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Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Bill Belichick responds to Robert Kraft's ‘big risk' comments, says he was ‘warned' about Patriots
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'And we did OK,' Kraft added, a joking reference to the unprecedented six Super Bowl wins and 17 division titles. (The actual date of the Belichick trade fell in Jan. 2000, not 1999). Advertisement On Wednesday, 'As I told Robert multiple times through the years, I took a big risk by taking the New England Patriots head coaching job,' Belichick told Van Natta Jr. 'I already had an opportunity to be the head coach of the New York Jets, but the ownership situation was unstable.' Advertisement Belichick claimed that he had been cautioned about taking the Patriots' head coaching role in early 2000 by other coaches. 'I had been warned by multiple previous Patriots coaches, as well as other members of other NFL organizations and the media, that the New England job was going to come with many internal obstacles,' said Belichick. 'I made it clear that we would have to change the way the team was managed to regain the previously attained success.' In his first season, Belichick's Patriots went 5-11. But in 2001, thanks also to the unforeseen rise of Tom Brady, New England made an unexpected run to (and won) the Super Bowl. After that, the Patriots went almost two decades without a losing season. Belichick finished an astounding 266-121 (.687) in the regular season as the team's head coach, and engineered nine Super Bowl appearances. 'I appreciated Robert giving me the opportunity to make those changes and build a program that was consistent with my vision for a championship team,' Belichick noted. Belichick went 36-44 (.450) during his Browns tenure, which had been his only other NFL head coaching role prior to the Patriots. And Kraft's memory of the criticism that the move elicited is Still, Belichick helped direct the Patriots' defense in a Super Bowl run under Bill Parcells in the 1996 season, and had gone on to help Parcells turn the Jets around prior to leaving New York. 'The Jets were a solid team after three years of rebuilding under Bill Parcells, which included an AFC Championship Game appearance in [January] 1999,' Belichick added in his response to ESPN. 'Meanwhile, the Patriots Organization had dismantled their 1996 AFC Championship team and became one of the worst in the AFC. It didn't help that they were $10 million over the cap heading into my first season as Head Coach in 2000.' Advertisement Yet Belichick sought an escape from New York, with Kraft eventually paying the price that Parcells (then working as Jets general manager) demanded. The trade has since been regarded as As for what he specifically thinks Kraft meant by calling his hiring a 'big risk,' Belichick responded to Van Natta Jr. with characteristic economy. 'You'll have to ask Robert.' Hayden Bird can be reached at
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Desperate' Bills Commended For Roster Upgrades Toward Super Bowl Chase
'Desperate' Bills Commended For Roster Upgrades Toward Super Bowl Chase originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Bills were outclassed during the AFC Championship Game last season, especially on the defensive side of the ball. It was the big reason why the team lost to the Kansas City Chiefs ... again. Since that loss, though, Buffalo has done a great deal in an effort to upgrade and improve the unit once and for all ... in a chase for the Super Bowl. The moves made have been largely celebrated. Free agents like Joey Bosa, Larry Ogunjobi, and Michael Hoecht were just a few of the new arrivals needed to bolster the entire unit. (Though the early suspensions of the latter two cast a shadow here.) The team also used six of its nine draft picks as a way to solve some of their bigger defensive holes as well. Pro Football Focus writer Dalton Wasserman, in particular, praised the Bills for addressing their defensive needs in the draft. "The Bills desperately needed cornerback help after they earned the second-lowest team PFF coverage grade in the NFL last season," Wasserman said. "Their Super Bowl hopes have been repeatedly dashed by an inability to make defensive stops in big moments. They used this year's draft to alleviate that problem." "Desperate''? That's a bit much. Josh Allen is the face of the franchise and that won't be changing anytime soon. Indeed, we believe as long as that goes unchanged, Buffalo is a contender. But if the Bills want to win a Super Bowl? Yes, their defense must become more of a reason for the team to win ... creating a seesaw effect in which there is offensive and defensive balance for the opponent to deal with. That balanced concept is the model the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles both followed over the last few years. It seems that Buffalo is adopting that mindset as well. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Clemson star wide receiver Justyn Ross waived by the Kansas City Chiefs
Clemson football: All-time rushing leaders in Tigers history entering 2025 season Former Clemson standout Justyn Ross is officially moving on from Kansas City. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Chiefs waived Ross on Wednesday after the wide receiver requested his release. Ross had been on a reserve/future deal and was hoping for a fresh start elsewhere after spending parts of the last three seasons with the organization. He was promoted from the practice squad ahead of this year's AFC Championship Game but saw limited action overall, appearing in just two games during the 2024 season without a catch. Across two years of active playing time, Ross recorded six receptions for 53 yards and made one start over 12 total appearances. His NFL journey began in 2022, but a preseason foot surgery led to a stint on injured reserve during his rookie season. Ross was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school and made an immediate splash at Clemson. Despite missing the 2020 season due to a serious neck/spine injury, he finished his collegiate career with 158 catches for 2,379 yards and 20 touchdowns in 39 games. His impact still ranks among the program's best: tied for fifth all-time in receiving touchdowns, 10th in receiving yards, and 11th in total receptions. Now healthy and looking to reset his professional career, Ross will search for a new NFL home. Justyn Ross asked for his release last week and the #Chiefs granted it today, I'm told. After four seasons in Kansas City, the onetime Clemson star gets a fresh start and should have interest. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Why Buffalo Bills should trade for Tyrann Mathieu ahead of 2025 NFL season
