Patriots Fail to Put Their Best Foot Forward

January 21, 2011 - Football - Tagged: , , - 2 comments

FOXBORO – The Patriots never really got going against the Jets.  The excuses have already started to pour out from disappointed fans but truth be told, the Patriots were outplayed and out-coached on Sunday.  They managed a great regular seasons despite being plagued with injuries and an extremely young secondary but couldn’t make the final push through the playoffs.  This seems to be becoming a trend for the Pats, not necessarily overcoming injuries but playing hard through the season and coming up short in the playoffs.  Has Bill lost his touch?  Has Tom Brady seen his last Super Bowl? No, and No.

I don’t believe that either of these is an accurate description of our problem.  Bill’s problem is that he relies on himself to heavily and doesn’t put faith into coordinators.  Let’s put aside all the miscues of the Pats vs. Jets fiasco and look at this team of the course of the past few years.

The “dynasty” has passed and I think we really need to examine why…  I don’t want to examine why it has passed with out examining how it came to be.  The Pats had the dream team from front office to field.

2004 New England Patriots

  • STAFF
    • Head Coach – Bill Belichick
    • Offensive Coordinator – Charlie Weis
    • Quarterbacks – Josh McDaniels
    • Defensive Coordinator – Romeo Crennel
    • Defensive Backs – Eric Mangini
  • ROSTER
    • Tom Brady
    • Corey Dillon
    • Kevin Faulk
    • Deion Branch
    • Troy Brown
    • Benjamin Watson
    • Christian Fauria
    • Dan Koppen
    • Matt Light
    • Stephen Neal
    • Jarvis Green
    • Richard Seymour
    • Ty Warren
    • Vince Wilfork
    • Tully Banta-Cain
    • Teddy Bruschi
    • Rosevelt Colvin
    • Larry Izzo
    • Ted Johnson
    • Willie McGinest
    • Mike Vrabel
    • Roman Phifer
    • Rodney Harrison
    • Ty Law
    • Asante Samuel

Look at that staff and don’t forget that Scott Pioli was still in the FO making it happen too.  With a core staff like that vs. what we have now (who can name more than 2 coordinators on staff now?)  you start to wonder if Bill’s strict ways have forced this team’s hand.  Does Bill’s need for control cost the Patriots the championship?  Look at the roster.  There were names on defense that made other Quarterbacks fearful.  The mere thought of them being on the other side of the ball was enough to keep them on their toes.  Who do the Pats have now beside Wilfork?  I think we need to see them get tougher on defense so that the offense isn’t pressured so much to win and Bill is going to need to get some help that he can trust to make decisions.

It will be interesting to see just what the Patriots will do in the draft with all of their picks.  Hopefully we see them make the moves they need to to secure some big guys on the D-Line and get someone to fill that impact / cage-rattler at LB.  It remains to be seen if Bill can really give up full control over every aspect of the team but clearly his ways aren’t producing championships.  Winning is great, and he can win, but he can’t seem to win when it counts anymore.

Fingers crossed for next year…

About the author

Dan Jones

Dan Jones has been "Nerd-ing" since he took apart the family computer at age 8. He has also been an avid sports fan his entire life. He also enjoys spending time with his lovely wife and two girls in their home on the South Shore and playing with their kids and yellow lab Cooper. Although he doesn't have much time to write he certainly has no problem vocally expressing his sports opinions, just ask. (You may regret it as he has a tendency to go on tirades.) Whenever he does post you should read it, you won't regret that you did.