1) Misconception: we need more stars to win. BB’s system: Build the middle class, have the best 45/53/61+ players in the league, three “B-level†players are better than an “A†and two “D’sâ€.
This is the fantasy football culture and the reason that Indy is the media darling. These are the fans that think Paul Maguire is a great analyst and apparently never tire of the ESPN crew droning on about two players for 3 hours. It’s also a reason that widespread injuries haven’t prevented each of our championships.
2) Misconception: the Patriots are cheap. BB’s system: spend all the cap but never exceed the value of a single player.
This misconception is the one that really drives us crazy because it’s nonsensical, the Patriots spend just as much as any team (and more than many), yet this is still a widespread misconception. The fact of the matter is that if you want to have the best talent and spend the same money, mathematically you’ve got to find ways to have a higher ratio of talent per dollar than everyone else. BB does this by sticking to value.
3) Misconception: why aren’t we signing anyone?!? BB’s system: the process of finding players is year-long, never panic, wait for the right players to come along at the right value (and then do the best with what you’ve got).
We all love free agent signings and are eager to land the big fish. However, among fans that misunderstand BB this is a major cause of negativity and frustration. A corollary to this is “they better have a plan.†They don’t have a specific plan folks, it’s not like they are thinking “we’ll get Javon Walker so we don’t need David Givens.†It’s a process, and it’s a slow and patient one. The risk is that yes, they may go into the season without a “#2†receiver, but that seldom happens in reality (e.g., Ted Washington trade) and it’s worth the benefit of always getting value. It’s not like teams don’t always deal with holes due to injuries anyway, by the way, so there is no perfect “planâ€.
4) Misconception: draft talent (as long as the guy has “characterâ€, which equals no rap sheet). BB’s system: draft players that fit the system, have the talent to do their jobs in the system, and fit the mould of our player: top-level football smarts, energy and enthusiasm to sit through endless meetings and film study (“football is important to himâ€), willing to play specified techniques within a team defense/offense/teams (my goodness, no free-lancing), mental and physical toughness to endure and peak in January.
Every year the Patriots surprise us by picking someone no one expects, but then we read their NFL profile and see that they were a team captain, did great things in their community, have impeccable technique, etcetera. The Patriots draft board is very small. “Character†in BB’s system is far more than whether or not someone got a DWI once or something (though a truly bad rap sheet certainly crosses them off the list).
5) Misconception: BB is boring in interviews and press conferences. BB: give me a decent question I’ll give you an honest and thorough answer.
I believe that this larger subject, people misunderstanding BB, is a big reason that he is perceived as boring. Many of the questions he gets are ultimately coming from this opposite worldview and thus don’t have a good answer (and many are just stupid, e.g., asking about injuries). It’s hard to converse when you don’t have the same worldview. But give him a decent question and he will share his thoughts, and that is something mighty. After all, this is among the great football minds and historians of our time. It’s a true shame that the media isn’t constantly mining BB’s mind instead of pestering him with their nonsense.
6) Misconception: BB’s players are boring in interviews and press conferences. BB’s system: yes, he does restrict some of the comments of his players for competitive reasons (injuries, disrespecting opponents), but actually most of his players just get it, so see #5 and ask them a decent question. Also---he does keep plenty of stuff within the team and I have no problem with that.
7) Misconception: BB is ridiculous for hiding injuries. BB’s system: his mantra is to do what is best for the team, in his opinion dispensing injury information beyond the requirement puts his team at a competitive disadvantage and puts the safety of my players in jeopardy.
Get over it people. BB obviously thinks this. (I for one don’t disagree but even if you do, it’s time to move on.) Don’t forget that football is a violent sport played by violent men. BB is the coach of this team and he’s not going to send his players into the violence with their opponents knowing a shred more than they have to---why do people begrudge this? I loved it when he shooed away the Pittsburgh trainers that one time. Tom Brady, probable, right shoulder (yes, BB does have a wry sense of humor).
8) Misconception: BB is not emotional. Reality: This is just offensive BS.
The reason he doesn’t parade around the sidelines like Bill Cowher (I don’t mind coaches that do that by the way) is because he is too busy thinking. Those that misunderstand BB I suppose wouldn’t have an idea what he could be thinking about, I for one am perfectly happy he’s thinking more than the other guy. BB is a private man, don’t deny his humanity just because he doesn’t fit your worldview of an “emotional†coach.
9) Misconception: BB is arrogant. Reality: More offensive BS.
This one is just stupid but it’s out there. People’s worldview is so disabling to their ability to understand BB that they actually have suggested that he’s trying to prove something this year by winning with less talent. My goodness, the man has nothing left to prove! He has five rings, is a shoe-in for Canton, open your eyes people! Another one along these lines is that he needs to win one more to “prove†himself, please.
10) Misconception: BB doesn’t care what people think about him. Reality: (paraphrase from NFL films interview) “There are two things a person has in this world, his name and his reputation.†-BB.
He absolutely cares, in fact it’s paramount to him. That’s why Peter Jackson got the legendary FU. He’s just not going to bother defending himself in the media against this storm of ignorance (why should he), yet people misinterpret that as not caring. It’s a testament to his willingness to put the team above himself that he doesn’t lash out at all the misconceptions in the media.
11) Misconception: BB failed in Cleveland. Reality: The Browns were building slowly towards excellence and then it was derailed by the move. Yes, he did piss off the fans and local media, but do you really think they wouldn’t have started to love him if he had started winning?
Recall the team that beat the Pats in that playoff game in ’94---they were awesome to watch, swarming to the ball, couldn’t run on them, duel running attack. With the coaching and personnel staff they had, if it hadn’t been for the move that shattered the team, they could have been destined for greatness. We’ll never know but it should never be considered a mark against BB, quite the opposite.
12) Misconception: Parcells never won without BB. Reality: Um, okay, this one is true.
I grew up a Giants fan and that team was all about defense (don’t make the mistake of thinking he’s got 3 rings, he’s earned 5). BB came to the Patriots in ’96 and the effect on the defense was obvious late in the year (recall that the offense was stuttering throughout that winning streak). Of course BB shouldn’t get too much credit when he was just defensive coordinate/asst. head coach, but if the shoe fits…
13) Misconception: Could he win without Brady? Reality: Great coaches have great players, that’s how it works, unless they learn to tackle.
Attempting to separate the coaches from the players (from the scouts) just doesn’t make any sense, it’s a collective effort, that’s the beauty of it. He got two rings with LT too.
14) Misconception: 2005 was a down year, therefore BB's system isn't working. Reality: they lost a playoff game, it happens.
This is a game and the other teams are damn good. They didn't lose that game because they traded for Starks or any such holes in the armor, they just lost.
____________
So, what can we do about these misconceptions? I like to think that someday people will be able to change their worldviews and come to understand BB, but that’s hard to imagine. ESPN and much of the media constantly drum in the anti-BB worldview, maybe people will never understand. The shame is that BB has a brilliant and multi-layered system, part of which is being adopted across the NFL (and some is just old school), yet many aren’t even aware of it (they just think he's a "great coach"). I will say this, if anyone has a chance to spread some understanding, it’s the folks on this board. People do seem to listen, let’s keep up the struggle.
