Do the New England Patriots have an ‘institutional arrogance’ problem?
During this morning’s Toucher & Rich radio program, Fred Toucher and Boston Sports Journal Mike Giardi are discussing Bill Belichick’s recent behavior and responses in press conferences. Fred points out while Belichick has always been known for his curt and uncooperative manner with the media, he appears to be struggling more recently, possibly due to the New England Patriots’ poor performance.
Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick reacts to a call on the field during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Giardi points out that Belichick’s attitude didn’t matter as much because the team was successful, but now, with a declining record, his responses are even more frustrating and highlight that the Patriots might have an issue of institutional arrogance within the team, with some still acting as if the Patriots are a top-performing team, despite their recent subpar record.
“I think in the past he would get tripped up by some of it as well, but it didn’t matter because they were 12-4. You know, they were playing in a nasty championship game at the bare minimum for the better part of 20 years. And now, over these last three and a half to four years, people are pushing a little bit more, and he’s still giving you the same responses. In some cases, it gives you even less of a response. The crucial point I’ve been emphasizing this spring, summer, and into the fall is that there’s a sense of institutional arrogance. I believe many individuals down there are still acting as if they are what I just described five years ago in the AFC Championship game, playing for Super Bowls every other year. They haven’t had a sub-500 football team for four years, and now they’re one in four. They currently hold the fifth-worst record in football. If the draft were to happen today, they’d be picking at number five. I know there’s a lot of football season left, and we’ve seen him pull some rabbits out of his hat, but it’s pretty bleak. To continue acting as if they aren’t responsible for a significant part of what’s happening, I mean, what are we doing?”
Giardi emphasizes that it’s time for accountability, given the team’s poor performance and current standing in the league.
The New England Patriots were shut out at home by the New Orleans Saints 34-0. They currently sit at the bottom of the AFC East with a record of 1-4. Jones was 12-of-22 for 110 yards and two interceptions on Sunday.
It’s the first time Bill Belichick has trailed by 30 points at home in his head coaching career, including his time with Cleveland.
WATCH HERE:
@985thesportshub Mike Giardi on Toucher & Rich on the “institutional arrogance” of the Patriots. #patriots #billbelichick #toucherandrich #985thesportshub #nfl #football #newenglandpatriots
♬ original sound - 98.5 The Sports Hub
Nick Gemelli is a Producer for the Toucher and Rich program and contributor for 985thesportshub.com. you can follow Nick at @NickGemelli on Twitter.
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Greg Bedard: 10 questions from around the NFL after Week 5
ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 06: New Denver Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton fields questions from the media during a press conference at UCHealth Training Center on February 06, 2023 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
7. If Kirk Cousins is traded before the Oct. 31 deadline, where would be the best landing spot?
Greg Bedard: Washington Commanders. Go back to where it started.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 17: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins is hit by Matthew Judon #9 of the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
6. Speaking of the deadline, if the Pats were in sell mode and you were another team, who would you target?
Greg Bedard: Truth be told, nobody now that Judon’s hurt. Judon to me is the only player on this team, everybody else they’re so overrated. [Kyle] Dugger, [Josh] Uche…Maybe Hunter Henry I would go for.
Felger: Who might the Patriots be willing to trade, who you would want if you were another team at the deadline?
Greg Bedard: For me, it’s Dugger, Andrews, Uche and Henry.
- 5. Is Las Vegas, the city, cool or made up of a bunch of toolbags? Do you like Vegas?
![The Las Vegas Raiders have a system that allows them to use natural grass indoors at Allegiant Stadium. The grass is grown outside [pictured in the bottom right] then rolled inside the stadium on gamedays. The Arizona Cardinals use a similar system at State Farm Stadium. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2023/09/GettyImages-1226301228-1.jpg)
The Las Vegas Raiders have a system that allows them to use natural grass indoors at Allegiant Stadium. The grass is grown outside [pictured in the bottom right] then rolled inside the stadium on gamedays. The Arizona Cardinals use a similar system at State Farm Stadium. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: So I I love the Las Vegas area in general. I like Henderson, where the Raiders are located, like it’s a cool suburb. You know, the weather, the golf courses, and I like how the downtown strip is there for entertainment purposes. I think it’s really cool.
4. When you think of the Raiders’ brand, what do you think of?
Greg Bedard: Al Davis.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 02: Head coach Brian Daboll of the New York Giants looks on prior to a game against the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium on October 02, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
3. Boomer and Gio in NY today were speculating on the Giants bottoming out, firing Brian Daboll, selecting Caleb Williams No. 1 and….bringing in Bill Belichick. If you were a Giants fan, how would you feel about that? If you were Bill Belichick, how would you feel about that?
Greg Bedard: I would hate it. I don’t want Belichick anywhere near my franchise quarterback. He’s probably bringing like “JuJu Sanu” and Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Chad Ochocinco. Like, are you kidding me? Brian Daboll made Josh Allen into Josh Allen. Like, I’m just fine with Brian Daboll. Really, they’re going to fire him after one bad season? They made the playoffs last year with a garbage roster. We tried to tell all the Giants fans they weren’t that good and they all cried. “What do you mean we’re not that good?” You see now? Not good.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 08: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots walks off the field after his team’s 34-0 loss against the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
2. If Brian Daboll was the next Patriots head coach, how would you feel about that?
Greg Bedard: I’m good with it. He knows modern offense. He knows how to make a quarterback play well. And so let’s go.
1.When you think of a coach in the pros or major colleges – any sport, any era – who stayed on too long or “lost it,” who comes to mind?
Greg Bedard: Number one is Woody Hayes at Ohio State punching the Clemson player.
