The New England Patriots are a franchise that evoke a sense of fear into the heart of their opponents. Under Head Coach Bill Belichick, the side has grown from strength to strength and won 6 Super Bowls.
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But last season, the Patriots were bereft of their usual mojo. The side ended the 2020 season with a 7-9 losing record and ultimately failed to make the Playoffs for the first time since 2008.
But to count out the Patriots based on one season would be a mistake. Belichick has shown time and again that there is no mountain in the NFL too high to climb for him.
With the New England Patriots signaling their intent to come back stronger next season by signing a plethora of players, one NFL analyst feels the influx of fresh talent was much needed.
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Bill Belichick knows his side were devoid of talent
The lack of quality in the Patriots’ locker-room was there for all to see. And none knew it better than Bill Belichick.
During a segment of the Pat McAfee Show, NFL analyst Michael Lombardi said that no one needs to point out to Belichick that his side was simply not up to the task.
“I think what he saw was a bad team last year. He knew it. I mean, he knew he was hamstrung and he couldn’t do anything… I think no one needed to tell him his team was terrible last year,” Lombardi said.
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USA Today via Reuters
Dec 10, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (middle) looks on from the sidelines with head coach Bill Belichick (right) after being replaced in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots were particularly handicapped in the tight end position last season. Something which prompted them to sign Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry in free agency.
“No one needed to tell him that you can’t play Ryan Izzo as your starting tight end. That’s all he had. No one needed to tell him that you know his skill players just weren’t dynamic to make plays,” he added.
Lombardi further lauded Belichick for his ability to win 7 games with the crop of players he had last season.
"I think no one needed to tell him his team was terrible last year. No one needed to tell him you can't play Ryan Izzo as your starting TE..
That's all he had. No one needed to tell him his skill players weren't dynamic"@mlombardiNFL on Bill Belichick #PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/qsOzvFnJFe
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 16, 2021
“The truth was that they were no good. I think any other coach coaching that team would have won three games. He won seven. So I think it was one of his better coaching jobs with a very untalented and undescriptive team.”
With the Patriots bringing in reinforcements for next season, do you feel another playoff run is on the cards for the franchise?
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