BBs best attribute as a coach?

[Ring 6]

I am torn between 2 things about BB, that are the characteristic, IMO, that separate him from most coaches.

1) The 'one game at a time' approach. Everyone says it, everyone says they do not look past opponents. But, I do not think there has been a team in NFL history that has a better record of NOT losing games they should win. I don't have the numbers, but I'd be willing to bet that the Pats from 01-now have the smallest % of their losses to sub-500 teams. I used to keep track of this, and at one point, I believe up to 2005, Tom Brady had never lost a game to a team that finished under .500. That is just remarkable when you look at all of the great teams that lose games on the road to sub-500 teams. (The only time I can remember us losing to a sub500 team is Miami)

2) TEACHING. I do not believe the Patriots are miles ahead of other teams in evaluating draft talent. I do believe they have had nmore success with the players they drafted in the BB era than anyone has. The record with 1st rounders is tremendous. The record in the mid rounds good, and we have hit quite a feew late day2 picks as well. IMO, this isn't because we know more than other teams on draft day, but because we teach and coach them better. The shining example, is that we have the smartest, best decision making QB in the NFL (in years, by the way) and in his first year as a starter we had no QB coach, and BB himself met with Brady on a daily basis teaching him what defenses are trying to do. Our first round picks become TECHNICALLY SOUND (almost no one is drafted that way) and numerous FAs come here, and get better. I have always thought that the #1 skill a coach needs is to be able to teach players techniques, the philosophy of their position, and the proper mental approach to the game. 99% of the players drafted in the NFL will bust if they never advance beyond where they are the day they are drafted. Success in the draft isn't about drafting a guy who is 'ready to be a star' but to draft a guy and teach him how to be a star.

Of course, a 3rd area is gameplanning, and I think he is the best at that, but I think these 2 areas are more important. The greatest schemes in the world don't work if you dont have players ready and able to execute them.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Some of the things I admire about him are;

1. He's just not full of himself like some other big-name coaches. Parcells, Jimmy Johnson, Bill Walsh. Reminds me of Chuck Noll for you 40ish guys.

2. His ability to design a defense to take away what the other teams does best. Is tremendous. I don't even like offensive players; qb's,wr's,rb's,etc.
I look at them as a necessary evil. I love having a defensive minded coach.

3. You can tell the man loves football. I love the other sports. But, there is absolutely nothing compared to football. A team traveling into enemy territory and shutting up about 60,000 loudmouthis is too good to comprehend. Heinz Field after our two AFC Championship games were as good as the Super Bowls for me.

 

[CowboyRomo]

I agree with all your analysis, but man, is that guy one humongous grump.

 

[lander]

Not afraid to cheat to gain an advantage.

 

[FirstAndGoal]

Not afraid to cheat to gain an advantage.

Unlike Norv who seems to be afraid of the football.

 

[TripleOption]

I agree with all your analysis, but man, is that guy one humongous grump.

Ya sure, give me a cheery loser like Herm anyday!

 

[Nordy]

I agree with all your analysis, but man, is that guy one humongous grump.

He's not a grump, he just acts that way when dealing with the media.

 

[TripleOption]

Not afraid to cheat to gain an advantage.

Go Raiders.

 

[CowboyRomo]

I wouldn't take Herm any day of the week. ever. never. ever.

 

[Bertil]

I am torn between 2 things about BB, that are the characteristic, IMO, that separate him from most coaches.

1) The 'one game at a time' approach. Everyone says it, everyone says they do not look past opponents. But, I do not think there has been a team in NFL history that has a better record of NOT losing games they should win. I don't have the numbers, but I'd be willing to bet that the Pats from 01-now have the smallest % of their losses to sub-500 teams. I used to keep track of this, and at one point, I believe up to 2005, Tom Brady had never lost a game to a team that finished under .500. That is just remarkable when you look at all of the great teams that lose games on the road to sub-500 teams. (The only time I can remember us losing to a sub500 team is Miami)

2) TEACHING. I do not believe the Patriots are miles ahead of other teams in evaluating draft talent. I do believe they have had nmore success with the players they drafted in the BB era than anyone has. The record with 1st rounders is tremendous. The record in the mid rounds good, and we have hit quite a feew late day2 picks as well. IMO, this isn't because we know more than other teams on draft day, but because we teach and coach them better. The shining example, is that we have the smartest, best decision making QB in the NFL (in years, by the way) and in his first year as a starter we had no QB coach, and BB himself met with Brady on a daily basis teaching him what defenses are trying to do. Our first round picks become TECHNICALLY SOUND (almost no one is drafted that way) and numerous FAs come here, and get better. I have always thought that the #1 skill a coach needs is to be able to teach players techniques, the philosophy of their position, and the proper mental approach to the game. 99% of the players drafted in the NFL will bust if they never advance beyond where they are the day they are drafted. Success in the draft isn't about drafting a guy who is 'ready to be a star' but to draft a guy and teach him how to be a star.

