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“Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
OK. Great.
The Patriots Empire? Built in 18 months.
OK. Great.
The Patriots Empire? Built in 18 months.
1999: the Pats, led Pete Carroll, stormed out to a 6-2 start.
Suddenly, all hell broke loose. A 2-6 finish down the stretch, fueled by 22 giveaways in 8 weeks, led to Carroll’s termination.
They missed the playoffs by a single game.
Suddenly, all hell broke loose. A 2-6 finish down the stretch, fueled by 22 giveaways in 8 weeks, led to Carroll’s termination.
They missed the playoffs by a single game.
In January 2000, Robert Kraft sacrificed a first-round pick to the Jets in exchange for Bill Belichick.
The entire process was bizarre, to say the least.
Talk about a lesson in hindsight: the media missed the mark, often with a dash of bravado.
Remember that, Panthers fans.
The entire process was bizarre, to say the least.
Talk about a lesson in hindsight: the media missed the mark, often with a dash of bravado.
Remember that, Panthers fans.
Belichick proceeded to cut pro bowlers Ben Coates (TE) and Bruce Armstrong (LT) , further inflaming an already skeptical fanbase and equally cynical Boston media landscape.
Later that spring, Bill fired Bobby Grier, New England’s long-tenured VP of Player Personnel.
Later that spring, Bill fired Bobby Grier, New England’s long-tenured VP of Player Personnel.
A little known fact: Grier, as chronicled by our friend @ByTimGraham, was the only NFL executive Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr to inquire about one of their signal callers.
“Bobby, I guarantee you you'll never regret drafting Tom Brady,” said Carr. https://www.espn.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/27833/one-nfl-exec-called-michigan-about-brady
“Bobby, I guarantee you you'll never regret drafting Tom Brady,” said Carr. https://www.espn.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/27833/one-nfl-exec-called-michigan-about-brady
The rest is history: New England bites the bullet, enduring a five win season in 2000, while shouldering a heavy load of scrutiny from the local press.
18 months later: the Patriots embarked on their maiden title voyage: the 2001 season, in which their beloved franchise quarterback, Drew Bledsoe, was put in the hospital by way of a violent collision with Jets LB Mo Lewis.
0-2. Bledsoe done.
0-2. Bledsoe done.
Tom Brady assumed control.
Behind steady hand of Grier’s discovery, Belichick led New England to their first Super Bowl title, winning 14 of their final 17 games while forcing 40 turnovers.
Behind steady hand of Grier’s discovery, Belichick led New England to their first Super Bowl title, winning 14 of their final 17 games while forcing 40 turnovers.
So, no, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
But in a mere 18 months, Bill Belichick built the first installment of most dominant football empire in NFL history.
Weary of a “five year plan”, Panthers fans? You should be.
And you shouldn’t accept it.
Bill didn’t.
But in a mere 18 months, Bill Belichick built the first installment of most dominant football empire in NFL history.
Weary of a “five year plan”, Panthers fans? You should be.
And you shouldn’t accept it.
Bill didn’t.
