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New England Patriots: The death of the ‘Patriot way’

By Sam Minton

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and Tom Brady #12 on the sideline during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and Tom Brady #12 on the sideline during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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With all of the conflict and tension surrounding the New England Patriots are we watching the death of the Patriot way?

What do you think of when you think of the New England Patriots? You think of passion, winning, unselfishness, and teamwork. All of these culminate into what is described as the Patriot way, but that seems to be changing.

This offseason has been just plain odd. We had the Malcolm Butler fiasco. Then Josh McDaniels turned his back on the Colts and returned to be an Offensive Coordinator, and of course the issues with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. These issues are so uncommon to the New England Patriots locker room.

Change is coming

But maybe this is just a sign. Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady are both looking to get paid. These guys are the best players at their position so it makes a lot of sense, but it doesn’t follow the scripture that exists in the locker rooms of Gillette Stadium.

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Brady has time and time again taken a pay cut, but now he wants his keep. Brady is the best quarterback of all-time, but this type of behavior is rather new to the Patriots faithful.

Now the Gronk situation is a whole new world. Obviously, Gronk wants to get paid as well, and it seems like he wants to get off of Belichick’s leash. Gronk has gotten away with a lot. He is the rebel in the Patriots locker room. Gronk will talk to the press even if it gets him in trouble with Belichick. Since he was so good he was above the law.

Now after the awful press conference Gronk had early in the offseason that was basically him sticking out his tongue to Belichick, he is seeming more and more extendable. That move pissed a lot of people off. Even the Patriots official website was talking about how bad it looked.

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We are nearing the end of Bill Belichick’s career and with that we may see the end of the Patriot way.

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