Brady and Belichick, the best heel combo of all

[Death From Above]

So the NFL has booked themselves a rematch at Superbowlmania that not a lot of people saw coming even a few weeks ago, although the signs were there in hindsight if you look at it. Eli suddenly getting more help at the right time to build up the team after his individually strong season, and the story all year of "Is Brady so good that, as much as we hate him, he may be impossible to stop". It seems like they figured out that Rodgers and the Packers on the whole have gotten big enough that jobbing them out does no real harm, and instead they are feeding us a Brady/Eli REMATCH. This caught a lot of fans off guard but it seems to be a surprise that's working for them. I'm saying that regardless of what they do with the main event, it's been a clever and well written twist. If Brady wins he locks up being best heel of all time and if Eli wins again he grows into a guy that may not be seen as the every-night superstar of Brees, Rodgers, or Brady but will have the rep of "that guy who we could always put the belt back on and people will believe it".

 

But anyway what I really want to talk about is the history of the Tom Brady build, and also the relationship he's had with his dastardly manager, Bill Belichick.

 

The whole build of Brady is really interesting if you look back to the very start, the year 2000. Brady actually started out as a babyface which a lot of people have forgotten. He was a nice, if driven kid from a family of athletes, who grew up idolizing Joe Montana, one of the biggest babyface stars of all time. He had to scrap for his playing time in the developmental ranks of college, and was a good story when he even made it into Belichick's stable as a new boy taken with a late pick in the NFL draft, who was basically holding the bags of the veterans in the group. He was a driven young man, who wanted very much to be the big star, and he was a likeable enough young fellow. This was how he started, as a feel good story, as The Patriots made the unusual decision of carrying 4 QB's instead of the usual 3 on their roster, just to give this young man a job. "Hey 6th round pick made it to the NFL Universe, that's great. Good for you kid. You never know, maybe someday you'll have your own t-shirt if you work hard".

 

Just as Brady was coming into the Patriots fold in 2000, our evil influence Bill Belichick was involved in a bizarre angle that left fans unsure what to make of him. He'd been working with a team called "The Jets" who had just promoted him to be their new ringside manager, when in a bizarre turn of events only one day later he turned in his resignation. This left both The Jets and the media of NFL Universe confused and unsure what to make of it all. Soon after he became the new ringside adviser to The Patriots. I see this as him, at that point, being in sort of a tweener position where at least at first we aren't supposed to be sure what to make of him. But he is now the new influence in the ear of our young, happy go lucky man, Tom Brady.

 

Things were not instantly successful. 2000 was a bad year for The Patriots (I guess the bookers were still sorting out where they were going with these guys) as it would be the only year that The Patriots were omitted from the NFL's version of the Champion's Carnival known quaintly as "the playoffs". It wasn't a waste though as our young man Brady was able to watch and learn, and gain respect for the boys in the back, while Belichick was able to work on his skills as well. By the end of the year despite not having a major push, it was clear to the powers-that-be that there was the chance to build some real stars here. Maybe they had that magic combo. It couldn't hurt to try!

 

So, 2001. Brady, our noble young lion, has impressed enough to work his way up to playing second fiddle to Patriots veteran Drew Bledsoe. But things did not start well as The Patriots lose both of their first two matches. Then they run an angle where Belichick decides Brady is their new chosen one, and they toss aside the veteran to allow the new young boy his chance for the third match. The first couple weeks for Brady were, in truth, uneventful white bread build we've seen before. He recorded a win and a loss in two acceptable but unspectacular efforts, under the watchful eye of his manager and trainer. But as the season wore along, Brady and Bill (still not clearly defined as heels) were built up well as he'd end up winning 11 of his 14 matches as "the man", winning the AFC East and securing a playoff birth for a team that had been 5-11 the year before. A happy story for everyone, right? What a fine young man Brady is, and that Belichick guy, maybe he's not so bad. He's just driven. And look at the results!

