The New England Patriots achieved twenty years of unprecedented greatness below Invoice Belichick and Tom Brady, largely as a result of duo’s instillment of “The Patriot Means.” Whereas many former Patriots reward the inflexible tradition established in New England, not all gamers wished to fall in line.
On a recent episode of the “I Am Athlete” podcast, Asante Samuel offered an inside look into the Patriots franchise on the peak of their success. Throughout his tenure with New England from 2003 to 2007, the star cornerback argues lots of his teammates grew to become far too invested in Belichick’s philosophy and mantra.
“A few of them be brainwashed with that Patriot Means. I ain’t going for none of that. I don’t know what no Patriot Means is,” Samuel stated by way of Mass Live. “All of them is corporate males, speaking about Patriot Means.”
Samuel performed by his four-year rookie contract earlier than finally being franchised tagged in his remaining 12 months with New England. The Eagles swooped in and signed the lockdown nook in 2008 to the tune of six years and round $57 million, a contract Samuel argues he by no means would’ve obtained from Belichick and the Patriots.
“I’m right here to get cash, deal with my household, the identical manner Belichick is right here to deal with his household, get his cash,” Samuel stated. “So whenever you attempt to maintain my a reimbursement and also you need all of your cash, I ain’t received no respect for you.”
Samuel’s respect goes to Brady, who he argued was the true cause behind New England’s decade of dominance. With one of many league’s finest signal-callers on the helm, the Patriots had been free to enact personnel selections that others couldn’t.
“We are able to make these selections as a result of we’ve received Tom,” Samuel stated. “It don’t matter what selections you can also make. Who’s subsequent up to herald from free company? Can they move the take a look at? Deliver them in and ensure they’ll make it to the fourth quarter. That’s all we’d like is any person, as a result of we received Tom, the whole lot goes to work.”
Though Belichick’s strategies and his methods of teaching weren’t for Samuel, the 41-year-old did give his former coach due reward. That’s, if he passes another take a look at.
“I nonetheless give him credit score, he can nonetheless be the best coach of all time,” Samuel stated. “He simply received to win one other Tremendous Bowl.”
