Tom Curran: Sources made 'clear to me' decision to move on from Belichick made after Germany game

[Ian]

Anyone that thinks Curran or Breer has "sources" fails to learn from history.

I know people are saying that, but Curran's been right about a fair amount, and the people who absolutely killed Breer here on the JJSS story found out there was more truth to that than we expected. I know many might not think it, but Curran's also wise enough not to throw out something that significant without something to back it up.

 

[TommyD4207]

I know people are saying that, but Curran's been right about a fair amount, and the people who absolutely killed Breer here on the JJSS story found out there was more truth to that than we expected. I know many might not think it, but Curran's also wise enough not to throw out something that significant without something to back it up.

Still waiting for that knee explosion, Ian.

 

[lancerman]

You're not very bright, despite saying you were and being insulting.

Is your only go to "derp I'm smarter than you" even though you can't read basic data lol. Wozzy not only are you wrong, you're wrong and trying to convince everyone you are secretly smarter than them because you can't cope. Have fun, you made my ignore list. I tried to be nice earlier but you got completely unhinged trying to convince everyone that a 3 win team is actually really good because you are too prideful and insecure to handle being wrong after you showed your ass all summer.

You have no credibility anymore and the facts are what they are. You were wrong. The end. Have a nice life, it's clearly a waste of my time to engage.

 

[Wozzy]

Still waiting for that knee explosion, Ian.

The great thing about sport's media. there is zero accountability. Nobody is holding any of these guys to account.

 

[lancerman]

Because you know you're wrong and are ducking out... nite nite referee Magoo.

Whatever you say, this will be are final interaction. Have fun pretending this team is good. I don't think you are a bad person. Just a silly little dope. May you find peace.

 

[Wozzy]

Is your only go to "derp I'm smarter than you" even though you can't read basic data lol. Wozzy not only are you wrong, you're wrong and trying to convince everyone you are secretly smarter than them because you can't cope. Have fun, you made my ignore list. I tried to be nice earlier but you got completely unhinged trying to convince everyone that a 3 win team is actually really good because you are too prideful and insecure to handle being wrong after you showed your ass all summer.

You have no credibility anymore and the facts are what they are. You were wrong. The end. Have a nice life, it's clearly a waste of my time to engage.

You were here arguing all Mac's pick sixes were the fault of our defense... shows how really wrong you are.

Keep up the bad work.

 

[Wozzy]

Whatever you say, this will be are final interaction. Have fun pretending this team is good. I don't think you are a bad person. Just a silly little dope. May you find peace.

I don't think they're good and never said that.

But it's mazing how much better they look with even a modicum of better play from the QB position... oh yeah, and from a guy you said was worse than Mac.

 

[Ian]

Ian you are on your own on this, you can deal with Wozzy and the nightmare of PFR. I have to divorce myself from this for my own sanity.

LOL, I still don't get your stance on this. I would say - at a minimum - This defense is at least top-third, and would absolutely be even higher if they were on pace for where they've normally been turnover-wise. I do put a lot of that on the offense for reasons I've already mentioned.

I haven't pulled the totals on the number of short fields they've faced this year either, but I don't think anyone here would argue it's been pretty awful.

I didn't realize it was seven games of seven points or less until this thread made me look at it. Any way you look at it, it's been a wasted effort, and it's just too bad the offense has been so terrible.

 

[lancerman]

LOL, I still don't get your stance on this. I would say - at a minimum - This defense is at least top-third, and would absolutely be even higher if they were on pace for where they've normally been turnover-wise. I do put a lot of that on the offense for reasons I've already mentioned.

I haven't pulled the totals on the number of short fields they've faced this year either, but I don't think anyone here would argue it's been pretty awful.

I didn't realize it was seven games of seven points or less until this thread made me look at it. Any way you look at it, it's been a wasted effort, and it's just too bad the offense has been so terrible.

I don't disagree they are top third. I started by engaging with someone who started out by saying

"They actually have one of the best defenses by quite a few metrics". They have 1 stat (rushing yards) where they are top 5. I'm not calling them trash.

I agree. Offense and special teams are worse.

Edit: also I'm off my PFR quota for the night.

 

[Ian]

Whatever you say, this will be are final interaction. Have fun pretending this team is good. I don't think you are a bad person. Just a silly little dope. May you find peace.

I wouldn't say they're good, but one side of the ball has been completely broken due to some terrible personnel decisions, along with eventual injuries. The other has met or even exceeded expectations and would give them a shot in January if they were good enough to get there.

But the other side of the football is so historically bad that won't even be an option for at least another year. And that's what's likely going to cost Belichick his job if that's ultimately what happens.

 

[lancerman]

I wouldn't say they're good, but one side of the ball has been completely broken due to some terrible personnel decisions, along with eventual injuries. The other has met or even exceeded expectations and would give them a shot in January if they were good enough to get there.

But the other side of the football is so historically bad that won't even be an option for at least another year. And that's what's likely going to cost Belichick his job if that's ultimately what happens.

That's pretty much been my stance. The defense is okay to good, but nowhere near some top tier best in the league level. The rest of the team is much worse. They had some injury set backs as well.

 

[Ian]

I don't disagree they are top third. I started by engaging with someone who started out by saying

"They actually have one of the best defenses by quite a few metrics". They have 1 stat (rushing yards) where they are top 5. I'm not calling them trash.

I hear you, but there is some truth to that statement. "One of the best" means they're among the top teams in the league. I get that it's semantics, but being in the top half and top third in some key metrics isn't anything to just dismiss. It's hard not to argue they're really good group for a team that is so awful offensively.

