Revealing why BB and Kraft are on the same page...

[efin98]

A well-crafted relationship - The Boston Globe

This sums up their relationship nicely:

"Whether you're losing or winning, there are a lot of challenges in maintaining relationships like that," said Kraft. "Life is about trying to pick good people, and then you go through the ups and downs together, just like a good marriage."

So what makes the Kraft/Belichick pairing endure?

It was a question directed to Kraft during a break in last week's NFL spring meetings, and he responded by highlighting the following points: an appreciation for thoroughness, a like-minded understanding of economic value and long-term thinking, a similar management philosophy, growing trust, and the willingness to be flexible.

People complain about BB and team's actions...yet they have managed to stay on the same page for longer than any coach/owner combination in team history.

 

[supafly]

Good post man, I am seriously thankful every day that we have these people in the organization. They have done an incredible job in bringing a winner to the fans of the NE Patriots.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

"To me, what's special about him and what I wanted when I hired a coach is someone who had a system and would stay with the system," Kraft said. "At the time I came into the NFL in '94, it was the age of the salary cap, so you needed someone who had a financial understanding of value. He had that, and also thought about the long term.

"I want managers, and especially a head coach, who when he makes decisions is thinking about the long term. I learned early on that you have to get roughed up in this business so you know what you are doing, and if you don't have people in your organization committed to the long term, they're doing whatever they have to do to win this week, this month, this season. They don't care what they do to your [salary] cap in future years."

This is the difference between Robert the owner-fan and the rest of his fanbase. You could substitute the term franchise or brand for salary cap, too. Never lose sight of the long term in persuit of short term gain. That is something of a luxury in this league, born in part out of what transpired in 2001, where 20-30% of franchises experience wholesale leadership and often player turnover following any given season and guys are managing just to keep their jobs (or players their individual careers) for one more season as opposed to maintaining a cohesive, competitive performance level over the long haul.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Yeah Mo, but the decision in the 01-02 offseason was never a given (though it was very likely.) I mean, getting rid of Drew? That decision was a perfect example of what we're talking about here.

Here's a guy who said exactly the right things, stood behind "the kid" every step of the way, never sulked, and was always a stand-up guy (Bledsoe.) He did everything within his control to help the team win, went down through no fault of his own, and (the horror!!!) lost his position due to injury.

There was a lot of talk at the time about that decision. I have said here before, that in that offseason with visions of Tony Eason filling my head, I said "they got rid of the wrong quarterback."

But it points back to the decision being a function of not what was good for Drew and not what is "fair," and not what the fans want (necessarily.) It was a matter of looking years out, and deciding the Brady upside was phenomenal, and the downside risk (zero-growth, flash-in-the-pan,) wasn't appreciably different from the team's outcomes with Bledsoe... with Bledsoe getting close to his peak as a QB.

Everybody remembers the offseasons that followed (remember "This Team Hates Its Coach"? Some people ascribed it to getting rid of "the other guy's guys" and replacing them with your own guys. Then there's the everpresent cap discipline. But you never saw interference from the very top. I live in DC... compare and contrast w/Snyder, the anti-Kraft. The closest thing was the famous story when he reportedly stepped in to keep Troy Brown around... but even that they did cheap.

I don't know if we're the only fan base that doesn't complain when management gets rid of our binkies... but we're pretty consistent in it. It's because management/coach have made their case for success. I can't even remember the days when I would say, "oh when they made that move, they really screwed the pooch."

You see it in the draft too... now granted, they haven't been put in the position of having a top 10 draft pick much lately But they seem to work with what's available and best value in a lot of ways. One, bang for the buck in terms of position in any given draft. Two, awareness of what they're good at. By and large, they're really good at spotting who should NOT have fallen that far... but no better than anybody else at spending a high pick. They're better at spotting elite defensive talent (1st round) than offensive. The further into the draft you get, the better they look a few years later. Most importantly, the awareness that you get more than you pay for when you trade down, especially when it's down-and-into-the-future.

That's just one aspect of why Pats fans have no problem rooting for the laundry (the uniform,) not some specific athlete. In Bill We Trust and all that... of course the real test will be when TFB's day comes... may it be many years from now.

Just felt like stating the obvious for a bit this morning. Carry on.

