NFL Week 15 2023: The quest for a 2-0 game

[Cackling Co Pilot Kamala]

 

[Cackling Co Pilot Kamala]

Ravens sign ex-Lamar teammate Cunningham

The Ravens are signing rookie quarterback Malik Cunningham off the Patriots' practice squad and onto their roster, Cunningham told ESPN on Tuesday.

www.espn.com

Leave the memories alone, @HarleyQuinn .

 

[909]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1734728869196771641

I feel like if you’re looking for one moment, the first that caused this, it’s when he took Harry over a slew of top WR. If you send Metcalf or Deebo or AJ Brown out there with Brady maybe a bunch of shit never happens.

 

[Cackling Co Pilot Kamala]

It kind of makes how friendly and jovial Belichick and Kraft were on College GameDay the other day (appearing separately) even weirder. Maybe Belichick has made peace with the fact that the Sword of Damocles is hanging right over his head.

 

[BruiserBrody]

'He was a special human': ESPN's new Reggie White documentary premieres Wednesday with in-depth look at Packers legend

"The Minister of Defense" film features interviews with Mike Holmgren, Brett Favre, J.J. Watt, Ron Wolf, Jeremy White, Sara White and others.

www.greenbaypressgazette.com

 

[Cackling Co Pilot Kamala]

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Bill Belichick should have more time to whip up a set.

(Belichick is actually capable of being kind of funny by boomer football coach standards. I am sure he could come up with some knee slappers for me, @HarleyQuinn and Pats Nation)

 

[Cartman]

Personally i'm not buying that story, and if it IS true I guess it's time for me to move on as a fan as well.

 

[Cackling Co Pilot Kamala]

No, it’s true! His induction speech for Dante Scarnecchia at the Patriots Hall of Fame ceremony earlier this fall had some funny moments!

 

[HarleyQuinn]

Personally i'm not buying that story, and if it IS true I guess it's time for me to move on as a fan as well.

Agreed. Curran is a joke amongst NE "reporters" and constantly posits his opinions and pure speculation as "fact" then backtracks and says per his sources he believed X or Y would happen. Anybody that trusts him over a litany of more well-regarded names... smh. So tired of seeing his tweets and click-baiting treated as a real, reliable news source.

I'm not sold that Belichick remains but it wouldn't surprise me if he does either. I think the Krafts could see keeping Belichick on per the last year of his contract (his "long-term deal" is a 1 year deal), drafting a young QB high, and then letting Belichick leave amicably. I could also legit see them keeping Belichick long-term too.

#1: The team is still playing hard for him, which tells me he hasn't necessarily lost the locker room or his coaching ability (see how well the defense has done this year).
#2: Kraft already saw Brady leave and instantly win a Super Bowl for another organization. Do you think he wants to see Belichick leave and make a deep playoff run/challenge for a Super Bowl while his new HC struggles or flounders in their first 2 years?
#3: What's a new HC going to think coming into this situation? You have one of the greatest NFL HCs ever going 7-9, 10-7, and 8-9 post-Brady (who's arguably the GOAT QB) then have a colossally bad season. Suddenly he's being kicked out as if he's a Hue Jackson or Jim Schwartz level coach. And now you not only have to fill his shoes, with the owner expecting playoff runs/Super Bowl pushes, but you have to do it immediately (Kraft has stated repeatedly he expects the team to get back to their winning ways. He isn't looking for a 4-5 year rebuild project here).
#4: The Krafts and Belichick have a relatively good relationship overall. I think if Belichick can somehow get a legitimate QB - lot of rumblings they could target a FA QB as well as drafting one - and they go 10/7 or 11-6 with a playoff win then I can see the Krafts sticking with Belichick for the long haul.

 

[Cackling Co Pilot Kamala]

It is funny seeing the wishy washiness over the majority of online Patriots fans. Three weeks ago, so many people that calling for Belichick’s head on a platter are now crying about how awful it is that Robert Kraft is going to let the GOAT coach go. It’s the same energy of a little kid who did something horrible and is now crying because he got in trouble.

Even if the Pats finish 6-11 or 7-10, I think most reasonable people wouldn’t want Bill in power in the front office any longer and I can’t imagine he will want to start over at 72/73 with a new GM and another guy to take orders from.

If Belichick goes to coach for another team and then wins another Super Bowl in a year or two though, I will smash my head against the wall.

 

[MFer]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1734937757477134490

 

[BruiserBrody]

I laughed at Belichick's' presser yesterday when he was asked 3 times in a row about the firing rumors and he just kept saying in montone "We are prepping for Kansas City" or something like that.

 

[909]

If Belichick goes to coach for another team and then wins another Super Bowl in a year or two though, I will smash my head against the wall.

Trust me you don't have to worry about that.

 

[Cackling Co Pilot Kamala]

Realistically, who would hire Belichick? I know everyone says the Chargers but Spanos is one of the biggest penny pinchers in the league. If Belichick is going to come back for a one and done season, he might as well just try and keep his job with the Patriots.

 

[Krankor]

Carolina probably would.

 

[alfdogg]

The Belichick hate is almost as bad as the Patriots hate

 

[Cackling Co Pilot Kamala]

Carolina probably would.

