What would a ‘successful’ season look like for rebuilding Patriots?

What would a ‘successful’ season look like for rebuilding Patriots? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Twenty-five years ago this month, a noisy, irrepressible, impossibly upbeat little yellow guy was introduced to the world.

SpongeBob SquarePants, the ocean’s most enthusiastic employee, has been with us for a quarter century. Flipping Krabby Patties, hanging with Patrick, trying to keep Squiddy upbeat. That’s the life. That’s what he does.

The job at the Krusty Krab doesn’t pay much. And winning the monthly Golden Spatula isn’t going to keep the lights on in the pineapple. Still, Spongy remains undaunted. Every day? All-in.

How’s that tie into football? Easy. The 2024 Patriots are going to need a whole lotta SpongeBobs. Because — for the third year in a row — it’s not going to be what fans, media and the organization used to consider a successful year.

The team isn’t continuing the post-Brady rebuild that began in 2020. It’s starting a whole new one after the first one didn’t take.

The Patriots really haven’t been the PATRIOTS for a half-decade. They are 33-44 since November 1, 2019. They’ve gone 10-19 in December and January, months they formerly owned. February? Probably going to be a minute before they play a game in February.

It happens. Look at the Cowboys. Their little three-Lombardi run in the ’90s wasn’t even half the run the Patriots had under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. They haven’t been to an NFC Championship Game since the ‘95 season. But if you know a Cowboys fan or two, you’ll know they are adorably delusional and have been for almost 30 years. Their dynasty hasn’t ended. It’s just on sabbatical.

Yeah, well. We’re a little more pragmatic here in New England. It’s over. It’s been over. The Jerod Mayo-Drake Maye Era has begun. How long it lasts will depend a lot on the foundation laid this season.

What constitutes “successful” for both head coach and quarterback?

For Mayo, there’s been so much talk…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/successful-season-look-rebuilding-patriots-174102268.html

Author : NBC Sports Boston

Publish date : 2024-07-22 17:41:02

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