Tom Brady

Julian Edelman shares story of Bill Belichick's unmatched work ethic

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:17 p.m. ET

Cameron DaSilva

If there were any doubt that the New England Patriots would be just fine without Tom Brady, Sunday night’s win over the Arizona Cardinals should change that. Not only did the Patriots win on the road without Brady, but they did so against a Super Bowl favorite.

And it wasn’t just Brady out of the lineup. Tight end Rob Gronkowski was sidelined, as was defensive lineman Rob Ninkovich and two of New England’s starting offensive linemen. One guy they did have – no, not quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, although he did play great – was Bill Belichick.

The man in the hoodie was the driving force behind New England’s shocking upset win over Arizona, proving once again that he’s the best coach in the NFL, and it’s not even close.

He prepared the Patriots with a spot-on game plan, putting Garoppolo in positions to have success while ensuring that the Cardinals didn’t get their much-needed big plays deep downfield. That preparation didn’t come in a day, though. He works hard at his craft, and receiver Julian Edelman shared a story to put that into perspective after the game.

No word on whether Belichick said that with a smile or the slightest chuckle resembling a laugh, but this isn’t about his sense of humor. It’s about his unrelenting work ethic and preparation before each game. He dedicates everything to the game of football, and it shows.

Perhaps this is the “Patriot Way” that gets discussed so often in Foxborough. Players are often an extension of their coaches, and that’s exactly the case in New England. The Patriots always play hard for Belichick and are consistently among the smartest players in the game.

Belichick works hard and his players match his dedication on the field.

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Julian Edelman shares story of Bill Belichick's unmatched work ethic

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