Belichick defends recent draft record: 'I've seen a lot worse'
The New England Patriots are in an unfamiliar position at the season's halfway point, sitting at 3-5 and third in the AFC East behind the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins.
Some believe New England's woes are partially due to poor recent drafting, but head coach Bill Belichick strongly pushed back against that notion Friday.
"I'd say the most important thing to me is winning games," Belichick said, according to Nick O'Malley of Mass Live. "I'm not gonna apologize for our record over the last 20 years. I've seen a lot worse."
Belichick seemingly signaled his displeasure when asked about the Patriots' recent draft history with an awkward pause:
Here was @tomecurran’s first question to Bill Belichick about the Patriots’ draft issues. Belichick paused for 13 seconds (!) before answering. pic.twitter.com/0ZqBsfJvCJ
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) November 13, 2020
New England has been the NFL's most successful franchise since Belichick took over in 2000. The Patriots have won six Super Bowls, nine AFC title games, and racked up an NFL-best 240 regular-season wins during his tenure.
But Belichick has arguably struggled to draft impact players of late. The last Pro Bowler selected by New England was linebacker Jamie Collins in 2013.
The head coach defended his draft record by saying his philosophy is to put the best players on the field, not necessarily the most high profile.
"Look, any time you bring a player onto your team, you put them into a role or a situation you think fits him," Belichick said. "Sometimes you have to modify that a little bit as you get to know the player. Then you work with them to try to develop that and he competes with other players at whatever position it is or whatever role it is.
"Ultimately you choose, or we choose, or I choose the best player out of the competition. So, that's really the process."
The Patriots' recent first-round picks include running back Sony Michel and wide receiver N'Keal Harry. Both have failed to live up to expectations so far, and their lack of impact has been further highlighted this season amid the team's offensive struggles without Tom Brady.
Belichick, in characteristic fashion, said he's thinking only about his team's next opponent rather than second-guessing his draft picks.
"Honestly, my focus has been on the (Baltimore) Ravens, not on a drafting scorecard, which I understand you want to write about that, which is great," Belichick said. "But really trying to focus on getting ready for the Ravens. So, I think I'll leave my attention on that."