Woot Woot! Drop Kicks!Belichick’s leaving to be commissioner of the new XFL.
Woot Woot! Drop Kicks!Belichick’s leaving to be commissioner of the new XFL.
This makes some sense. I can picture LaRussa being close enough to BB (and something of a peer) that he's heard him vent about stuff that BB is too professional to do in the office. Someone wanting to stick up for his friend. LaRussa could also be the kind of source maybe familiar with a lot of Patriot business in general, but far enough away to get little details wrong.Jimmy Stewart on F&M is "hearing" that Tony LaRussa is a source of Seth Wickersham. LaRussa is supposedly at Foxboro just as much or more than on Yawkey Way and is a big friend of Belichick.
This doesn't jibe with Wickersham's list of sources:Jimmy Stewart on F&M is "hearing" that Tony LaRussa is a source of Seth Wickersham. LaRussa is supposedly at Foxboro just as much or more than on Yawkey Way and is a big friend of Belichick.
Does LaRussa fit in one of these characterizations?According to interviews with more than a dozen New England staffers, executives, players and league sources with knowledge of the team’s inner workings
You could be right. It is probably foolish to categorically exclude possibilities in a circumstance like this.You guys can dismiss this writer and his report all you want, but there are certain elements of that article that only a few people would know of. And of those people, only a few would have the currency and balls to leak them. That would have to be a person or persons from a camp at Patriots Place that held "all" the cards with no fear of retribution and-or backlash.
My interpretation is the following: BB doesn't want to leave. But he also didn't like how things went down in the last few months (he wants 100% control - not 99%) and this is his way of saying to Kraft, Brady and Company "knock it off".
Well, Wickersham didn't specifiy which "league" he was referencing.This doesn't jibe with Wickersham's list of sources:
Does LaRussa fit in one of these characterizations?
He definitely wasn't meeting him at 10:30 at nightI totally believe that Wickersham was meeting LaRussa 15 minutes from Foxboro at IHOP at 5:30 am.
Not trying to be dismissive here - but BB is a guy that probably made certain assurances to Leon Hess as well.On the other hand, if BB teed this up to fire a shot across Kraft's bow, he probably would not be offering such adamant assurances regarding next year.
Before or after Parcells pulled his maneuver?Not trying to be dismissive here - but BB is a guy that probably made certain assurances to Leon Hess as well.
I'm not sure where you would conclude this. Lots of staffers talk amongst themselves in any organization, and rumors can grow legs. We cannot really tell which parts of the article contain information direct from sources, and which aspects are the reporter trying to "fill the gaps". Belichick is smart enough to know that if he leaked details of a meeting he had with the owners, the Krafts would use the bully pulpit to deny.You guys can dismiss this writer and his report all you want, but there are certain elements of that article that only a few people would know of. And of those people, only a few would have the currency and balls to leak them. That would have to be a person or persons from a camp at Patriots Place that held "all" the cards with no fear of retribution and-or backlash.
My interpretation is the following: BB doesn't want to leave. But he also didn't like how things went down in the last few months (he wants 100% control - not 99%) and this is his way of saying to Kraft, Brady and Company "knock it off".
Seth Wickersham: "Yeah, well, that's what I was told."Mike ReissVerified account @MikeReiss 1m1 minute ago
Asked if Robert Kraft has ever told him to make a trade he didn’t want to make, Bill Belichick said on @DaleHolleyWEEI, “We’ve never done that. We talk about things organizationally and make organizational decisions.”
Ditto on the supposed meeting with Goodell.Seth Wickersham: "Yeah, well, that's what I was told."
Glad someone else is on record though. lol
Of course --- but if you don't think it's possible that BB would / could stick his middle-finger up to any individual on this earth, you haven't been paying attention the last 20 years.Before or after Parcells pulled his maneuver?
I'm going to be very surprised if BB steps down before the 2018 season barring illness.
So, confirming that it was a hit-piece then.Wickersham: All of my in-laws live in the Boston area... Before this story came out, I texted them that today might not be a day that they should advertise that we’re related.
It seems to be there's quite a difference between quitting a job 24 hours after taking it and then finding out there would be a huge "yes, but..." attached to the job that would never go away. And leaking an article about a disagreement over a trade as a way to shoot oneself out of town.Of course --- but if you don't think it's possible that BB would / could stick his middle-finger up to any individual on this earth, you haven't been paying attention the last 20 years.
IMO - he is the greatest coach in the history of American Professional Sports....but as a person, he's not exactly been stellar.
So what?!Belichick is smart enough to know that if he leaked details of a meeting he had with the owners, the Krafts would use the bully pulpit to deny.
You forgot to call him a liar and a cheater or are you just implying that?Of course --- but if you don't think it's possible that BB would / could stick his middle-finger up to any individual on this earth, you haven't been paying attention the last 20 years.
IMO - he is the greatest coach in the history of American Professional Sports....but as a person, he's not exactly been stellar.
