Next weekend, Bill Belichick may coach his remaining sport for the Patriots.
Speculation over his future has dominated a lot of the crew’s 4-11 season to this point, fueled by reporting that possession determined it will half methods throughout a mid-November bye week. Belichick’s contract reportedly runs solely by subsequent season. He owns a 29-26 file during the last 4 seasons and hasn’t clinched a playoff 12 months in 5.
Of course, Belichick’s legacy as the best coach of all time nonetheless stays intact. A file Super Bowl rings as a head coach cemented that way back, although his influence runs even deeper in Foxboro. Speaking to that, 9 gamers spoke with the Herald this week about what Belichick has meant to them throughout their time in New England.
Author’s be aware: The following solutions have been edited for brevity and readability.
CB Jonathan Jones
Eighth season in New England, initially signed as an undrafted rookie in 2016
“Just a mannequin of consistency. You can’t discover a man who’s been as even-keeled by adversity; highs, lows, good dangerous. Like I’ve seen, the passing of his mom, different private life issues I consider he’s gone by, and he’s been the identical individual it doesn’t matter what the adversity was. You simply admire individuals like that.
“I know me personally, I always look up to people who are that consistent. I try to be as consistent as I can because I think that leads to productivity. A lot of (players) get free time in the offseason, and don’t get a lot accomplished. But you add that routine and discipline, you can accomplish a lot. Like him.”
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OLB Josh Uche
Fourth season in New England, drafted within the second spherical of the 2020 NFL Draft
“The self-discipline and construction I attempt to deliver to my household proper now. I’d say toughness, too. It’s rather a lot. Who I’m proper now actually stems from the final 4 years being right here. And this being a troublesome 12 months, I be taught simply seeing Bill be capable to are available in and preserve the fellows level-headed. And it is attention-grabbing as a result of I attempt to examine soccer to life rather a lot.
“Going by as a lot adversity and difficulties as we now have, you discover ways to overcome these. You’ve obtained to maintain going. No smooth (expletive). I do know lots of people are scared to play right here. Lots of people are scared to undergo the self-discipline that Bill calls for of his gamers, however I believe you develop into a greater man for it, not only a soccer participant.
“I think some of the lessons I’ve learned I’m definitely gonna pass on to my kids, for sure. Discipline, structure, routine, accountability, mental toughness.”
QB Bailey Zappe
Second season in New England, drafted within the fourth spherical of the 2022 NFL Draft
“My dream got here true as a result of he drafted me, so I’m at all times gonna have a sure feeling towards him, it doesn’t matter what occurs sooner or later. And then in fact, it is simply the mentorship that he is been capable of give to us, and all of the conferences that we now have with him simply choosing his mind. Learning from him is one thing that I’ll keep it up for nevertheless a few years I’ve.
“And honestly before I got here, the only thing I ever saw was his media side. So when I got here, I’m like, he might be stand-off-ish, I don’t want to do something wrong or say the wrong thing to him. And then come to find out, he’s like the most open person. You could walk into his office and talk to him about anything you want, whether it’s on the field or off the field.”
DL Deatrich Wise
Seventh season in New England, drafted within the fourth spherical of the 2017 NFL Draft
“He taught me rather a lot about controlling your feelings in high-stake areas. What to suppose in numerous conditions and a few issues that come up throughout the sport or in media or in life. Just your poise inside in all conditions. So no matter comes out, is what you needed to return out. Not to be too rattled by an outdoor drive. Granted, moreover speaking to refs, he is very poised (laughs).
“Just when these round you’re chaotic, how he brings all people collectively to get again on monitor. He’s very logical along with his supply, so only a completely different perspective in how he operates.
ST Matthew Slater
sixteenth season in New England, drafted within the fifth spherical of the 2008 NFL Draft
“The means my faculty profession went, I did not know what my prospects of taking part in within the league appeared like. So the truth that he took an opportunity on me, and saved me round early in my profession the place perhaps numerous the coaches would not have seen one thing in me, and has afforded me the chance to do that for so long as I’ve, I’m very grateful. You know, I really feel like I owe him to an extent, and so I’ll at all times be ceaselessly grateful to him for that.
“In phrases of soccer, I’ve an amazing appreciation for the historical past of the sport and the outstanding figures. And I believe he is actually a kind of figures. And I believe he is contributed a lot by way of the historical past of this sport. We have not seen a coach like him. And I believe what he is performed to not solely elevate this place, however elevate soccer usually ought to be honored, revered and appreciated. And I hope that the individuals round right here — and I suppose I imply, the individuals in New England, the individuals within the NFL actually — respect what he is performed.
“In the early portion of my profession, I form of checked out him like this determine you could see, however you’ll be able to’t contact. And we did not actually have a lot interplay or a lot of a relationship. The latter portion of my profession, we have had a possibility to have significant conversations concerning the crew, about soccer, about life and share completely different views with each other. And you at all times respect that.
“We’re humans, and to be able to have a human experience with someone that many people view as like this cyborg figure is certainly something that I appreciate. I’m thankful, and I’m glad that I’ve gotten the chance to experience this part of our relationship.”
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TE Mike Gesicki
First season in New England, initially signed as a free agent in March 2023
“I really feel like I’ve seen it from each views. Going towards him, you are gonna should anticipate the sudden. Because he is pondering two steps forward already. And it’s a must to be ready for that. And you are gonna have to have the ability to make changes on the fly. And then as your personal head coach, then I believe it has been cool — with out sounding like a fan of the sport — to get coached by the best coach to ever do it.
“He’s made some predictions this 12 months the place he’ll get up in entrance of the crew on Friday, after which we’ll come again on Monday and that is precisely what occurred. He’ll point out a pair guys who perhaps play a bit of previous the whistle and say, ‘Don’t get entangled with this man.’ Then Sunday comes, and that man will get a flag, after which we’ll get on the sideline and be like, ‘Good. We talked about it, and knew this was the man that needed to get somebody. But we did not fall for it.’
“And the emphasis he puts on situational football and the minor details of the game, talking about things that you don’t really hear from a lot of other coaches.”
OL James Ferentz
Seventh season in New England, initially signed as a free agent in 2017
“The an increasing number of I’m round him, the extra I see how a lot of a pupil he’s, which is exclusive for any individual who’s had as a lot success as he is had. If a brand new idea involves him, he does not reject it. He’s a really studious man. He’s at all times studying about issues.
“I believe to remind myself of by no means shedding sight of being a pupil once I become old. Even now, when one thing new involves me and I resist it, I say, ‘Well, am I resisting it as a result of I do not prefer it? Or as a result of I simply do not know it? Because there is a distinction. And if I do not perceive it straight away, it is easy to reject it.
“Unknowns are scary. That’s the impressive thing about him is, if he doesn’t know (something), he finds someone who does and has them teach it to him.”
DL Davon Godchaux
Third season in New England, initially signed as a free agent in 2021
“Just accountability. He’s holding guys accountable and to a high standard, and (he) expects a lot out of you. He’s got you in there for a reason, to dominate. So it’s just being accountable. And he’s one of the coaches in the league that’s gonna hold you to a higher standard and is gonna give you positive criticism day in and day out.”
RB Ezekiel Elliott
First season in New England, initially signed as a free agent in August 2023
“A constant reminder of what the standards are. A constant reminder of how much work, what this job takes and what it means.”
Quote of the Week
“If you practiced towards him, you bought higher otherwise you obtained embarrassed.” — Bill Belichick on Rodney Harrison, who was lately named a Hall of Fame finalist
Source: www.bostonherald.com