When the New England Patriots were formed in 1960 they were not embraced by Boston football fans. At the time, New England s beloved football team was the New York Giants, which sported superstars such as Frank Gifford and Roosevelt Grier. Despite an appearance in the AFL Championship Game in 1963, it wasn t until the Patriots first Super Bowl appearance in 1985 that they began to get respect and love from New Englanders. Coach Bill Parcells arrival in 1993 solidified the team s standing, and of course Bill Belichick s streak of championships made the Pats what they are today. Once derided and ignored, the Patriots have survived an uphill battle to become one of the most lauded franchises in the NFL.
That remarkable climb, which has happened in a relatively short period of time, has birthed an incredible history, an entity that has evolved and is still evolving. And that entity has seen many remarkable events and created many legends. In Then Belichick Said to Brady... , Jim Donaldson compiles an exhaustive array of stories and digs to their roots, giving the reader an insider s point of view and passing on previously unheard tales from on and off the field.
From classic Patriots such as Gino Cappelletti, Nick Buoniconti, and Vito Babe Parilli to newer blood including Tom Brady, Tedy Bruschi, and Randy Moss, all eras of the Patriots are represented. There are numerous stories about remarkable players and coaches, such as John Hannah and Bill Belichick, and the less-than-stellar, such as Clive Rush and Chris Canty. Jim Donaldson even creates a fantasy draft of all the best players in Patriots history...and those players New Englanders would just as soon forget. Get the inside scoop on Billy Sullivan, read in-depth accounts of all the Super Bowl appearances, and learn what made 1985 so special. To complete this Patriots package, there is an accompanying CD featuring interviews with Steve Grogan, Jon Morris, and Larry Eisenhauer.
For every fan of the Patriots those who stuck by the team during the less-than-great decades and those who have jumped aboard the bandwagon during the recent Super Bowl dynasty Then Belichick Said to Brady... does an exceptional job of identifying the best stories that have emerged from this fascinating franchise.
I had a reputation for being a bit bizarre as far as behavior was concerned both on and off the field. I had a different roommate every year, both in college and the pros. I wore them all out.
Larry Ike Eisenhauer reflecting on his eccentric persona
To be a franchise quarterback and then, all of a sudden, nothing I don t know if I could have handled myself the way he did. It was a testament to his character.
Tedy Bruschi on Drew Bledsoe
I clamped down on them. It could have been done in a more positive or gracious way. I could have made some concessions so that it wouldn t have come off as being so harsh. I take responsibility for it. But the bottom line was we just didn t win quickly enough.... I was really more concerned about coaching the team than trying to be a P.R. machine.
Bill Belichick on taking over a mediocre Patriots franchise
When we were the worst in the league and when we were the best in the league, when we were awful and when we were great, I have always been proud to be a New England Patriot.
Andre Tippett, from the foreword

When the New England Patriots were formed in 1960 they were not embraced by Boston football fans. At the time, New England s beloved football team was the New York Giants, which sported superstars such as Frank Gifford and Roosevelt Grier. Despite an appearance in the AFL Championship Game in 1963, it wasn t until the Patriots first Super Bowl appearance in 1985 that they began to get respect and love from New Englanders. Coach Bill Parcells arrival in 1993 solidified the team s standing, and of course Bill Belichick s streak of championships made the Pats what they are today. Once derided and ignored, the Patriots have survived an uphill battle to become one of the most lauded franchises in the NFL.
That remarkable climb, which has happened in a relatively short period of time, has birthed an incredible history, an entity that has evolved and is still evolving. And that entity has seen many remarkable events and created many legends. In Then Belichick Said to Brady... , Jim Donaldson compiles an exhaustive array of stories and digs to their roots, giving the reader an insider s point of view and passing on previously unheard tales from on and off the field.
From classic Patriots such as Gino Cappelletti, Nick Buoniconti, and Vito Babe Parilli to newer blood including Tom Brady, Tedy Bruschi, and Randy Moss, all eras of the Patriots are represented. There are numerous stories about remarkable players and coaches, such as John Hannah and Bill Belichick, and the less-than-stellar, such as Clive Rush and Chris Canty. Jim Donaldson even creates a fantasy draft of all the best players in Patriots history...and those players New Englanders would just as soon forget. Get the inside scoop on Billy Sullivan, read in-depth accounts of all the Super Bowl appearances, and learn what made 1985 so special. To complete this Patriots package, there is an accompanying CD featuring interviews with Steve Grogan, Jon Morris, and Larry Eisenhauer.
For every fan of the Patriots those who stuck by the team during the less-than-great decades and those who have jumped aboard the bandwagon during the recent Super Bowl dynasty Then Belichick Said to Brady... does an exceptional job of identifying the best stories that have emerged from this fascinating franchise.
I had a reputation for being a bit bizarre as far as behavior was concerned both on and off the field. I had a different roommate every year, both in college and the pros. I wore them all out.
Larry Ike Eisenhauer reflecting on his eccentric persona
To be a franchise quarterback and then, all of a sudden, nothing I don t know if I could have handled myself the way he did. It was a testament to his character.
Tedy Bruschi on Drew Bledsoe
I clamped down on them. It could have been done in a more positive or gracious way. I could have made some concessions so that it wouldn t have come off as being so harsh. I take responsibility for it. But the bottom line was we just didn t win quickly enough.... I was really more concerned about coaching the team than trying to be a P.R. machine.
Bill Belichick on taking over a mediocre Patriots franchise
When we were the worst in the league and when we were the best in the league, when we were awful and when we were great, I have always been proud to be a New England Patriot.
Andre Tippett, from the foreword