New England Patriots
Introduction
The new England Patriots are without a doubt one of the greatest National Football League Franchises to ever grace a football pitch. They have not only developed one of the most dominating teams filled with all-star players such as Tom Brady, but they have also built a brand that evolved into a massive business empire with an enormous reach. Several factors can be attributed to this growth
This research paper is intended at highlighting and evaluating aspects of the New England Patriots that make them such a formidable force both on and off the pitch. We want to examine their recruitment system and policies, their game tactics/coaching. We also want to see how they have managed to grow their financial and brand awareness in the United States and all over the world
Smart Drafting
During his time as the New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has perfected a smart yet straightforward drafting philosophy. Despite picking towards the end of the first round for the majority of his tenure, Belichick has had a history of making some excellent picks. Some of the picks include; Tom Brady (sixth round), Rob Gronkowski (second round) Julian Edelman (seventh round) Matt Light (second round), Donta Hightower (first round).
Belichick’s ability to spot and examine talent has enabled the patriots to get proper value in the draft. He has facilitated the constant regeneration of the team by ensuring that each player that arrives in the group is of the calibre required or even better. Instead of comparing prospects to their success in the NCAA, they are compared to the players in the patriot roster and the National Football League. If they can match up, they are recruited if not, they are of no use.
Great coaching
Apart from perfecting the drafting system, a good coach needs to have specific skill sets for him to flourish. Through Bill Belichick, the Patriots have been able to acquire numerous star veterans through free agency and have been able to get a couple of bargains along the way. Belichick and his team of recruits also try to look for certain qualities in their prospects that might help the players bond well and gell with the team. Attributes such as leadership, devotion and maturity are necessary to complement the style in the locker room. He is also brilliant at man-management and has been able to instil a team spirit in the locker room while bonding well with players, e.g. Tom Brady. The pair quite recently achieved 117 wins as a player and coach combo surpassing Dan Marino and Don Shula. The couple has created a synergy that flowed throughout the whole team, making them equally competitive as a result of the intimidating dynamic of the two.
Team play/Tactics
The patriots run a modified “Ron Erhardt-Ray Perkins” system which is known for its multiple formations and personnel grouping variations on a core number of base players. Defensively, the Patriots New England Patriots run a modified base 3–4 Chuck Fairbanks–Hank Bullough system[14] installed by Bill Belichick. The term 3–4 means that their base formation consists of 3 defensive linemen (defensive end, nose tackle, and defensive end), 4 linebackers (outside “Will” weak side linebacker, middle “Jack” weak side linebacker, middle “Mike” strong side linebacker, and out “Sam” strong side linebacker), and 4 defensive backs (cornerback, free safety, strong safety, and cornerback).[15] The theory of the system is that a 3–4 structure gives the defence the highest amount of flexibility because the linebackers are versatile players on defence, capable of rushing the quarterback, tackling runners or dropping into coverage. By mixing the roles of their linebackers from play to play, the Patriot’s defence seeks to confuse the part of opposing offences. At times the Patriots will also shade their defensive linemen different ways, creating “over” or “under” defences. “Over” and “under” defences refer to the shift of the defensive linemen to the firm or weak side of the offence, respectively, and the rotation of the linebackers in the opposite direction.
Star player
As illustrated above, a coach is only as good as his players, and this is where the Patriots have their competition beat. One of Belichick’s finest draft pick is none other than the legendary Tom Brady who has gone on to become one of the most accomplished quarterbacks of all time. Tom has 517 career touchdown passes and a 30-10 career postseason record. He has won six super bowl championships, three most valuable player awards among others. Along with exceptional players like Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski at different times in the team, you end up having a winning machine.
Talent Retention for continuity in Setting Standards
Back in 2003 the patriots cut pro bowl safety Lawyer Milloy since his cap was going to hit 5 million dollars it was not viewed as a worthy investment since his tackle, int and sack numbers were on the decline. A week later, while playing on his new team the Buffalo Bills crushing the patriots 31-0. By not acknowledging his value, the Patriots were punished. This was a lesson which the patriots have been keen not to repeat.
Cutting down the deadwood/Rotten Apples
Back in 2016, the patriots traded defensive end, Chandler Jones, to the Arizona Cardinals, and linebacker Jamie Collins to the browns. Both players were talented and appeared to be core members of the team’s blueprint going forward, but they were not committed to the course, and Ideals of the team. Collins tended to freelance on the pitch and ignoring the coach’s advice. On the other hand, Chandler Jones was due for a significant contract extension until being arrested for doing drugs. This caused a distraction in the locker room, and had he been rewarded, it would have sent a wrong message to the younger players and contradict the team’s ethics. The team still made it to the super bowl which cemented the beliefs of the team.
Sound Financial Management
Off the pitch, the patriots are also run like a well-oiled machine. As a result of the team’s success on the pitch, they have been able to grow as a brand and increase its market share in terms of merchandise sales. The team has also been able to attract multiple sponsors who have provided funds to attract and retain their top talents.
Conclusion
The New England Patriots are a standout team in the National Football League. They have in their team a world-class coach and players who continue to set new standards in the game like Tom Brady. The success on the pitch has resulted in the overall growth of the franchise, and brand awareness has increased significantly. The patriots have also positively influenced the game by building a team based on good morals, hard work and discipline as importan ingredients for success. They have also helped develop different methods of player conditioning and development this has led to an increase in performance levels within the National Football League.
The patriots are a template on how to develop and run a football franchise . They also should be celebrated not only for their achievements but also for their contribution to the development of the sport in general.