Reduced to the simplest archetypes, you switch from the Disciplinarian to the Players coach.
There are countless examples.
The Patriots of the ’90s replaced Bill Parcells with Pete Carroll.
As far as how that worked out, KC was beloved on a team with strong veteran leadership.
He let the players on the court make decisions like who should guard Magic Johnson in the ‘84 Finals.
Whereas the Patriots tended to tune Carroll out.
Guys like Terry Glenn basically wiped their feet on him.
Their won-loss record got worse with each passing year.
And after three seasons, he was replaced with the ultimate disciplinarian.
They’re freer to speak their minds.
Complain about their contract negotiations.
They’ll be wearing captains’ patches for the first time.
That sort of thing.
I did not see this one coming.
And I’m not going to argue with the factual accuracy of Mayo’s point.
And the last thing I need is that on my Google search history.
I’ll take Mayo at his word.
Or the joke in the spirit in which it was intended.
My only point is that we’re seeing an entirely new philosophy at work here.
Real Pats fans were nearly unanimous on that point.
Belichick was only occasionally funny.
And probably never cracked a joke at one of his player’s expense to the outside world.
He saved the biting remarks for the meeting rooms and the practice field.
But it worked for him.
And we loved him for it.
That said, I’m all for this.
On the theory that if you’re going to make a change, make achange.
Nobody wants a Belichick impersonator.
That’s what we have Frank Caliendo for.
And one thing was made abundantly clear to Boomer Esiason: Patriots players love playing for Mayo.
I mean, that tells you a lot, that there was internal pressure coming from every which way.
They love their coach, and hopefully that will continue."
No one outside the building can confirm if the first half of that last sentence is correct.
Though the results in Cincinnati would be a pretty good indication it is.
What we can all agree with is the second half of it.
And I think I can speak for everyone when I say what matters isn’t the approach.
It’s whether or not it produces results.
I just want Mayo’s players to fear how much they love him.