Not to speak for others, but I think we all acknowledge that the Guerrero situation probably has some truth to it, and there is some tension there. It's most of the other garbage in the article that everyone is disputing.Here's a question I want to ask everybody / anybody about one of the larger points in the article (namely tension between TB and BB) for those that think this writer is full of shit:
Reportedly - Guerrero (TB12’s guru) was previously allowed on the sidelines, invited on team flights, and housed in an office within Gillette?
If so, why did any / all of that change? What are theories if the writer made this stuff up?
And you think the Krafts would fire / strong-arm BB out of town?!!!And leaking an article about a disagreement over a trade as a way to shoot oneself out of town.
You don't think that Brady had some reservations about his status on the 2018 roster when JG was not traded last offseason? Not taking into account salary cap stuff, it is very possible to think Brady was legitimately nervous about getting traded.Not to speak for others, but I think we all acknowledge that the Guerrero situation probably has some truth to it, and there is some tension there. It's most of the other garbage in the article that everyone is disputing.
Brady has always openly talked about the possibility of not ending his career in New England, so yes, absolutely, I am sure it crossed his mind. But I can't buy that he brought this up to Kraft, who then mandated to BB that he had to trade JG. It's a bridge too far IMO.You don't think that Brady had some reservations about his status on the 2018 roster when JG was not traded last offseason? Not taking into account salary cap stuff, it is very possible to think Brady was legitimately nervous about getting traded.
What other garbage?Not to speak for others, but I think we all acknowledge that the Guerrero situation probably has some truth to it, and there is some tension there. It's most of the other garbage in the article that everyone is disputing.
The Guerrero stuff was well known about a month prior to the ESPN article. So the reporter did not report anything new there.Here's a question I want to ask everybody / anybody about one of the larger points in the article (namely tension between TB and BB) for those that think this writer is full of shit:
Reportedly - Guerrero (TB12’s guru) was previously allowed on the sidelines, invited on team flights, and housed in an office within Gillette?
If so, why did any / all of that change? What are theories if the writer made this stuff up?
The Krafts are owners. Last I checked, Belichick did not have an ownership stake in the team. Robert Kraft will be remembered as the owner of the team that won 5 Super Bowls and 8 AFC Championships. I think his legacy is secure enough that he would not be a laughingstock except among the low information folks.And you think the Krafts would fire / strong-arm BB out of town?!!!
Talk about suicide.
He'd go to another place and win....and Kraft (and his family) would be a laughingstock for the remaining time of their ownership.
The JG not being treated by Guerrero has already been debunked.What other garbage?
You don't think it's possible that TB didn't want Jimmy G to be treated by Guerrero?
You don't think TB felt threatened by Jimmy G (just as Bledsoe felt that same toward TB 15 years ago)?
You don't think it's possible that Brady went over BB's head to Kraft to analyze his status / try to control any part of the situation that he could?
Come on --- this is Organizational Behavior 101.
So you think the timing of the trade (and the return for JG) was ideal and made perfect sense?Brady has always openly talked about the possibility of not ending his career in New England, so yes, absolutely, I am sure it crossed his mind. But I can't buy that he brought this up to Kraft, who then mandated to BB that he had to trade JG. It's a bridge too far IMO.
No, I think they should have traded him before the draft. I think they screwed that up.So you think the timing of the trade (and the return for JG) was ideal and made perfect sense?
Sure.The Krafts are owners. Last I checked, Belichick did not have an ownership stake in the team. Robert Kraft will be remembered as the owner of the team that won 5 Super Bowls and 8 AFC Championships. I think his legacy is secure enough that he would not be a laughingstock except among the low information folks.
Really? Belichick and Cesario just went and "screwed it up" huh?No, I think they should have traded him before the draft. I think they screwed that up.
I can understand why they didn't trade him at the draft. They probably thought they had a legitimate chance to sign him to a bridge deal. They may have wanted insurance for Brady, either due to injury or performance. I mean that in retrospect, clearly, they should have traded him before the draft. But I can understand why they didn't.Really? Belichick and Cesario just went and "screwed it up" huh?
No plan?
Ooops....it's the trading deadline - we have to get rid of JG.
Quick Nick....get on the phone with Shanahan.
I think they knew they couldn't sign him to a bridge deal because Jimmy had made it known he wanted playing time assurances and they weren't ready to move on from Brady yet. Bedard said that BB's intentions were to tag JG and trade him. Then, he gets traded in October. Something had to change his mind. I'm not sure what it is but all of a sudden he was gone.I can understand why they didn't trade him at the draft. They probably thought they had a legitimate chance to sign him to a bridge deal. They may have wanted insurance for Brady, either due to injury or performance. I mean that in retrospect, clearly, they should have traded him before the draft. But I can understand why they didn't.
This aspect has been covered by numerous posts on here.Really? Belichick and Cesario just went and "screwed it up" huh?
No plan?
Ooops....it's the trading deadline - we have to get rid of JG.
Quick Nick....get on the phone with Shanahan.
Hannity’s doing sports now?What other garbage?
You don't think it's possible that TB didn't want Jimmy G to be treated by Guerrero?