PFnV

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I think Drew's eventual departure was a given even absent what happened in 2001. Would have been a lot tougher sell, though. My point wasn't that, but rather that winning a championship in 2001 (not to mention with as Bill himself dubbed it "that team") bought Belichick and Kraft time to build on their relationship. Not indefinite time, but a couple of seasons in which to establish what the system could deliver over the long haul.

9-7 coming off a SB in what was then a competitive division didn't bother me. I was still trying to imagine what they could ever do to top the Cinderella season. But then even I took pause when he cut Lawyer. But over time, and reading Patriots Reign while basking in the glow of the championship that proved this was no fluke, I came to understand and appreciate the rationale. Player wasn't producing, player was satisfied with one ring, player was no longer all in and his influence and therefore future presence in the clubhouse was potentially problematic. And the second ring brought the man and the system several more seasons with which to operate with impunity.

Then back to back should have brought him unquestioned for life status IMHO, although in some quarters it seemed to have almost the opposite effect. An expanding fanbase and media became ever more demanding. And when we didn't win the media looked for excuses to criticize. For them spygate couldn't have come at a better time. They thought they had him by the short hairs...until his team went undefeated in it's wake... As consolation they got to revel in the SB loss, and then figured they hit the trifecta when Brady went down in the first quarter of the following season leaving his arrogance exposed via the butt of backup jokes that was Matt Cassel...

Only the system came through. It always will. It won't always win it all, but then who or what ever has?? What it will do is remain competitive. And because of what happened in 2001, 2003 and 2004 - that's really all it rationally has to do here. In places like Tennessee and Philly (and a score of others) they don't have that luxury. Which is why despite what Mike pointed out relative to longevity Fisher and Reid have both been on the hot seat at times in the very recent past. And they could be again in the not so distant future. Fisher's been saddled with the enigma that is Vince Young, reportedly by an owner who wanted to trump his former Texas rival with the selection... Reid has his hands full with the ongoing drama that is McNabb's up and down career in Philly, a lot of disgruntled veterans (and increasingly impatient fans) who bought in for a time and have little to show for it - not to mention the weight of his own ongoing personal tragedies to deal with.

Whether performance, drama or entertainment is your goal though, it's a great time to be a fan of the NEP. Has been for almost a decade now and I see no end in sight. And at the end of the day that is what Robert was looking for when he hired BB. The ability to maintain consistent relevance and competitiveness for the forseeable future. It's really not much different than what Irsay and Rooney were looking for although both had to hang on by their fingernails to ultimately reap just one ring out of Dungy and Cowher. The system in Pittsburgh has outlived Cowher, it reamins to be seen if it will outlive Dungy in Indy. But I don't forsee us having to gauge whether or not it can outlive Bill (or Tommy) here for several more seasons at least. Because we still have both for at least that length of time, and we could have Belichick for substantially longer. He doesn't seem to burn out in the effort as is the case with so many of his peers. But again, that may be the effect of having already acquired a fist full of rings to bolster the courage of his convictions. He doesn't waste much time or energy dealing with his critics, and the existence of doubters and the whiners rolls off him like water off a duck. He has nothing left to prove to them, and any things that remain to prove to himself seem to be best achieved right where he is, aligned with a like minded ownership whose long range goals are maintaining competitive consistency - from which anything is possible.

 

[patsox23]

Here's a guy who said exactly the right things, stood behind "the kid" every step of the way, never sulked, and was always a stand-up guy (Bledsoe.)

This isn't really true, though, and I am in NO way a Bledsoe basher. I loved the guy, I love the guy, but he absolutely did sulk for a bit - understandable, he's human - and didn't say "exactly the right things," he just mostly did, which is to be commended, just maybe not exaggerated.

 

[fgssand]

I think Drew's eventual departure was a given even absent what happened in 2001. Would have been a lot tougher sell, though. My point wasn't that, but rather that winning a championship in 2001 (not to mention with as Bill himself dubbed it "that team") bought Belichick and Kraft time to build on their relationship. Not indefinite time, but a couple of seasons in which to establish what the system could deliver over the long haul.

9-7 coming off a SB in what was then a competitive division didn't bother me. I was still trying to imagine what they could ever do to top the Cinderella season. But then even I took pause when he cut Lawyer. But over time, and reading Patriots Reign while basking in the glow of the championship that proved this was no fluke, I came to understand and appreciate the rationale. Player wasn't producing, player was satisfied with one ring, player was no longer all in and his influence and therefore future presence in the clubhouse was potentially problematic. And the second ring brought the man and the system several more seasons with which to operate with impunity.

