PHOENIX — With the AFC coaches’ breakfast on faucet Monday morning, Bill Belichick is predicted to interact in his not-so-favorite pastime — chatting with the media.
The Patriots head coach hasn’t fielded questions since his season-ending presser in January.
As at all times, there shall be lots to ask Belichick at this annual gathering on the league conferences. Lots has occurred within the two months for the reason that Patriots season ended with an 8-9 file and third-place end within the AFC East.
For starters, Belichick employed Bill O’Brien to be his offensive coordinator, and Adrian Klemm to teach the offensive line, presumably to wash up the mess left from final season.
Matt Patricia was canned because the play-caller and offensive line coach, and not seems to be with the staff. However, Joe Judge, final yr’s quarterbacks coach, stays as an assistant head coach.
Belichick has additionally made some strikes in free company, most notably including JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mike Gesicki and James Robinson to his offense.
Needless to say, there shall be lots to ask Belichick whereas he sips on his customary glass of orange juice. Whether he straight solutions any of these questions is one other matter.
But right here’s a small sampling of questions that may doubtless be requested:
Was the Patricia/Judge experiment a mistake?
It positive appeared like Belichick may need been the one one who didn’t see this as a catastrophe. His experiment with Patricia and Judge working the offense appeared doomed from the beginning, however Belichick insisted good coaches might coach any part irrespective of if that they had any expertise in that part or not.
Maybe that works with some coaches, simply not Patricia and Judge. Perhaps Belichick has admitted the error of his methods behind closed doorways, however hasn’t acknowledged it in public.
Case in level, was O’Brien introduced in as a result of Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft known as for a change, or as a result of Belichick noticed the error of his methods?
The undeniable fact that Judge stays, in what might be perceived as a promotion, appears ludicrous. Perhaps Judge is on the employees as a result of the Giants are nonetheless paying him and Patricia’s out as a result of the Lions are not paying him. At least, that’s the way it appears to be like.
Does he have an issue with Mac Jones?
From gushing about Jones previous to the early camps final yr, to mainly not acknowledging him as his starter late on, Belichick did an entire 180 when it got here to speaking about his quarterback.
So what occurred?
Did Jones taking some not-so-subtle photographs at Belichick’s handpicked coaches and shut buddies immediate the Patriots head coach to alter his tune? Because Belichick’s remarks have been measured, and lukewarm at greatest concerning the quarterback because the season wore on.
So it will be attention-grabbing to seek out out if he’s nonetheless peeved at Jones and all of his pouting and whining final yr, or if it was just a few motivational button-pushing ploy? And does Belichick really feel Mac’s nonetheless the man to guide the staff to a championship going ahead, or will there be a quarterback competitors in camp with Bailey Zappe?
Why was there little effort to maintain Jakobi Meyers?
It’s debatable how significantly better the Patriots are with Smith-Schuster versus Meyers, who was the staff’s main receiver the previous three years and Jones’ go-to-guy on third down.
While Meyers isn’t an explosive receiver, he was reliable, particularly when the staff wanted a play. So why dump Mac’s binkie for a receiver who has to seek out that chemistry and belief with Jones, to not point out study a brand new offense? Why did it need to be one or the opposite?
Does he consider the Patriots are contenders?
Between having a brand new offensive coordinator, and the additions made to this point, the Patriots have taken some strides. But will or not it’s sufficient?
More to the purpose, does Belichick suppose he’s completed sufficient, particularly to make it out of a stacked AFC East?
The Pats aren’t a completed product with the draft forward, and maybe a number of extra free agent signings, however many of the vital strikes have been made.
Is being one in all lowest spending groups on him, or Robert Kraft? Or each?
The final time Belichick did a Q & A with the media, he recited chapter and verse concerning the Patriots’ spending habits, or lack of such.
It’s exhausting to know if he was bragging, or pointing a finger on the proprietor. Right now, the Patriots stay close to the underside of the league (twenty sixth general) in general money spending. Belichick is actually in cost, however is there an unstated cap on spending emanating from the proprietor?
Or does Belichick simply not prefer to spend, or really feel the necessity? Inquiring minds need to know.
Does he have severe curiosity in Lamar Jackson?
If Belichick has really soured on Jones, would possibly he significantly contemplate attempting to land Lamar Jackson, who would make the Patriots prompt contenders.
It’s been a talker on sports activities radio given the Ravens positioned a $32.4 million non-exclusive franchise tag on their star quarterback final month.
That means if the Pats signed Jackson to a suggestion sheet, they’d need to give up two first-round picks to the Ravens, and likewise pay the freight on a contract extension.
They might additionally work out a commerce with the Ravens, however given all of the hoops wanted to make it work, would Belichick be prepared to do all of that to tackle Jackson, and his contract?
On probably going through Aaron Rodgers twice a yr?
While Rodgers isn’t technically a Jet simply but, it appears solely a matter of time. Many consider the addition of Rodgers would considerably enhance the Jets.
By extension, the perennial AFC East basement-dwellers would yield that distinction to the Patriots.
The Pats have just about owned the Jets in recent times. That would not be the case. It’s no secret Belichick hates the Jets.
How essential is it to overhaul Don Shula because the NFL’s winningest coach?
Belichick, who turns 71 subsequent month, is eighteen wins away from tying Shula, and 19 wins away from leaping over the Dolphins legendary coach.
Is that the one cause he’s persevering with to teach, only for the file?
Will he retire the yr after attaining the mark, or proceed on?
Source: www.bostonherald.com