Playing football in New England under the microscope of passionate fans and a hard-edged media can be tough. And that’s not even taking into account playing for Bill Belichick.
There’s old school, and then there’s Belichick.
And yet, players keep flocking back to the nest either via free agency or in some cases, the trade route.
Trent Brown, Kyle Van Noy and Ted Karras are just the latest to join the rather lengthy list of players who have two different stints with the Patriots.
Brian Hoyer is the leader in the clubhouse with three tours of duty in Foxboro, as the total is up to 24 players with more than one stop in New England. Seattle sits up top with 26 returnees. Pittsburgh has 24, and will technically be joined by the Patriots once Brown, Van Noy and Karras play Week 1.
So why so many two-timers in New England? Is the Hoodie really a softie underneath that Darth Vader exterior?
Andre Carter, who was with the team in 2011, and again in 2013, pointed to Belichick as the chief motivation for his return engagement.
“Bill brings back guys he trusts. And maybe certain players weren’t the high caliber athletes they were earlier in their careers, but Bill knows at the end of the day, he can maximize reps with these particular individuals to help win games,” said Carter. “That’s one thing I commend Coach Belichick about, bringing me back.”
Carter suffered a quad injury toward the end of his first stint with the Patriots. He left for a season, joining the Raiders, before returning to the Patriots. He was 34, and played his final season with the Patriots before retiring.
“Looking back, I wasn’t at my prime obviously, with the injury. But (Belichick) knew the dynamics of what I brought from a run game standpoint, and pass rush standpoint,” said Carter. “And also, just being a vet, showing rookies how it’s done to be successful. That goes a long way, too. I was very honored to be a part of that, going into a second term.”
Unlike Carter, who returned as a free agent, Deion Branch was pretty much forced into his second stint — via trade.
After the unsettling way it ended in Foxboro, with a contract dispute the final year of his rookie deal, a subsequent holdout from mandatory minicamp and training camp, and eventual trade to the Seahawks, Branch was dealt back to the Patriots four years later.
Did he come back kicking and screaming?
Hardly. Truth is, Branch never wanted to leave. He welcomed his second tour.
Speaking with Branch on Thursday, he said he didn’t harbor any ill will toward the organization. He had hoped the contract situation would have been resolved. And admittedly, it did take him and his family a while to get past it. But he understood both sides, and after a mutual parting, he welcomed another stay in New England.
While he was surprised the Seahawks would trade him back, Branch was ready to return, especially after going through three coaching changes in Seattle.
“I was born in New England (football-wise),” said Branch, a Super Bowl MVP during his first stint. “My return, it was amazing. I wish I never left. And I wish we got everything right (before). We just couldn’t get together on the numbers. But I think everything happens for a reason, and I was able to return.
“It was great,” he went on. “The team welcomed me just as much as they did when I was drafted. It was, ‘We miss you, we love you.’ And trust me, I missed New England as well.”
And wouldn’t you know, Belichick was the first one to greet him at the door. The Patriots coach had a playbook in his hand, and asked him if he was ready to come home.
“I said, ‘Yes sir,’’’ said Branch. “It was like a father talking to his son. It was so crazy. … I still have the utmost respect for Coach Belichick in the way he handles business. A lot of guys tend to forget, while it is a business, there’s a lot of emotion attached to these things. There’s going to be some people hurt, but we never burn bridges. I don’t think there were any bridges burned on either side.”
So what is it about playing in New England, and being a Patriot that makes people want to return?
“For me personally, being injected into that program, it fits me,” said Branch. “I’m always about being a team player, and that’s what they focus on. If you’re selfish, that place isn’t for you. If it’s all about the team, then that’s the place for you. If you have any ‘I’ in your heart, that’s not the place for you. If you want to be a part of some sort of team camaraderie, where you put everyone else’s feelings and emotions before yourself, you’ll succeed in that building, in that organization … that’s the bigger picture.”
Branch also pointed to Patriots owner Robert Kraft as having a hand in cultivating that team-first environment, along with Belichick.
Branch said having a winning culture is also part of the attraction for return engagements. Carter agreed.
“Everything works out great when you win. But winning in the NFL is a hard task. Everything always starts up top,” he said. “Mr. Robert Kraft has a structure from an organization standpoint from up top, then obviously, coach Belichick, he has a structure, he has a dynamic, he has a philosophy and emphasis day to day. The structure is written down. He’s by far one of the most organized coaches I’ve been around in my NFL career. He just has an answer for everything. … He was also the first and last head coach I’ve known that was part of every position meeting. He knows football. And I was grateful for that.”
