Tag Archives: #Belichick

Is Belichick Shopping Rob Gronkowski?

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Bill Belichick Trading Away Gronkowski?

Via CNN

Let’s face it: Bill Belichick isn’t afraid of trading anybody. From Richard Seymour to Logan Mankins, Belichick won’t hesitate to trade veteran starters. With Rob Gronkowski working out a new contract, it’s come out today teams are looking at Gronkowski as trade bait. Training camp is about three weeks away. The Patriots probably want a new contract done at least before the start of the season.

Brady Would Be Livid

Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) reacts before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo

Greg Bedard of Boston Sports Journal has done some digging. He asked executives around the league about how teams are looking at the Gronkowski contract situation in New England. Bedard was told by an AFC executive, “Where’s the restructure of his contract? Until that’s done, I think he’s still available. I wouldn’t be surprised if Belichick is going to test Gronk’s buy-in with the contract.” It would be stunning if Belichick traded Gronkowski because they couldn’t agree on terms of a contract. I know of one player who would be livid if that happened: Tom Brady.

Gronkowski Is Here as Long as Brady Is

Brady is already out his number one target for in Julian Edelman for the first month of the season. He doesn’t have Danny Amendola anymore. All he has is Chris Hogan, Malcolm Mitchell who’s returning from injury, and new Patriot Cordarrelle Paterson. There is no way Brady would want or let Gronkowski be traded. Gronkowski is a huge asset to the offense and losing him would be hard to replace. The Patriots selected Ryan Izzo, a tight end in this year’s NFL Draft. But there’s no way he’ll start unless Gronkowski does get traded. If they want to get rid of a tight end it should be Dwayne Allen. Allen was awful last season for the Patriots.

At the end of the day, I don’t think Gronkowski will get traded because Tom Brady would have nobody to throw to at the beginning of the season. He should’ve just retired at the end of last season if he knew Belichick was going to trade away the whole team so Josh McDaniels can start with a fresh new team in 2019. But Gronkowski will be here as long as Tom Brady is on the team. Two more years.

Lots of Fake Reporting Going on in Foxborough

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Some False Reporting Going on in Foxborough

Friday was an off day at Gillette Stadium. The team didn’t have practice and Belichick was enjoying the off day in New York City. According to Barstool Sports, however, there were reports that Rob Gronkowski was no longer going to be a Patriot by the end of the day. Another “reliable” source reported that Belichick had a meeting with Kraft about trading Gronkowski. Brady stepped in and threatened to retire if they traded Gronkowski. Needless to say, that was all fake and the meeting never happened.

Gronkowski was going to be possibly be traded in the offseason, according to Tom E Curran of NBC Sports Boston. All of the fake reporting Friday was quickly shut down. The real reporting comes from the beat reporters and people that cover the team. When I said in April Belichick was retiring at the end of the season, I found out from an insider at Patriot Place. There is tension there is drama, but Friday was all nonsense and believing some guy from Attleboro because he has a blue check mark on Twitter. Pathetic.

Tom Brady Wasn’t Going to Retire

Tom Brady wasn’t going to retire after this season. He might have threatened it in the offseason if they traded Gronkowski, however, he wasn’t going anywhere. Why should he retire when Josh McDaniels was returning? There was no meeting on Friday. Maybe there was in the offseason, and Barstool just wanted to break something big. Then other “reporters” wanted to join in on the fun.

As for Tom Brady, he’ll be skipping the rest of OTAs. Don’t expect to see him until Training Camp which begins in July. Brady will probably spend the next month with his family, doing fundraisers, and be traveling the world. He’ll also prepare at TB12. Enjoy all the gossip talk on the radio this week on how Friday was a fake news day in Foxborough.

A look into JC Jackson: UDFA Corner Gets First Team Reps

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Well, it’s that time of the year again. Mandatory mini camps started Tuesday for the Patriots, and players are looking to prove themselves to try to secure a roster spot. One of the biggest surprises of OTAs and the mini camps thus far is an undrafted free agent, JC Jackson, starting opposite Gilmore.

Jackson’s College Career

Maryland v Wisconsin

Photo Credit: Getty Images

JC (Jerald Christopher) Jackson began his career at the University of Florida. However, an injury in the 2014 season opener knocked him out for the rest of the year. Eventually, the program dismissed him in 2015 after felony charges for which he was eventually acquitted. Jackson played at Riverside Community College before transferring to Maryland where he played two seasons. In that span, he amassed 80 tackles, four interceptions, and 12 pass breakups (NFL.com).

