Will BB's actions bring the team together or tear it apart?

[Schmo]

Simple, is the team on the way to collapsing, or is Belichick injecting some much needed motivation? I think this newest form of discipline will affect the team in some way.

I know, as a fan, that you want to always be optimistic, but realistically what do you see happening?

 

[upstater1]

Belichick still has his guys.

It will bring them together.

 

[mayoclinic]

BB will kick butt. The 2009 team may or may not respond and get it's act together, but a lot of underperformers, malcontents, and me-first guys will be gone in the offseason regardless. The ship will be back on track in 2010 with some major leadership changes.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Generally he presses the right button so I assume that's the case until proven otherwise. My gut says it will show them that Bill is watching and they are accountable for what he sees which can only help.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Doesn't really matter what they do, to be honest. All that matters is that he's re-established that chumps like Burgess and Thomas don't get a free pass to both mouth off and suck at football. He's made an example of them, they're gone as soon as we can realistically be rid of them, and that's that.

 

[zeke mowatt]

BB cracking the whip on the slackers is nothing but positive IMO.

 

[Patspsycho]

At least he is not pulling the jawing that Tomlin is doing to the media about threatening to do this or that, which I think is just going to backfire on him.

I think the team will experience more growing pain. Most likely we have to accept the fact that this is just not our year, but at least we have the next few years to look forward to.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

OK if sending a couple people home for being late is enough to tear this team to shreds, it was just never meant to be from the start. Send the entire team back to kindergarten and we'll go from there.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Just speaking of vocal leaders ... I am not sure who can step up that hasn't already. Or who can step up emotionally who has not already.

If he can get on the field and stay there perhaps Fred Taylor?

If he can more playing time perhaps Seau?

I don't see it tearing apart however ... the malcontents have been that way all season ... or at least since Seymour was traded.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Who are the vocal leaders on this team, anyways? The core, as I see it, should be Brady, Faulk, Light, Moss, Welker, Seau, and Wilfork, more or less. Only two of those guys play defense, and one is in a contract year and the other is over 40 and isn't playing. Until Mayo, Meriweather and/or Chung are ready to step up, there will be a leadership void on that side of the ball. I never really thought we'd miss Vrabel, but I'm kinda second-guessing the decision to send him off in hindsight.

 

[JMarr]

Who are the vocal leaders on this team, anyways? The core, as I see it, should be Brady, Faulk, Light, Moss, Welker, Seau, and Wilfork, more or less. Only two of those guys play defense, and one is in a contract year and the other is over 40 and isn't playing. Until Mayo, Meriweather and/or Chung are ready to step up, there will be a leadership void on that side of the ball. I never really thought we'd miss Vrabel, but I'm kinda second-guessing the decision to send him off in hindsight.

I always assumed that this was part of the reason that we threw millions at James Sanders.

 

[Schmo]

It may sound silly, but with the way he plays on the field, I can't help but see McGowan as a very vocal person. I know it's his first year with the Pats, but he always seems to be pumped.

 

[IcyPatriot]

It may sound silly, but with the way he plays on the field, I can't help but see McGowan as a very vocal person. I know it's his first year with the Pats, but he always seems to be pumped.

That's a good point.

 

[fnordcircle]

Barring a public feud with Brady there is no player or collection of players bigger than Belichick on this team.

If he doesn't like the team he has, regardless of skill, he will blow the team up without hesitation and without regret.

Players will either conform or they will be riding the pine and shipped out like we've seen so many do.

It's not always going to be how we like it, but that's the way it is. Belichick is the team. If it gets torn apart it's because he decided to do so.

 

[n1e]

Barring a public feud with Brady there is no player or collection of players bigger than Belichick on this team.

If he doesn't like the team he has, regardless of skill, he will blow the team up without hesitation and without regret.

Players will either conform or they will be riding the pine and shipped out like we've seen so many do.

It's not always going to be how we like it, but that's the way it is. Belichick is the team. If it gets torn apart it's because he decided to do so.

qft the Patriots are Belichick's team, i see no problem with the offense at all other than redzone scoring. The defense needs a vocal leader and Mayo is not it yet. right now he's a lead by example type of guy, he needs to evolve into both. As of right now i really can't see whose going to fill that role. Every single player on defense except Wilfork and Warren are too raw. Bruschi, Vrabel, Harrison, those were leaders by both example and vocally and it's going to take time and someone special to be able to fill those shoes.

 

[mcmurtry86]

It may sound silly, but with the way he plays on the field, I can't help but see McGowan as a very vocal person. I know it's his first year with the Pats, but he always seems to be pumped.

Given the reports of McGowan being very casual and seemingly unaffected after their loss, I think it's safe to say he isn't much of a leader in the locker room. I'd think a guy like Jarvis Green who has been here for awhile and has won big games before would be able to fill some of the void. Perhaps he's a quiet type, who knows

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Wilfork is a really big guy... he may have somewhat of a loud voice ?

 

[farn]

I don't know... he's always been spoy on before, but...

One thing : not everyone would have the guts to send RFM home. He wasn't sending 4th stringers home at 8:09 (thx AD).

I pretty much agree with the dude who said that as long as the feud isn't with Brady it should be OK. I dunno - seems late for tricks, so he must mean business.

 

[rabthepat]

"i see no problem with the offense at all other than redzone scoring." - LOL :rocker:

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

He needs to rip this team open........ only then will he find out what he needs to go forward.

By sinking the S.S. 2009 Patriots, he'll be able to discover the S.S. 2010 and beyond Patriots. It really is that simple.