It's been a while since Cassius Marsh played for the Patriots. Most fans probably don't even remember who he was. For those that have forgotten him, let me remind you of how he felt about playing in New England.
“They don’t have fun there, There’s nothing fun about it. There’s nothing happy about it. I didn’t enjoy any of my time there, you know what I’m saying? It made me, for the first time in my life, think about not playing football because I hated it that much.” Marsh said that back in 2018.
Eagles Lane Johnson, who won the superbowl with Legarrette Blount and Chris Long came out after the superbowl and said, "Obviously, do they win? Hell yes, they win. They've won for a long time. Do I think people enjoy and can say, 'I had a lot of fun playing there?' No, I don't. That's just the God's honest truth."
Danny Amendola came out and said there were things he didn't like about playing in New England but He won rings which makes up for it. Nate Solder said the Patriots operated like a business and it was harsh but admitted he was glad he played for the Patriots. While both criticized the Patriots, they thanked the organization.
Patriots Linebacker Dont'a Hightower said, “I mean, to each his own. I don’t really have anything to say to them. I mean, guys here, I know – I mean, it’s not for everybody. It’s definitely harder than most places, but I mean, that’s part of it. A lot of guys know that when they come here.
But, I mean, in the locker room, it’s not Bill’s [Belichick] job to make this fun and this atmosphere fun; it’s the guys around it. Every guy in that locker room, I love like a brother. We have fun, whether it’s out here struggling together – blood, sweat, and tears – or we’re back in the locker room or we’re hanging out outside of football. So, there’s a time and place for everything, but we know whenever we walk through the building, it’s time to work.’’
Many Patriots writers and bloggers also came out against these no fun comments. Some of their responses were pretty savage, calling them nobodys and hacks.
Early in 2020 Rob Gronkowski was interviewed and said "Coach (Belichick) says it all the time. He always says it -- that it's not an easy place to play..." That should not come as a shocker to anyone.
Gronk went on to say, "They are the ones who drafted me and gave me my first opportunities ever in the NFL and I'm very thankful for those opportunities. And I'm not going to sit here and say it's an easy organization to play for, and I've also never played for another organization. I haven't even been down to Tampa yet, so I'm not even sure what to expect. But I know, that the New England Patriots, it's not the easiest place to play, but it gets you right, it gets you mentally and physically right, and what I've learned there I'm definitely going to take it with me with my future and whatever I have present to this day."
It came out this week that Tom Brady started talking about playing in New England, even if it was indirectly. Brady's throwing coach Tom House spoke to GQ sports.
“I think the most fun texts we’ve had is when Gronk signed. Tom texted me and said, ‘
Football’s fun again.' "
"Football's fun again"?!? So what, Brady wasn't having fun in New England? Obviously, Brady wasn't liking the switch to a defense lead, run first offense. The Patriots couldn't afford to bring in top tier pass catchers. We all remember Brady's tantrum after a victory midway through the 2019 season.
The Patriots treat the organization like a business, players like the corporate employees they are and playing like a job. That hasn't changed since Belichick took over. It's part of the Patriots way. One must ask was Tom not Happy because the offense didnt completely revolve around him any longer, or was Tom upset that he had to actually put in the work and carry the his weight after twenty years?
Look, I appreciate everything Tom Has done for the Patriots, I think everyone who is a Patriots fan has to. However, Brady is no longer a Patriot, He is a Buccaneer until he retires.
There was an article that asked if Tom would be vilified by Patriots nation. The truth of the matter is that depends on Tom. There have been reports that the world is going to see the real Tom Brady. If he comes out bashing the Patriots, bashing Belichick, bashing the Patriots Way and his time in New England; than Brady will vilify himself.
For now Brady has moved on but will be missed, and will be welcomed into the Patriots hall one day. Only Brady can change that. It all depends on his true character.
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