<..>
The Patriots are another example. A generational QB, and an extended run of success with a core of featured players, and enough of a supporting cast to get the job done. I'm no fan of Belichick, his demeanor, however amusing it was at times, nor the general way the franchise comported itself, but he was masterful at being able to support Brady, and a few select skill players, with a cast of mostly anonymous supporting players who did their job and got the results, year after year during their run.
<..>
To me the Patriots runs are less about "generational" Brady and more about Belichick and the systems he put in place. There are other QBs that could have led to most if not all of those SBs also (Ben, Rogers and many others). The Brady worshippers often forget that during the first 3 SBs, Brady was a game manager. The Patriots eked out rings in their first dynasty with strong D, mistake free football and a FG at the end of regulation. Under Belichick's control he molded the Patriots into a franchise that could accomplish what it did.
Yes, the Patriots don't get to claim one dynasty for all of the Bill and Tom rings. A dynasty is not comprised of a QB and a HC. To think otherwise in insipid.
I put the Patriots success as primarily due to these 4 factors (these are not ordered):
Belichick the Defensive Coordinator. Belichick is arguably the greatest defensive mastermind of the last few decades. He designed game plans to neutralize an opponents biggest offensive weapon. Teams regularly scored 7-14 points less when playing the Patriots. In the NFL where plenty of games swing on small margins, that is a massive difference.
Belichick the Head Coach. Belichick is a strong and harsh believer in the fundamentals. Players on his team were drilled repeatedly until mistakes were eliminated. Players who freelanced were disabused of that or found themselves on the free market. This means the Patriots were executing at a level at least 30% more efficient than the rest of the league.
One of the interesting facts around Deflategate is that it was labelled as a reason the Patriots didn't fumble as much. Being a Steelers fan I looked at the stats and there was no difference in overall fumbles before and after Deflategate. But there was a consistency. The Patriots were much less likely to fumble the ball then other teams. Fundamentals.
Brady. Brady is an aberration as a draft pick. Periodically in the annual
meat market combine, teams forget the fundamentals and game tape and fall in love with players for physical performance. Brady was the opposite, he didn't stand apart, except negatively in a few areas. He wasn't a statuesque QB and that left an impact.
Again, so I wanted to see what there was pre-draft on Brady. That leaves you looking at Michigan. Brady had the misfortune to have had an absolute dipstick as HC in college, Lloyd Carr (He of Michigan-Appalachian State fame). Brady was constantly battling Drew Henson for the starting position through his time at Michigan. He won the starting job in 1997. In 1998 he was platooned with Henson through 7 games, with Brady playing the first quarter, Henson second, and Carr deciding upon a quarterback for the second half. In some cases Brady would be reinserted in the second half when they were down.
In the two seasons Brady started at Michigan, he posted a 20–5 record, including wins at the 1999 Citrus Bowl and 2000 Orange Bowl. Brady finished his career ranking third in Michigan history with 710 attempts and 442 completions, fourth with 5,351 yards and 62 completion percentage, and fifth with 35 touchdown passes.
wiki
So what we have is a successful QB from one of the prime college programs for developing NFL QBs. All that went out the window on draft day due to the combine. There was no logical reason for Brady to have dropped so far given his resume.
Being in the AFC East. Do you know when its easy to get to the playoffs? When the competition in your division is dog poo. With the exception of the Jets for a couple years with the Butt Fumbler at the helm, there was no effective competition in the AFC East for the Patriots.
6 games against your division opponents and the Patriots regularly won 4-6 of them. That 4 might be overly generous.
10 games left (until 2021). Go .500 and you are now Division champion and a 9-11 win team. In some years that is #1 or #2 seed territory. Get above .500 and you are regularly the #1 seed. Its a lot easier to get to the SB when you get to rest and play at home.
If you don't think that the division level of competition is an important factor, go look at the rings the Oilers and Bengals acquired in the 1970s.
Another factor
Belichick as (cut throat) GM. This is pretty close to as important as the previous 4. Bill managed the salary cap by refusing to give overly inflated 2nd or 3rd contracts to stars and would willingly drop them while they were still effective, but just past their prime (Richard Seymour, et. al.). Most importantly, he convinced Brady to take non-record setting contracts for the sake of the team. This allowed him to dabble in the FA market and plug holes as needed.
Later on after a few SB rings were acquired, the Patriots were able to get stars at or near the end of the road to come onboard for peanuts for the opportunity at a ring.
I think his drafting was average to slightly above average overall. He drafted solid guys with solid character and good work ethics. There are obvious exceptions (Hernandez). His 1st round defensive picks were very good. In contrast, his WR picks were often brutal.
Frankly I don't know how much to ascribe to Pioli, but people don't go around praising Pioli's picks during the Patriot SB years. Bill had absolute control. I have no doubt he ceded power in areas he felt he didn't have time or expertise for. I don't know how much was in personnel.
Patriots Draft Picks
If you want to see, the above list is a really nice source.
Notes
The first column group of Att Yds TD Int are for QBs.
The next Att Yds TD are for non-QB passers.
The next Rec Yds TD are for receivers.
Leaving Int Sck for defenders.
www.cbssports.com