 

[venecol]

Miss the days players were selected based on raw talent instead of interviews: "bro I don't have a clue." Classic.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

If Bill was the coach in Miami, Tua is still a bust and they are looking for the next guy.

You are probably right. So what? You think Tua is going to win a SB.

Miami can hang a AFC Championship Participant banner. So? With BB they could not hang the Participant banner because Miami would be onto the next guy. I am happy Miami wastes their cap on Tua and Hill.

I know people are saying that, but Curran's been right about a fair amount, and the people who absolutely killed Breer here on the JJSS story found out there was more truth to that than we expected. I know many might not think it, but Curran's also wise enough not to throw out something that significant without something to back it up.

You are part of the Pats media so you are supportive. JJSS's knee is not perfect but he was OK last week. Surely JJSS does not need a knee replacement like Breer reported.

We will see if BB is replaced or lasts one more year. If BB has one more year with the Pats for 2024, will you say Curran has lost it and needs to stop reporting on the Pats?

 

[Ian]

That's pretty much been my stance. The defense is okay to good, but nowhere near some top tier best in the league level. The rest of the team is much worse. They had some injury set backs as well.

I don't know ... it's just weird. I feel like some people can't separate out Belichick the GM vs Belichick the coach. Belichick the coach still knows how to game plan and put the team in position to win each week. But Belichick the GM sort of ruined any shot of that with the team he put together on offense.

I just fall under the mindset that it's OK to credit it him for one while still holding him accountable for the other.

 

[venecol]

Phat Matt, Judge and Josh McD both tried the hardo BB approach and failed. What makes you think Mayo will do something different or try the same approach?

Because Mayo had business exposure before becoming a coach and has management and leadership skills beyond the bs Bill peddels. I would rather see an Offensive minded HC but I think Mayo could be a good coach.

 

[Ian]

You are probably right. So what? You think Tua is going to win a SB.

Miami can hang a AFC Championship Participant banner. So? With BB they could not hang the Participant banner that because Miami would be onto the next guy. I am happy Miami wastes their cap on Tua and

You are part of the Pats media so you are supportive. JJSS's knee is not perfect but he was OK last week. Surely JJSS does not need a knee replacement like Breer reported.

Not really. I'm just a JAG with a website and a blog, no one cares what I think. But I've met Curran (we were both there every week back from 1998-2000) and I know him enough to know that he cares enough not to put anything out there that wouldn't be accurate. Especially given his relationship with people both inside and former players. Can't make stuff up and maintain that.

And on JJSS, it's Week 15, so maybe he's finally made progress, but he certainly wasn't OK over the course of the first three months of the season based on what we saw. And Breer said his knee wasn't great and was still an issue, and the "could explode" at any moment likely had some context to it.

Breer has a lot at stake with his gig at SI, so if JJSS's camp had really challenged it (if it wasn't accurate), that could have potentially been costly. He also had additional reporting on Jack Jones that also turned out to be true. He's pretty good with his reporting. I know we don't always like some of the reports, but his batting average isn't terrible.

We will see if BB is replaced or last one more year. If BB has one more year with the Pats for 2025, will you say Curran has lost it and needs to stop reporting on the Pats?

Man...that's a tough one. I'd be stunned if he's back, but maybe he acquiesces if Kraft decides to open the checkbook and put together a bigger staff personnel-wise, more scouts, and if he just trusts Groh - or someone else - completely with the decisions. The one answer I'd love to know is who really made those calls these last few years, because Belichick trying to divorce himself from some of that recently was definitely eyebrow-raising.

 

[venecol]

I may be in the minority but I think the Bucs roster was over valued, what did that talented roster accomplish before and after Brady?

Before Brady, nothing. Once Brady arrived it gave the locker room what it was lacking: leadership and a winning culture. They'll probably make the playoffs this season w/ Mayfield and $79.4M in dead money. A lot of those guys are SB champions because Brady taught them how to be winners. Bill lost that in his locker room once Brady left, and was never able to put it back together.

 

[Ian]

Agreed. The guys that hate on Bill have always hated on him. Who knows why. The Pats are not that bad, they need a QB. The question is how to get back to a SB? A new high draft pick QB is a great start.

I do not think BB is doing the drafting anymore. Kraft said they restructured the scouting which is code for BB does not make all of the drafting decisions anymore.

The discussion point is why wait so long when Mac is a bust? Did BB miss that Mac was a bust and was pigheaded about playing Mac? Or was Kraft telling BB to play Mac? If BB erred and played Mac then he should go. If Kraft was telling BB to play Mac then BB will be back. It is no more complicated than that.

This one is tough. I mean, I credit the coaching staff for showing patience and exhausting their efforts when it came to giving Jones every chance possible to turn it around, especially heading into what's clearly a critical offseason as it pertained to his fifth-year option. I don't think he can say he wasn't given a chance to rebound. I also think it convinced ownership, who, as you mentioned, may have also had questions there.

If Zappe wins 3 out of the last 4 BB is definitely back. If Zappe wins 2 out of 4, I still think BB returns.

To your point, I think one potential argument could be trying to maintain continuity if Zappe shows significant growth and builds serious momentum over these final four weeks. I just don't know if Kraft would entertain that if his mind is made up (Jonathan I think is quietly the wildcard here...), so I truly don't know how that might play out.

 

[venecol]

Jason Pierre Paul, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Tristan Wirfs, Ali Marpet, Gronkowski, Ryan Jensen, Fournette, Vita Vea, Suh, Shaq Barrett, Devin White, Lavonte David, Winfield Jr, Cappa, Carlton Davis

That's a star-studded cast.

That just shows how much better Licht is than Bill as GM. Frankly Bill sucks as GM. Please let this be his last season with the Patriots.