Stephon Gilmore, 2018 Super Bowl champion and 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, was traded this week to the Panthers in exchange for a 2023 6th Round draft pick.
Gilmore is the latest Patriot star to be shown the exit door when it still seems as if he has good football left to play. He joins the likes of Tom Brady, Richard Seymour, and Lawyer Milloy as Patriots who were traded, released, or allowed to depart as free agents. Money was a common denominator in these decisions, as Belichick does not like to pay tomorrow's money for yesterday's performance.
This is Bill Belichick's way. Always has been. Always will be.
The local and national media who cover Belichick's Patriots live for these moments, seizing the opportunity to criticize the coach who has won more championships than any coach likely ever will. Patriots fans also seethe over these personnel decisions.
While no coach, not even Belichick, is perfect, I find it amusing that the media and fans believe they know better than the Hooded One when it comes to building a successful football team.
Since taking over the Patriots in 2000, Belichick has done nothing but win. And win bigger and better than any coach that has come before him or will come after him.
21 seasons. 6 Super Bowl championships. 9 AFC championships. 13 appearances in the AFC championship game. 19 winning seasons. 17 trips to the playoffs.
For those arguing that he would not have done any of this without Brady, keep in mind that the Brady of 2001-2004 was a young quarterback learning the game. Brady does not win without Belichick, just as Belichick would not have won without Brady. They are the greatest player-coach duo in NFL history.
The wolves are out for Belichick this year. Last year's team, his first without Brady on the roster since they both arrived in 2000, ended at 7-9. Belichick drafted quarterback Mac Jones in the first round and spent prodigiously in free agency, two firsts for his era in New England. For the first time since Brady's first days as quarterback in 2001, the Patriots record is 1-3. The critics are getting louder.
From the vantage point, I find the Gilmore move oddly reassuring. Belichick is doing business as usual because that is what has worked for two decades. He knows the way, and refuses to veer off course.
For those wanting to count out Belichick and the Patriots, it does not seem like the end is here. If anything, it seems as if a foundation is being built for his next Super Bowl contender.
On to the picks.
NCAA
Stanford (+13) over ARIZONA STATE
Oklahoma (-3) over Texas (Red River Shootout)
OLE MISS (-5.5) over Arkansas
BYU (-6) over Boise State
VIRGINIA TECH (-1) over Notre Dame (Shenanigans Pick)
Shenanigans Record: 2-1
Last Week: 2-3
Season: 8-7
NFL
FALCONS (-2.5) over Jets (game played in London)
BENGALS (+3) over Packers
Lions (+10) over VIKINGS
Broncos (pick) over STEELERS
BUCCANEERS (-10) over Dolphins
Saints (-2) over FOOTBALL TEAM
PANTHERS (-3) over Eagles
Titans (-4.5) over JAGUARS
TEXANS (+9) over Patriots (23-16 Patriots)
Bears (+5.5) over RAIDERS
CHARGERS (-2) over Browns
COWBOYS (-7) over Giants
CARDINALS (-4.5) over 49ers
Bills (+3) over CHIEFS
Colts (+7) over RAVENS
Last Week: 5-11
This Week: 0-1
Season: 27-21-2
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