Bill Belichick is one of the most successful coaches in NFL history, but he has a reputation for being cold and ruthless. After Asante Samuel called out the Patriots coach on Twitter, he was forced to admit that his tactics are indeed brutal.
Bill Belichick is a legendary NFL coach and one of the most successful in history. However, his temper and lack of empathy for players has been criticized by many. Former Patriots star Asante Samuel exposed the brutal truth about the legendary NFL coach in an article published on The Players’ Tribune.
In most quarters, Bill Belichick could retire tomorrow and still be regarded as the best coach in NFL history. After all, he led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl victories during an 18-year period. He also found a method to continue to be successful despite the wage limit restrictions.
While Belichick’s record of achievements cannot be overlooked, one of his former players has a different perspective on the famous coach. Indeed, Asante Samuel raised some eyebrows this week when he trashed his former employer.
Unfortunately for Belichick, the former cornerback also revealed the harsh truth about him.
Asante Samuel slammed his previous head coach.
While developing a reputation as one of the league’s best cornerbacks, Asante Samuel helped the Patriots win back-to-back Super Bowl championships. Despite the fact that he rose to prominence under Bill Belichick’s tutelage, the four-time Pro Bowler took a dig at his old boss in the wake of Cam Newton’s departure.
“To say I’m cold-blooded would be an understatement! But, in my view, without Brady, he’s just another coach,” Samuel tweeted in response to Belichick.
He didn’t stop there, however.
During his appearance on ESPN’s First Take on Wednesday, the 40-year-old went even farther.
“He hasn’t proven that he is a great coach – to me,” Samuel remarked, referring to the fact that he coached the greatest player of all time. “Tom Brady has already shown that he can win in every situation.”
“Now, what I’m saying is, anybody can coach Tom and win a Super Bowl,” he said. Now, [Belichick] will have to demonstrate — in my view — that he can do it without that person in order to be great.”
Bill Belichick’s harsh reality was revealed by the former Patriots standout.
Asante Based on his experience with the New England Patriots, Samuel understands just how important Tom Brady was to Bill Belichick’s success. | Getty Images/Jim Davis/The Boston Globe | Getty Images/Maddie Meyer
It’s difficult to disagree with Samuel’s assessment of Belichick’s whole career when you take a step back and look at the big picture. While statistics don’t often tell the entire picture, there’s little doubting that without Brady as his quarterback, the NFL icon has struggled to win.
Before coming to New England, Belichick had a 36-44 record in five seasons with the Cleveland Browns. He came to the Patriots with a big chip on his shoulder and a less-than-stellar reputation, to say the least.
Of course, after he moved to the AFC East, Belichick didn’t have much success. During his first year at Foxborough, he went 5-11. And the Patriots lost their first game of the 2001 season to the Cincinnati Bengals before Brady was able to fill in for an injured Drew Bledsoe thanks to a fortunate hit by New York Jets linebacker Mo Lewis.
Obviously, Belichick’s decision to go with the thin kid from Michigan paid out. Brady remained New England’s starting quarterback throughout 2019, as the Patriots continued to win double-digit games and division championships.
When TB12 moved to Tampa, though, Belichick went back to being a losing coach. Sure, the Patriots didn’t have a very great squad, but because he controls the roster, that’s all his fault. The fact that Brady led the Buccaneers to their first Super Bowl victory in almost two decades while Belichick went 7-9 further added to the notion that New England won the Lombardi Trophy six times mostly because of Brady.
Samuel neglected to mention that his previous head coach, Matt Cassel, finished 11-5 with him in 2008, but his overall argument is valid. Belichick will continue to be chastised for his otherwise dismal record until he can regularly win without Brady.
Fortunately for the long-serving Patriots coach, he will have another opportunity to alter that narrative in 2021.
Can Mac Jones alter the perception that without Tom Brady, Belichick is simply another coach?
Is it possible that Belichick has a new star quarterback on his hands?
Fans of the Patriots certainly hope so.
Mac Jones has done almost everything right since being selected 15th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. By committing himself to improving both on and off the field, he soon gained Belichick’s confidence. In practice, he shone, and in preseason games, he seemed composed. He also persuaded the Patriots to end the unsuccessful Cam Newton experiment earlier than anticipated.
Jones, ironically, compares well to Brady. Both had a reputation as accurate, clever, and tough quarterbacks with athletic limitations when they joined the NFL. However, neither athlete wasted any time in catching Belichick’s notice.
The Patriots have a chance to create some significant noise in the AFC if Jones improves on his good summer. Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers, and Kendrick Bourne are among the talented rookie’s pass catchers, with a top-five offensive line, a deep stable of running backs, and a group of pass catchers that includes Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers, and Kendrick Bourne. Plus, Josh McDaniels understands how to best use a quarterback with Jones’ skill set.
Belichick also overhauled his defense, which could relieve some of the burden on the offense to put up big numbers. The Patriots have the talent to make a long postseason run, and if things go their way, they might even represent the AFC in Super Bowl 56.
Will Mac Jones, as a rookie, be up to the task?
For the sake of Bill Belichick, let’s hope he finally gets a first-round selection.
If that isn’t the case, Asante Samuel may have additional ammunition to use against his former employer.
Pro Football Reference provided all statistics.
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