USA Today via Reuters
Dec 26, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline as they take on the Buffalo Bills in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports| Credit-Reuters
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 26, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline as they take on the Buffalo Bills in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports| Credit-Reuters
According to an NFL legend, the blame lies in the “stubborn pride” of Belichick himself.
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Pride of Bill Belichick to blame
Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe blasted Bill Belichick for the Patriots‘ downfall this season. Speaking on his show ‘Undisputed’, Sharpe said that all the blame for the state of the Patriots lies squarely with Belichick.
“All of it. Skip remember when we was talking about who gets the credit and I gave Bill Belichick all the credit? Because guess what? He hired all the coaches, he brought in all the players…He was responsible for it,” Sharpe said.
.@ShannonSharpe says Bill Belichick deserves 100% of blame for Patriots struggles:
“Bill Belichick’s pride won’t let him go outside his circle to hire an OC. He ran Tom Brady off & Mac Jones regressed. They’re not winning a championship anytime soon.” pic.twitter.com/91Up1lLuvL
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) December 7, 2022
Sharpe also pointed out that it was Belichick who was responsible for QB Tom Brady leaving the Patriots.
“He ran Tom Brady off. He is responsible for that. So, if I gave you the lion’s share of the credit, I am giving you all the blame because his stubborn pride won’t let him go outside his circle to hire an offensive coordinator,” Sharpe added. According to Sharpe, not having a good offensive coordinator is the reason that Patriots QB Mac Jones has regressed.
An abysmal season for the New England Patriots
The Patriots are going through a shocking season as per their own standards. The team has a 6-6 record after Week 13 and is fourth in the AFC East division. They are almost entirely out of the playoff conversation.
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But this has been the state of affairs since their star, Tom Brady, went off to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since the franchise last won the Super Bowl in the 2018 season, they have not won a single playoff game. Brady went to the Bucs in 2019 and won the Super Bowl with his new outfit in the 2020 season.
His replacement at the Buccaneers, Mac Jones, hasn’t really filled the considerable gap left by Brady’s departure. The young QB is 26th in the league in passing yardage with 1,963 yards. He has thrown just seven touchdown passes so far this season. And the opposing defenses have caused seven turnovers by intercepting his throws. Not a good look at all.
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Can Belichick and the Patriots prove everyone wrong and stage a comeback? Only time will tell.
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