Much ado about bling. As we know, the Patriots received their Super Bowl LI championship rings June 9. They’re gorgeous, gaudy, and sport 283 diamonds as a nod to their improbable third-quarter comeback from a 28-3 deficit against the Falcons in February.
Around New England, and especially with Patriots fans, the gem count was viewed as a cool move by team owner Robert Kraft. In Atlanta, however, according to at least one report, Falcons players didn’t take too kindly to the not so subtle reminder of the blown lead.
Beyond Atlanta, social media outlets were playing the disrespect card, claiming the number of diamonds was over the top, and an unnecessary shot.
So, does this make the Patriots arrogant, bad winners, or simply a team wanting to commemorate an historic achievement?
Matt Cuccaro, a performance coach based in Hilton Head, S.C., believes the choice of 283 diamonds, while it might be considered arrogant on the surface, merely sends a tremendous message to the Patriots players. That would be his perspective.
“It’s symbolic of the fact, ‘We dig in. We compete,’ which we know they talk about a ton. And it just gives them another instance of, ‘Look guys, we’re never out of it,’ ” said Cuccaro, who has a masters in sports psychology from Boston University. “And to me, confidence, when working with athletes, confidence is more about knowing . . . put me in the toughest situation possible and knowing I’m going to be OK. Arrogance, on the other hand, is standing at the hilltop and saying, ‘I’m No. 1 and you have no chance.’ ”
The symbolism of the ring wouldn’t be the same with 183 gems, or 200 stones, for instance. The 283 diamonds offer a powerful reminder: No matter the challenge or obstacle in a game, it can be overcome.
While Patriots coach Bill Belichick wants to move past the 2016 season, and focus on 2017, it’s still a powerful tool when the need arises.
Former Patriots fullback Heath Evans agreed. The NFL Network analyst didn’t buy into the theory that the purpose was to rub salt into the Falcons’ wound. It was more to have a tangible object that reflected their resiliency.
“I don’t think it’s Robert or Bill saying ‘Ha-ha Falcons,’” Evans said Thursday. “I think it’s more of, ‘We accomplished something no one’s ever done in the history of our game.’ And it’s far more about remembering the accomplishment of overcoming a 28-3 deficit and the mindset of, ‘We’re never out, we’re better prepared, we’re going to will our way.’ . . . so I don’t take it as trash talk, I don’t take it as disrespect. I take it as, let’s remember what we accomplished. It’s more of a life lesson. Remember what was — what happened — and how you do it.”
As for the people who took issue with it, Evans believes down deep, more NFL players side with how the Patriots run things.
“I think the people that call it arrogant are insecure. Most of the players in the league respect that,” he said. “Then there’s probably a group that think that’s b.s. or whatever. They respect the edge the Patriots walk onto the field with and wish they could be a part of it. But most of them can’t be because they’re selfish or they’re arrogant or they’re not willing to abide by the Patriot Way. The basis of that franchise is driven solely by the team-first mentality. So call it arrogant all you want. I’d say you don’t understand it.”
So what do you say to Falcons fans, or even the players who feel disrespected?
“Look, it was a team-focused mindset that built that ring,” Evans said. “People can say what they want. If it bothers you so much, go do something about it. Go beat them . . . and good luck trying!”
Brissett hooked on Tuna
Patriots second-year quarterback Jacoby Brissett was raised in a single-parent home by his mother, Lisa Brown. While he considers high school coach Jack Daniels more of a father figure, it’s amusing how he also puts former Patriots coach Bill Parcells in the category of a grandfather.
With it being Father’s Day today, Brissett indicated last week he would no doubt touch base with the Tuna today via text or phone call.
“I’ve known him since I was 14. He’s always given me that fatherly advice,” Brissett said following Tuesday’s OTA session. “He gives you that tough love, and I’ve always appreciated that.”
Brissett said he talks to Parcells quite often. The Hall of Fame coach has been a mentor to Brissett, watching him play at Dwyer High in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and helping guide his career.
“I really appreciate our relationship,” said Brissett. “He gives me these talks, we have back-and-forth conversations, it’s more than football. That’s why it’s so good.”
Kraft’s long Hall to Israel
Kraft took about 50 people to Israel last week, including 18 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was similar to Kraft’s trip from 2015 and geared toward growing the game on an international level.
Kraft brought a lot of A-listers. Andre Tippett, a career-long Patriot, is the only Hall of Famer to go on both trips. Among the 17 new faces: Joe Montana, Jim Brown, Roger Staubach and “Mean” Joe Greene.
Williams’ impression: Cool
Running back Damien Williams was asked about his free agent visit with the Patriots following the conclusion of Dolphins minicamp Thursday. Williams called it “weird” considering he’s played only for the Dolphins, and ultimately wanted to stay in Miami.
His description of Belichick, who he met during the visit, was priceless.
“The boogie with the Hoodie?” Williams told the Palm Beach Post. “Yeah, I met him. He’s a cool dude. He’s a cool person. He’s quiet. He’s very observant.”
It was assumed the reference was to the rapper, songwriter and record producer Artist J. Dubose, whose stage name is A Boogie wit da Hoodie.
Bowles: Nothing in ‘tank’
Asked last week about his attitude for the 2017 season in wake of media speculation about his team tanking the season, Jets coach Todd Bowles had a quick response.
“Lucky for me, I don’t read the media,” he said, “but my expectations are high and the team’s expectations are high and that’s really all that counts.”
The Jets brass has done quite a bit of housecleaning, essentially dumping the veterans. To that end, Bowles was asked a followup on why he would still be considering Josh McCown at quarterback if the team is trying to move on to the next generation.
Said Bowles: “Even when you go to kindergarten, somebody has to be the teacher.”
That was his funny line, but he went into a little more detail.
“You’re not going to have everybody young. You’re going to have the majority of the team young,” he said. “You’re going to have some guys on your team that have played some years. It is not going to be a total washout like (they’re) all freshman coming into college, but the majority of them are young and then the other majority can help in other ways, so it’s a fine line between choosing all young and picking which guys not to get rid of.”
Hopkins: Wes is more
Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins had some interesting insights about new offensive assistant Wes Welker, and how much he’s already helping the receivers with Bill O’Brien’s offense but also with becoming a better team.
Welker, the former Patriot and Tom Brady’s one-time go-to guy, has been preaching a bit of what he learned in Foxboro, which is about bonding off the field, which helps being more successful on the field.
“It makes a big difference,” Hopkins told the Houston Chronicle. “The teams you see winning championships are teams that are close, not just on the field but off the field.
“It’s no secret Brady and his receivers are a tight-knit group, spending time together at different events (Kentucky Derby) and also working on the playbook and routes a different locations (California, Montana).
“You look at teams that won championships, and you can tell (the players are) not just teammates — they’re friends as well. It makes a big difference.”
