Why it could be a mistake to relish in Belichick’s misery

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Why it could be a huge mistake to relish Bill Belichick’s misery

By Tim Josephs | Last updated 10/12/23

While the sports world can be unpredictable, there’s been a constant over the last two decades: the New England Patriots will put a competitive team on the field.

Since 2000, the team has had a grand total of three losing seasons. It has only missed the playoffs five times in that span, and in one of those years the Patriots finished 11-5.

Because of their massive amount of success, the Patriots have become the Evil Empire to many. They’re the NFL equivalent of what the New York Yankees were in the 1990s/2000s when they were racking up championships and making it look easy.

This is why now that the Patriots have fallen on tough times, nobody seems to be very sympathetic. In fact, with every drubbing they take, non-New England fans seem downright giddy.

And while it’s clear that the team has many flaws, the person getting the brunt of the blame is head coach Bill Belichick. Even Patriot supporters seem to be fed up with the Hooded One, as sports talk radio in Boston reveals:

Let's check in with Patriots fans today to see how they feel about Bill Belichick and his team. #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/z2vquopaN0
— Funhouse (@BackAftaThis) October 9, 2023

It's easy to kick somebody when he’s down, but in Belichick’s case, it may also prove to be dangerous. Every negative word said about the team, every mention of him being washed up or needing to retire, will only be used as motivation.

This is a man who does whatever he can (legally or illegally) to get an edge on the competition. This is a man who doesn’t seem to forget any bad thing anyone has ever said or done to him. This is a man who “doesn’t hold grudges,” said Seth Wickersham, “he holds deaths, because with a grudge there’s a chance of reconciliation. With death, there is no chance.”

The Patriots may not make the playoffs, but Belichick will revel in the chance of spoiling the postseason aspirations of other teams, especially if they are in the same division (and perhaps even more especially if they’re the Jets.)

Plus, this season may just be an anomaly. With some personnel moves, it’s possible that the team could be a contender next year. And what if their draft position allows them to get a stud quarterback?

Then teams need to really watch out, as this could spur the Belichick Revenge Tour, and he may be the one getting the last laugh, even if he never cracks a smile.

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