I don't know...maybe, maybe not. I'm more inclined to agree with Tony on this one, and it's difficult for me to envision a scenario where a coach/GM played his cards better over a fifteen year period than Belichick. I think Bill was the game's best GM from roughly 2000-2012 until the league caught up to him and started putting economics/analytics guys in their front office rather than meathead football guys. And as a coach, unquestionably he was overall one of the best, though that's challenging to actually measure.
Though, about five years ago, things really changed. IMO, the last five years just left a very sour note:
- I screamed at the TV for the only time I remember when I watched him piss away HFA in 2015, and then listened to him have the nerve in a presser to say that HFA wasn't very important as long as they got the bye and #2 seed. Really? The Brady/Manning HFA was everything, and the Patriots were always notoriousliy out of sorts in Denver. Of course, they lost by 2 points in the AFCCG and the home crowd noise in that game was specifically a tangible factor with their pass protection.
- I believe the Cleveland beat writers...numerous reputable beat writers. The Browns were willing to trade more than a second round pick for Jimmy Garoppolo. Belichick wouldn't even hear their offer because of some control/spite point he was making.
- He blew Super Bowl 52. He did. And it might have been the only three-peat in the Super Bowl era.
- Gronkowski retired because of Bill; it's so obvious. The GOAT tight end, who was always incredibly unselfish, a great locker room guy, willing to take a lesser role, take less money, drew a line with Belichick. That's alarming.
- He put himself ahead of the team and franchise by not doing everything possible to keep Brady. He couldn't have been more of a clown in the way he handled the situation. No offer. No discussions. Constant lowballing/skepticism about Brady's age. Constant attitude that everyone is replaceable. "Come back and ask us to match the offer if you want to play here." Yeah.
- The excuse making, revisionist history, and ridiculous leaks that came out of Foxoboro last year were outright embarassing.
Bottom line is, Bill should have been the guy whose job was on the line and not Tom.