Patriots gridiron news: Bill Belichick knows how to put the fun in NFL
It looks like New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick isn’t always the grumpy coach he is made out to be.
Eat your hearts out Lane Johnson and Cassius Marsh, the New England Patriots do know how to have some fun after all.
On Tuesday, head coach Bill Belichick went against his slogan of “No Days Off” by giving his team the final two days of OTAs off. Yes, that’s right, the man who makes his team practice in snow storms has canceled the final two voluntary sessions giving his players a break until training camp in late July.
Well, that certainly takes both Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski off the hook for not showing up this week, or was their absence part of the reason Belichick decided to forgo more work on the field to focus on what’s coming in the heat of Summer?
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Whatever the reason, it is not the first time he has done such a thing and it also shows the usually stoic head coach knows how to instill some fun and excitement into his team. The canceled OTAs comes a day after players gathered for a team-bonding activity at Fenway Park.
Is the 65-year-old head coach softening before our very eyes?
Not a chance, but after an entire offseason of drama, it’s good to see that good ole Bill Belichick realizes his team and coaches just need a little extra break from it all. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft confirmed the canceled OTAs while speaking at the Myra Kraft Community MVP event at Gillette Stadium.
"“Part of that is that there were great things that happened last week, having everyone here, and then [Monday] they had a team-building activity that was really good,” Kraft told reporters, as transcribed by WEEI. “The new, young player we have here, the free agents, I’m excited about this team. I think we’re going to have a lot of fun this year. I understand sometimes people in the media have to work things up a little bit, but I’ll just tell you, I and my family are very excited about the upcoming season.”"
Oh, there’s that “fun” word again.
While the Patriots will probably not be the team choreographing touchdown celebrations, Belichick has proved over the years that when hard work translates into winning, it is a very fun atmosphere as long as you “Do Your Job.” The players who buy in love it and those who simply can’t hang can’t stand it.
Fun will never be Belichick’s middle name and quite frankly it’s not his responsibility, but he sure makes the league interesting just by being him.
Tom Brady having fun of his own
And where was Tom Brady during the team-building activities and final OTA session on Tuesday?
According to Golf Channel’s Tim Rosaforte, the New England Patriots head coach was reportedly enjoying a round of golf with PGA living legend Phil Mickelson. The two were joined by Rickie Fowler and investment banker Jimmy Dunne.
Brady, who has skipped out on all voluntary sessions this spring, was there for the voluntary portion last week and looked good and appeared to be in high spirits.
While the fact that he hasn’t stuck around to bond with the newer receivers on team is an area of concern, the Patriots quarterback appears to be taking the time he needs to enjoy life before committing himself back into the grind of NFL life.
Next: New England Patriots: 4 things that really make Bill Belichick smile
Like Mickelson, Tom Brady does have another championship on his mind when it’s all said and done.