http://www.espn.co.uk/nfl/story/_/p...-brady-bill-belichick-internal-power-struggle I'll paraphrase the article in my own words, but it's an excellent read and you guys should take the time to check it out. Evidently, this all stems from Brady's trainer and business partner, Alex Guerrero. Guerrero teaches Eastern medicine for rehab (mainly stretching and deep tissue massage) and he was hired by the Pats about six years ago as a consultant. He was given full access to Pats HQ because of his relationship with Brady. Meanwhile, Brady is like an infomercial salesman singing this guy's praises. People who don't agree don't seem to last long in the organization or they don't see the ball coming their way...and the power struggle begins to develop a rift. Fast forward a couple of years, and Guerrero is telling players not to visit the team doctors...to come to him instead. He's critical of a lot the Pats do in treating injury and Belichick gets mad. The trainer has his access revoked but he's kept on as a consultant. Meanwhile, players feel like they're stuck in the middle...do they support their coach or their star QB? People were forced to start taking sides and if you were a WR that wanted to play, you'd better be on Brady's side. This gives Brady massive power within the organization and he starts to be viewed as a staff member/decision maker instead of just a player. Brady got so power hungry that new players were expected to call him "sir". Belichick's plans were to keep playing Brady but he also wanted to give a huge contract extension to Garoppolo with a big payout once he becomes the starter. Brady got paranoid and went to Kraft, screaming for Jimmy G to be traded, and eventually Kraft okay'd it. The coach was furious because he thinks Brady is close to being finished and he really wanted the future QB of the franchise in place before he retires (HINT- he's thinking retirement soon). So in film study this year, Belichick has blasted Brady harder than ever before, harping on his failures/missed reads while never complimenting him at all. And for the first time ever, Brady has started to fight back since he has Kraft on his side. He's become almost diva-like with his expectations and for the first time in awhile, The Pats Way (Belichick's way of handling the team) is being questioned by it's top player and a lot of people around him. Because remember, they now look at Brady like a team exec with Kraft's ear...and they're officially scared. One noteworthy thing- Brady refused to help Jimmy G AT ALL. He never offered him advice, never prepped with him and viewed the guy as the enemy. Brady requested Hoyer as a backup because they're friends and Hoyer poses zero threat to taking over the team in the huddle. So yes my friends, Brady has sabotaged the Pats to extend his career. The same goes for his receivers- they're selected for Brady loyalty, not actual talent. And Belichick freaking hates every part of this power struggle Tom is pulling since he's finally getting challenged. He's used to having a dictatorship and this new wrinkle is really pissing him off something fierce. Only, Kraft now realizes that letting Garoppolo walk was a huge mistake. He wants to have a meeting between himself and Brady and Belichick, but that talk hasn't happened yet. What is there really left to say? Nobody is happy and Guerrero has started refusing to treat NE players without the Pats front office requesting it....only driving the rift even larger. In short, it sounds like everyone hates each other and I have a feeling this is the final year of the trio if the Pats don't win the Super Bowl. The article said that even that may not fix the issues between them. I'm betting that someone walks after this season....the only question is who.
Good. I hope the whole thing implodes and they have 20 years of misery. Belichick is hired as Offensive Coordinator by the Dolphins just to stick it to the pats twice a year.
From what I read, there's no way he takes a backseat to anyone. The guy doesn't discuss plans/ideas with anyone and he's super introverted- actually, him and Brady are both massive loners. So I can't see Belichick taking any NFL position where he won't have complete control from top to bottom. His next move is likely a team GM if he stays at all...I'm guessing he just retires though.
based off the article the guy has his ish together, talkin about letting his sons get their career etc. I agree he wont take anything less than a GM, it would be funny if he did take an afc east job just to play brady twice a yr for 2 more years and then retire hahah
I havent read the SI article yet, but that is pretty much what I read. if it is all true they have some problems developing up there. And yeah, Id side with Belicheck over Brady everytime. Kraft made a huge mistake.
Me too...especially since Pats players know Brady wouldn't be as good without the copied playbooks, the lip reader in the booth catching defensive signals and so much other shady stuff.
Oops, I just caught that...I changed the title. I didn't even realize I typed SI until you just pointed it out. Thanks!
Anyone with a brain would choose Belichick over Brady. Belichick hasnt had a losing season as a Patriot. Last year went 3-1 with Brisset and brisset sucks. Won ten games with matt cassell and cassell sucks. He can win with a broomstick at quarterback. You watch the countless videos of him micd up, and listen to the things he says to his defense. The guy is a master of fundamentals and he reminds his players what theyre not doing or seeing on the field and makes the correction for the next drive.
And yet they are the best team in the NFL and poised for yet another Super Bowl. If this is supposed to paint a picture of dysfunction, it sure as heck hasn't translated to the field.
I think the point is that they may decide to part ways in the offseason. There's likely some serious hatred here. It really is analogous to the Beatles. The white album and abbey road were all-time great albums admist the group hating each other. and right after they called it quits
Not to get political, but it's like the Trump investigation. Ill believe something will happen when it happens and not a moment sooner. Too many times has the demise of the Pats been heralded, too many times they just come right back out. Getting your hopes up for that is just waiting to get kicked in the balls when it doesn't turn out that way at all.
There is a legitimate reason this time around to believe the Patriots may never be the same again. This isn't them losing their first game to the Cheifs in blowout fashion. This is a very real story with very real evidence about Bill Belichick and Tom Brady basically hating each other at a very high level, and Bill Belichick losing all trust he had in his owner, all while the other owner he'd trust with his kids/grandkids has a head coaching vacancy and the #2 overall pick. Brady and Belichick hate each other and the owner sided with Brady. This happened within the past 4 months. We all need to wrap our heads around that. They haven't been hating each other for the past 10 years and have just dealt with it. This is new, and I can't imagine they'll be able to work together much longer
Now Gary Myers with the NY Daily News is "reporting" that Belichick could end up coaching the Giants. I put reporting in quotation marks because if you read the article, "a source" is saying he's not sure if the reported friction could force Belichick out. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/f...opening-coach-giants-source-article-1.3739643 Whatever happened to objective fact based journalism? Anything anymore is speculation based on innuendo. Do I think there COULD be something going on in New England? Sure, possibly so but is it all that bad or are reporters and outlet so desperate for ratings that they are manufacturing a "crisis"?
Part of me is ready to fall upon my knees to the floor, casting my eyes upward, and shout "Finally!" (Please forgive me, Lord. and feed the starving pygmies in New Guinea!) and than again.. I am waiting for the Booby Trap in all of this - like with other Belicheat style activities.
For those who missed it, the Pats released a joint statement last night that was supposedly from all three. I'm too lazy to look it up but it basically said, "We've been together for 18 years now and we're all still the best of besties. The media reports are based on lies and we're shocked- why doesn't everyone love us as much as we love each other?"
There are now 2 threads about this in the mains. Can the mods merge them? Or move it to the AFC East forum?