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It’s the NFL offseason and it is the duty of the media to pick the meat off the bone of trivial stories, especially when a few players are feeding a particular narrative. There’s been a notion that has gained steam over the past few months that work is supposed to be fun. Go onto any construction site or cubicle in America and Tom, Dick, or Jerry will tell you that fun isn’t in their job description.
But a growing number of NFL players have demonized the Patriot Way for its win-above-all attitude–a model that was enviable not too long ago. Like during the Tedy Bruschi era.
It started with Eagles lineman Lane Johnson describing the Patriots as a “fear-based organization.” Former Patriots defensive end Cassius Marsh then said he hated playing in New England so much, he almost quit football. Most recently, Eagles Pro Bowl guard Brandon Brooks calling his time in Houston with Bill O’Brien (Belichick’s protege) “miserable every day.”
At a press conference on Thursday, Bill Belichick was asked whether it’s important for him to come up with ways for players to feel like they’re enjoying themselves. His brain could not compute the question.
Via Pro Football Talk:
“We feel what’s important to us is to win,” Belichick said. “So that’s really what we’re trying to do.”
Asked next about criticism from people like Eagles tackle Lane Johnson, Belichick was characteristically dismissive.
“Yeah, we’re focused on what we’re doing, trying to get better and taking each day we can to try to improve our football team,” Belichick said. “Not really focused on what everybody else is doing.”
Fun? Who says Bill Belichick doesn’t have fun…
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