 

That's what they wanted us to think, but the bookers had a big plan that came to fruition in the first playoff match The Patriots would play. It was a heel turn so well done, they talk about it to this day. The infamous "Tuck Rule Game"! Brady was facing one of the NFL's most well known franchises, the Oakland Raiders. They are of course most famous for Darth Vader wearing a super-duper version of one of their helmets in one of the great sponsorship coups of all time, but I digress. That's a different story altogether. As for the game itself. The young star Brady is struggling to finish the deal against the established franchise, under the watchful eye of Bill Belichick at ringside. Oakland were up 7-0 at the half, and then after three quarters looked in solid shape leading 13-3. Young star Brady was given a carrot by scoring a rushing touchdown of his own to make it 13-10 (strangely despite Brady's lack of general running skillz to pop the smart marks, he has always used the QB Sneak as an effective finishing move). With under 2 minutes to go, Brady was hit by Charles Woodson (himself a young star of the time who has grown into a potential NFL Universe Hall of Famer), and appeared to fumble the ball! That's it, thank you young lion Brady! You are pinned, 1-2-3! But wait! The referees are discussing what they've seen, and Bill Belichick, if you look close, could be seen nodding at them, smiling, giving them the thumbs up. And the referees have declared, indeed, it was not a fumble at all, but Brady's arm was moving forward! The "tuck rule", a rare finish that hasn't been pulled out much since (A real stroke of genius, Belichick and the referees conspiring to create a fake rule to confuse the opponent that thinks they have it won). The fans are confused, what is going on? Brady and the Pats finish the job on the now also confused Raiders, scoring a 1-2-3 pinfall, as Brady delivers the finishing blow to his confused opponent. The referee raises Brady's hand, Belichick gives him a hug, and then... pulls out his wad of cash, hands it to the referee, and shakes his hand. Who could also ever forget the infamous "You fans can stick it, brother" interview that followed? Or the fan reaction! How does Brady react, with disgust or disdain? No, but with a smile and a wave, letting everyone know his drive and ambition have won out over his desire to be loved. What matters is winning. By any means. He may be the new golden boy, but if he has to lie, cheat, and steal to get to the top, that's just what he is going to do. This is the Belichick way, and Brady has bought in. The broken, battered body of the Oakland Raiders has never really recovered since from the shock of the moment hitting like a thunderbolt.

 

It was a glorious heel turn. They still talk about it today in a hush and a whisper, people say "I was there". The star of Brady, superheel, was born that day.

 

The Patirots would get pushed all the way to the top that year, being crowned winner of the Champion's Carnival at Superbowl XXXVI, over one of the loveable good guys of the game, Kurt Warner, along the way cementing the place of the Brady/Belichick tandem as the new top dastardly duo of them all. Warner was a great foil to be the final hurdle that year, because he himself was a feel good story. He'd been languishing in the minor leagues for years, and was a late bloomer into being a star of NFL Universe, but unlike Brady he stayed on the path of good. It was a poignant moment to see the contrast of the pair, and Warner did a good job helping Brady construct a memorable final to secure his position as a new top heel. Warner was always a really solid babyface, I liked him a lot.

 

We all know the story from there as this tandem has become the most feared, and reviled heel tandem of them all. Brady's gimmick as the ultra-driven supertalent who wants to win at all costs is well known, and it balances perfectly with Belichick, the evil genius always whispering him advice, driving him to go one step further, do one more dirty deed, who always seems to have another trick up his sleeve, willing to do it all, and is equally driven. They even brought in a blonde valet for Brady, for the extra heat, as men cannot help but envy Tom "The Chosen One" Brady, even if they hate him. They are a megastar combo, The Patriots perhaps the kings of heels.

 

The choice to have him put over Eli Manning a few years ago caught a lot of people off guard, because Eli was still seen as a pretty inconsistent young worker then. It was probably a big gamble, but if you look at where it puts them now it looks like it has worked out well. Eli is now established as a "man of the moment" type. He won't dominate you every match, but he's proven himself to have courage and guts, and a willingness to face down any challenge no matter what. He is also one of the few guys seen as a legit threat to Brady, leaving fans uncertain about the result that will be forthcoming at Superbowlmania.

