Parcells' Legacy Series

[JoeSixPat]

Thanks again to Bob George for a well thought out series on Parcells legacy and how it did and didn't contribute to the 3 out of 4 dynasty we've enjoyed.

http://www.patsfans.com/bob/display_story.php?story_id=2925

Overall I found the series well balanced, illustrating the pros and cons of what Parcells built, and illustrating how BB alone ultimately deserves credit for bringing us to the promised land.

There are some points I'd argue - such as the notion that Kraft drove Parcells out of New England. Ultimately I think Parcells drove himself out, unwilling to accept the good advice offered by others, when history has ultimately proved Parcells quite fallible on personnel issues. But overall a great, thought provoking read.

When you consider the Patriots as they were during the coaching tenures of Rust and MacPherson, the credibility that Parcells brought to the organization is uniquely to his credit, not Kraft’s. It was Parcells which jump-started the region’s interest in football. Besides, one could make this staggering postulation: Would Kraft have stuck his financial neck out and bought the Patriots in 1994 if MacPherson were still the head coach and the Patriots were still a moribund, sub-.500 team?

Thank Parcells if you wish for the Patriot winning tradition he began. But there is a greater reason for you to thank him.

Be grateful that Parcells does have an ego. He left the Patriots because he has an ego. He left the Jets because he has an ego. It is Parcells’ ego that brought Belichick back to New England as head coach.

One has to wonder if Parcells could have won three Super Bowls in four years. Would Parcells have had the discipline to listen to the late **** Rehbein and draft Tom Brady? Would Parcells have known to pluck free agents like David Patten, Stephen Neal or Mike Compton? Would players like Rodney Harrison, Rosevelt Colvin or Corey Dillon have wanted to play for Parcells? Would Parcells have been able to match Belichick in terms of building a system and getting players to buy into it so well that injuries are almost no deterrent to its success?