NFL offseason/free agency/draft thread

NFL offseason/free agency/draft thread Mar 25, 2020 20:14:20 GMT

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Post by Rey Kahuka on Mar 25, 2020 20:14:20 GMT

Mar 25, 2020 19:03:59 GMT twothousandonemark said:

Mar 25, 2020 13:43:09 GMT Rey Kahuka said:

Can I take time out to remind people I don't think Belichick is a total hack? I only think the defense is consistently overrated (since 2005-06ish, anyway), as is his impact on winning as compared to Brady's presence.

Brady did give them 500+ throwing yards against the Eagles, and lost. Belichick ground the focus back on the D, & embarrassed the Rams 13-3 for their ring #6. To that point, I think both have about equal share in the dynasty. Belichick not really having to worry about the offense, other than making sure running backs are frequently involved for pace & rhythm, has gone hand in hand with Brady's mastery of what works with Josh.

Did he though? The defense got lit up by the Chargers and the Chiefs in the playoffs that season, both games were high scoring affairs. They only won the AFC championship because they won the coin toss going into OT. I'd point to SB 36 for Belichick's defensive mastery rather than SB 53. Goff choked, Gurley clearly couldn't play (and hasn't been the same player since), and McVay didn't have a plan B. It's the weirdest Super Bowl ever, not at all indicative of either team's playing style or capabilities-- not only for the rest of that season, but the games directly leading up to the Super Bowl. Brady wasn't great in 53 but he wasn't Manning SB 50 level terrible. He threw one pick with his first throw, the rest of the time they moved the ball but couldn't score.

I used to think it was 50/50, but SBs 51 and 52 really got me thinking. Belichick was outcoached in 52, and for almost three quarters of 51. The only thing that kept Atlanta from winning that Super Bowl was the Falcons coaches being too stupid to run the clock out and Brady switching on God Mode. Brady shouldn't have to throw for 500 yards or come back from down 25 points (ok, the D gets the blame for 21 points since there was a pick six in there) to compete for titles if his coach is holding up his end of the bargain. And I can't stress this enough, the Patriots brought the lowest ranked Defense in Super Bowl history to SB 46 and still almost won the title. The Defense not only gave up the lead in the late stages of that game, they were downright terrible the entire year. I'm not sure what Belichick contributed that season yet they still almost won another title.

I don't want to get into more anecdotal evidence because it wasn't my intention to rip BB today. I'm only questioning the popular belief that I myself used to hold, that it's equal parts Brady and Bill.