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Patriots demise?

Email|Link|Comments (11) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff January 20, 2009 01:45 PM

Don Banks of SI.com writes today on the New England Patriots and why he's not buying that the team is in trouble because of the defections of Scott Pioli and Josh McDaniels.

"I can understand the sky-is-falling sentiment to a degree," Banks writes. "Scott Pioli finally spread his wings and left the mother ship for Kansas City's general manager job. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels parlayed his successful Patriots tenure into the Broncos head coaching position, at the tender age of 32. Longtime New England special teams coach Brad Seely left to become Eric Mangini's new assistant head coach/special teams coordinator in Cleveland, and just Monday the brain drain continued when Dom Capers, who served as the Patriots special assistant/secondary, signed on as Green Bay's defensive coordinator.
"Granted that's a lot of expertise that just left the building in Foxboro, but we're not quite at the stage where the last guy out of New England should hit the lights. At some point you have to assume a tipping point will be reached in terms of the loss of talent dragging the Patriots down into the middle of the NFL pack. But before unadulterated hope starts springing in the hearts of AFC opponents everywhere, let's all take a cold-eyed look at the team formerly known as the Beast of the East."

Banks then goes on to list four reasons as to why he believes the Patriots' demise "could once again be greatly exaggerated."

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11 comments so far...

What's wrong with the national media. They're always quick to announce the demise of the Patriots. They said NE was done when Brady went down. And look what happened. The Patriots went....done...oh...they didn't make the playoffs, didn't win the division. OK, well that's different. Losing Brady is one thing. Losing a bunch of assistants is another. NE will be fine. I think the scrutiny should be placed on the Colts who now have a no-name head coach.

Posted by eigner January 20, 09 04:12 PM

do you think they will bring in an experienced coach like john gruden to help out the offense and a defensive guy like romeo crennel back in the mix
?

Posted by jophn January 20, 09 04:23 PM

I owuld rather bring in Mike Shanahan for the offense, but doubt he would take that type of job. Gruden would work, too. However, knowing how Belichick likes to promote from within, I have my own idea on this.

Not Dante Scarnecchia like many think but instead.....

BILL O'BRIEN, who was brought in last year as an offensive assistant and have a lot of years experience in the college ranks and as an OC and did a good job, so I read.

Posted by Mike Allen January 20, 09 04:56 PM

In Belichick we trust. Fantastic job this year but here's a hunch his best one is yet to come. Let 'er rip.

Posted by Lance January 20, 09 05:19 PM

To Patriots:
Thanks for the great run during the past decade. Welcome to mediocrity. Wonder if you'll still fill the stadium on those cold days ahead in Nov/Dec. Hope that Patriots Place thing pans out.
Sincerely,
15 year NE resident & Patriots observer

Posted by Roy January 20, 09 07:58 PM

Don't worry Roy. Someday the Jets might rise to mediocrity again and you'll have something to be happy about.

Posted by Lance Jonn Romanoff January 20, 09 10:24 PM

What about the Giants demise losing Spagnuolo who came in a saved Coughlin's but last year...not to mention losing Plaxico who was Manning's go to guy...Giants done?
What about the Ravens, known for their D losing Rex Ryan? And their top front office man will be in Cleveland soon....Ravens done?
What about the sorry Jets, no QB, an expensive over the hill O-line, and a new coach and system? Are the Jets finished?

Posted by jeff January 20, 09 10:50 PM

Jeff stop making valid points. We don't appreciate common sense around here. Thanks.

Posted by Larry January 21, 09 11:15 AM

Jeff ..... yes, yes, and yes!

All of the defections were under the direction of one Bill Belichick who is still alive and well. He did a pretty fine job with his reclamation project of a devastated team this year. Replacing these guys will be a piece of cake.

Posted by Garry January 21, 09 11:45 AM

cool photos! The Pats haters who always come in here are hilarious!
Steve Spagnuolo = a Mass. native, had first coaching experience at UMass

Posted by pats-fan-in-nevada January 21, 09 12:26 PM

All you need to do is look at what happened when the "others" left, first not one of them were or have been successful as head coach. I am not worried the Genius hasn't left the building so whom ever he takes under his wing will be successful, do you really think otherwise???By the way I really love the photo of Belichick and Parcels. During the whole Spygate, (god i hate how this Country has to put a gate after everything) the tuna said please this is a non issue, he also said that "all" coaches have practiced taping and laughed. So ask yourself how did Miami go from only winning one game to this season????

Posted by Chloe January 21, 09 06:30 PM

DO NOT HIT THE SUBMIT BUTTON MORE THAN ONCE!

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Mike Reiss, Christopher L. Gasper and the rest of the Globe team provide regular updates –and a behind-the-scenes look– on the daily happenings of the Patriots.

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