Jackson’s Game

  • Very physical and aggressive. Impressive response and speed to the curl route shown below.
  • Active and willing in the run game. Does a great job getting off the block and tackling/forcing the back out of bounds
  • Excellent play recognition. Reads the quarterback well. Got off a route to break up to the pass to the receiver cutting to the outside.
  • Mirrors routes well and has the speed to still disrupt the play even if he gets a little behind

 

However, Jackson gets a bit grabby with his hands which can lead to pass interference calls. He also has a problem with consistency. Nonetheless, JC Jackson is a name to keep an eye out in the future when training camp and preseason comes around.

Why Did Josh McDaniels Come Back?

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The Future Is Now for the Patriots

Let’s go back in time to after the Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Josh McDaniels was on the verge of taking the Indianapolis Colts head coaching job. He was about to step away from the Patriots organization. But after the Super Bowl, Belichick, Kraft, and McDaniels got together and had a meeting. During that meeting, there’s speculation that Belichick announced his upcoming retirement at the end of the season. Josh McDaniels would become the head coach following this season. I’ve said this before, but the more I see how they are planning for the future it could be true.

Belichick had McDaniels in the draft room in April, along with Director of Player Personnel Nick Caserio. They stacked up for the 2019 NFL Draft so Josh and Nick can really build a team for the future. While they are trying to do that, the drama between Brady and Belichick has taken a toll on this off-season, and with good reason. However, some Patriots fans think this is all part of Belichick’s plan to fool the media, but if that was the case Brady would be at OTAs.

Josh McDaniels Had to Know What His Future in New England Was Going to Be Like

McDaniels had to know what his future was going to be like before he made his decision to come back. Once he found out that he would be the next head coach, he really had no choice to come back. It hasn’t been released because they don’t want it to become a distraction. There’s enough drama going on in Foxborough. If it is true the only people who know are Belichick, Kraft, McDaniels, and possibly Nick Caserio. Tom Brady or any other player wouldn’t know. It’s a fact that Brady had a say in bringing McDaniels back. Just like how he went over Belichick’s head to get rid of Jimmy Garoppolo.

Belichick is still mad about Brady going over his head, while Brady is still upset that Belichick won’t let his trainer in the locker room. The answer to why did Josh McDaniels come back? It’s pretty simple, because the future is now for this team, like it or not. Josh is part of the future along with Danny Etling who just signed a four-year contract. He may not be Brady, but it helps that he was working with Brady’s throwing coaches.

Relax– Tom Brady Will Play in 2018

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A report out of ESPN this morning says Tom Brady has not being fully committed to playing in 2018. We saw at the end of ‘Tom VS Time’. He just wants to spend more time with his family. However, he’s not going to the voluntary workouts, but he’s missed them before so it shouldn’t be a big deal. Listen, Tom Brady’s career is coming to an end; not just right now. He’s playing out his contract and then hanging it up. The reason he’s upset is that he can’t bring Guerrero in the locker room. There are people around him that want him to retire. Gisele and his family want him to retire, and maybe some of his friends do also.

The Patriots will be drafting a quarterback next week. He will be groomed by Tom, Belichick, and McDaniels for one season. Then Tom and Josh in 2019. In 2020 the new quarterback, whoever that is, will be the starter, and Brady will be solely focused on his brand. Josh will be the head coach, and who knows, maybe even Robert will hand the team to Johnathan Kraft. Remember Johnathan Kraft didn’t hire Belichick. He’s not Bill’s guy, so it’s pretty obvious what’s going on.

Via Boston Herald

All Things Come to an End

The dynasty of 18 years is coming to an end. We will hear all day about how Brady isn’t committed, when in fact it’s Belichick who is retiring at the end of the season. A Patriots beat reporter has yet to say that Belichick is hanging it up after this season. I was told by an insider at Patriot Place. You can believe me or not, but it does make sense that Belichick is walking away.

I’m not certain if Tom Brady knows Belichick is retiring at the end of the season. Which is probably why he is also holding this grudge against Belichick. All Belichick is concerned about is one, getting his team ready for 2018, and two, have a smooth transition when McDaniels takes over next season.

The Patriots Storm Has Arrived

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Whew! What a 48 hours for the Patriots since Sunday night. Since the Super Bowl, Malcolm Butler has released a statement. Matt Patricia is now head coach of the Detroit Lions. Josh McDaniels is now back to the Patriots as offensive coordinator. McDaniels’s return can only mean one thing: when Belichick retires, which looks probable after the 2018 season, McDaniels will take over.  For McDaniels to completely change his mind he must know that he will be the next in line once Belichick leaves. Robert Kraft probably made that clear to him yesterday and -oh yes, you know- Tom Brady had something to do with it.

