BB's response to adversity and turmoil

[Zeus]

After the Miami loss, the Patriots stood at 7-5, having lost 3 of their last 4. Then came the "late to practice" debacle. Several veteran players - including Thomas, Burgess and Springs - seemed dissatisfied with playing time and the direction in which the team was headed. Next, the Panthers game - a win where the big story was a bad outing for Randy Moss.

The Sporting Press left the Patriots for dead. The play-offs were in doubt, Belichick had lost his mojo and the Brady magic was history. Thomas had played his last game as a Patriot, Springs was a literal time bomb about to go off in the NE locker room and Randy Moss was a dog who should be cut and run out of town.

While many believed that Belichick would (and should) turn his back on the veteran players, instead he stabilized the situation. Thomas, Springs and Burgess are playing with renewed energy and enthusiasm. James Sanders, relegated to the scrap heap by many posters here, has re-emerged as a presence in the defensive backfield. The media nitwits scoffed at Belichick's defense of Moss, but Randy has shown that he is still a vital cog in this offense.

Now, NE has clinched the division with one week to play. Several key injured players - Neal, Edelman, Wilfork, Warren, Taylor, Jarvis Green - look as though they will be ready to contribute in the play-offs. And Tom Brady is now coming off a performance which rivaled anything he did during his MVP season in 2007.

BB's job is get all of his players functioning at the highest possible level. He has continued to emphasize the importance of continued improvement throughout the season. He has been patient with injuries in order to have his best players available in December and January.

This team may not be talented or savvy enough to win four play-off games. But you can be sure that other teams noticed how dominant NE was on Sunday. If the 2009 New England Patriots make a run in the tournament, it will be because their head coach kept his discipline and was able to refocus his team. The doubters - press, fans and even some of his own players - thought it was over. But it's not. Not yet.

 

[RobertWeathers]

After the Miami loss, the Patriots stood at 7-5, having lost 3 of their last 4. Then came the "late to practice" debacle. Several veteran players - including Thomas, Burgess and Springs - seemed dissatisfied with playing time and the direction in which the team was headed. Next, the Panthers game - a win where the big story was a bad outing for Randy Moss.

The Sporting Press left the Patriots for dead. The play-offs were in doubt, Belichick had lost his mojo and the Brady magic was history. Thomas had played his last game as a Patriot, Springs was a literal time bomb about to go off in the NE locker room and Randy Moss was a dog who should be cut and run out of town.

While many believed that Belichick would (and should) turn his back on the veteran players, instead he stabilized the situation. Thomas, Springs and Burgess are playing with renewed energy and enthusiasm. James Sanders, relegated to the scrap heap by many posters here, has re-emerged as a presence in the defensive backfield. The media nitwits scoffed at Belichick's defense of Moss, but Randy has shown that he is still a vital cog in this offense.

Now, NE has clinched the division with one week to play. Several key injured players - Neal, Edelman, Wilfork, Warren, Taylor, Jarvis Green - look as though they will be ready to contribute in the play-offs. And Tom Brady is now coming off a performance which rivaled anything he did during his MVP season in 2007.

BB's job is get all of his players functioning at the highest possible level. He has continued to emphasize the importance of continued improvement throughout the season. He has been patient with injuries in order to have his best players available in December and January.

This team may not be talented or savvy enough to win four play-off games. But you can be sure that other teams noticed how dominant NE was on Sunday. If the 2009 New England Patriots make a run in the tournament, it will be because their head coach kept his discipline and was able to refocus his team. The doubters - press, fans and even some of his own players - thought it was over. But it's not. Not yet.

Nice post, Zeus. I enjoyed reading that. At the end of the day, BB knows how to motivate players. Wheather it be by sending them home, putting them in a position to succeed, patting them on the back or showing his loyalty he is always able to get the most out of them.

 

[N.Eman]

Just a chess move on and off the field that proved everyone wrong. Just like last year, not cutting Cassell, and look what he did. I love what our coach keeps doing over and over, moving around players to play when its best. And now, we got a dangerous team going into the post season. Classic Coach Bellichick education for all!!

 

[BionicPatriot]

I agree. I don't have confidence this team is going all the way, but they're going to be a ***** for teams to put out.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

We also now have some very well rested vets like Springs, Taylor, Sanders, etc. With most of the injured expected back for the playoffs and some vets getting "time off" earlier, it should be a healthy, spry group in two weeks.

 

[jczxohn1]

Was very proud of the "back-ups" on D at the Jax game. As BB said, you don't have to game plan for them too much; they just do what they do, which is try to man-handle you. The D stood them up pretty well. Much like a team fielded by Orcs.

 

[PowerAlley.com]

Bill may have found the right mix of youth and experience. Since my expectations for the playoffs are a little lower this year. It would be mighty sweet to get a SB win this year. It would help lessen the sting of the Giants loss.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Bill may have found the right mix of youth and experience. Since my expectations for the playoffs are a little lower this year. It would be mighty sweet to get a SB win this year. It would help lessen the sting of the Giants loss.

A buddy of mine and I were talking about that today. If the team goes down in the divisionals, it'll be disappointing for sure but not a complete shock.

They go to Miami and bring home hardware...Thats reservations on cloud 9 for a few days.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Agreed, i'm proud of this team. Don't see them winning the SB, but they're going to be a tough out.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Agreed, i'm proud of this team. Don't see them winning the SB, but they're going to be a tough out.

As a fan of this team, with the way the last two months have gone having a chance is the best thing you can ask for. The Colts can be beat. Chargers are strong, but their running game, O-line and D are vulnerable and everyone else in the AFC playoff mix can be beat in Foxboro.

Its not like the Pats are 9-7 and need to play the 85 Bears in Soldier Field.

Plenty of hope to go around.

 

[tobias funke]

This is exactly what I mean when I try explain my feelings to people who suggest only winning the super bowl means anything. Just like last season, there has been some really bad stuff, and some really good stuff (at least this season we get to go to the playoffs), but either way, I enjoyed the journey last year, and just as much this year. Even if we don't win it all I will remember this season for everything that happened.

That's what I'm thankful to Belichick and Brady for: as long as they are around we'll always have a team we can have a good time rooting for, no matter what happens at the end of the season. The fact that they've capped off 3 of 4 seasons with Lombardis is only a testament to the greatness that was already there.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

was very proud of the "back-ups" on d at the jax game. As bb said, you don't have to game plan for them too much; they just do what they do, which is try to man-handle you. The d stood them up pretty well. Much like a team fielded by orcs.

........