AboutJason Webber Expertise I can answer most questions regarding the New England Patriots gameplay style, recent history (last ten years), roster questions, as well as other football knowledge. I know a great deal about penalties, different formations, and general history of the game, with a focus on the New England Patriots.
Experience I am a very devoted Patriots fan, and football is my favorite sport to watch. I know a great deal about the workings of football, on offense and defense.
Education/Credentials Graduated in the top 6% of my Engineering class at The Pennsylvania State University.
Hi, Jason, I am a Detroit Lions fan and I am wondering why the
Patriots have been so good over the last 10 years or so?
How are they so good?
I know they have a great coach, a good QB, and a good owner
but in your opinion what makes them so good?
The Lions have lost so many games. I think in the last 30 games
they are 1-30 or something like that.
Thanks for your time.
Answer Ashwin,
Wow! This is an interesting question. Take anything I say with a grain of salt, since you asked for my opinion...
You named the big items right there. Great Coach, QB, and owner. What all those have in common though, is consistency. Aside from Brady's injury last year, they have had the same coach since 2000, the same QB since Brady took over early in 2001, and the same owner during that entire time. The consistency in personnel and philosophy is key to an NFL team. Teams like the Lions, Browns, Rams, etc. have problems when they keep switching coaches. Even when they don't change players, a change in coaching staff typically results in a change of philosophy. That usually doesn't bode well for teams.
Let's look at the hapless Lions, as you are a fan. Since Belichick has become the coach of the Pats in 2000, there have been 7 coaches (Ross, Moeller, Mornhinweg, Mariucci, Jauron, Marinelli, Schwartz). 7 coaches in 9 years! There's no way that a franchise can have consistency with that type of turnover. I also feel that Millen was not a good GM. He never made that big time pick in the draft to really improve the team. For some reason, he felt that wide receiver was the position to focus on in the 1st round each and every year, taking Charles Rogers (big time bust), Roy Williams (traded), Mike Williams (big time bust), and Calvin Johnson (great pick, but invest other places). Four WRs in the first round in 5 years. Calvin Johnson's explosive and a real talent, but look at the players you can build around. Joe Thomas (2 time pro-bowler in 2 seasons), Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis, the list goes on.
I think things will be looking up for the Lions if they can progress from where they are now. There's really nowhere to go but up though, so that's good! If their owner allows some time for the coaching staff to get their system in place and Matthew Stafford to grow in the system. Get another good draft in the books and they can work their way back into the realm of relevance.
Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks!
