Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia dodged questions about his relationship with Bill Belichick on Monday morning. It was as if Patricia had been studying film on Belichick’s press conferences. (Maybe Patricia has.)
Both in New England or Detroit, Patricia has drawn comparisons to Bill Belichick, because the Lions coach came up in the Patriots organization. Patricia rose the ranks in New England’s staff, and landed in a defensive coordinator role, which propelled him to his job with the Lions. But much of what he learned came from Belichick and the Patriots staff. So it’s unsurprising that Patricia’s answer about Belichick sounded like Belichick when fielding questions from reporters before a joint practice between the Patriots and Lions.
“I’ve talked at length about my relationship with coach Belichick and how important that is and how private that is,” Patricia told reporters during a press conference in Detroit on Monday morning. “We just try to focus on our teams.”
The Lions have no shortage of former Patriots players. New England will practice against former Patriots like receivers Danny Amendola and Chris Lacy, offensive lineman Luke Bowanko, defensive linemen Trey Flowers Flowers, Eric Lee, John Atkins and Darius Kilgo, cornerbacks Justin Coleman and Rashaan Melvin, safety Tavon Wilson and linebacker Trevor Bates. That crossover is surely due, in part, to Patricia’s connection with New England along with the team’s connection to Bob Quinn, the Lions general manager and former Patriots director of player personnel. And while there’s so much overlap, Patricia emphasized on Monday that he’s trying to build “Lions culture.”
