New England Patriots icon and NFL analyst Devin McCourty lately defined that the very fact the 3-11 Patriots are “nonetheless taking part in laborious for” head coach Invoice Belichick amid the ultimate weeks of a misplaced season is one cause staff proprietor Robert Kraft could not half methods with Belichick this winter.
Backup tight finish Pharaoh Brown supplied a deeper take a look at the staff’s mindset throughout a chat with Patriots beat reporter Zack Cox of NESN.
“The (3-11) file isn’t what all people wished it to be, and also you all the time hear folks saying, ‘Oh, we don’t acquired nothing to lose,'” Brown mentioned. “However while you actually take a look at it, we’ve all acquired households. We’ve all acquired those who look after us. We’ve all acquired lots of people round right here that put loads of stuff into this and that’s sufficient to play for.”
Brown famous that he talked about rejecting the “nothing to lose” mantra whereas providing a pep discuss throughout a staff assembly that occurred forward of the Patriots’ 21-18 win on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 7. Whereas one could not blame Patriots gamers for phoning within the marketing campaign’s last three video games contemplating the entire uncertainty hovering over the franchise, Brown advised these contained in the locker room will proceed to battle for Belichick and the remainder of the teaching employees.
“So simply having that gratitude for the sport and simply going out and having that confidence,” Brown continued. “I really feel like after I hear, ‘Oh, you’ve acquired nothing to lose,’ your confidence is low. No, the outcomes aren’t working, however you’ve simply acquired to maintain that confidence.”
Belichick could need to stay in New England previous Week 18 however may very well be both traded or fired, partly as a result of the Patriots will miss the playoffs for a 3rd time in 4 years. He is been linked with the Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears (amongst different golf equipment) and there isn’t any indication he plans to retire regardless that he turns 72 years previous this coming April.
Brown and the Patriots subsequent play on the 7-7 Denver Broncos on Sunday evening. As of Friday night, oddschecker listed New England as a 5.5-point underdog for the Christmas Eve showdown.
