Game #15 Buffalo Bills vs NE Patriots MNF 12/28/2020 8:30 PM ESPN/ABC

[BigKen]

The media doesn't run the Patriots, Bob and Jonathan Kraft do. And they allow BB to make all football decisions. Boston sports media is truly the fucking worst. They wouldn't hesitate for a moment to run the greatest coach ever out of town.

I still believe that while the Krafts ultimately could force Bill to make a decision, I don't believe they ever have or ever will. Perhaps they tell Bill their opinions but I still believe Bill makes the final football decisions.

I don't disagree. BUT.....Kraft also has to live and operate in Massachusetts and having the media against you isn't good for business. He's had a mile long waiting list to buy season tickets for the Patriots since he built Gillette and now that the team isn't competitive, he's not going to be able to slide. BB might not like it but Kraft could say, "Play Stidham and if he fails, blame it on me. If he's successful, you deal with it." If BB can't accept the fact that he's also an employee, maybe it's time for him to move on because he ain't the boss. That's a fact and he has to at least respect his employer even if he doesn't like what he has to say.

No matter what, BB didn't really didn't put forth the best effort in 2020. He had a lot of things to overcome, but he made some very bad decisions and he's still making them. There comes a point in time where one needs to recognize that he's not always right and he has faults. If Bill is saying that no one is going to tell him who he should play and doesn't play Stidham because he feels that he's bowing to the media and fans he's also doing a dis-service to the team for not giving every player a chance to show what he can do.

As far as forcing Bill out of town, no one is forcing him. Like I said, the fans pay his employer who signs his check. Right now, Bill is not providing the best product for the fans' money. Since the customer is always right, Bill should listen before they stop buying Robert Kraft's product.

 

[nefansince75]

BB got pissed off for the second day in a row at the media. "Bill, since the team is out of the playoffs, will you give Stidham an opportunity to show us what he can do." Belichick said that Cam Newton is the QB and that's his final decision. Then one very ballsy person said, "We know that Cam can't play QB, why are you refusing to let someone else attempt to succeed or fail?" Press Conference over.

Now according to NESN Sports, the media is calling Kraft and asking why BB has kept the 32nd ranked QB as the starter and has never given Stidham a chance to start. You know that Kraft is going to have to talk to Bill and keep the media off his back. With all of the possible changes and lack of changes by Belichick in 2020, Kraft just might have to issue an order that BB doesn't want to hear. "Play Stidham and get the media off my ass."

Kraft: "I hired Bill to make all decisions regarding our football operations. So far I'm happy with his results".

 

[BigKen]

Kraft: "I hired Bill to make all decisions regarding our football operations. So far I'm happy with his results".

When did he say that? Certainly not 2020.

 

[nefansince75]

When did he say that? Certainly not 2020.

I was putting words in his mouth...

 

[Southieinnc]

I was putting words in his mouth...

When did he say that? Certainly not 2020.

MSN

"As the owner of the team, Robert Kraft has the final say over anything that happens with the New England Patriots. That includes roster decisions, but Kraft trusts Bill Belichick to handle that side of the business"

 

[Southieinnc]

I was putting words in his mouth...

""I put my faith and respect with Bill and we have a lot of thorough discussions," Kraft said Monday. "He's done pretty good the last 15 years. The fan in me argues all the time with him, but he's got a pretty good record."

 

[BigKen]

""I put my faith and respect with Bill and we have a lot of thorough discussions," Kraft said Monday. "He's done pretty good the last 15 years. The fan in me argues all the time with him, but he's got a pretty good record."

That makes me nervous. Did he forget about the first five years?? Or am i going off the road? I thought BB has been with the team for 20 years.

 

[nefansince75]

Kraft: "I hired Bill to make all decisions regarding our football operations. So far I'm happy with his results".

When did he say that? Certainly not 2020.

I was putting words in his mouth...