Of course, a 3rd area is gameplanning, and I think he is the best at that, but I think these 2 areas are more important. The greatest schemes in the world don't work if you dont have players ready and able to execute them.

The word for #1 is "FOCUS"

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

Probably the BEST reason why I love BB is...

He EXPOSED the much-hated, media darlings "Greatest Show on Turf" Rams, "Biggest Football Heart" Panthers, and the Eagles. Not only that, these teams haven't been NEARLY as good since their fun in the sun days. Who would have thought Kurt Warner goes from future HOFer to nothing more than a serviceable backup? Who would have thought that Mike Martz is nothing more than a fraud now? Who would have thought Jon Fox is on the hot seat now? Who would have thought McNabb is likely on his way out of Philly?

I will forever keep thinking how the Pats have changed the course of NFL history for a number of teams.

 

[TripleOption]

I wouldn't take Herm any day of the week. ever. never. ever.

You would take BB over Parcells, Wade and Jimmy Johnson combined.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I attribute all his coaching ability to that hoodie. I fear for the Patriots if that hoodie ever lands in a enemy coaches hands. Fear the hoodie.

 

[tedylb]

I agree with those who said focus (one day at a time, improving every day) and preparation (game planning). Plus getting diverse coaches and players to buy into these concepts, with the emphasis on the team rather than the individual. And he's a helluva evaluator of talent and whether that talent will fit into the Pats mold. There's a reason why he went after Moss instead of TO.

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

How has Josh McDaniels done this year?

I remember last year how 90% of this forum threw him under the bus, especially after that Indy game at Foxboro.

 

[SmokeShowin]

All of the above. I can't pick just one.

 

[DarrylS]

I think his best attribute is he is smart on three levels, I think he is smarter than most folks in the NFL..

1. Book learning smart, he is well read and some of the stuff aluded to in his biographies, helps him apply other disciplines into football stuff. The whole "Art of War" stuff for example.

2. NFL Smart, if you look at his history and credentials, he knows quite a few folks and is not afraid to consult with others. He is known for breaking down film, and figuring out QB's. He has mastered the art of defense. A classic example of is when he broke down the Rams in the first superbowl, who would've thunk. I think he is obsessed with Manning and Shanahan, and he will figure them out sooner rather than later.

3. Street Smart, he is not gonna make it in Brooklyn, but his ability to relate to players, their situation and how they react to specific stimuli makes him a genius. very few guys have not responded well here, and usually they seem to have intellectual limits. One time I was at a function with Jim Brown (the rusher) and BB, Jim said something to the effect, "If Michael Jordan did half as much as BB did for charity, the world would be a different place". Never forget this, or the stories of how he rode in Police Cars to understand the context of how it is for some of the players.. he understands them and they respect him for it, the recent response in defense of Vrabel is classic.

I also think the way he handled the recent spygate, was brilliant, he took the hit (as he should have) and somehow it was used to motivate the team.. the consequence was the team rallied around him and played at another level.. all of what he does is calculated, and for the most part has paid huge dividends for this team. Look at the recent Adalus Thomas Humble Pie Stuff T shirt stuff, this does not happen in most NFL teams.

 

[Gwedd]

I attribute all his coaching ability to that hoodie. I fear for the Patriots if that hoodie ever lands in a enemy coaches hands. Fear the hoodie.

Absolutely. The hoodie brings it all together. Landry had the fedora, Bum Phillips had the cowboy hat, Ditka chewed gum and Bill has the hoodie. Great coaches have trademark items, items associated forever with them.

The three top items from New England are, for me, the old red throwback jersey, the new Elvis Flash, and the grey hoodie with cut-down sleeves.

respects,

 

[marty]

All of the above plus his consistency! As a parent, it's one of the most important characteristics that I try to maintain as a teacher and role model. IMO, it can't be overemphasized as a critical factor to leadership.

 

[richpats]

I agree with all your analysis, but man, is that guy one humongous grump.

That's why everybody jumped on the Spygate scandal. Belichick hates the media, and sometimes I can understand. Yesterday somebody asked him about the origin of his sweatshirt (probably a Dallas reporter - no smack, they just don't interview him often). Are you kidding me? Do people get paid to ask these types of questions? Does anyone ask Tony Dungy about his jacket?