Then back to back should have brought him unquestioned for life status IMHO, although in some quarters it seemed to have almost the opposite effect. An expanding fanbase and media became ever more demanding. And when we didn't win the media looked for excuses to criticize. For them spygate couldn't have come at a better time. They thought they had him by the short hairs...until his team went undefeated in it's wake... As consolation they got to revel in the SB loss, and then figured they hit the trifecta when Brady went down in the first quarter of the following season leaving his arrogance exposed via the butt of backup jokes that was Matt Cassel...

Only the system came through. It always will. It won't always win it all, but then who or what ever has?? What it will do is remain competitive. And because of what happened in 2001, 2003 and 2004 - that's really all it rationally has to do here. In places like Tennessee and Philly (and a score of others) they don't have that luxury. Which is why despite what Mike pointed out relative to longevity Fisher and Reid have both been on the hot seat at times in the very recent past. And they could be again in the not so distant future. Fisher's been saddled with the enigma that is Vince Young, reportedly by an owner who wanted to trump his former Texas rival with the selection... Reid has his hands full with the ongoing drama that is McNabb's up and down career in Philly, a lot of disgruntled veterans (and increasingly impatient fans) who bought in for a time and have little to show for it - not to mention the weight of his own ongoing personal tragedies to deal with.

Whether performance, drama or entertainment is your goal though, it's a great time to be a fan of the NEP. Has been for almost a decade now and I see no end in sight. And at the end of the day that is what Robert was looking for when he hired BB. The ability to maintain consistent relevance and competitiveness for the forseeable future. It's really not much different than what Irsay and Rooney were looking for although both had to hang on by their fingernails to ultimately reap just one ring out of Dungy and Cowher. The system in Pittsburgh has outlived Cowher, it reamins to be seen if it will outlive Dungy in Indy. But I don't forsee us having to gauge whether or not it can outlive Bill (or Tommy) here for several more seasons at least. Because we still have both for at least that length of time, and we could have Belichick for substantially longer. He doesn't seem to burn out in the effort as is the case with so many of his peers. But again, that may be the effect of having already acquired a fist full of rings to bolster the courage of his convictions. He doesn't waste much time or energy dealing with his critics, and the existence of doubters and the whiners rolls off him like water off a duck. He has nothing left to prove to them, and any things that remain to prove to himself seem to be best achieved right where he is, aligned with a like minded ownership whose long range goals are maintaining competitive consistency - from which anything is possible.

Terrific post and awesome spot on analysis as we have come to expect from you Mo........however.......the fist is not full of rings, yet, and more are needed to crown this dynasty as the greatest of all time.

Those three shiny beauties are getting a bit distant in the rear view mirror and yes, me, of all people is saying it is just not enough, ( I am an original Pats fan that suffered the 42 years, from the very beginning, attended game one at BU Field V Denver, to being at the magic moment AV kicked it so straight and true in SB 36 and all that has wonderfully followed during this magical decade.

I am not satisfied yet, but that doesn't matter - I promise you what does matter is why the fist will be filled........BB, TB, RK and all the rest are not satisfied, their thirst for more will be quenched, and I think it will be this year.

 

[maverick4]

The relationship works because Belichick is the best coach and GM in the game.

All this talk about 'family even through tough times' is BS. If Belichick wasn't successful, Kraft would have no problem firing him.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

The relationship works because Belichick is the best coach and GM in the game.

All this talk about 'family even through tough times' is BS. If Belichick wasn't successful, Kraft would have no problem firing him.

Some people suggested he should after sypgate. In stead he announced his contract extension...

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Terrific post and awesome spot on analysis as we have come to expect from you Mo........however.......the fist is not full of rings, yet, and more are needed to crown this dynasty as the greatest of all time.

Those three shiny beauties are getting a bit distant in the rear view mirror and yes, me, of all people is saying it is just not enough, ( I am an original Pats fan that suffered the 42 years, from the very beginning, attended game one at BU Field V Denver, to being at the magic moment AV kicked it so straight and true in SB 36 and all that has wonderfully followed during this magical decade.

I am not satisfied yet, but that doesn't matter - I promise you what does matter is why the fist will be filled........BB, TB, RK and all the rest are not satisfied, their thirst for more will be quenched, and I think it will be this year.

