that door. So, Belichick plans to take on a huge part of the offense this year? Like he did with Brady early on. Okay, I’m cool with that. I trust Bill in any coaching role he’s in. Just not all of them. Who is coaching the defense? What we learned from last year is when Bill is head of the snake the defense was #2 in the league. When he handed the reins back to the confusing partnership of his son Steve and Jerod Mayo the defense was #32 in the league. How about special teams? Three blocked punts last year, personal foul penalties out the ass, constant back breaking pre snap penalties. The penalties and mistakes go for the whole damn team, frankly.
Belichick has replaced, Dante Scarnecchia, Brian Flores, Josh McDaniels, Ernie Adams, Ivan Fears (presumably) with re-treads and yes men. Or his kids. The staff just feels incredibly thin and in the absence of Brady you need all the brain power you can get.
If Bill just doesn’t to work with new guys. Or coaches that may challenge him. If he is just okay with collecting 10 wins and bowing out bending over in the playoffs until he catches Shula then it’s going to feel like a long journey circling the drain back to mediocrity or worse. Better yet he could fire up the old video tape machine and get Ernie Adams back in his dark closet.
VISIT OUR TAP ROOM
460 Amherst St. Nashua, NH 03063
Click for your next Brew
RAISING THE BAR ONE CRAFT BEER AT A TIME