""I put my faith and respect with Bill and we have a lot of thorough discussions," Kraft said Monday. "He's done pretty good the last 15 years. The fan in me argues all the time with him, but he's got a pretty good record."

As others around here like to say.... "Nailed It!"

 

[BigKen]

BB says that winning this game is the most important thing this week. "Cam Newton is the starting QB."

Is Bill Belichick starting to suffer from dementia?? If winning is the most important thing, why would he start Cam?

Game Time.....................

 

[Southieinnc]

Isn't losing the most important thing at this point?

 

[Southieinnc]

It would be nice to finish 8-8 though.....

 

[redseat]

It would be nice to finish 8-8 though.....

That's not happening with Cam behind center

 

[Southieinnc]

That's not happening with Cam behind center

You think we can beat the Jets?

 

[redseat]

You think we can beat the Jets?

We had better but the Jets are (by there 2020 terms) heating up and playing well. Certainly aren't beating the Bills tomorrow night.... So 8-8 aint happening

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Why is BB resisting what is obvious to the rest of us?
No point in playing Cam as we have seen what he can do and that aint going to cut it with the players we have today.

My guess is that playing time and number of starts plays into the incentive package and Bill likes, appreciates and respects Cam enough that he is trying to help him reach those incentives.
Just a guess though.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

When did he say that? Certainly not 2020.

He did say Bill could coach the Pats "As long as he wants."

No set ‘end date' in sight for Belichick

HOUSTON – Earlier this week we spitballed about when Bill Belichick might call it a career. Our conclusion, based on observation, was that it would be no time soon. But a stir was caused Thursday when Mark Maske of the Washington Post spoke to Patriots owner Robert Kraft about the Belichick End...

www.nbcsports.com

 

[Yankee Traveler]

You think we can beat the Jets?

God I hope not...

Wait, will it have any affect on our draft position???

 

[molsaniceman]

My guess is that playing time and number of starts plays into the incentive package and Bill likes, appreciates and respects Cam enough that he is trying to help him reach those incentives.
Just a guess though.

Contract Notes:

• Per game active bonus: $43,750 ($700,000, 2 LTBE)
• Playing Time Incentives:
  13%: $250,000
  20%: $500,000
  30%: $750,000
  40%: $1M
  50%: $1.25M
  60%: $1.5M
  60% + Playoffs: $1.75M
  70%: $1.75M
  70% + Playoffs: $2.25M
  80%: $2M
  80% + Playoffs: $3M
  90%: $2.25M
  90% + Playoffs: $3.75M
• Pro Bowl: $500,000
• All-Pro: $500,000
• Playoff Win w/ 50% Playing Time: $250,000 (Max $1M)

 

[molsaniceman]

God I hope not...

Wait, will it have any affect on our draft position???

we are 15th and staying there right now win or lose tomorrow

 

[BigKen]

• Per game active bonus: $43,750 ($700,000, 2 LTBE) 13 x $43,750 = $568,750 (+87,500) Total = $656,250
• Playing Time Incentives:
  13%: $250,000
  20%: $500,000
  30%: $750,000
  40%: $1M
  50%: $1.25M
  60%: $1.5M
  60% + Playoffs: $1.75M
  70%: $1.75M
  70% + Playoffs: $2.25M
  80%: $2M (13 of 16)
  80% + Playoffs: $3M
  90%: $2.25M (15 of 16)
  90% + Playoffs: $3.75M Nope
• Pro Bowl: $500,000 Nope
• All-Pro: $500,000 Nope
• Playoff Win w/ 50% Playing Time: $250,000 (Max $1M) Nope

Looks like the max that Cam could make would be $2,906,250. If Bill wants him to make his incentives, then just give him $3M and let Stidham show what he can do. It might be worth the $350,000 gift, rather than making the fans suffer through two more bullshit games so Cam can make $250,000.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

we are 15th and staying there right now win or lose tomorrow

Dammit.