You don't think TB felt threatened by Jimmy G (just as Bledsoe felt that same toward TB 15 years ago)?
You don't think it's possible that Brady went over BB's head to Kraft to analyze his status / try to control any part of the situation that he could?
Come on --- this is Organizational Behavior 101.
Yes, and remember the Pats were predicted by many to go 16-0. If Brady had proved to be over the hill early in the season, JG would be there to step in. I think BB maybe thought they could still win a Super Bowl with JG, but maybe not so much with a rookie or Dan Orlovsky or someone like that.This aspect has been covered by numerous posts on here.
Pats wanted to keep JG for 2017 in case something happened to their 40 y/o QB. Said 40 y/o QB goes out and has MVP-quality season, said backup makes it clear he ain't staying, and BB realizes that getting something for JG now is better than getting far less later.
But, sure, keep trolling....
Some explanations:I think they knew they couldn't sign him to a bridge deal because Jimmy had made it known he wanted playing time assurances and they weren't ready to move on from Brady yet. Bedard said that BB's intentions were to tag JG and trade him. Then, he gets traded in October. Something had to change his mind. I'm not sure what it is but all of a sudden he was gone.
I don't necessarily think this proves it was a hit piece per se. It does prove that he was certainly aware of how it would be perceived. Anyhow, you quoting that (it was a pull from SW's interview with Toucher & Rich on Friday) made me re-listen to the interview and something stood out to me. I'm not sure it proves or disproves anything but here is his (mostly) direct quote when asked about why he chose to wrote this story now.So, confirming that it was a hit-piece then.
I do not believe Bedard to be accurate, because the risk of tagging Jimmy for 25 million is way too high. The idea that Cleveland or anyone else would have beaten San Fran’s offer at that point seems ludicrous. The fourth pick in the draft for a huge one year flier on a QB with 6 quarters of experience? I don’t think so. Plus the team loses a ton of cap space for free agency without a quick deal. It never made sense.I think they knew they couldn't sign him to a bridge deal because Jimmy had made it known he wanted playing time assurances and they weren't ready to move on from Brady yet. Bedard said that BB's intentions were to tag JG and trade him. Then, he gets traded in October. Something had to change his mind. I'm not sure what it is but all of a sudden he was gone.
He is smarter than that.Of course --- but if you don't think it's possible that BB would / could stick his middle-finger up to any individual on this earth, you haven't been paying attention the last 20 years.
IMO - he is the greatest coach in the history of American Professional Sports....but as a person, he's not exactly been stellar.
I'm not going to post it again as it's in the I wanted to keep Jimmy thread, but the Michael Hurley article is pretty instructive on this. Go back in time to when Jimmy was traded and compare stats and what was known about him with what was known about Matt Cassel and his stats at the time he was traded.I do not believe Bedard to be accurate, because the risk of tagging Jimmy for 25 million is way too high. The idea that Cleveland or anyone else would have beaten San Fran’s offer at that point seems ludicrous. The fourth pick in the draft for a huge one year flier on a QB with 6 quarters of experience? I don’t think so. Plus the team loses a ton of cap space for free agency without a quick deal. It never made sense.
I don't see how they would have thought they could tag him without cutting a ton of guys. It just doesn't make sense.I think they knew they couldn't sign him to a bridge deal because Jimmy had made it known he wanted playing time assurances and they weren't ready to move on from Brady yet. Bedard said that BB's intentions were to tag JG and trade him. Then, he gets traded in October. Something had to change his mind. I'm not sure what it is but all of a sudden he was gone.
Trollin brought it up saying they could cut Cooks which is fucking ludicrous considering they dealt a 1st round pick for him.I don't see how they would have thought they could tag him without cutting a ton of guys. It just doesn't make sense.
Right, I don't want to rehash that. I've seen it where they cut Cooks, Solder, let Butler and Lewis and Burkhead walk, etc. There's no way that was "the plan". Let's not go down that road.Trollin brought it up saying they could cut Cooks which is fucking ludicrous considering they dealt a 1st round pick for him.
And you're suspending any discernment and taking every publicly-uttered syllable by them as truth....you can reflect on that.At this point you are calling Kraft, Brady, and Belichick liars. Stop and reflect on that one for a moment.
No problem --- unless he already found the successor.....and invested 4 seasons to plan and prepare for a duration that was post-TB.He is smarter than that.
The way you handle something like this is privately, with Kraft. You lay down a couple of markers:
1. Unless I get my way on Guerrero 100%, I am out of here. That one is easy, and may not even be necessary, as B.B. seems to have gotten his way.
2. I hear you on TB, and that is your prerogative as owner with a player of this stature. I get carte Blanche on obtaining and grooming his successor. (Again, I anticipate no problem). Further, the day it becomes clear to me that TB is the second best QB on this roster, the best one starts. It’s your prerogative to sacrifice the future, but I am not sacrificing performance based on the roster at hand. And if we do not see eye to eye on that, I am out of here at that season’s end.
3. Everything else we do as we have done for 18 years.
It’s not that hard.