Patriots news: Bill Belichick is ‘the secret’; Andy Isabella the answer

When it comes to players who have had their careers revived by New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy fits the bill.

As one of those unique players who has found success under Belichick, left the team and came back, Van Noy is knows a thing or two about his head coach and who is truly calling the plays on defense.

With Steve Belichick and linebackers coach Jerod Mayo sharing the role of defensive play caller, anyone who knows the Patriots or have followed the team know who the real signal caller is.  Van Noy all but confirmed that during a recent appearance on The Greg Hill Show.

Kyle Van Noy spills the tea on New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick

During the interview, the very charismatic linebacker spilled some tea on his coach, revealing something everyone knew anyway. But, when it comes to Belichick, we can have some fun with what Van Noy reveals in the interview.

"“I will say this; if you’re in the building you know who’s in charge.  And at the end of the day everything’s funneled toward Bill,” Van Noy said, via WEEI.  “He is the secret…It’s non-traditional with the way it is, but everybody knows…it’s Bill.”"

While the New England Patriots had one of the top defenses in the NFL in 2021, the team faltered down the stretch and in the playoffs.  As one of the veterans on the defensive side of the ball, Van Noy said the team just “weren’t playing complimentary football.”

With an important offseason now underway, the focus is on resetting and revamping the roster, specifically on defense.  Van Noy should be a part of that, but the team does need to get younger and add speed.  Exposed down the stretch by some balanced offenses, it doesn’t matter who is calling the plays if they don’t have the personnel to execute.

And that’s no secret.

NFL rumors: Andy Isabella perfect for New England Patriots

Something else that is not a secret is that former University of Massachusetts standout wide receiver Andy Isabella has not worked out in his tenure with the Arizona Cardinals.

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In need of a change of scenery, Isabella’s agent told CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson on Wednesday that the 2019 second round pick has been granted his wishes in seeking a trade.

"“I think we have all concluded, including the Cardinals, that it might be best for Andy to get a fresh start,” Blank said."

Sounds a lot like N’Keal Harry asking for a trade prior to the 2022 NFL season now, doesn’t it?

This certainly smells like an opportunity for the New England Patriots to swap Harry for Isabella, which would be ironic because each player would be going to the team located in states where they played their college football.  With both needing fresh starts, seems like the perfect trade.

While Patriots fans know about the frustration of Harry, Isabella is a speedster who has caught just 31 passes for 426 yards and three TDs in his three seasons with the Cardinals, but he is a player who could fit into that slot role for the Patriots.  He could also be a great target for Mac Jones if he were to catch on in New England.

So, if Isabella’s agent comes calling, if he hasn’t already, Bill Belichick should jump at the opportunity to dump Harry and pick up a player who can certainly revive his career in Foxborough, where he happened to play some of his college football.