Via SI

Tom Brady Has a Say

Via Boston Herald

Tom Brady is the only player bigger than the team. He has earned that right through his tenure, and look what he has done. This is pure speculation, but Tom Brady may have told Kraft “I’m not playing here unless McDaniels stays and becomes head coach.” McDaniels will stay and become head coach when Belichick is gone after the 2018 season. Brady is the LeBron of the Patriots. Only difference is he can do what he wants because he has the championships to back it up.  LeBron, however, can’t back up his talk with winning.

The Decision to Bench Butler Was a Football Decision

Via Barstool Sports

Kraft and Belichick went out to dinner last night in the public eye. They picked a good time to go to Davio’s at Patriot Place avoiding the 5-7 dinner rush. Now I haven’t even touched on the Malcolm Butler situation. Hmmm…  Releasing a statement saying the reports of him missing curfew are ridiculous. Tom Brady endorsing the comment on Instagram and saying to Butler he has his back. That was strictly a football decision. Do you really think Brady would endorse something if Butler was going to concerts and missing curfew? I don’t think so.

Gronk Moving to Hollywood?

Via Sporting News

So what does this mean going forward, well it means this off season they’re will be lots to talk about. Will Gronk retire and become a actor? I’m sure Brady will have something to say about that and try and keep him in New England.

A Look at Belichick’s Patriots in AFC Championship Game Action

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Bill Belichick has coached the New England Patriots for eighteen seasons. Incredibly, he will be coaching in his twelfth AFC championship game, including an unprecedented seventh straight. Let’s take a look back at Belichick’s first eleven appearances in the AFC title bout.

2001-02 Patriots 24 Pittsburgh Steelers 17

championship

New England was the prohibitive underdog against Bill Cowher’s Steelers at Pittsburgh. Tom Brady injured his ankle midway through the second quarter so former starter Drew Bledsoe led the Patriots the rest of the way. The Pats notched two touchdowns on special teams and held off Pittsburgh 24-17. This great win is often forgotten as it came between the “Tuck Rule” game and the amazing upset win in the 2002 Super Bowl over the St. Louis Rams.

2003-04 Patriots 24 Indianapolis Colts 14

This game was hyped as Bill Belichick and his excellent defense versus Manning and the Colts’ high-powered offense. Patriots’ defenders harassed Manning and his receivers all day en route to a 24-14 victory. Manning threw four interceptions in the loss. Ty Law was so aggressive with his coverage that the Colts lobbied for stricter enforcement of defensive holding and illegal contact penalties over the offseason.

2004-05 Patriots 41 Steelers 17

The Patriots avenged a Halloween Day loss by exploding out of the blocks on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Deion Branch was the star of the game, posting 158 total yards and two touchdowns. Rodney Harrison nailed the coffin shut on the Steelers’ season with an 87-yard interception return off rookie sensation Ben Roethlisberger. The 14-2 Patriots dominated the 15-1 Steelers on their way to their third Super Bowl championship in four seasons.

2006-07 Colts 38 Patriots 34

The Patriots lost a classic in Indianapolis. They jumped in front 21-3 in the second quarter, but could not contain Manning in perhaps his finest hour. The loss exposed a lack of talent and depth on the Patriots’ offense opening the door to the offseason acquisitions of Wes Welker and Randy Moss.

2007-08 Patriots 21 San Diego Chargers 12

Tom Brady and the undefeated Patriots struggled through the air against the undermanned, underrated Chargers. Thus, they relied on Lawrence Maroney and the running attack in a grind-it-out 21-12 victory over San Diego.

2011-12 Patriots 23 Baltimore Ravens 20

This game will always be remembered for the Ravens’ failures rather than the Patriots’ successes. Trailing 23-20 with under a minute to go, Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco found Lee Evans open in the corner of the end zone. At the last possible moment, Sterling Moore slapped the ball away. Two plays later, Billy Cundiff missed the field goal that would have tied things up. Patriots’ nose tackle Vince Wilfork had the game of his life in the win.

2012-13 Ravens 28 Patriots 13

Baltimore got their revenge on their way to their second Super Bowl title. The Ravens outscored New England 21-0 in the second half and scored four touchdowns in their four red zone appearances overall. Meanwhile, the Patriots were only able to come away with one touchdown in five red zone opportunities. The Ravens were also +3 in turnover differential. Belichick does not like stats, but these numbers point to an obvious Ravens’ victory.

