Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots has had their fair share of glory at the top of the NFL. Unfortunately with the same team, the head coach has turned into a poster boy of criticism as the Patriots’ record dropped to 1-4 this season, which is a far cry from the high bar the team has established in prior seasons.
The head coach’s worst losing streak this season drew criticism from NFL analyst Stephen A. Smith. Amid the controversy surrounding Belichick’s reign at the helm of the current Patriots, Tom Brady came out expressing unwavering confidence in his former coach’s abilities and leadership.
Brady stands by Bill Belichick
Tom Brady started his NFL career as a third-string quarterback of a losing team. While no one saw any potential in him, Bill Belichick was the one who trusted him for the first time and gave him the job of the starter. Brady adorned his choice shattering records left and right and bringing home a record-breaking six Super Bowl rings with the Patriots. Hence, the recently retired NFL player cherishes a great level of devotion to his two-decade mentor.
On his latest Let’s Go! Podcast, Tom Terrific backed his long-time guide as he asked about Bill Belichick’s consistency in his coaching prowess. Brady commended his old coach’s methods for giving the team the best chance for success and noted that Bill’s coaching style is still constant and correct.
“Absolutely. I think that he’s got a very consistent approach that he’s always taken and, you know, it’s the right approach. It’s try to prepare the players, and give them the best opportunity to succeed.”
While many fingers already were pointed at the Patriots’ HC for his team’s losing streak, the 46-year-old threw a sly jab at them as he thought the 71-year-old was not the only one to be blamed. He claimed a victory or defeat as the combined result of the whole team and front office.
“You know, you get out there on the field in the end, the coaches, once the play is called in the players gotta go do it. And it takes a great coaching staff to win. It takes great players to win. It takes great front-office support to win. It’s an organizational win. It’s an organizational loss.”
Soon after Brady left the Patriots, Bill Belichick’s winning streak began to fall while the former Patriots starter enjoyed another stellar stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before choosing to retire with them.
Stephen A. Smith takes aim at Belichick
Bill Belichick suffered his worst losing record during his two-decade tenure with the Patriots in Week 4’s 38-3 loss against the Dallas Cowboys. The Saints gave Belichick the second-worst 0-34 defeat of his coaching career in the following game.
Following this consecutive losing streak, Stephen A. Smith demanded a drastic move on ESPN’s “First Take” on Monday. The co-host got into the six-time Super Bowl champion Patriots, stating that if he were Robert Kraft, the team’s owner, he would first call the head coach and general manager of the team.
“It has to be said so I’m going to say it: If I’m Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, I call Bill Belichick, the six-time champion, into my office.”
Smith’s request for Belichick could only have been motivated by the necessity to modify the Patriots coach’s roster of duties.
“Here’s what I tell him: ‘You are no longer the GM, the football decision-maker for this franchise. You can coach, but that’s it. You’re not deciding personnel any longer.’ If Bill Belichick did not accept that, this would be Bill Belichick’s last season in New England.”
Before that Shannon Sharpe also criticized the head coach following the losing streak, claiming Brady as the fault-eraser of Belichick during his tenure in New England. Meanwhile, the Patriots’ coach already hinted at a fresh start. Do you think they will be able to do so?