New England Patriots: Bruce Arians kicking Bill Belichick while he’s down

When it comes to the Bill Belichick verses Tom Brady battle over who was the most important component of the New England Patriots dynasty, the 43-year-old quarterback is certainly in the lead.

After leading his new team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to a victory over Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints to advance to the NFC Championship Game, Brady certainly is getting the last laugh as his former coach and team sit home and watch following a 7-9 season.

But don’t get it twisted, Belichick made Brady the player he is today whether he likes it or not and the two together is what drove the Patriots mystique and dynasty.  So, enjoy your playoff run Bruce Arians.  Dissing the greatest coach in the NFL over the last two decades is not a good look.

Speaking to NBC Sports’ Peter King, the Buccaneers coach praised Brady at the expense of the man who made him.

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"“Consummate leader,” Arians said, via WEEI.  “Has been all year.  Got the air of confidence that permeates through our team every day.  I allow him to be himself.  Like, New England didn’t allow him to coach.  I allow him to coach.  I just sit back sometimes and watch.”"

Doesn’t that say more about Arians as a head coach than it does Belichick?

Tom Brady bought into the Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots way

For two decades the motto of the New England Patriots is that team comes first over a player’s superstar status, no matter who the player is.

And for two decades Brady bought into it before his focus turned to the TB12 brand.

With six Super Bowl rings and striving for a seventh, good for Tom Brady for doing his thing the last few seasons.  If any player was allowed to be himself, it was Brady who had no problem being the face of the Patriots organization and now the Buccaneers organization for at least this year and next.

As far as allowing Brady to coach, Brady displayed the same leadership and coaching with the Patriots that he has with the Buccaneers.  He may have more say in the playbook, but as far as players go, his ability and freedom to lead on the offensive side of the football is what allowed Belichick to focus on defense and special teams.

So, please Arians, before you feel freedom to comment on what’s going on in Belichick’s locker room, focus on your own and focus on finding a way to beat Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.

Once you get to a Super Bowl and perhaps win it, then maybe, just maybe you can speak about Belichick’s success and failures as a coach.  You just happen to be in the position to even get there from a player who learned from Belichick himself.