Why is it that a number of NFL teams in this era of the salary cap have skillfully managed to sustain a high level of success?
After all, the way the NFL rules are set up—-the intention was to ensure parity and to give every franchise a fighting chance at winning the Lombardi Trophy.
The immediate answer is—-stability at head coach and quarterback.
Let’s begin by closely examining the records and accomplishments over the past 10 years of the longest tenured NFL head coaches.
Bill Belichick—-New England Patriots (2000—-present)
- QBs: Drew Bledsoe, Tom Brady
- Key picks of Belichick’s 1st draft: QB Tom Brady
- 2000 Record: 5-11
- First Super Bowl Win: 2001
- Record Last 10 years: 123-37
- Division Titles Last 10 Years: 10
- Playoff Record Last 10 Years: 15-7
- Super Bowl Record Last 10 Years: 2-2 (2018 TBD this Sunday)
Sean Payton—-New Orleans Saints (2006—-present)
- QB: Drew Brees (UFA signing 2006)
- Key picks of Payton’s 1st draft: RB Reggie Bush, S Roman Harper, G Jahri Evans, T Zach Strief, WR Marques Colston
- 2006 Record: 10-6, 1st in NFC South (lost in division round)
- Super Bowl Win: 2009
- Record Last 10 Years: 110-70
- Division Titles Last 10 Years: 4 (plus 2 wild card berths)
- Playoff Record Last 10 Years: 7-5 (funny, Wikipedia lists the recent loss to Rams as “screwed by refs”!