Members of Belichick’s coaching staff give thanks to Patriots players
FOXBORO >> With the arrival of Thanksgiving, Patriots players have been put through the usual round of questions about their favorite traditions and foods associated with the holiday.
We took a similar spin with Bill Belichick’s coaching staff.
Last week, with the assistant coaches available, we asked each one what he was most thankful for with respect to the particular group he coaches.
Running backs coach Ivan Fears reveals how the group has remained positive despite getting criticized in the media for a lack of production. Wide receivers coach/special teams coordinator Joe Judge talks about his group and the team in general not being “punch-the-clock” type of guys. Defensive line coach Bret Bielema, meanwhile, discusses the “buy-in” factor from the group and how that sets the Patriots, who are preparing for their Sunday night meeting with the Texans,
apart from other teams.
It’s interesting to note that there’s a common thread that runs through many of the answers. One of the reasons the Patriots are 10-1, lies in these answers.
Here’s how the coaches responded:
Running backs coach Ivan Fears – “I’m thankful for all of them. I’ll tell you what, I’ve got a great room. That is truly a blessing for me. I’ve got great guys who are great people who love the game, who have a great passion for the game, who are easy to work with and they’re easy to coach no matter how hard I get. I can be myself with these guys, they’re thickskinned, they take my socalled praise very well, and my bad coaching also very well. I’ve got a great room. I really do. For me, this is really fun. Every day, I walk in, I have a smile, and I get a smile back no matter what’s going on. As hard as the season has been from the press and everyone else, this has been awesome, it truly has been awesome. For them, I’m thankful we’re finding a way to win. That’s all I can say.”