Here is my option on the rebuild: trade Bill Belichick to the Chargers for their first pick. Draft Marvin Harrison then Joe Alt with Chargers pick. In the second round we take Bo Nix. Sign Joe Flacco or Baker Mayfeild to start and have Bailey Zappe as the No.2 with Nix No. 3 to learn on the beach for the first year. Hire Brain Flores as head coach and Jerod Mayo as defensive coordinator and Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator. Vincent Marani
Anything is possible I guess. I don’t see the Chargers giving a top 10 pick for a would-be 72-year-old head coach so that would be the first obstacle in this plan. I also have no interest in Joe Flacco as the starter so that’s out. Mayfield could be a bridge option if the Patriots are unable to land a quarterback in the draft but that would be less than ideal. If Belichick leaves I would rather look outside the organization for a new coaching staff, but Mayo and O’Brien could be options as well. I don’t see Flores as a fit. Lots to unpack here and it will be fun to watch.
With this disastrous season nearly over who would be your core players to retain and build a team around? Marc Saez
The Patriots have a lot of older players and free agents that likely won’t be back next year but there are still several others who should be back. I’ll start with some younger players who should be part of the future including Christian Barmore, Christian Gonzalez, Rhamondre Stevenson, Demario Douglas and few others like Sidy Sow, Atonio Mafi, Keion White and Marte Mapu who have shown promise. In addition I’d like to see the team re-sign Kyle Dugger, Mike Onwenu and Anfernee Jennings. That group would represent a nucleus of about a dozen young guys to build around. There would also be room for some veterans like Jabrill Peppers, Ja’Whaun Bentley, David Andrews and Jahlani Tavai. Beyond that, there aren’t too many job that should be considered secure at his point.
Imagine being the person who fires/releases/lets Go of the greatest football coach in NFL history? That shame/curse would be locked in with your name forever. You would be known as the Harry Frazee of football (traded Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees). Especially in Boston. That coach brought us six championships. He earned the right to stay and leave at his discretion. Will you hire/rehire a GM assistant to help draft offensive players, especially receivers? Phil Marasco
This post runs counter to everything Bill Belichick has ever preached during his time with the Patriots. It’s not about what has been done but rather about what is being done and what will be done in the future. Sticking with Belichick simply because of his track record doesn’t make sense. If you believe he’s still the best, then keep him. Also, the true curse analogy between the Red Sox and Yankees and the Patriots has already happened. Tom Brady was let go, and that is the equivalent of trading Babe Ruth. Both are among the best players to ever play their sports. So, if you’re worried about some foolish curse then I’d say we’re already doomed. Finally, why is it OK to get Belichick away from drafting offensive players? After all, he drafted Brady and won six Super Bowls with him. Doesn’t that mean he’s earned the right to stay and leave as the GM in charge of picking offensive players at his discretion? Why no fear of being cursed if we take some of his power away? Obviously, I’m being extra snarky here … but the bottom line is if Kraft thinks Belichick is still the best man for the job then he should stay. If he doesn’t, then it’s time to make a move. Past performance shouldn’t have much to do with it.