Stand by for what is rumored and actual tension with Super Bowl losers the New England Patriots. Seldom a peep from the Patriot’s top brass. Running a tight ship is putting it mildly. But, strong actions and reactions seep into Las Vegas from Boston’s media inner circle. Coach Bill Belichick may be ready to leave the dynasty he built. It’s wait and see among the northeast faithful.
But why? Here is the most reliable basis of rumors coming from those who work with the team. Coach Bill Belichick has always dumped players he sees as having past their prime in order to get solid draft choices to keep his 18 years of success moving along. In his view, a soon to become 41 year quarterback, Tom Brady, fits that pattern. Success is first. Loyalty a distant second. He proposed a trade sending Brady to San Francisco for two 1st round draft picks and use youthful Jimmy Garoppolo as his new starting quarterback. With the two draft picks he could select another top rated QB coming out of college and help on defense. Always having full control, this is a key to his success and in his mind, and most others, it makes perfect sense. However, this time owner Robert Kraft, who treats Brady as a son, said no. Furthermore, Kraft forced the trade of Garoppolo and his 3rd string quarterback, Jacoby Brissett receiving virtually nothing in return. All this done to protect Tom Brady. Add to this, Brady had his own trainer guru with him always. In the club house and on the plane. This so called guru was now being approached by other team members. Belichick had enough. He banished Brady’s trainer.
Ask yourself how you think Coach Belichick will react with the season over. Here is a man responsible for building a dynasty in New England. He turned owner Kraft’s multi million dollar buy of the Patriot’s into a BILLION dollar empire. Arguably, he is the most successful coach in NFL history. But, now he is faced with no back up quality quarterback. A defense that needs help. His defensive and offensive coordinator leaving. Some believe Josh McDaniel is hedging his bet at present not committing to the Indy Colts as head coach just yet. Rob Gronkowski, after a history of serious injuries, indicates likedly he will retire.
If you were Coach Bill Belichick, what would you do? Better than 50-50 he will quit the Patriots. Jacksjargon would agree with that decision. That Brady trade would seem disloyal. However, loyalty at the expense of continued winning is too heavy a price to pay for Belichick. There a huge list of great quarterbacks traded past their prime. The coach knows it and gets it. It is a reason he has been hugely successful for so many seasons. No coach of this era has come close to what he has been able to do. Now, his way, has been foiled. In his mind he has been hand cuffed and unappreciated for what he has accomplished. And angry.
Another piece that may fit the supposition. Why would suddenly offensive coach Josh McDaniel not announce he has accepted the Colts offer to become their head coach with Quarterback Andrew Luck as a strong foundation. True, Luck’s injury may never return him to what he once was. But, would it not make more sense that he is being considered as the new New England head coach should Belichick quit. Surely he would be aware of that possibility.
Let’s face it. Nobody, outside of New England, really likes Bill Belichick. Nasty, arrogant, uncooperative with the press and others. However, in this matter Jacksjargon sides with him. The team he built has multiple holes. Holes he was ready to act upon. Now he has a fractured depleted team and what he must feel as unappreciated for what he has done and stripped of some of his autonomy left “holding the bag” of a team needing help. Help he was ready to begin fixing.
Tell them to shove it Bill. Take off a year and decide what you want to do. Nobody should begrudge you that right.
Jacksjargon.com