A bombshell report by ESPN writer Seth Wickerson that a rift exist between Patriots owner Robert Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady has many wondering if the end is near for football's longest dynasty.
The report cites unnamed sources that Belichick wanted to bench Brady in favor of Jimmy Garrapolo this season, because he sensed the 41-year old quarterback is getting too old. Brady feeling jilted by his boss of 17-years went crying to Kraft to stop Belichick from starting Jimmy G. over him. The report claims that Belichick and Kraft had a lengthy meeting in October and Kraft talked Belichick into trading Garrapolo. Of course, Garrapolo went on to go 5-0 for the 49ers in the final month of the season, making him one of the prized free agents on the market later this spring.
Many are thinking that Garrapolo could be the one that got away, especially if Brady is indeed nearing the end. Others are thinking Belichick is planning his own exit by allowing assistant coaches Matt Patricia and Josh McDaniels to interview for head coaching vacancies elsewhere. Some fans in New York think that the Giants should go all out to get Belichick if he leaves New England.
First of all, let's remember that these are the Patriots. Already they have dismissed the story as fake that the working relationship between the three are just fine. Also, remember this is a team that is no stranger to controversy. From Spygate to Deflategate the Patriots under Belichick, Brady and Kraft have been masters at using bad news to their advantage. They love playing the hate card, and will almost certainly use this to their advantage for the postseason to prove a point.
Secondly, while Belichick has strong admiration for the Giants and the Mara family, the idea that he will leave a Super Bowl contending team for a team that is trying to figure out its place in the NFC is highly unlikely, especially at age 66.
1) Belichick enjoyed plenty of perks in New England the past 17 years. He is the head coach, general manager and president of football operations. He shops for the groceries in New England, nobody else. If he came to New York to coach the Giants, Dave Gettleman would have say in personnel. The idea Belichick would be willing to work under someone at this point sounds ridiculous.
2) Why would Belichick want to come to New York, when he will have to deal with a media that will be ready to grill him? Skeletons will brought out of the closet by the New York media and Belichick will have to fend it off. For a guy who hates dealing with the media, and has been given a pass in Boston, he would not get a pass in New York with a team that is rebuilding.
3) Speaking of rebuilding, the Giants are considering plans to move on from Eli Manning and start over with a young quarterback. Does Belichick want to deal with that at this point? The only way Belichick takes the Giants job is if he knows Eli Manning is going nowhere, and IF he can convince Gettleman to sign Garrapolo who is a free agent. Not to mention, Belichick knows that his success is tied to Brady, and he won't enjoy similar success with anyone else.
4) The NFC East is no bargain. For years Belichick has enjoyed winning division titles in August because the Patriots play in the worst division in football, the AFC East with the lousy Jets, Dolphins and Bills. The NFC East is much different. Belichick would have to compete with the Cowboys and Eagles for the division title, and would not be guaranteed a playoff spot out of that division.
If Belichick leaves the Patriots, heading to the Giants just doesn't make sense for a guy who has won so much in Foxboro, Massachusetts. What is most likely is that Belichick retires, takes a year off coaching, and comes back as a President of Football Operations for some franchise where he has full say over everything.
The report cites unnamed sources that Belichick wanted to bench Brady in favor of Jimmy Garrapolo this season, because he sensed the 41-year old quarterback is getting too old. Brady feeling jilted by his boss of 17-years went crying to Kraft to stop Belichick from starting Jimmy G. over him. The report claims that Belichick and Kraft had a lengthy meeting in October and Kraft talked Belichick into trading Garrapolo. Of course, Garrapolo went on to go 5-0 for the 49ers in the final month of the season, making him one of the prized free agents on the market later this spring.Many are thinking that Garrapolo could be the one that got away, especially if Brady is indeed nearing the end. Others are thinking Belichick is planning his own exit by allowing assistant coaches Matt Patricia and Josh McDaniels to interview for head coaching vacancies elsewhere. Some fans in New York think that the Giants should go all out to get Belichick if he leaves New England.
First of all, let's remember that these are the Patriots. Already they have dismissed the story as fake that the working relationship between the three are just fine. Also, remember this is a team that is no stranger to controversy. From Spygate to Deflategate the Patriots under Belichick, Brady and Kraft have been masters at using bad news to their advantage. They love playing the hate card, and will almost certainly use this to their advantage for the postseason to prove a point.
Secondly, while Belichick has strong admiration for the Giants and the Mara family, the idea that he will leave a Super Bowl contending team for a team that is trying to figure out its place in the NFC is highly unlikely, especially at age 66.
1) Belichick enjoyed plenty of perks in New England the past 17 years. He is the head coach, general manager and president of football operations. He shops for the groceries in New England, nobody else. If he came to New York to coach the Giants, Dave Gettleman would have say in personnel. The idea Belichick would be willing to work under someone at this point sounds ridiculous.
2) Why would Belichick want to come to New York, when he will have to deal with a media that will be ready to grill him? Skeletons will brought out of the closet by the New York media and Belichick will have to fend it off. For a guy who hates dealing with the media, and has been given a pass in Boston, he would not get a pass in New York with a team that is rebuilding.
3) Speaking of rebuilding, the Giants are considering plans to move on from Eli Manning and start over with a young quarterback. Does Belichick want to deal with that at this point? The only way Belichick takes the Giants job is if he knows Eli Manning is going nowhere, and IF he can convince Gettleman to sign Garrapolo who is a free agent. Not to mention, Belichick knows that his success is tied to Brady, and he won't enjoy similar success with anyone else.
4) The NFC East is no bargain. For years Belichick has enjoyed winning division titles in August because the Patriots play in the worst division in football, the AFC East with the lousy Jets, Dolphins and Bills. The NFC East is much different. Belichick would have to compete with the Cowboys and Eagles for the division title, and would not be guaranteed a playoff spot out of that division.
If Belichick leaves the Patriots, heading to the Giants just doesn't make sense for a guy who has won so much in Foxboro, Massachusetts. What is most likely is that Belichick retires, takes a year off coaching, and comes back as a President of Football Operations for some franchise where he has full say over everything.
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