Belichick’s Still the One

Earlier tonight on NFL Network’s flagship program NFL Total Access, analyst Brian Baldinger put forth his list of the NFL’s Top 5 Coaches. Despite recent criticisms of how the organization treats its players or the current coaching structure of the team, Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick was listed as the #1 coach in the NFL. Much to my surprise, Patriot-hater Jamie Dukes did not put up a stink about Belichick being number one. Belichick was listed as the top coach based on how he put together the structure throughout the organization, the production he gets out of the players he has, and his ability to keep the Patriots contenders year in and year out. You certainly can’t argue that Belichick isn’t one of the best (of course consider the best in these parts) at any of those areas and fortunately for Pats fans, it looks like he’ll be doing it in New England for the foreseeable future.

Belichick will have a chance to further showcase his X’s and O’s prowess this season as he will be taking on more responsibility with the defense as it moves into the season without a defensive coordinator. That being said, it does seem like linebackers coach Matt Patricia will be the young coach growing into that role as the season progresses. Patricia has been calling out signals throughout mini-camps. It will be interesting to see if that continues throughout training camp and the preseason games.

One thing that stands out to me when it comes to Belichick is that he is always involved with the players from every aspect of the game. He can be seen talking to and coaching up special teams players, offensive players, and defensive players, and he doesn’t limit himself to certain positions. Anyone who has kept an eye on Belichick throughout training camp can find him roaming around the practice fields working with different position groups, and then barking out orders to players on both offense and defense when the units line up against each other. This hands-on, all aspects approach helps make him, and the Patriots, one of the best in the NFL.