Bill Belichick highly praised a 2-13 football team.
In his weekly segment “Belestrator” with Patriots.com, Belichick was once again thrilled with Jets coach Adam Gase and defender Sam Darnold, among others, foreseeing the end of Sunday’s regular season.
“You can see Darnold here against a Miami blitz, and he really makes a big move here,” said Belichick in a video of Darnold of the Jets’ week 12 defeat to the Dolphins. “He can do all the shots, the deep shots, the intermediate shots and use his back.
“… Darnold has a big arm and he’s a big guy who can stay in his pocket and do a good job of delivering the ball.”
While it is not uncommon for coaches, especially Belichick, to praise opponents to come, the Patriots’ longtime coach seems to have struggled to do so.
Belichick started praising Darnold on Wednesday, although many believe he has regressed this season. This led to speculation that the Jets could select a replacement for the 23-year-old pilot in the NFL’s 2021 Draft.
Gase recently took responsibility for Darnold’s struggles, but Belichick said he didn’t think there was anyone better to work at Florham Park. There is speculation that Gase may join the Belichick team next season as Gase is due to be fired by the Jets after Sunday’s game.
“Coach Gase is an excellent game planner, he projects difficult plays for the defense and does a good job both in the play-call area and in terms of calling them at the right time, he has a good sense for the pace of the game. I play offensively and so on, ”said Belichick in the video shared on Saturday on Twitter.
Belichick also praised wide receiver Jamison Crowder in the preview video, as well as defensive points Nathan Shepherd and John Franklin-Myers, and linebacker Tarell Basham.
For the Belichick team, the Patriots (6-9) will lose the playoffs for the first time since 2008.