Nitpicks & Nitwits: They Are Who We Thought They Were

In the end, they are who we thought they were.

Talented in spots. Lacking in others. Often undisciplined. And no real accountability for any of the apparent shortcomings, either.

Absolutely, Bill Belichick has previously said this team, and the performance of this team, is his responsibility. But when pressed for answers to the questions we all have – including those coming from the media – it’s largely,  “we do what we think is best for the football team.”

And just what is that, Bill? What is best for this football team today?

“The process will start today,” was his response Monday morning.

Great, but what might that involve, actually? We’re not looking for house secrets or intel not meant for other teams’ ears. Just some simple explanation as to why and how the 2022 edition of the New England Patriots missed the playoffs, which hasn’t been the standard expectation for anyone around here.

“Nobody’s satisfied with that. That’s not our goal,” he said. “There’s accountability everywhere, that starts with me.”

Uh, huh.

Here’s the deal with that response. It doesn’t answer the question. So, the media is naturally going to continue to pry. And most assuredly, they’ve pried to an irritating, uncomfortable level for all parties here – the coach, their readers and consumers, even themselves. We’ve reached a point of diminishing returns for answers; honest answers and responses that might actually make sense, or even answers that we might have disagreement with.

There just aren’t any answers, period. At least, not right now, when we could use a few. Frustrating, isn’t it?

The reality here – Bill Belichick doesn’t need to answer my questions or respond directly to anyone in the media…or reply to any questions you might have, either. No, his track record still speaks for itself. He was hired to do his job, and in the big picture, he’ll still go down as one of the greats in this game.

But…Belichick has only coached playoff teams in two of the 10 years he hasn’t had Tom Brady available as his quarterback. I don’t subscribe to the ridiculous “who was better” debate. Brady doesn’t even have a shot at having his success without Belichick.

But given the current set of circumstances – and the Patriots out of the present postseason – we are certainly left to ponder a question or two of our own.

Like, is Bill Belichick who we thought he was?

Around Full Press Coverage

NFL OPINION: Morten Andersen: The Toughest Place To Kick? For Me, It Was This Place

NFL: NFL 2022: Five Key Statistics for Week 2

NFL: Kansas City Chiefs Stock Report: Week 2 2022

FULL PRESS BETS: NFL MVP Odds: Patrick Mahomes Leapfrogs Josh Allen For Top Spot

FANTASY FOOTBALL: Fantasy Football Value Picks In Every Round

PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 54: Chargers At Chiefs Preview

A real kick in the…

…special teams. Not just once, but twice. The first time Buffalo’s Nyheim Hines did it, on the opening kickoff of the game, was almost acceptable. I mean, considering what had happened earlier this week with Damar Hamlin, it was almost a “you know what, good for them” type of feel.

It happened so quickly, so suddenly, it was as if the universe decided to correct itself in the moment. Then…it happened again, in the third quarter with the Patriots making a game of it after all.

101 yards? Not acceptable. Not tolerable. A major failure on special teams, on coaching, on everything.

Hines became the first player in Bills’ history to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in the same game and became the first player in NFL history to have a game with two punt-return TDs and a game with two kickoff-return TDs in his career.

Good for Nyheim. Bad, very bad for the Patriots. And while we’re at it, kickoffs were woefully short, punting was a liability and, well, you should get the idea by now.

The two kickoff returns were the ultimate difference between winning and losing the game…and potentially reaching the playoffs. All that was needed…was a lousy tackle.

Pats are Myles away

Speaking of lousy tackle…hate to just reach out and nitpick on one player. Usually, it’s a team effort in winning and losing.

But I can’t see an upside to Myles Bryant continuing in his present role as a defensive back for New England. In fact, I can’t see him continuing, period.

His coverage as a defensive back was poor. He was beaten more times than a rented mule in the desert. His tackling was poorer, especially on Hines’ second kickoff return. If there is such a word as poorer.

Not sure how a guy can keep a job when he consistently fails to execute in any given moment. Or every given moment.

But wait, there’s more

Let’s just get it all out here, shall we?

• • Nelson Agholor – no catches, just one target, and that pass was picked off.
  • Matt Patricia – a good gameplan (and execution of gameplan) Sunday. But one game does not a season make.
  • Patriots’ defense – it wasn’t the Achilles heel Sunday, but allowing an opponent, any opponent, to convert seven of their first 10 third down chances (finishing 7-for-12)? Even if it’s Josh “Superman” Allen? You’re probably going to lose.

The Patriots also sent an email to season ticket holders Monday morning, and it read in part:

“In the weeks ahead, we will be making critical evaluations of all elements of our football operation as we strive to improve and return to the playoffs next year.”

Good news, sure. But can the team execute THIS game plan?