When HE wears all the rings he's won as a HC and DC (each of which he was instrumental in winning) it's already a fistful...

And while they want to win more, don't kid yourself that they aren't already quite satisfied with the way things have gone over the last 8 years. Their goal is to remain competitive, not to win every superbowl. They know that's not realistic for too many reasons to even mention. I'm not sure many fans appreciate what the undefeated season meant to BB, irrespective of what happened in the SB, let alone on the heels of spygate. And going 11-5 after losing a HOF QB in the first quarter of the first game of a season. Bill appreciates it all because like the players he lives it all. I just wish those who watched it all could take the same approach and like Junior says appreciate the journey.

 

[fgssand]

When HE wears all the rings he's won as a HC and DC (each of which he was instrumental in winning) it's already a fistful...

And while they want to win more, don't kid yourself that they aren't already quite satisfied with the way things have gone over the last 8 years. Their goal is to remain competitive, not to win every superbowl. They know that's not realistic for too many reasons to even mention. I'm not sure many fans appreciate what the undefeated season meant to BB, irrespective of what happened in the SB, let alone on the heels of spygate. And going 11-5 after losing a HOF QB in the first quarter of the first game of a season. Bill appreciates it all because like the players he lives it all. I just wish those who watched it all could take the same approach and like Junior says appreciate the journey.

I think BB/RK & TB are quite proud, most definitely and they should be, but I do not believe they are satisfied, no way. Perhaps contentment would have crept in had the perfect season that almost was happened.

It didn't and that too will be OK, as soon as we win another. Not sure if you follow or agree with my rationale, but it is what it is for me.

As for appreciating the journey - there will never be another decade (or so) in New England sports like this one, I sure am savoring it all.

As TB has said, the best SB win for him is "the next one".

 

[PatsFanInVa]

I think BB/RK & TB are quite proud, most definitely and they should be, but I do not believe they are satisfied, no way. Perhaps contentment would have crept in had the perfect season that almost was happened.

It didn't and that too will be OK, as soon as we win another. Not sure if you follow or agree with my rationale, but it is what it is for me.

As for appreciating the journey - there will never be another decade (or so) in New England sports like this one, I sure am savoring it all.

As TB has said, the best SB win for him is "the next one".

Since 2001 "Will the Pats Win it All?" has been a serious question at the start of every season. I hate to think of a time after this one... even if it is inevitable... I remember '84-'85, when the Boston sports teams all had a harmonic convergence of "pretty good" by present standards and I thought I was in heaven... was actually in town for the "Squish the fish" rally and the next week. I remember how cool it would be after the big letdown against the Bears, if the Pats could actually win one. Then what if what if they won say 2 in a row. Crazy thoughts... told myself it would never happen, but how cool would it be to have a cinderella run resulting in a ring.

Man, to think we waited, let's see for me about 30 years for that first one... and that we could wait 30 years again at some point, in the wilderness without even a real chance.

I have to go kill myself now thanks dude.

PFnV

 

[maverick4]

It's true Kraft showed support for BB during Spygate, because he knows BB is the best in the game, and he also realized how the Video Witch Hunt was being blown out of proportion (any team now can still legally videotape hand signals at dozens of other locations, just not on the sideline).

Kraft cares about putting the best product on the field. It's smart business. Their relationship works, and has for so long, because Kraft respects competence/success, and Belichick is the best in the business.

 

[BradfordPatsFan]

When I read this article yesterday, I could not help but wonder which characteristics of Kraft Belichick respects the most. Is it his business sense? His hands off approach to the football operations side? One organization, one philosophy approach? Trust? Other?

Perhaps one day this will come out in an interview and if it does, I would love to revisit this piece by Reiss and compare their answers.

 

[BradyBranch39]

Pretty sure there's a video interview with Kraft online somewhere that is similar to what's being said in this thread. Nbc.com maybe??

 

[efin98]

When I read this article yesterday, I could not help but wonder which characteristics of Kraft Belichick respects the most. Is it his business sense? His hands off approach to the football operations side? One organization, one philosophy approach? Trust? Other?

Perhaps one day this will come out in an interview and if it does, I would love to revisit this piece by Reiss and compare their answers.

He's not a "win right now" coach so it's a mix of planning a couple of years down the road and stocking players for the upcoming year with cheaper, experienced cast off players that Kraft likes.