New England Patriots news: Rex Ryan praises Belichick; Judon is da man

Following a 45-7 victory over the Cleveland Browns, the New England Patriots are on a four-game winning streak and rolling on both sides of the ball. The way they have looked over the past few weeks has the NFL buzzing and a critic praising Bill Belichick.

How are they doing it?

Well, the defense has finally shown up and the offense is starting to find its identity behind an offensive line that is healthy now that Trent Brown has returned, a stout running game and a rookie quarterback in Mac Jones who continues to make the right plays at the right time.

In all, it’s been a combination of free agents, veterans and younger players who have bought in. More impressively, Belichick has this team clicking with a rookie quarterback in Mac Jones who is looking like the quarterback of the future he was drafted to be.

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick gets praised by Rex Ryan of all people

Within it all, critics like Rex Ryan who continued to kick Belichick when he was done, is admitting the Patriots head coach is doing one heck of a job.

During a segment of ESPN’s “Get Up,” Ryan had some rather neat things to say about his former coaching rival.

"“Bill Belichick, this is his best job he’s ever done coaching,” Ryan said as transcribed by WEEI. “It’s not just, by the way, all coaching. It was what he [did] in the offseason that makes Belichick different. He put in $160-something million dollars. We’ve seen [Matthew] Judon. This defense is doing great because of having Judon in there. You get Kendrick Bourne who’s finally showing up. Where the hell did he come from? That was a free agent signing. Hunter Henry, he’s playing like the tight end everybody thought he could be.”"

As skeptical as some critics have been about Belichick’s spending spree, particularly Ryan, it is good to see that they also give him the praise when things come together. There is still a lot of season left, but for now the New England Patriots are 6-4 and look like a team on the rise.

That’s all coaching.

New England Patriots notebook: Matt Judon living up to his big contract

Speaking of Matt Judon, the quarterback hunter recorded another sack in Sunday’s victory over the Cleveland Browns. Not only that, but he also delivered the hit that knocked Baker Mayfield out of the game.

While it is never okay to celebrate injuring a quarterback or any player, Judon is bringing that type of fear to the Patriots pass rush, which is something that has been missing over the past few seasons.

With now 9.5 sacks on the season, the veteran linebacker is not only making his own impact off the edge, but his presence is fueling the development of Christian Barmore and allowing other players like Deatrich Wise and Ja’Whaun Bently to make impact plays as well.

In talking about his team-high 9.5 sacks, Judon referenced his teammates as part of his success.

"“My teammates, honestly,” Judon said during his post-game conference. “The guys in the middle doing a great job pushing the pocket. [Deatrich] Wise was having an excellent game rushing the passer. The DBs out there covering people. About eight of those sacks were coverage sacks. I’m just thankful to be on this team and having so much success. All of that goes to my teammates, then I thank God I’m in a position to make those plays.”"

In all, the dude with the red sleeves kept things positive when the team was struggling to start the season and is staying humble now that the New England Patriots have suddenly morphed into one of the top teams in the AFC.

As Rex Ryan referenced in his praise of Bill Belichick, all that money the Patriots spent is cashing in on the field, particularly from the production and impact of Matt Judon.