How did Skip Bayless react to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ victory over the New Orleans Saints?
Beating the same old drum, of course.
Bayless has targeted Bill Belichick on several occasions this season after Tom Brady left the New England Patriots, and he did it again on Monday, the day after Tampa Bay opened his ticket to the NFC Championship Game.
Brady and the Bucs are a victory from the Super Bowl LV, while Belichick and the Patriots missed the playoffs altogether after going 7-9 with Cam Newton in the center.
“Bill Belichick is once again being exposed not only as a coach, but also as a team builder,” said Bayless in FS1’s “Undisputed”. “Much more as a team builder than as a coach. Because I thought about some moments of this year, I found your defense very good. In a few moments, they took a lot from Cam. But not enough, to the point that Cam doesn’t come back. “
Tampa Bay’s success is not just about Brady. Just as New England struggles cannot be attributed to Belichick alone.
But the optics are certainly not great for the Patriots now, and Bayless can’t help wondering if the team’s owner, Robert Kraft, more or less regrets choosing his coach over his longtime quarterback.
“Robert Kraft must be shaking his head – silently; he will never say it publicly, ”said Bayless. “But saying, ‘Damn, what were we thinking?’ Because I promise you today that you will see many more No. 12 Buccaneers t-shirts appearing in and around Boston. You watch.”
Overall, it’s ridiculous to take anything from Belichick’s legacy based on a season. The Patriots’ two-decade dynasty was his and Brady’s product being the best in their respective jobs.
But don’t say that to Bayless. He’s been on top of Belichick for months, and criticism could reach another level if the Bucs beat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, while the Patriots stay home.
Miniature photo via Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports Images