You must be a local, because the non-New England media beat him up for maybe a week and then began singing his praises again. You said he was still taking heat, so that had to be a local thing as the national media would not give up its love affair.
On the Welker, there were no criticisms. A 7th-rounder? Big deal?!
There was only limited criticism of the Moss pickup - lots of guys felt he'd 'lost a step', but I never heard him described as 'washed up'.
While I agree that the Jaguars have a potent running game, Fred Taylor was already old at the start of this season. And who was David Garrard in August?? Even today, how quickly can you name their top 3 receivers? All I heard about all season was how Matt Jones wasn't doing jack, but they were definitely the no-name WR corps going into the season.
When you really look at that group coming out of the pre-season, NO ONE would've picked them to go 11-5 (and most likely 12-4, given that they didn't play their starters the full game in Week 17).
Based on the rosters, I would've expected NE to go 14-2 or even 15-1. Del Rio achieved well above expectations.
It was second and a seventh for welker. Which is a lot. Most everyone was scratching there head as to why they gave up so much for Welker.He got a nice contract also. It was called a dumb move by many. People laughed since Welker only had 600 yards receiving one td last year. This year Welker has the most receptions in the NFL (112) for over 1100 yards , 8 times the td's and is by far the best slot receiver in the league. He returns kicks and punts also. People thought it was crazy to give up a second , seventh , and a long contract to a little known slot guy out of Miami.
Belichick was ripped in the national media all year. In print , on radio , and on tv. Personnel attacks the whole nine. I can think of several examples of the top of my head alone. I can list a bunch of them if you wish. Esterbrook on espn.com was the worst.
Before the start of the season Moss was seen as a locker room cancer who had lost a step. A lot of people said he might not be worth the fourth rounder he commanded for his services. Now since this year he has totally resurrected his career that was in the shitter for the last few years , all the sudden he is the greatest thing ever again. What has changed since last year? The qb throwing him the ball , the coach , and a structured locker room run on repsect.
As for the jags having no receivers , the pats had worse then the jags do this year last year and went all the way to the AFC championship game. Who cares? All the jags receivers where pretty high picks right? Jones was the 21st overall pick in the first round. Del Rio picked a bunch of busts at wr? Kinda hurts your argument. If Del Rio picked up some better players with those picks maybe they would not be no name.
Belichik is commended for his coaching because he is one the best ever at it. Like him or not those are the facts. He will be in the HOF no questions asked.
I don't really have a problem with the post you just made as you make a good argument for your case. Unlike the other posts I can see your reason for your opinion , instead of the whole pats suck at life mentality you take sometimes.
Plain and simple , if the pats are not 16 - 0, Mccarthy or maybe Del Rio win it. If I was not going to vote for Belichick I would vote for McCarthy.