 

Personally I can't wait for the match, and I hope you've enjoyed my little trip down memory lane about one of the great heel turns of all time.

[jdw]

Awesome stuff.

 

Let's not forget that among the ultimate evils of Belichick was to ignore the cardinal rule of "You Don't Lose Your Job Due To An Injury".

 

Drew Bledsoe had been the top babyface in the New England Territory for almost a decade, including main eventing Superbowlmania as a young worker. A quality worker under manager "Tuna" Parcells, Bledsoe started to decline under overmatched manager Pete Carroll. Bledsoe has his worse year as a regional face in Belichick's first season, and was stuck with a massive down-side guarantee contract.

 

We've learned since that Belichick is a cut throat manager who takes his que from JJ Dillon (tossing Ole overboard for Lex) and Jim Cornette (cutting bait on Loverboy Dennis when Sweet Stan became available). So he worked an injury angle to put Bledsoe on the shelf, with Bledsoe fulling expecting to get his spot on the card when the angle was finished. Instead, Belichick used that "hot streak" booking run to get over Brady with the local fans and make them ready to let Bledsoe go for the new hot young star.

 

To show the depth of the evil genius of Belichick, he worked a second injury angle in the season that's since been forgotten: Brady getting banged up at the King of the AFC card. Belichick sent Bledsoe in, and he helped that group win the match. Belichick didn't do this because he wanted to put Bledsoe back on top, but instead to make him look good do another Territory would be interested in the off season.

 

Sure enough, Belichick reached a talent trading agreement with the Buffalo territory, getting a future prospect for a QB that they didn't really want anymore: Bledsoe.

 

While Belichick & Brady went on to win two more Superbowlmania main events, Bledsoe bounced around territories. His last chance as stardom was ended in the Dallas territory where another young star replaced him: Tony Romo.

 

 

John

[Death From Above]

Honestly I started out to write something more complete than just the beginning and end, but that sucker would be too much even for me to do off the top of my head in one shot. :-) Lots of fun plots abound, plus I never got around to some of the roles of other guys in The Patriots stable, like Vince Wilfork as the long term veteran enforcer (A role he got from Rodney Harrison "I want you to have... MY SPOT"), and the new, big, meathead du jour getting a big push in Rob "The Hulk" Gronkowski, etc. I am not sure which Horseman Wes Welker should really be, though. Guy discarded by other company too soon, becomes great compliment point to superstar Brady.

 

I wasn't watching the NFL religiously back in 2001 so I probably would have missed the good little Bledsoe sub-plot there, but that's a good add on.

 

Football's always been the real pro wrestling anyway. As clearly evidenced by the number of football players in wrestling in the heyday.

[NintendoLogic]

Let's not forget that among the ultimate evils of Belichick was to ignore the cardinal rule of "You Don't Lose Your Job Due To An Injury".

What about Trent Green? When he came into the St. Louis territory, he was scheduled to receive a monster push. But then he blew out his knee after a botched tackle by Rodney Harrison, a notoriously sloppy worker, and lost his spot to a vanilla midget who had never headlined outside the indies.

 

Anyway, for all the complaints about how the NFL's booking has centered around the Brady/Belichick stable, they have given the rub on a few significant occasions. Peyton Manning shook his reputation as the Lex Luger of his generation after he led the Colts Squadron to victory over the Patriots Alliance in the Hoosier Dome WarGames match. And when Eli went over Brady in a MOTYC, he gained instant main event credibility.

[Ditch]

As a Bills fan I'm sick of being a JTTS, though we did get a token Patriots win in a rare piece of Choshu-style booking that deviated from the usual Baba-style, rank-focused AFC East.

[jasch]

The beauty of the NFL is that even the biggest heels have a large fanbase, creating amazing crowd heat. Wonderfully written piece.

[Death From Above]

Nice to see them find more mic time for the Giselle character, calling out Brady's fellow stablemates for failing at the moment of truth. Amazing how often heels draw heat just for telling the truth.

[Ditch]

In classic backstage vignette fashion, she didn't have a mic but everyone heard it.

