Things up north in Foxborough aren’t looking too promising right now. The New England Patriots are mired in about as murky a situation as can be remembered in recent history — the team is backed up against the wall, facing off against Father Time, the salary cap, a standoff with Tom Brady and a potential mass exodus of talent elsewhere. Just don’t ask Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores to write them off.
Flores met with the media this afternoon in Indianapolis during the first day of the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine — and he was quick to dismiss the idea that the Patriots and their two decade romp through the AFC East was one.
“No (the Patriots aren’t done). I don’t ever see those guys as vulnerable,” said Flores with a chuckle.
Good. Because for the Miami Dolphins to exorcise two decades worth of demons against the Patriots, the team will need to take nothing for granted. Leave no stone unturned, press the issue with team building and never, ever let the guard down against Belichick and company. They’ve been too good for too long to simply go quietly into the night.
Flores knows, as he’s spent years upon years behind enemy lines as a critical assistant coach under Belichick and company. So as tempting as it might be to giddily axe the Patriots from the AFC’s hierarchy of teams, don’t fall for it. They will have their work cut out for them to fight their way back to the top of the mountain — just as the Dolphins have their work cut out for them to fight their way into postseason contention. There’s room for both to materialize. Even now, with the Patriots facing potential turnover, they still rule the roost.
At least for now. Flores and company will look to have something to say about that before this time next year.
