NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Mayo’s Patriots seem thrilled to not be playing for Belichick anymore originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The power of joy is having its national moment, and it appears we underestimated its impact on the Patriots.
The first order of business after watching their shocking upset of the Bengals was discerning what we had missed. Is the offensive line better than we thought? Will the defense just keep them in every game? Can they bludgeon opponents with Rhamondre Stevenson, because offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt actually knows what he’s doing and Jacoby Brissett won’t mess it up?
All valid explanations, but they miss the bigger picture: Jerod Mayo isn’t Bill Belichick.
Those of us who considered Belichick’s subtraction overdue based that opinion primarily on the roster. Belichick the personnel man had lost his way, drafting kickers instead of receivers and guards instead of tackles. The Patriots needed to modernize in today’s speed-racer game.
But even Mayo’s most ardent supporters expected the club would regress on game day, because we were still talking about the greatest coach of all time who had seen everything over 50 years on the sidelines. Mayo couldn’t just suddenly meet that standard. He might even be an Xs-and-Os liability until he gained his footing.
Except we forgot about joy.
It’s clear that Foxboro didn’t represent the most blissful work environment over Belichick’s final two seasons. Players questioned his decision to let a couple of unqualified buddies run the offense, absolutely no one appreciated the way he ruined Mac Jones, and his relentlessly driving style rang hollow during a four-win season that saw Belichick coach not to get blown out as often as to win.
It was a dysfunctional mess, and it wasn’t a surprise. After all, we had already seen him basically force Hall of Famers Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski out the door. Fun? Football’s not fun. It’s no days off and do your job and we’re on to Cincinnati. Fun is for losers. Winners grind.
It had…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/mayos-patriots-seem-thrilled-not-162022831.html
Author : NBC Sports Boston
Publish date : 2024-09-11 16:27:37
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
