What's The Secret to The Patriots' Reclamation Success?

Here's another thread to cover the hours from now to 8:20PM tmrw!

We've seen the Patriots do it time and time again:


Harrison
Dillon
Moss
Blount (he basically walked out of a Steelers game and was a 2nd-stint Patriot before he could get back in his car to drive home)
Bennett
Now it looks like, even if Gordon gets suspended, this is the closest thing he's felt to a good environment - one that actually feels conducive to his recovery.
AB is next in line

And obviously all the ones I've forgotten.

The Patriots have managed to provide a healthy environment for a stable of top-talent "malcontents." Not only does the chemistry develop, but the player themselves learn how to improve their own game, often through a more cerebral approach. Think of the rest of the league as a bunch of schools that teach you through memory, predicating your success on your ability to regurgitate information. Then think of the Patriots as Common-Core; your success is reliant on your ability to know every nuance of football. No longer is it just you learning your assignments - you know what everyone else on offense is doing and why.

And it isn't easy. That level of analytical thinking has stumped some great receivers. It's not easy going, and rules are strict. Flexible, but consistent and with equal application. Just because you're Brady, that doesn't mean the head coach won't rip you a new one at film review. The margin for error here is pretty low - as soon as you're caught slipping (which admittingly, 'slipping' to the Patriots is both a very acute definition and one that's very different (in key ways) from other teams view of 'slipping'), they're gonna rotate you out of the game. It it keeps up, you're gonna be released relatively quickly.

But yet... It works. A decent chunk has found their footing here. And that's not even counting the careers ignited, such as Welker, Hogan, and others.

What's the deal? How much do the Patriots accommodate these player's personalities? And before you're quick to say "not at all; the Patriots expect you to fall in line" - think about how these players generally remain the individuals they were when they were before the entered Foxborough. Also, and I'd be willing to wager Belichick would agree, they wouldn't be successful if they didn't work to understand these players - which involves letting them be their own person. Again - you have rules. You can be outspoken, but not a dumbass. You can be an *******, but don't let it hurt your team. You can be you, as long as you do your job. Hell, I'd argue most jobs we've had wouldn't be that flexible.

And after that, how do the Patriots and their staff command the respect they get? For players like those above, it's not easy. Yet the Patriots make it seem like a given.

I'm losing steam on drawing this post our, but I think we get the point I'm going for - how the f*** do they do it?


POSTER'S NOTE: I actually don't know if the whole common core vs. previous education theory is still a politically divisive issue. If it is, I'm sorry and I'm not at all trying to start that debate. It was merely for editorial effect and to help highlight differences. Please don't derail thread with discussion on that

Their track record of success is obviously a big part of it. Belichick doesn’t ******** players. He’s straight with them. He tells them exactly what he expects from them, not what they want to hear. No player gets special treatment including Brady. And it’s all football all the time, no drama, just business and football all the time.

ask Crudell...the Pats cheat..simple...but not Rog the rotten submoronic scarecrow "leader" of the NFL at 44 million per year...he's purity of essence personified

Can we add Bryan Cox to the mix?

Talented coaches

Could an issue here be a toxic environment created by Gruden/Mayock who love their face time with the press??.. Gotta wonder how many "that guys" any sane person could endure in any given day...

Never understood the "love affair" many NFL folks have with Gruden...

5 Reasons

Culture
Leadership
Winning
Discipline
Respect

Because before they get here they suck but once the show up they’re awesome

From reading Halberstam's great 'The Education of a Coach' I gathered that early on it was about assembling a core of the right type of guys, high football IQ and a burning desire to win. Once the winning began reclamation projects became more simple. You want to win and show the world your value? You can do it here but check the BS at the door, here you get right or get gone.

MrBigglesWorth said:

Can we add Bryan Cox to the mix?

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He was pretty good but getting old when he got here....played for parcells and bb with the jets like half of the rest of the defense in 2001

In this case, I would expect it to include contractual language that makes it easy to reclaim the signing bonus if he is a discipline problem. There's probably language that makes Brown return Rosenhaus's share of that bonus, too. Still, I'd feel better if Rodney Harrison were patrolling the practice field secondary.

I think its pretty simple, a culture of winning, plus a core of solid leaders.

The goal of all football players is to win the Superbowl, Jason McCourty spent ten years in the league and didn't even get to the playoffs. One season in NE, he is a Superbowl Champion, for life!

At then end of the day, every player wants to see that confetti falling on them. SO if it means lay off instragram, shut your mouth and just play, that is what they are going to do.

Even a narcissist like Brown, can't argue that he knows something more than BB, Brady, McDaniels, etc.

Now take into account that the Pats now have Troy Brown and Mayo on the coaching staff. Its not a question of IF Brown will fall into line, its only do it or don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.

Once a player has been indoctrinated into the Patriot Way, he becomes a link in that strong chain that permeates the locker room also.......the roster is made up of players who believe in the system and any player who disrupts the chain becomes a weak link and is either fixed or replaced.

FreeTedWilliams said:

I think its pretty simple, a culture of winning, plus a core of solid leaders.

The goal of all football players is to win the Superbowl, Jason McCourty spent ten years in the league and didn't even get to the playoffs. One season in NE, he is a Superbowl Champion, for life!

At then end of the day, every player wants to see that confetti falling on them. SO if it means lay off instragram, shut your mouth and just play, that is what they are going to do.

Even a narcissist like Brown, can't argue that he knows something more than BB, Brady, McDaniels, etc.

Now take into account that the Pats now have Troy Brown and Mayo on the coaching staff. Its not a question of IF Brown will fall into line, its only do it or don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.

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I don't agree with this. I think the goal of some players is to win the superbowl. I think the goal of some players is to get paid. I think the Patriots try to assemble the guys whose goal is to win a superbowl, or the guys who realize this is their last chance to do well to get paid. The Patriots offer that chance. I agree with the rest of your post thought.

“Let them be their own person again” ??????
Huh?

Bill beats the individuality out of his players.
Bill instills group think

You may be confusing NE with Seattle

Belichick.

Culture set by Belichick in combination with buy in from locker room leaders like Brady.

Seeing Brady or Gronk getting chewed out the same way rookies or less experienced players get plays a big part.

borg said:

“Let them be their own person again” ??????
Huh?

Bill beats the individuality out of his players.
Bill instills group think

You may be confusing NE with Seattle

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Surprised you're the only one this far to disagree with me. But, no, I don't think he pulls what Seattle does. But he most certainly let's players be themselves, so as long as they can always put the team first. Personality can exist in that situation.

maust1013 said:

From reading Halberstam's great 'The Education of a Coach' I gathered that early on it was about assembling a core of the right type of guys, high football IQ and a burning desire to win. Once the winning began reclamation projects became more simple. You want to win and show the world your value? You can do it here but check the BS at the door, here you get right or get gone.

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I think that's prolly the most succinct way to put what I was saying about "letting players be themselves."

Be whatever you want, but without the ********. All will be well if you can do that.

DarrylS said:

Could an issue here be a toxic environment created by Gruden/Mayock who love their face time with the press??.. Gotta wonder how many "that guys" any sane person could endure in any given day...

Never understood the "love affair" many NFL folks have with Gruden...

Click to expand...

Hard Knocks never helps.. Knock on wood if you're with me..