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| | Wednesday, August 16 Patriots: It's Belichick's team | |||||||||||||||
| By Mark Cannizzaro Special to ESPN.com Like the Dolphins and Jets, the New England Patriots are breaking in a new head coach -- former Jets' defensive guru Bill Belichick. When Bill Parcells left New England after the 1996 season and was replaced by Pete Carroll, there were folks in New England who said the relaxed atmosphere would benefit the Patriots' players. Now, with the easy-going Carroll having been booted in favor of Belichick, the same people are saying Belichick's discipline should bring the team back to Super Bowl contention. Go figure.
Clearly, it's Belichick. Patriots owner Bob Kraft, the meddling type, isn't easy to work for. However, Kraft has given Belichick complete autonomy over all football decisions in hopes he can reverse the Carroll trend, which included records of 10-6 to 9-7 to 8-8. The first step in the right direction for Belichick is the unwavering support he has from the players, most notably, quarterback Drew Bledsoe, the most important player on the team. Bledsoe, too, is a man in the spotlight. In the Patriots' 6-2 start in '99, he threw 13 touchdowns and only four interceptions. In the Pats' disastrous 2-6, those numbers sank to six touchdowns and 17 interceptions. For those who are still stuck on criticizing Belichick for his downfall in his only other head coaching experience in Cleveland, you should know that that was an impossible situation that he learned from. He'll be better this time around. Key position battle Running back. As in, who's going to be the featured back? Since Curtis Martin left for the Jets, the Patriots have failed to find a replacement. Robert Edwards looked like he'd be the answer until he suffered that terrible, career-threatening knee injury in a rookie exhibition game at the Pro Bowl. The Patriots drafted Arizona State running back J.R. Redmond, whom they badly want to become the starter. They, too, signed journeyman Raymont Harris as insurance since Terry Allen is gone. Biggest adjustment The Pats will need to get used to Belichick's no-nonsense style of coaching, a contrast to Carroll's style. Belichick made some tough early personnel decisions and he fired respected personnel man Bobby Grier in the offseason. It's his ball and they'll play the way he wants them to ... or else. Belichick, too, is a much different communicator than Carroll was. Carroll's door was seemingly always open. Belichick is a more difficult person to get to know. Rookie report The key here is Redmond, a third-round pick. If he can become an effective starter, it will take a lot of pressure off Bledsoe. The second-round pick, Hawaii tackle Adrian Klemm, could compete for a starting job, but he looks more like a project.
| ALSO SEE Bills: It's Johnson's job, for now Colts: Taking the next step Dolphins: Diving into a new era Jets: Plenty of room to Groh AUDIO/VIDEO   Merril Hoge explains the injury woes that are plaguing the Patriots.RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1   Lawyer Milloy says the Patriots have a coach that will push them.wav: 149 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Ted Johnson says the Patriots have more structure under Belichick.wav: 87 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Drew Bledsoe previews the 2000 season.wav: 1153 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Drew Bledsoe is hoping the running game will step up this season.wav: 131 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Drew Bledsoe is looking forward to playing against the Washington Redskins the season.wav: 93 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Ty Law comments on coach Bill Belichick's return.wav: 192 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Bill Belichick says coaches are judged by their accomplishments.wav: 67 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Ty Law says Bill Bilichick has brought a new attitude to New England.wav: 79 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 | |||||||||||||||
