The 2-7, worst-in-the-AFC Patriots play the Colts on Sunday in Germany.
Bill Belichick could get das boot as soon as this season is over.
Or sooner.
Let’s catch up.
In January 2020, two months earlier than Tom Brady headed south, we urged the Patriots to tank
and start the post-Brady rebuild instantly.
They opted for Cam Newton and a three-plus-year run of sub-par play and mediocrity we
haven’t seen since we spent Thursday nights with “Friends.”
RIP Williamstown-born Matthew Perry.
In July, we informed you with all of the irony we may muster in print that Belichick’s future with the
Patriots was inextricably tied to the efficiency of Mac Jones on the sphere this season.
Ouch.
In August, we reminded you that the Patriots twin-monarchy Robert Kraft and Belichick had been
being delusional when it got here to spending money on authentic offensive gamers, like DeAndre
Hopkins.
In September, we warned you concerning the perils of a gradual begin.
Bill Belichick is 71.
Brady fought Father Time to a draw.
But the Old Man is coming for his former coach with red-eyed vengeance.
Toby Keith summed up 2023 Belichick thusly: “He’s not as good as he once was, but he’s good
once as he ever was.”
Looks like we had been being too beneficiant.
No extra.
On Oct. 12, we once more raised the problem of Robert Kraft culpability in all that has gone flawed
along with his soccer workforce because it determined to maneuver on from Brady.
We all the time be certain that to notice Kraft’s “unicorn” standing as an NFL proprietor, having achieved so
way more success than any of his counterparts.
But it’s 2023, not 2003.
The Belichick-Kraft Post-Brady Dynasty has proven itself to be a House of Cards.
Of all of the NFL franchises Brady left in ruins, none has fallen deeper than the Patriots.
The Patriots with out Brady are Las Vegas with out playing, The Sphere and David Copperfield.
No profitable. No attract. No magic.
In the identical piece, we supplied a preview of the speaking factors you’ve heard continuous over the
two weeks.
Don’t fret the way forward for Belichick and Sons. The Hoodie will see limitless checkbook affords from
the Bears, Giants and Commanders if he turns into accessible.
If Robert Kraft doesn’t need to be often known as the man who let go of Bill Parcells, Tom Brady, and
Bill Belichick, he can move the baton to Jonathan.
After all, Don Corleone didn’t break the peace.
The following week, we warned anybody who would pay attention (or learn) that issues are going to get
very ugly with this workforce. So much faster than anybody may care to think about.
It took the Kraft Family almost 30 years of workforce possession, however their Patriots have lastly turned
the Red Sox triple play:
Unwatchable …
Unlikable …
Unable to win …
Their goodwill has gone searching.
That brings us to final week.
We’ll re-state what we wrote since everybody else has performed it within the interim.
It’s arduous to not fault Belichick and Kraft for operating the identical playbook with a decent checkbook.
Combined, they’re 153 years previous – 153 years in the past, faculty soccer was in its second season. We
didn’t have telephones, electrical lights, or organized skilled baseball.
Belichick is in his forty ninth season teaching within the NFL. Kraft purchased the Patriots in 1994. That’s 78
years of collective expertise teaching and proudly owning within the NFL.
How dare you query them?
Now, all of a sudden, it’s “news” that Belichick could find yourself in Washington.
Or that he and the Patriots can be kaput with a loss in Germany.
Or that Mike Vrabel/Jerod Mayo/Bill O’Brien has all however gotten the job as Patriots head coach.
To paraphrase Sergeant Schultz: “We all know nothing. Nothing.”
Except that Belichick has grow to be the Colonel Klink of the AFC East.
Patriots radio analyst Scott Zolak is as plugged in as anybody to the inner-workings of the Kremlin on Route 1. Tuesday on “Zo and Bertand” the rumbustious former Patriots QB put Belichick’s odds of being the Patriots coach in Week 1 of 2024 at “less than 50%.”
That’s straight from State Run Media Central.
We gained’t predict the longer term. We’re having sufficient hassle with our weekly NFL picks. Now that
cell sports activities betting is again in Florida, we’ll be making an attempt to make use of our EBT card at Dunks by
Christmas.
But we’re obligated to supply our knowledgeable hypothesis (or reporting) on what may occur
with New England’s NFL entry.
Our query now’s this: “Can Bill Belichick keep his job?”
The present iteration of Belichick can not, regardless of how shut he’s to Don Shula’s file of
347 wins.
The final vestige of the Belichick Mystique – an impregnable protection – crumbled like a freshly-baked corn muffin in opposition to Sam Howell final Sunday. “Bend But Don’t Break” has discovered the junkyard, proper subsequent to your 2007 Ford Taurus with the blown transmission.
Right now, the Patriots have a minimum of three too many Belichicks on the payroll.
The elder Belichick has nothing to supply however 49 years of expertise, eight rings, and a bucket of
grunts, mumbles, and excuses.
A brand new-and-improved Belichick may need an opportunity to remain within the make use of of the Kraft household.
But that might require the one factor Belichick abhors greater than gifted quarterbacks and All-Pro vast receivers: change.
Does Belichick need to change his method to the significance of offense? His method to evaluating expertise?
His method to coping with the general public (via the media)? His method to resisting new concepts, if not assistants? His method to his personal strengths and weaknesses? His maintain on all issues Patriots?
Probably not.
The web affords a minimum of 13 methods to say “goodbye” in German.
Another loss on Sunday and any certainly one of them ought to suffice.
Bill Speros (@RealOBF and @BillSperos on X) might be reached at [email protected]
Source: www.bostonherald.com