Bill would have been axed anywhere else or if he had any other name. Just to recap, coming off of one of the worst losses (Buffalo) in team history, here's what happened (mostly all in the widely cited article):
- The team attempted to change the offensive philosophy and adapt a McVay-Shanahan concept based on an outside cut and run scheme. I've been saying for a few years I wish they'd bring in a coordinator who can utilize this concept since it's worked well with classic pocket, quick read passers like Ryan, Jimmy G, Goff and Stafford. So this is good right?
No, because a few things to note. First, BB was late to the table. As he'd been dragging his feet admiring McVay's ideas, defenses had been adapting. Hence in 2022, the actual architects like McVay, Shanahan, LaFleur(s) were reducing its role and avoiding it. BB apparently missed the league wide changes. Second, you need the right personnel to run this which requires fast, athletic linemen (especially tackles) and it really helps to have a RB with quickness for the cuts and game breaking speed to make defenses pay for not over playing the run.
Instead, BB goes out and brings in two retreads who not only haven't run an offense but have zero first hand exposure to the system. The aftermath is well chronicled. I think play calling and schemes are overrated but there are exceptions and when you look at the splits last year this is an exception and coaching actively hurt the offense.
It's Jets level incompetent (the Jets brought in Frank Stallone LaFleur but had a terribly mismatched QB.). Mark Cuban: first come the innovators, then the imitators, then the idiots.
I look at the decision making "process" and it reinforces my belief that since 2017 this org has become increasingly dysfunctional as a cult of personality. I could cite dozens of examples but I'll just look more like a hater. It's just that doing things the wrong way has become the norm. The team continues to bring in no oversight or new ideas from outside the org.
It's been a journey through the Upside Down since Brady left. All the things Bill was praised for have been comically put on their heads. Atrocious in critical games against playoff competition (always blown out), terrible in close, competitive games, an anti-analytic risk-reward approach on 4th down, beat up on bad teams and run up the score, apparent locker room division, and the icing on the cake: the team that boasts about situational, smart football, roster depth and special teams was the worst special teams unit in the NFL, culminating in an embarrassing season ending performance.
Now they're in the process of creating more liabilities: short term cap relief by sacrificing future cap integrity (Parker). This is just **** that bad franchises do.
I'll say it again: the things that make great leaders are the things that make terrible leaders. It's true of every CEO and president. Confidence and arrogance are the same thing. Rigidity and stubbornness. In the right circumstances they are smart. In the wrong circumstances they are moronic. Bill has run his course in NE and I think he would do great if served up a contending roster and change of scenery and hopefully he would integrate with a new staff and ideas rather than continuing to recycle these coaching failures simply because they think exactly like him and don't challenge him.