2013-14 Denver Broncos 26 Patriots 16

The Patriots were no match for the historically good offense of the 2013 Broncos. Peyton Manning passed for over 400 yards as this contest was much closer on the scoreboard than it was on the field. The Broncos won 26-16 ahead of getting plastered in the Super Bowl by the Seattle Seahawks.

2014-15 Patriots 45 Colts 7

In the infamous “deflategate” game, LeGarrette Blount and the Patriots crushed the Colts 45-7. In a driving rainstorm, Andrew Luck and the Colts never could get things going in an embarrassing performance.

2015-16 Broncos 20 Patriots 18

This was probably the most intense championship game of the Belichick era. Denver’s incredible defense hit Brady incessantly. Manning threw two first half touchdown passes to give the Broncos a 14-6 lead. The Patriots dominated the second half with Rob Gronkowski scoring a touchdown with just twelve seconds remaining. However, the Broncos intercepted the ensuing two-point conversion attempt. Denver survived 20-18 and went on to win the Super Bowl over Carolina where they stuck with their 2015 formula: ugly on offense but tremendous defensively.

2016-17 Patriots 36 Steelers 17

The Patriots unleashed Chris Hogan on the unsuspecting Steelers in this one-sided affair. Le’Veon Bell was injured early in the game, putting a damper on the competitive aspect of the contest. The game was never really in doubt as the Patriots rolled 36-17.

The Patriots face the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday for the right to play in their eighth Super Bowl in the Belichick era. Win or lose, it is unlikely that we will ever witness a dynasty quite like the Patriots of the past twenty years.

 

Brandon Fazzolari is a Super Bowl expert…@spot_Bills

Tom Brady Plans Life After Football

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Tom Terrific’s Documentary

Earlier this week Tom Brady released a trailer for a documentary series on Facebook Watch called “Tom vs. Time”. The trailer features Brady saying, “There’s a warrior spirit about me”, and there is speculation that the documentary will be all about the Patriots. Some who believe that Brady is only thinking about himself instead of his team. Is he preparing his life after football with his TB12 brand?

Selling the TB12 Method

Brady has released a book, a special meal plan, and workout plan. Forty is the new thirty with the TB12 method. Brady is the greatest quarterback of all time, and the reason why he’s still playing is because he wants to prove that even at forty he still can play football at a high level. So why stop now? Brady wouldn’t talk about his documentary during today’s press conference saying, “This is about Tennessee. We’re two days from the biggest game of the year”.

Brady Focused on the Playoffs

Tom Brady is locked in on the playoffs. It’s what is best for the team. His TB12 brand is important to him, and will probably develop into something more after he retires from football. Some people say that Brady is just doing the documentary so he can sell something.

Shannon Sharpe said on his show ‘Undisputed’,

“Now he wants to offer us a glimpse inside of Tom Brady? What’s he selling? People will always open up if they pitch him something. Got a book, got a movie, in this case got a documentary series. Really Tom Brady? You spent the better part of 18 years being private, it wasn’t until you started promoting these health and wellness centers, the TB12 method, now all of a sudden you want to open up. I want to show you what’s in my refrigerator. He wants to open up only after he started to pitch something. So what happened to Year 10, why didn’t he open up? What happened to Year 15, why didn’t he open up? Now as he starts to move past it, he’s not playing to 45, he wants to prop up this TB12.”

Ignoring the Noise

Sharpe and many others believe that Brady is more about selling his brand than being loyal to the Patriots this year. Patriots fans don’t think that’s true. He is focused on the playoffs. However he really has to start thinking about what he is doing after football. He will be forty-one in August and his TB12 method has worked for him, so why not sell the product? At least he has a plan for what might come next.

Is Belichick Only Thinking Of Now, Not The Future?

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In Bill We Trust?

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) ORG XMIT: NYOTK

Last night, the night before the NFL trade deadline and Halloween, Belichick made a massive trade. The Patriots traded Jimmy Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ERS, for a 2018 second round pick. With this move, it’s clear the Patriots expect Brady to be the guy at least until his contract is up. I believe Brady will play until he is 45, and retire a Patriot, which means he and Belichick will walk away together. Thus leaving the Patriots with no decent quarterback. I get Garoppolo wanted a chance to play, but why not give him a contract to be a backup until Brady is done?

The Future Of The Patriots Post Brady/Belichick?

I know people think it’s a stupid idea to do that. If you’re planning for the future, which is post Brady, you give Garoppolo a contract to back up Brady now. When Brady is done, and Bill is done, Jimmy is the starter, and Josh Mcdaniels the head coach. Instead, Brian Hoyer could be coming back here, and he is no Garoppolo. They have to draft another quarterback to again shadow Brady. Garoppolo has two Super Bowl rings, and has been here for two and a half years shadowing Brady.

