Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Whether you like what Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick have done year after year with the Patriots, they are the bellwether organization in the NFL. Their success over the past 15 years is unprecedented in the age of the salary cap.
The Patriots have won their division 13 of the last 15 years. They have played in 10 AFC Championship games in the past 15 years. They have played in 6 Super Bowls during that span and have won 4 rings.
Yet, what seems so extraordinary about their success is that in a copy-cat league, no team has come even remotely close to emulating the Patriots' formula for success.
The Arizona Cardinals in recent years have hired two front office execs who have had ties to the Patriots: Jason Licht (now the GM in Tampa) and Terry McDonough.
At this point...what kinds of approaches do the Cardinals take that are similar to the Patriots'?
* Moving up and down in the draft
* Making key trades
* Appointing young coordinators
* Having the ability to run the football with a combination of power and finesse
* Employing RBs who are skilled receivers
What approaches do the Patriots take that the Cardinals don't?
* Hoarding picks in the draft
* Drafting defensive personnel and prototypes that fit their style of the 3-4 defense
* Placing emphasis on the short and intermediate passing game by stockpiling TEs and slot WRs
* Trading players at their max value before they lose them to free agency
* Playing their starters longer than any other team during the pre-season
* Developing young QBs and not overpaying on a veteran backup
* Practicing both Tuesday and Wednesday of the bye week
Head Coaching Comparisons:
* The handling of the media: BA---open book; BB---closed book.
* Discussing Players to the media: BA---open book; BB---closed book. (When BB is asked about a player, he always references the team. For example, when recently asked how well he thinks Brady is playing, BB praised the effort level of the entire offense).
* Talking about players' potential: BA---uses superlatives; BB---won't go there.
* Talking about Super Bowl: BA---makes it a constant reference point; BB---won't go there, and all his players have a gag order where that is concerned.
* The handling of officials: BA---consistently harping; BB---picks his spots, but mostly reserved.
* Emphasis on special teams: BA---not a priority; BB---one of the top priorities.
* Coin toss: BA---take the ball; BB---defer.
* Calling plays: BA---calls the offense and sometimes the defense; BB---advises OC, DC and STC when necessary.
* Stretching: BA---no organized stretching; BB---organized and extended warmups
* Headwear: BA---cap or Kangol; BB---nothing or hoodie.
* HC records: BA---(38-20-1); (1-2) postseason; BB---(253-123); 23-10 postseason.
Comment:
Bill Belichick didn't exactly set the world on fire early in his career. In fact, in his first 6 years as a head coach he had 5 losing records and went 41-55. His 7th year was the charm---going 11-5 and winning the Super Bowl.
BA is understandably still learning the nuances of being a head coach. The fact that he's had such unprecedented success early in his head coaching career is impressive.
For the first time, BA is wondering how to motivate his underachieving team. His frustration is at an all-time high.
I personally think he and the players are still trying to get over getting sucker punched by Seattle and Carolina last year. None of them saw that coming. Up until week 17 last year, it was the first time in eons that the Cardinals were competitive in every game---it was the best sustained effort through 15 games that we have seen from the Cardinals.
Now, this year, the team has struggled to win close games (0-2-1) and has gotten blown out twice.
It should be fascinating to see what BA learns about himself, his coaching staff and the team in the weeks ahead.
Finally, it is an interesting and unusual difference, but the Patriots don't hang AFC East division or AFC champion banners at Gillette Stadium---only Super Bowl banners.
While they don't talk about the Super Bowl until they get there---the hanging of only Super Bowl banners explains their yearly goals very loudly and clearly.
The Patriots have won their division 13 of the last 15 years. They have played in 10 AFC Championship games in the past 15 years. They have played in 6 Super Bowls during that span and have won 4 rings.
Yet, what seems so extraordinary about their success is that in a copy-cat league, no team has come even remotely close to emulating the Patriots' formula for success.
The Arizona Cardinals in recent years have hired two front office execs who have had ties to the Patriots: Jason Licht (now the GM in Tampa) and Terry McDonough.
At this point...what kinds of approaches do the Cardinals take that are similar to the Patriots'?
* Moving up and down in the draft
* Making key trades
* Appointing young coordinators
* Having the ability to run the football with a combination of power and finesse
* Employing RBs who are skilled receivers
What approaches do the Patriots take that the Cardinals don't?
* Hoarding picks in the draft
* Drafting defensive personnel and prototypes that fit their style of the 3-4 defense
* Placing emphasis on the short and intermediate passing game by stockpiling TEs and slot WRs
* Trading players at their max value before they lose them to free agency
* Playing their starters longer than any other team during the pre-season
* Developing young QBs and not overpaying on a veteran backup
* Practicing both Tuesday and Wednesday of the bye week
Head Coaching Comparisons:
* The handling of the media: BA---open book; BB---closed book.
* Discussing Players to the media: BA---open book; BB---closed book. (When BB is asked about a player, he always references the team. For example, when recently asked how well he thinks Brady is playing, BB praised the effort level of the entire offense).
* Talking about players' potential: BA---uses superlatives; BB---won't go there.
* Talking about Super Bowl: BA---makes it a constant reference point; BB---won't go there, and all his players have a gag order where that is concerned.
* The handling of officials: BA---consistently harping; BB---picks his spots, but mostly reserved.
* Emphasis on special teams: BA---not a priority; BB---one of the top priorities.
* Coin toss: BA---take the ball; BB---defer.
* Calling plays: BA---calls the offense and sometimes the defense; BB---advises OC, DC and STC when necessary.
* Stretching: BA---no organized stretching; BB---organized and extended warmups
* Headwear: BA---cap or Kangol; BB---nothing or hoodie.
* HC records: BA---(38-20-1); (1-2) postseason; BB---(253-123); 23-10 postseason.
Comment:
Bill Belichick didn't exactly set the world on fire early in his career. In fact, in his first 6 years as a head coach he had 5 losing records and went 41-55. His 7th year was the charm---going 11-5 and winning the Super Bowl.
BA is understandably still learning the nuances of being a head coach. The fact that he's had such unprecedented success early in his head coaching career is impressive.
For the first time, BA is wondering how to motivate his underachieving team. His frustration is at an all-time high.
I personally think he and the players are still trying to get over getting sucker punched by Seattle and Carolina last year. None of them saw that coming. Up until week 17 last year, it was the first time in eons that the Cardinals were competitive in every game---it was the best sustained effort through 15 games that we have seen from the Cardinals.
Now, this year, the team has struggled to win close games (0-2-1) and has gotten blown out twice.
It should be fascinating to see what BA learns about himself, his coaching staff and the team in the weeks ahead.
Finally, it is an interesting and unusual difference, but the Patriots don't hang AFC East division or AFC champion banners at Gillette Stadium---only Super Bowl banners.
While they don't talk about the Super Bowl until they get there---the hanging of only Super Bowl banners explains their yearly goals very loudly and clearly.
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