Patriots long-time captains reaffirm faith in Bill Belichick
FRANKFURT, Germany — Has Bill Belichick lost his edge? That is the question that is circling the minds of everyone as the New England Patriots dropped to 2-8 after Sunday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Yet, while the public might be thinking this, it's clear that he still has the support of the players. And […]
FRANKFURT, Germany — Has Bill Belichick lost his edge?
That is the question that is circling the minds of everyone as the New England Patriots dropped to 2-8 after Sunday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Yet, while the public might be thinking this, it's clear that he still has the support of the players. And that starts with captains David Andrews and Matthew Slater.
"I have as much faith in Coach Belichick as I've ever had," Slater said. "There's no reason to be doubting who he is as a leader and a coach for this football team. The struggles that we've had on the field this year are due to us and our inability to execute. It's got nothing to do with Coach Belichick.
Andrews echoed his fellow captain's sentiments, also making it more person.
"Well, my faith in him I probably wouldn't be sitting here if it wasn't for him," Andrew said. "Not many people wanted me when I came out except for Bill. He's the only coach that came and worked me out. I have a lot of confidence in him. I've had a lot of success. I believe in what he says, what he does because I know it's helped me out in my career and turned me into a better football player, like I said, to be sitting here. Sitting in Germany, I never thought a kid from Georgia would be sitting in Germany playing in an NFL game, so Coach gave me an opportunity when that's all I wanted, and the good Lord was good to me."
Belichick became the head coach of the Patriots in 2000, and has since led them to six Super Bowl championships. But the struggles since Tom Brady left have been clear and the lack of weapons on offense provide an even bigger issue.
But, he is still regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all times, and it's clear his players still thing that about him.
So while public opinion has swayed against Belichick, the players still know they are learning from one of the best coaches ever and are taking in every moment.