[jdw]

Great way for the Pats to get their heel heat back after jobbing: Brady's valet heeling it up and even cheesing off other members of the Pats.

 

John

[NintendoLogic]

In addition to Gisele, you had Gronk working a fake injury angle. It's a good thing too, because the Pats were in danger of garnering too much babyface sympathy heat after Brady's postgame promo.

[jdw]

Also, Brady & Belichick vs. The Manning Boys is the Midnight Express vs Rock 'n' Roll Express of the NFL. Okay... wait... it intially was the nWo vs WCW of the NFL. Then it got good.

 

09/30/01 Brady 44-13 Peyton (Game 3)

 

This was Brady's *first* start. Think about that for a second...

 

"What's Tom Brady doing here? He doesn't even work in this promotion!?!?"

 

Brady wasn't spectacular, just 13/23 for 168 and no TD. But evil manager Belichick was all over the match working "distraction spots" with Manning: three INT. You could say that this was Manning trying to put over the potential young rival, but it really was Belichick working angles.

 

 

10/21/01 Brady 38-17 Peyton (Game 6)

 

This was back in the days when the Colts were in the AFC East and played the Pats twice in the regular season. Coming off a big 350+ yard win over aging babyface Doug Flutie and the Chargers, Brady was an efficient 17/21 for 262 and 4 TD. Manning as 22/34 for 335... but just one TD. The Pats were on their way to the Super Bowl, while Manning's Colts slumped to 6-10.

 

 

11/30/03 Brady 38-34 Peyton (Game 12)

 

An epic shoot out where the Pats ran out to a 31-10 lead then "ran out the time limit" to win the game. This built anticipation for a huge rematch in the playoffs:

 

 

01/18/04 Brady 24-14 Peyton (AFC Championship)

 

One of Belichick's greatest heeling performances of all time, creating a "game plan" that confused Manning into 4 INT and 4 sacks. Despite the NFL Bookers wanting Belichick & Brady to put over Manning for the good of business, they were having none of it.

 

 

09/09/04 Brady 27-24 Peyton (Game 1)

 

Opener to the following season, it looks like Belichick would let his team job to Manning. He lets Manning run out to a 17-10 lead to for some hope, then instructs Brady to drop a quick 17 points on the Colts. 27-17 with everyone knowing how it would turn out. Manning stuffs the stat sheet with high flying spots: 26/38 for 335, 3 TD and an INT. The Evil Hoodie knows they can take Manning at will.

 

 

01/16/05 Brady 20-3 Peyton (AFC SF)

 

A rematch in the post season, Colts 12-4 coming off a 49-24 win over the Broncos in first round to try to build them up. Manning threw for 49 TD to set a new record and the NFL booker were praying for a good match. Manning goes a weak 27/42 for 238, no TD and an INT. Belichick works two fumble spots, and his team sacks Manning 3 times. At this point it looks like Peyton will never beat the Hoodie. Brady & Belichick go on to their third Super Bowl in four years.

 

11/07/05 Brady 21-40 Peyton (Game 8)

 

NFL Creative by this point is FUCKING PISSED at Belichick for never putting over Manning and potentially destroying one of the best draws in the league. Belichick finally agrees to do a job, the Pats defense lays down for Manning, though there's a hint that Brady could have lit it up if he was allowed to (25/40 for 285 with 3 TD and 0 INT).

 

11/05/06 Brady 20-27 Peyton (Game 8)

 

Not satisfied by just one, NFL Creative orders Belichick job again. Brady isn't happy about this, and is "in no condition to perform": 20/35 for 201 with 0 TD and 4 INT. It was almost as if Brady wanted everyone to know he was laying down for the Colts.

 

 

01/21/07 Brady 34-38 Peyton (AFC Championship)

 

The legendary shooting match, where NFL Creative wanted Belichick to lay down again, but the Hoodie and Brady double crossed Manning to run out to a 21-3 lead. Manning sucked it up, and the teams went toe-to-toe in one of the greatest contests in NFL history. Back and forth, each throwing bombs, it became clear that whoever threw the last bomb would score the knockout. Manning did, finally beating Brady & Belichick in a "match that counted".

