Steps to Cure the In-Fighting

[MainePatsFan26]

So, the Butler benching capped off a season filled with both impressive victories and what appears to be an abnormal degree of infighting. Beyond the ESPN hit piece, this year's team just seemed to have regular bouts of unhappiness and mental fatigue. The Dolphins game underscored these lapses and periods of frustration.

I'm proud that we overcame most of these issues and made the Super Bowl. But the Super Bowl also represented a return of the problems from earlier in the season on defense that we had managed to keep at bay for most of the year. It was also a game of frustrated looks on Belichick's face towards Patricia, as well as teammates on the defense looking like they had just watched The Notebook as they huddled around Butler.

So where does the team go from here? Do we look for an even more player friendly coach on the defense? Or do we find someone who is more commanding? And what of guys like Hightower liking that photo of Butler crying, in an apparent show of support for their teammate and act of defiance against their coaches? These types of things aren't normal for the Patriots Way.

I guess the question comes down to what key things have to happen for this team to find its way back to these core values. Values that seemed strained in this playoff campaign despite the team making it to the championship.

 

[jboston19]

It's a little disconcerting about Hightower liking that pic, but perhaps it's just supporting a teammate in a way he felt was innocuous.

I do expect major changes on D next season regardless and that Bill will straighten things out.