New England Patriots: Lawyer Milloy the first star player to be Belichick’d

Former New England Patriots safety Lawyer Milloy was the first-time fans questioned the roster management of Bill Belichick.

When it comes to controversial roster moves, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has been the king of making both NFL critics and fans scratch their head as to one of his decisions.

Whether it is allowing a fan favorite to walk in free agency like Wes Welker, trading a star during or before his prime like Logan Mankins and Jamie Collins or simply cutting a player right before the NFL season, Belichick has done it all.

Speaking of releasing a player before the start of a season, would Patriots fans ever forgiven the GM and coach for releasing Lawyer Milloy just prior to the 2003 NFL season had the team not went on to win the Super Bowl?

That’s a good question.

In Bill We Trust wasn’t even really established at the time and after getting their butts kicked in a 31-0 opening day beatdown by the Milloy-led Buffalo Bills, there was questions on whether the Patriots even liked their coach.

Lawyer Milloy certainly recalls the shocking move.

"“It was obviously a pivotal part of my life, my career, when you dedicated for so many years – I was there seven years – and helped really build it from the ground up to ultimately being a champion,” Milloy said during his appearance on Ordway, Merloni & Fauria, via WEEI.  “I think I went to my fourth Pro Bowl in five years and then I was given an ultimatum: either take a pay cut or leave it.  That was up to discussion.  I had good representation with Carl Poston and went the whole offseason – the last time I talked to Bill was in June right before the veteran (time) when you can go out and seek another team and we had a discussion.  He said basically, ‘the worst-case scenario is you play out this year and we have to re-visit it after the season.”More from New England PatriotsFormer Patriot Stevan Ridley Put Kevin Hart in a Wheelchair3 Patriots Who Can Clinch a Roster Spot in Final Preseason GamePatriots Get Win Over Division Rivals Before Season Even BeginsNew Massachusetts Sportsbook Promos: $450 Bonus to Bet on Your Patriots at Caesars + DraftKingsEzekiel Elliott Reveals 3 Reasons Why He Signed With Patriots"

But Milloy didn’t even get to play out the season for the New England Patriots.  He was released right prior to the start of the first game of the season which is what really “disgusted” the Pro Bowler as he understood the business of the game.

As a player, like Ty Law, Tedy Bruschi and Willie McGinest, Lawyer Milloy was a Bill Parcells disciple who helped turn the Patriots into a high-powered engine during the early part of the dynasty.  That is what hurt the most for him as he looked back at the situation.

While he ultimately forgave Bill Belichick for the move, Lawyer Milloy said it did take some time.  Given the fact that the team went on to win another Super Bowl, who could blame him.  And to think…what would’ve been.

What if Bill Belichick never released Lawyer Milloy?

Let’s remember, this was the season the New England Patriots signed Rodney Harrison and fans were salivating over the safety duo throughout that preseason.

As it turned out, that addition really gave Bill Belichick the room to cut Milloy and luckily it worked out as Harrison became a key player in the secondary and was that physical presence that was really never missed due to that particular release.

The Patriots went on to win the big game, so all we as fans could imagine is how much more dominant would they have been with Lawyer Milloy in the secondary along with Ty Law and Harrison?

The defense would’ve no doubt gone down as the best in team history hands down, but on a personal note it would’ve set Milloy up for a massive pay day in free agency.  With Rodney Harrison on the team, Bill Belichick and the Patriots would’ve no doubt allowed Milloy to walk in free agency with no chance of him taking a hometown discount.

But before he got that opportunity, he would’ve had a second ring with the New England Patriots.  No telling where things would’ve gone from there had he not been Belichick’d