It’s been almost a week since the Philadelphia Eagles beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 52, but some Eagles’ players are still taking their shots at the Pats.
Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson is not a fan of the Pats organization referring to them as a “fear-based organization” where the players don’t have fun, in a recent interview with Barstool Sports on Friday.
“I just think that the Patriot Way is a fear-based organization,” Johnson said on the website’s Pardon My Take podcast. “Obviously, do they win? Hell yes, they win. They’ve won for a long time. Do I think people enjoy and can say, ‘I had a lot of fun playing there?’ No, I don’t. That’s just the God’s honest truth.”
Johnson, in particular, pointed out how the Pats approach media interactions.
“They’re successful, but when they go to interviews, they act like f—ing robots,” Johnson said about how Patriots’ players act in interviews.
“Hey, stop being a d—head. We can be cordial for a little bit. You only get to do this job one time, so let’s have fun while we’re doing it. Not to be reckless, but I’d much rather have fun and win a Super Bowl than be miserable and win five Super Bowls.”
The Pats have long been a bit aloof with their media access and when that access is given, they are infamous for keeping things close to the chest, much like their head coach, Bill Belichick, does.
Johnson isn’t shy about his distaste for the Patriots organization. Prior to the Super Bowl being played Johnson called Patriots quarterback Tom Brady a “pretty boy” and said that there was “nothing I’d like to do more than dethrone that guy.”
New England has been mostly quiet since losing the Super Bowl and there are a number of questions about how the organization will address the loss.
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels abruptly turned down the Indianapolis Colts’ head coaching job only a few short hours after the team officially announced his hiring. The McDaniels “change-of-heart” story is still one that has a lot of questions remaining.
It left a big black eye on McDaniels’ reputation and will damage his chances of getting another head coaching opportunity from other teams around the league in the future. In fact, the chances of McDaniels getting another head coaching opportunity and/or succeeding Belichick could make for an interesting online wager and for those who are looking to try their luck can check the best betting sign up offers. If you are looking to make that bet keep in mind that there is a £50 welcome bonus by Sporting Bet or bet £5 get £50 by Ladbrokes available.
But there is also a strong belief that McDaniels’ move is an indicator, on some level, that current head coach Bill Belichick may have given the organization some sort of timeline as to when he will give up his post as head coach, clearing the way for McDaniels to succeed him.
There is also the lingering questions about the future of Tom Brady, who is climbing into his early 40s. Although Brady is coming off an MVP season, and yet another MVP award, and despite the fact that he has said countless times that he plans on playing well into his 40s, perhaps another 5 years, it has not stopped the persistent questioning of his playing future and retirement plans.
Should the Eagles and the Patriots meet again in Super Bowl 53 there is now a number of good storylines to make the next encounter all the more entertaining.