Tyrann Mathieu could be the missing piece in Buffalo's Super Bowl puzzle (Image via: Getty Images) The Buffalo Bills remain one of the strongest contenders for the Super Bowl in 2025. After yet another heartbreaking loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, the team is clearly in win-now mode and adding one key veteran could make all the difference. Tyrann Mathieu could be the missing piece in Buffalo's defense Despite boasting one of the most complete rosters in the NFL, the Buffalo Bills still have an evident weakness at the safety position. Veteran Micah Hyde is gone, and while Damar Hamlin's comeback has been inspiring, the depth behind him lacks both experience and consistency. Bleacher Report's Matt Holder recently highlighted the need for Buffalo to make a bold move and trading for former Chiefs Super Bowl champion Tyrann Mathieu could be that move. Mathieu, now with the New Orleans Saints, remains a highly productive and instinctive playmaker even at 33. He helped lead the Kansas City Chiefs to their Super Bowl LIV title in 2019 and brings a championship pedigree the Bills desperately need on the back end. His versatility as both a box safety and a ballhawk in coverage makes him a valuable asset in today's pass-heavy NFL. Tyrann Mathieu's Best Highlights | 2024 NFL Season A smart, low-cost move that could elevate Buffalo's championship chances The Saints are in the midst of a rebuild, and if they're open to parting ways with Mathieu, Bills GM Brandon Beane should make the call. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Experience the thrill on every turn with the new SP125 Honda Learn More Undo With New Orleans looking to get younger and clear cap space, this could be the perfect buy-low opportunity for Buffalo to solidify a defense that already features elite talent at every level. Pairing Tyrann Mathieu with Taylor Rapp or Darrick Forrest would give Buffalo much-needed security and flexibility in the secondary. It also frees up defensive coordinator Bobby Babich to be more creative with blitz packages and coverage schemes. More importantly, Mathieu's leadership and playoff experience could provide the intangible boost Buffalo has been missing in crucial postseason moments. Also Read: Buffalo Bills may cut Mitchell Trubisky to make room for cost-efficient backup Mike White In a year where the Bills are all-in for a Super Bowl run, standing pat at safety could prove costly. Trading for Tyrann Mathieu wouldn't just be a depth move—it would be a statement that Buffalo is ready to do whatever it takes to finally get over the hump. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Fox Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Belichick Fires Back At Kraft For Saying Patriots Took 'Big Risk' In Hiring Him
Bill Belichick is pushing back on some recent comments made by Robert Kraft. After the Patriots' owner said that he took a "big risk" in hiring Belichick to be the team's head coach in 2000, the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach believes he also took a big risk in accepting an offer to become the team's head coach. "As I told Robert multiple times through the years, I took a big risk by taking the New England Patriots head coaching job," Belichick told ESPN. "I already had an opportunity to be the Head Coach of the New York Jets, but the ownership situation was unstable." The Patriots went through an unconventional process to hire Belichick in 2000. When they requested that the Jets allow them to interview Belichick that offseason, Bill Parcells stepped down from his post as New York's head coach and named the then-assistant head coach and defensive coordinator as his successor. However, Belichick resigned as the Jets' head coach a day later and eventually agreed to a deal to become the Patriots' head coach, but New England had to surrender a first-round pick to New York. Due to the compensation, along with Belichick's 36-44 record in his five seasons as the Cleveland Browns' head coach, Kraft recently told the "Dudes on Dudes" podcast (hosted by former Patriots stars Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski) that hiring Belichick was his most "questioned" decision since he became the team's owner in 1994. But he also mentioned Belichick's hiring when asked what his best decision has been as the Patriots' owner. "I gave up a No. 1 draft pick for a coach that had only won a little over 40% of his games to get him out," Kraft said on the podcast, which was filmed at "Fanatics Fest" in New York last month. "I don't know if there are any Jets fans here. I think getting Bill Belichick to come to the Patriots in 1999 was a big risk, and I got hammered in the Boston area, but he was with us for 24 years. "And we did OK," Kraft joked. While the Patriots won their first of six Super Bowls in Belichick's second season with the team, New England's former head coach indicated that New York was in a stronger on-field position at the time of his hiring in 2000. "The Jets were a solid team after three years of rebuilding under Bill Parcells, which included an AFC Championship Game appearance in [January] 1999," Belichick told ESPN. "Meanwhile, the Patriots Organization had dismantled their 1996 AFC Championship team and became one of the worst in the AFC. It didn't help that they were $10 million over the cap heading into my first season as Head Coach in 2000." Even though Belichick and Kraft enjoyed unprecedented success in their 24 years together, there has been some tension between the two since the head coach was let go in January 2024. In the Apple TV+ docuseries "The Dynasty," which covered the Patriots' dynasty run, Kraft called Belichick a "pain in the tush." Many also believed that the docuseries painted Kraft in a positive light, with former players criticizing it for being too negative on Belichick. In that same offseason, ESPN reported that Kraft warned Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank "not to trust" Belichick when the team was interviewing the former Patriots head coach for the same role. Adding to the tension, Kraft told "The Breakfast Club" in October 2024 that he had fired Belichick. Before that admission, the team had said that Kraft and Belichick mutually agreed to part ways. Belichick, who has since been hired by North Carolina to become its head coach, has largely avoided directly addressing Kraft's remarks since he was let go as head coach of the Patriots. He hasn't publicly commented on the report that Kraft influenced the Falcons not to hire him. But he made a joke about how he was portrayed in "The Dynasty" during the Roast of Tom Brady in May 2024 and has questioned Kraft's claim that the Patriots fired him. "It was a mutual decision for us to part ways," Belichick told CBS News in April. Belichick also snubbed Kraft in his recent book, "The Art of Winning: Lessons from My Life in Football," failing to mention his former boss once in the book's 289 pages and acknowledgements. "It's about my life lessons in football and it's really more about the ones that I experienced directly," Belichick said on why Kraft wasn't mentioned in the book in his interview with CBS News. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
