Now with a few years to assess, it looks like it was Brady and not Belichick...

[brush]

who was the driving force behind the Patriot's many championships. Brady went on to win another one with another team, and almost got to a second Super Bowl with the Bucs.

Belichick hasn't got within sniffing distance to even a conference title since Brady left.

[OAITW r.2.0]

1. Sure looks like that to me.

Bill's schtick is getting old. Lots of missteps and misreads of talent since Brady's departure.

[TexasTowelie]

2. The acceptance of reality.

We had to deal with that in Texas in the 1990s after the Dallas Cowboys won three Super Bowls that decade. It didn't matter what Jerry Jones said or who they had as coach, the game is played on the football field and the only people out there are the players and referees. Unfortunately, the latter frequently becomes the driving force determining the outcome.

[brush]

4. Right. The Cowboy's dynasty of the '90s and rivalry with the 49ers...

was great for football. IMO the triplets, other players and Jimmie Johnson contributed mightily.

Jerry Jones should've left Johnson alone and just be the owner as he's the worst GM ever. And still hasn't learned.

[bluedigger]

3. It turns out it's not easy replacing the GOAT.

Still, Bill's Pats have had the tenth best record in the NFL since Brady's departure (I think), which isn't horrible, just mediocre to current expectations. Personally, as an old Steve Grogan fan, I'm happy when my team shows up to play, and Bill usually delivers that much. Besides, who am I going to replace him with? Is Andy Reid a genius with a bright and long future now? Who you got?

[brush]

5. Yeah, Brady is the GOAT, and mediocre is the best we can say about the Pats now.

As for Andy Reid, he's quite a coach.

I'm interested to see how Eric Bieniemy, his offensive coordinator during the current run of success, does with the Washington team he signed on with as O coordinator. No one would hire him as a head coach. Such bs. Mediocre white coaches and coordinators get recycled over and over and Bieniemy couldn't get a shot. Unfair.

[ProfessorGAC]

9. A Thought On Eric Bieniemy

I have wondered if there wasn't some backroom deal that Eric would be Andy's heir apparent, but Reid is extending his time in the job given all the success.
With no guarantees, Eric may have felt he needed to move on so his "mark" wasn't in the shadow of Andy Reid.
We agree that it's ridiculous, given the success he's been instrumental in achieving, that he wasn't on more teams' wish lists.

[gab13by13]

6. Don Shula was one of the best game coaches.

Chuck Noll was a great coach until the game started. The defense won the Steelers first 2 Super Bowls and letting Terry Bradshaw call his own plays won the next 2.

[AKwannabe]

7. However

No Gronk- No win for Brady. HE SUCKED (and was a terrible sport) w/out Gronk….makes me wonder who the goat really is.

Actually, I don’t wonder cuz it’s a team sport and Mahomes wouldn’t be such a winner w/out Kelce and the rest of his team.

[brush]

8. Receivers and tight ends are important but most fans know...

that the QB is the most important player on a football team. Without a good one to get the ball to them, you're going nowhere.

[ProfessorGAC]

10. Ask Us Bears Fans

Last QB we had that actually ran the game (after the snap) was McMahon. He left the Bears 35 years ago.
The Bears long undervalued the QB position and have won 6 playoff games in the 37 seasons since SB XX.
In fact, their lack of value placed on the QB spot is why the relationship soured.
He was getting the snot beaten out of him and they treated him like a disposable part.

[brush]

11. You're making my point. Without a good QB, you wont win many games.

I don't know what it is with the Bears, but they rarely make good QB choices. Before McMahon you just about have to good back to Sid Luckman for and outstanding Bears QB.

[ProfessorGAC]

12. Yes, I Am

I was strongly agreeing with you.
We had a team so good, they made the superbowl with Grossman at QB. With a top QB, they win it. With Rex, they had no shot.