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Looking back at the Patriots road to becoming a top tier NFL team, I don't recall these types of growing pains ... did you guys experience these kind of bumps in the road/issues before Belichick?
The Patriots pretty much WERE "bumps in the road" for years. (Star WR missing the conference championship game after being stabbed by his wife in a fight over infidelity, anybody?)
But there was a huge, huge turning point heading into 2001 when Belichick suspended Terry Glenn -- one of the team's marquee players at the time -- after he had a string of off-field problems then walked out of training camp. Full season suspension, no pay, see ya later. That sent a heck of a strong message.
The fact that the Lions don't seem to be issuing any penalties at all also sends a message, of course.