In the face of many distractions the Broncos must adopt the “Patriot way”
“What is it about the “Patriot way” that allows the team to adapt to shifting NFL trends and absorb adversity year after year? There must be an observable aspect to the way they do things that could provide a road map for these Broncos.
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In an audio clip that repeats throughout the days on 104.3 the Fan John Elway claims that, when he took over the Broncos, guys “hated football”. Getting that resolved was his first priority in getting his new team pointed back in the right direction. The reason the men hated football, one can assume, was the reign of one Josh McDaniels, the unpleasant one-time coach and de facto GM of the team. McDaniels was over his head having been given such responsibility and his frustrations were often taken out on the rank and file.
Today Josh McDaniels is an offensive coordinator, sitting at the right hand of another man not often thought of as pleasant, Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick who’s notoriously curt with the media, his staff and his players. Belichick isn’t in line to win the “man of the year” award anytime soon, but there’s no discounting his effectiveness as a head football coach. In fact he may be embarking on his finest season yet – despite coping with distractions the likes of which few professional sports teams ever have.
From the loss of Wes Welker, to the repeated injuries to his star tight end, Rob Gronkowski, and the subsequent surgeries to his back and extremities, to the involvement of his other tight end, Aaron Hernandez, in what appears to be multiple murders, to the invitation he extended to controversial quarterback Tim Tebow to join the Patriots for training camp, Belichick’s team has encountered every excuse to become distracted – but it has not. In the pre-season the Patriots have looked more finely tuned than ever. Quarterback Tom Brady, working without the skill players that he had in 2012, has completed 18 of 20 pass attempts in two games and has exhibited impressive accuracy – even for him. The Patriots will be amongst the strongest contenders to go to the Super Bowl in 2013 despite having suffered an almost unimaginable amount of off-season strife.
Your Denver Broncos, who find themselves in the midst of a nightmarish whirlwind of problems as well, can – and should – look to the Patriots as an example of how to weather the storm in preparing for a season in which their goals are lofty. While Patriot players may “hate football” thanks to the rigidity of their team leadership, they are clearly on the ball and immaculately prepared for the coming season. As John Elway, John Fox and friend prepare to emerge from a complicated off-season and confront the realities of wins and losses they should look to the Patriots as example of an unflappable franchise.
What is it about the “Patriot way” that allows the team to adapt to shifting NFL trends and absorb adversity year after year? There must be an observable aspect to the way they do things that could provide a road map for these Broncos. Instead of writing off Belichick and McDaniels, the Johns should study them and the way they manage their team. Because, in the midst of the Dumervil mess, the front-office DUI controversies and the mess with Miller, the Broncos must remain focused on winning a championship. Peyton Manning will only be in the fold for so long. The Broncos are smack dab in the middle of their winning “window” and they cannot afford to be dragged down by their messes.
If the Patriots can look dominate despite all that they have been through then the Broncos can, too. But it’s going to take strong leadership. It’s going to take doing things the “Patriot way”. Because, while the influence of Bill Belichick may not make players happy – it always keeps them concentrated on the ultimate goal with laser-like precision.
