Ignoring the players lack of execution, speed, age, and injury, the Patriots may have had a bigger issue. The defense seemed demoralized after the bye and didn't seem to have the energy that they had prior. There is talk that over the Patriots last five games including the playoffs, that they didn't like the game plan. They didn't like how they were used. Steve Belichick is getting all the blame but is he responsible?
Jarod Mayo had more responsibility than realized. It's well believed that Steve Belichick is the head defensive coach but that might not be true. It's why teams want him as their head coach. Look at what NBC Boston wrote.
Tom Curran of NBC Boston "Which leaves Mayo third in line. But I’m told Mayo’s role is a lot bigger than perceived. And though the possibility of naming Mayo and Steve Belichick co-defensive coordinators was broached by the team, my understanding is that idea fell flat."
Just because Mayo is not wearing the headset doesn't mean anything. Bill plays mind games, he does things for show. By not placing the headset on Mayo is he trying to hide Mayo's value by making it look like he does less or Steve's by letting him take the blame?
What is Matt Patricia's role with the Patriots? In July, Andrew Callahan said, "Matt Patricia is now officially a Senior Football Advisor..." but has that changed?
After Patricia's return D-Mac said the following about Patricia, "He’s kind of been involved in everything. It’s a unique advantage and understanding, kind of similar to Josh McDaniels, who was also a head coach. To be able to talk to those guys about anything (is great)."
D-Mac said he wasn't just there to be a mentor but to be part of the team. Saying, "Matty’s been able to be part of a bunch of different things because he has a unique viewpoint, and me as an older player who’s been with him, what he meant to the defense and now to have him back I think will overall help the whole building. Players, coaches, staff members just to be able to have open dialogue with him and let him use his experience and knowledge (is valuable).”
Eagles beat writer Bill Burr wrote the following about the Patriots defensive problems, he credited the Patriots defense including,"the brain trust, with Bill Belichick, Matt Patricia and co-defensive coordinators Steve Belichick and Jerod Mayo participating in the game plans.
Those guys are supposed to be game-planning the other team’s running backs, which usually means controlling the clock and, when up two scores, the game."
Burr also said the following about the Patriots defense performance during regular season, "The Patriots defense, in five of its seven losses, couldn’t get the other team’s offense off the field at the end of a game."
Burr credited the defense as a strength for the Patriots but also said it was a weakness. And he laid blame with the coach staff along with the players. Although Mac sometimes put the team behind, Burr said in the defense prevented him from making "fourth quarter comebacks because they couldn't get him the ball."
Greg Bedard said to those hyping the Patriots defensive ranks to look at their games from Indianapolis to the playoff loss to buffalo and said the defense was "last or near last in DVOA, and over their last four games they were average in DVOA."
There were multiple people giving instructions to the defense. Matt Patricia was free to offer advice but when, where, and to whom? Did he have his say in the game planning? It looked like it. Then there was Steve and Mayo being "co coordinators," were they always on the same page? And didn't Bill take over the defense at one point this season?
There were too many roosters in the hen house. Add that to Age, lack of execution, covid, and injury and it was a cocktail for disaster. The Patriots should come back stronger in 2022 but they have some issues to fix with the coaching. They need one voice, maybe two with Bill being the second. Having four or more guys giving their say is led to problems, even if the team won't admit it publicly.
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