Among the other notables on the two-timers list are Brandon Bolden, Tully Banta-Cain, Martellus Bennett, LeGarrette Blount, Patrick Chung, Jamie Collins, Doug Flutie, Tebucky Jones, Otis Smith and Benjamin Watson.
There haven’t been many cases where the second time around was better than the first. Chung, who just retired, is one of the exceptions. He’s the poster boy for improving in Round Two. After leaving and playing for the Eagles, he returned and became a more integral part of the Patriots defense, winning three Super Bowls.
Brown, who was re-acquired in a trade with the Raiders, was a part of a championship team in New England, and didn’t know how good he had it, until he left.
The Raiders signed the hulking offensive tackle to a monster free agent deal, but Brown was miserable.
“Ever since I left nothing has gone right for me,” Brown said shortly after his return. “I have worn a lot of jerseys in my life, but I’ve never been more proud than when I put on a Patriots jersey.”
Brown said he wasn’t “a fit” in L.A. with the Raiders. He was much more at home in New England.
“When I became a Patriot,” Brown said, “I always loved football, but I began to appreciate what it takes — the actual time, effort and sacrifices you have to make. And, really, it was fun for me.
“Some people don’t like it but I love it, honestly. And I just think that it is where I need to be. I am happy with the organization. I was happiest when I was there. I have never had more fun playing football in my life. Glad to be back.”
Edelman’s father didn’t see happy ending
Six years ago, I chatted with Frank Edelman, Julian’s father, for a story. We talked about the numerous concussions the Patriots receiver had suffered, along with the injuries.
Turns out, Edelman’s dad, who helped coach his son at the Pee Wee and Pop Warner levels, was a bit prophetic about how his son would ultimately leave the game.
“There’s obviously so much joy and excitement and pride (with playing professional football). That just comes with the territory. But there’s a dark side to it. And the dark side is the injuries, and when is it going to be taken away,” the elder Edelman said. “Hopefully, your son can leave the game because he wants to, not because he has to, which is uncommon. Normally, you lose to the game.”
Edelman, a month shy of his 35th birthday, did lose to a chronic knee injury as the Patriots receiver announced his retirement on Monday. He wasn’t able to leave on his own terms. Edelman said in a video his plan was to go until “the wheels came off.” Unfortunately, they came off. And his father saw it coming.
Frank Edelman also put into context what the game meant to his son.
“He’s played football his whole life. Football is the team-iest sport in all the sports. And by that, I mean you need all 11 guys to either be doing the right thing at the same time, or the wrong thing at the same time to create execution,” Edelman said. “And the thing about (Julian) is it took him awhile to figure out how to be a receiver, and how he can work within that system and flourish, and understand what his options are in that particular system. Knowing what everyone’s supposed to do … Jules thrives on that.
“He’s got to do his job. That’s the way his vision is. Everybody’s got to do their job. I know that’s so cliché and so Patriot-like, but it’s so true.”
Lying season
One week, the Patriots are trading up for Ohio State’s Justin Fields. The next, Alabama’s Mac Jones is the object of their affection.
One week, there’s no chance they’re trading up. The next, there’s a story that has them moving up the board.
What’s it all mean?
Not much.
Scott Pioli, one-time Patriots vice president of player personnel, reminded everyone not to believe everything you hear. Because right now, it’s lying season. In an interview on NFL Network, Pioli said the Patriots would routinely put out false information this time of year.
“We were very careful about what we talked (about) and we would put our own personal misinformation out,” said Pioli, who is an NFL Network contributor. “Not rumors. But misinformation about what we might be doing. And I know other teams are. Everyone is playing those games.”
Jones touts his intangibles
While Alabama quarterback Mac Jones won’t compare himself to Tom Brady, he does believe there are some traits he has in common with the GOAT.
Jones said in an interview with ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit that he does think he has some similarities to Brady, specifically that people haven’t always been impressed with him as a physical specimen, but he has the competitive fire that motivates him to win.
“I don’t like to compare myself to him, I’ve got a long way to go,” Jones said. “But coming out of college it was, doesn’t have arm strength, can’t throw a spiral, can’t move. I can do that stuff, but it’s more like the intangible stuff. … He’s got the fire still, and that’s why he’s so good.”
