Who could blame New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick if he were suffering from an acute case of empty-nest syndrome? He began training camp Friday without many of the cogs that helped him win two consecutive Super Bowls and three in the past four seasons.
Charlie Weis, the Patriots' offensive coordinator for the past five seasons, is now the head coach of Notre Dame. And Romeo Crennel, the team's defensive coordinator for the past four seasons, left to take the helm of the Cleveland Browns.
On the field, the Patriots were missing some veteran leadership. Tedy Bruschi, a Patriots linebacker for each of his nine professional seasons and a mainstay on a defense that dominated the league in recent years, had a stroke 10 days after New England beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl in February. He decided last week to sit out the 2005 season. Then, linebacker Ted Johnson retired unexpectedly on Thursday because of several concussions he sustained during his 10 seasons, all with New England.
It is enough to make Belichick long for an earlier time, when his biggest concern at training camp seemed to be deciding on which finger to wear his newest championship ring. But Belichick, 53, has embraced the uncertainty with confidence.
"Every season undergoes changes; every season's a new season," he said. "Even if it was the same people, there's still changes that the current team has to deal with, as things are different. And so that's part of football. I've been in the NFL over 30 years and it's been like that every single year in one way or another."
If anyone is equipped to handle an overhaul, it is Belichick, widely regarded as the shrewdest mind in football. He is entering his 31st season as an NFL coach, the longest tenure among active head coaches, and his 10-1 playoff record is the best in league history.
So how does Belichick plan to maintain the Patriots' winning ways?
For starters, he will again aim to use players in multiple roles. Chad Brown and Monty Beisel, who signed as free agents, will help fill the void at linebacker but might have to play inside, outside and in the middle. Last season, the Patriots started 40 different players, and some, like wide receiver Troy Brown, played on offense and defense.
Doug Flutie, a 42-year-old quarterback who also signed on as a free agent, will be asked to provide veteran leadership, especially if defensive lineman Richard Seymour, a Pro Bowl selection the past three seasons, continues to hold out for a restructured contract.
As for the coaching staff, Belichick said that he had become used to the absences of Weis and Crennel.
Eric Mangini, the Patriots' defensive backs coach the past five seasons and another longtime Belichick disciple, was promoted to defensive coordinator.
The team has not replaced Weis, leading to widespread speculation that Belichick will call the offensive plays. But asked about it, Belichick would only say: "We'll work it out. We'll call something. Ultimately, in the end, I think I'll be responsible for it, just like I've always been."
He was quick to add that quarterback Tom Brady would probably not call the plays.
For now, Belichick said, the Patriots have a way to go before they jell.
Brady concurred. "We're trying to form an identity," he said. "And we're trying to see what this team's all about, because every team during the course of the year develops a certain character about it."
The bigger question -- whether the Patriots have the players to win a third consecutive title -- is one that Belichick seemed to avoid.
"We're not defending anything, we're not repeating anything," he said. "We're just trying to put together some good practices and get a competitive football team out there to compete."
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