Bill Belichick Is Not a Genius, He Is a Lottery Winner

I've been wanting to present such an argument for a very long time. 

Bill Belichick is not a genius, he is a lottery winner. I've never heard an argument over the past eleven years which changed my mind. It all started...

In the sixth round of the 2000 draft. We all know who he chose. We all know it changed the direction of the New England Patriots organization for, at least, the next decade and a half. Whether or not you like or dislike Tom Brady, you have to respect his journey and you must respect his success. 

Now, is Bill Belichick really that profound of a genius? No. Nope. Nada. 

He is a great coach with a great vision for his team...who won the lottery.  

Let me ask you a question: if Tom Brady was injured, could Belichick will his team to greatness? Here is a list of Tom Brady's backups over the years:

2001: Drew Bledsoe, Damon Huard 
2002: Damon Huard, Rohan Davey 
2003: Damon Huard, Rohan Davey 
2004: Rohan Davey, Jim Miller 
2005: Doug Flutie, Matt Cassel 
2006: Matt Cassel, Vinnie Testaverde 
2007: Matt Cassel, Matt Gutierrez 
2008: Matt Cassel, Kevin O'Connell, Matt Gutierrez 
2009: Brian Hoyer

Drew Bledsoe was on his way out, as was Doug Flutie, and Matt Cassel is showing signs of life in Kansas City. The question remains, could the Patriots live without Tom Brady? No. He is the Patriots. I've seen the Patriots run up the score against opponents, bring in the backups, when the backups did not perform, Belichick put his starters back in the game. 

He can't live without Tom Brady. He won the lottery. If Belichick was that brilliant, why did he wait until the sixth round to draft Brady? Because he didn't understand that the rookie quarterback which stood before him had a greater desire to succeed, more than he understood. Belichick got lucky. No one knew about Tom Brady because, if they did, he would've been a Cleveland Brown round 1, pick 1. Interestingly enough, Bilichick could take a risk on the youngster out of Michigan because he had Drew Bledsoe on his roster. When you have a good quarterback the level of risk/reward a coach operates within changes. Belichick was free to experiment with his draft picks because he already had an entrenched starter.  

I'm not a hater, the evidence is what it is. I really do respect the Patriots and their success. Tom Brady has willed that organization to NFL greatness with and without stars on the offense. I've been a Dolphins fan since 1984. I used to hate Brady. I can't, he's too good and that must be respected (also the Dolphins have played Tom Brady very well. It's well known that Brady hates playing the Dolphins). 

Belichick happens to be the coach. Tom Brady has given him job security. It's because of Tom Brady that Belichick can be creative/aggressive on defense, running crazy schemes. This is easy to do when you have a Hall of Fame quarterback at the helm. I've had a lot of feedback that the Hoodie can take unrestricted free agents and make them into serviceable, dependable starters. That immediately points to the greatness of Tom Brady. BenJarvis-Green couldn't be the star of an offense...other Patriots have tried to leave, only to discover that Tom Brady made them. 

He is the only star that Bill Belichick will not trade or release. Seymour, gone. Moss, gone, Law, gone. They are expendable, Tom Brady is not. The best draft pick Belichick ever made (outside of Brady), Logan Mankins. You have to protect the cashcow.

Former Patriots realize that Brady is the Hoodies prized pupil. Makes sense though, right?

If Brady goes down, you know who takes his place? Brant Hoyer or Jonathon Crompton...

Doesn't necessarily make you dream of Super Bowls of the future, does it Bill?