Will Garoppolo Comeback?

Will Garoppolo comeback and be the starter after Brady is gone in five years at most? That question remains to be answered, but here is an alternative or fake news fact: Brady gets traded to San Francisco in three years, and Garoppolo comes back as the starter. That would never happen, Brady is bigger than the team, and the Krafts won’t let Belichick trade or cut Brady. In 10 years, the Patriots could be the next Cleveland Browns. Whichever quarterback they have hopefully gets them on the right track. This could still be Garoppolo, who again could get some playing time, and come back when the time is right.

Will The Patriots Be The Next Cleveland Browns Post Brady/Belichick

Garoppolo wasn’t told about this trade by Belichick, but rather was told by his agent, Don Yee (Yee is also agent to Brady). Belichick said in his conference call this morning, that he and Jimmy had weekly meetings. You would think a potential trade would have come up in one of those meetings. Apparently not, as Garoppolo was caught off guard. Enjoy these last two to five years of Brady.  After he’s gone, it will be back to the way it was before. Hopefully Garoppolo comes back, because at least they would have a decent quarterback.

The New England Patriots Dynasty

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After completing the “Drive for Five”, the Patriots have moved on to the “Blitz for Six” as if nothing ever happened last season. As if the Patriots didn’t appear in their record breaking 9th Super Bowl. As if they didn’t orchestrate the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history by coming back from a 28-3 deficit. Why? Because they reset every single season. Win or lose, they refuse to dwell on the past but rather choose to focus on the present and the future. It is this very simple aspect of their organization that has made them one of the greatest, if not THE greatest, dynasties in NFL history. Their favorite ring is indeed the next one. This mindset starts at the very top of the organization with the Krafts, and it trickles down to Belichick, then Brady and the rest of the team.

Owner Robert Kraft, President Jonathan Kraft, Coach Bill Belichick, and QB Tom Brady

BOSTON, MA – APRIL 13: From left, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, New England Patriots President Jonathan Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick, and quarterback Tom Brady hold Vince Lombardi trophies on the pitchers’ mound at Fenway Park on April 13, 2015, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

THE KRAFTY BUSINESSMAN

Let’s start with Kraft. Unlike some owners, looking at you Jerry Jones, Kraft knows to stick out of the matters at the team level. Little things like who should start at a specific position or who the Patriots should pick up in free agency. Kraft knows to stick out of this. Kraft instead focuses on the business side of the Patriots and excels at his job. For example, by the start of Kraft’s first season, every single game was sold out. To put this in perspective, this had never happened in any of the prior 34 Patriot seasons. Also, what does Kraft say almost every time they win? “This is unequivocally the sweetest one.” His favorite one changes every time they win.

Patriots head coach - Bill Belichick

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on from the sideline during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

THE BRAINS BEHIND THE ORGANIZATION

What is arguably Kraft’s greatest move? Hiring Bill Belichick. Bill Belichick has done something the mere mortal coaches could only dream of doing. Not only coaching a record breaking 7 Super Bowls but winning 5 of them. As GM and Coach, Belichick knows exactly who and what he’s dealing with each and every season. He resets his focus every season, builds an offense around his super-mega-uber-star QB, and builds tough defenses out of mainly non-star players. What was that chant Belichick led in the 5th Patriots parade? “No days off.” He’s focused on the next ring.

Patriots 2016-17 QBs: Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Jacoby Brissett

Jacoby Brissett, Tom Brady, and Jimmy Garoppolo (left to right) at the Patriots 2017 ring ceremony

 

THE GOAT

This finally leads us to Thomas Brady Jr. The comeback kid. Tommy terrific. THE GOAT. I firmly believe that Tom Brady is the greatest thing to ever happen to the Patriots organization. What was it that rookie-Brady told Kraft? “I’m the best decision this organization has ever made.” And he was right. If I had to count all the records Brady’s demolished, we’d be here all day, but let’s just say he’s broken almost every significant NFL record. He has the insane stats, and he’s got the rings. And the cherry on top is deep humility and his insane drive to win every single game.

Tom Brady celebrating his 5th ring and 4th Super Bowl MVP after winning Super Bowl 51

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates after the Patriots defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

 

THE THREE KINGS

It’s these three focal points – Kraft, Belichick and Brady – and the fact that they all have the same vision that has made the Patriots the greatest dynasty in NFL history. Each the best at their respective roles, they do what’s best for the team and the organization. The Patriots are now on the Blitz for Six to cement their legacy as the greatest team ever, and we are all lucky enough to be able to witness it.