Bill Belichick has given a lot of credit to a 2-13 soccer team.
In his weekly “Belestrator” segment with Patriots.com, Belichick again gushed over Jets head coach Adam Gase and quarterback Sam Darnold, among others, as he previewed Sunday’s regular season finale.
“You can see Darnold here against a Miami blitz, and he’s making a really great pitch here,” Belichick said of a video of Darnold losing the Jets to the Dolphins in week 12. “He can make all throws, the deep throws, the intermediate throws and use his back.
“… Darnold has a big arm and he’s a big guy who can stand there in the pocket and deliver the ball well.”
While it’s not uncommon for coaches, especially Belichick, to praise up-and-coming opponents, the longtime Patriots head coach has seemingly gone out of his way to do so.
Belichick started showering Darnold with compliments on Wednesday, even though many think he has slipped back this season. That has led to speculation that the Jets could choose a replacement for the 23-year-old in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Gase recently took responsibility for Darnold’s struggles, but Belichick has said he doesn’t think anyone is better for the job at Florham Park. There has been speculation that Gase could join Belichick’s staff next season, as Gase is expected to be fired by the Jets after Sunday’s game.
“Coach Gase is an excellent game planner, he designs games that are difficult for the defense and also does a good job of playcalling when it comes to calling at the right time, has a very good feel for the rhythm of the game offensively, and so on. , ”Said Belichick in the video shared on Twitter on Saturday.
Belichick also complimented wide receiver Jamison Crowder in the preview video, as well as defensive targets Nathan Shepherd and John Franklin-Myers, and linebacker Tarell Basham.
As for Belichick’s team, the Patriots (6-9) will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2008.