Vindicate
2nd Team Getting Their First Start
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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
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