Why would he want to go there?

Only other place that makes sense is Washington since he is a MD guy but they’re just about as far if not further away from winning a Soup as the Pats.

 

[Krankor]

If he wants to coach anymore, he will go to what every bat shit crazy owner wants him. Hence, Carolina.

 

[Cackling Co Pilot Kamala]

I mean if Carolina offers him Saudi Arabia money to finish his career then yeah, maybe.

 

[Krankor]

I really would be surprised if he does coach anywhere next year. Gotta know when it's time.

 

[Cackling Co Pilot Kamala]

I think there is a possibility that we have one last go around if the Patriots win two or three out of the last five games.

Vegas over-under for Patriots wins during the preseason was only 7 or 8 anyway. I don’t think anyone except the most delusional homers (Bill Simmons) thought they were actually going to be playoff contenders this season.

Yes, I am in the bargaining stage of grief over the Belichick era ending, folks.

 

[Krankor]

Will Staley get fired at half time?

 

[Krankor]

Brandon Staley:

 

[Cackling Co Pilot Kamala]

Huh. I guess it really is feast or famine for the Silver & Black, huh?

 

[HarleyQuinn]

Realistically, who would hire Belichick? I know everyone says the Chargers but Spanos is one of the biggest penny pinchers in the league. If Belichick is going to come back for a one and done season, he might as well just try and keep his job with the Patriots.

The options are basically...

#1: Washington - Ron's probably getting fired. Belichick has long been an East Coast guy and has a ton of respect for NFL History so I can see him leaning towards Washington with their history from the 50s-70s and Joe Gibbs in the 80s. They also have a new owner who will likely be more hands-off letting him coach how he wants/maybe get GM power again.

#2: Carolina - I don't see this unless they throw a boatload of $$ at him. The owner is a dink and seems like he'd hire Belichick more as a, "Look at who I hired to work for me," than actually caring about winning. The team has no 1st round pick so Belichick is stuck with a "franchise" QB in Bryce Young and a roster full of absolutely nothing. At least with the Patriots, they have a very good defense in place. That situation is a total rebuild and I can't see Belichick sticking around for 4+ years to try and build them into an 8/9 win team.

#3: LA Chargers - A decent possibility. They have a legitimate QB and a good team overall. This, IMO, is the sneakiest location because I can see Belichick filling in that defense and making the ST competent to where they'd challenge immediately for the playoffs. They also have NFL History with the 80s era but the big question is if Dean Spanos would stay out of Belichick's way and/or give him control over the roster. I think he would but it also wouldn't surprise me if Belichick went there and they ended up butting heads for the entire season.

#4: NY Giants/NY Jets - I don't think either team fires Daboll (who's now winning with DeVito) or Saleh. Jets in theory have Rodgers returning next year so they could move on if they wanted Belichick but there's such a long history of outright hatred between the Jets/Patriots. Would Belichick burn a bridge with Robert Kraft just to go to the Jets? At best this is probably more of a lateral move dependent on Rodgers' health as Belichick likely isn't getting a top-level QB in the draft and no way Rodgers wants to groom another young QB behind him.

#5: Tennessee - Rumblings they could move on from Vrabel/Vrabel could come to New England if Belichick moved on. I think this is on the lower end of likely and more predicated on Vrabel leaving Tennessee than them firing him. Levis seems like their QB of the future, they have Derrick Henry and DeAndre Hopkins offensively. I'd give this scenario a 10% chance of actually happening.

#6: Las Vegas - Very doubtful. I think they either keep Antonio Pierce on as HC removing the Interim label or look elsewhere instead of trying the "Patriots" style for what would essentially be a 3rd year in a row.

#7: Chicago - I legitimately think this could be where Belichick lands. A ton of NFL History, they have a rebuild ahead of them but have pieces on defense he can build around immediately. Biggest question is if Belichick wants to go to a team with a QB that probably won't fit his style (Justin Fields) but they'll have 2 picks in the Top 10 and Belichick can quickly retool that team through the draft and FA. I can see the owner just wanting to win and giving Belichick full control.

 

[Cackling Co Pilot Kamala]

I’d be shocked if the Jets hired Belichick. I don’t think they have forgotten Bill Belichick quitting right after they hired him as HC in ‘00.

I’m surprised the Bills and Steelers didn’t make your list of possible destinations. Both long shots but I don’t think any less realistic than some of the options on your list.

I liked the LOGIC BE DAMNED NFL fantasy booking idea I saw floated of just swapping Mike Tomlin for Bill Belichick.

 

[Krankor]

Chargers HC & GM spot are officially available.

 

[Hawk 34]

GIFF SMITH is your interim head coach.

 

[BruiserBrody]

Ex-NFL VP of officiating says NFL refs have been approached about manipulating games for gambling purposes

Dean Blandino says NFL refs have been approached in the past about fixing games

www.cbssports.com

 

[Cackling Co Pilot Kamala]

Patriots WR Demario ‘Pop' Douglas expected to return vs. Chiefs

Patriots rookie WR Demario Douglas is set to return after a two-game absence.

sports.yahoo.com