 

11/04/07 Brady 24-20 Peyton (Game 9)

 

Tired of NFL Creative's booking, Belichick added mega heel Randy Moss and sneaky tricky heel Wes Welker to his stable, creating an unbeatable team. The defending Champs were 7-0 while the Pats were 8-0... the biggest regular season match in years. Belichick's gameplan was to let the Colts dominate early and blow up, then pound them late. 20-10 Colts lead was overcome with 14 unanswered in the 4th quarter. Order was restored!

 

12/29/07 Brady 38-35 Eli (Game 16)

 

Trying to run out a perfect regular season, the Pats faced Peyton's spunky goofy younger brother Eli for the first time. No problem, they'll blow them out. Instead the teams squared off in an epic war, one of the great regular season matches of all-time with the Perfect Season hanging in the balance. The Giants too a 28-16 lead in the 3rd and it looked over, but then Brady led the Pats to three straight touchdowns, including a magnificent TD to mega heel Moss.

 

02/03/08 Brady 14-17 Eli (Super Bowl)

 

The rematch that no one expected, with the outcome no one expected. One of the biggest upsets in league history.

 

 

11/15/09 Brady 34-35 Peyton (Game 9)

 

After Brady worked an injury angle in 2008 to deal with "personal problems", he was ready to restablish himself as the top heel in the league. He expected to get put over Manning, and the Pats ran out to 24-7 and 31-14 leads. Manning chipped away at the lead, then Belichick did one of the few stooge heel spots of his career: going for it on 4th down to give the ball back to Manning. Peyton marched the Colts down for the winning TD as the Colts chased their own undefeated season (which they would fall on their face).

 

 

11/21/10 Brady 31-28 Peyton (Game 10)

 

31-14 Pats in the 4th, another Peyton comeback attempt... doesn't work. Belichick is back to his old distraction spots as Manning is picked off 3 times. Brady is almost bored in this game, and the loss of Moss seems to have left him a little aimless.

 

11/06/11 Brady 20-24 Eli (Game 6)

 

A boring 10-3 game that explodes with 31 4th quarter points. Belichick and Brady think they have the Giants pinned with 1:30 left on the clock, but Eli kicks out, leads the Giants 80 yards for the pin with just 15 seconds left on the clock. Belichick & Brady are starting to have doubts on whether this goofy younger brother is really as goofy as they thought.

 

 

02/05/12 Brady 17-21 Eli (Super Bowl)

 

With Peyton's career potentially over, the Belichick & Brady vs Manning feud was fully focused on Eli now. Another shooting match where everyone thought the good "booking" was to put the Pats over to restablish them as the Top Heels in the NFL. Eli had other ideas, tired of the years of Belichick & Brady beating up his brother. He also had a rivalry with his brother, and beating Brady in two Super Bowls is something Big Brother would never be able to top.

 

Where does the feud go from here? Good booking would still be to re-establish the Pats. The Pitt territory might have seen its better days, and the Baltimore territory never developed into the monster heels they were projected to be earlier in the past decade. The Cowboys have turned into stooge heels, so mediocre that they can't be booked into post season main events. The Jets looked like great loudmouth heels, but may be past their peak if Sanchez doesn't take it to the next level.

 

The League needs strong heels to run against babyface teams like the Pack and Saints, and the tweener Giants, and potential young terms like the Lions. Who other than the long time main eventers Brady & Belichick can work on top against them?

 

John

[Ditch]

You should have just said Young Lions.

[Timbo Slice]

Pretty incredible stuff here.

[Death From Above]

Way too easy new joke about the team called "The Saints" getting busted by the Commish for secretly putting out bounties on their competition, revealing themselves as the Higher Power.

[Ricky Jackson]

Honestly, my first thought when seeing the Saints headline was "that's such an old pro wrestling angle", because in my mind the word "bounty" is automatically linked with wrestling.

 

Meltzer's probably going to jump all over that one.