Former Patriots All-Pro bashes HC Bill Belichick

Asante Samuel spent the first five seasons of his 11-year NFL career with the New England Patriots, where he was an All-Pro cornerback as part of two Super Bowl championship teams. 

While Samuel says he learned a lot in New England, he doesn't have fond memories of working under head coach Bill Belichick. Earlier this week, in a Q&A with Betway, Samuel sounded off on Belichick and the "Patriot Way."   

"The Patriots, they always say the Patriot way, which wasn't my way," Samuel said. "I don't go no Patriot way. I think everybody got brainwashed and caught up in that style and the atmosphere."

When asked what playing under Belichick was like, Samuel responded, "not a good experience." Even after a victory, Samuel says Belichick's demeanor set an unhealthy tone in the Patriots' locker room. 

"Everybody's walking around with their heads down, and I'm like, 'What the hell is wrong with you? Pick your head up. Don't let this man take you down. We just won.'" 

Regarding who should get the majority of the credit for the Patriots' success over the years, Samuel is strictly in the corner of Tom Brady over his former head coach. Samuel said he's not "giving Belichick credit" and that if he wants it, he'll have to rise to the top without Brady. 

"We're waiting on you, Bill. Right now, it's going from sugar to s---," Samuel said. "I've never seen the Patriots go through all this craziness." 

It's hard to argue with Samuel's assessment of things in New England in the two seasons without Brady at the helm. The Patriots finished 10-7 in their first season without Brady, losing in the wildcard round of the playoffs. However, the wheels came off a little more this season as the Patriots ended the year 8-9, failing to qualify for the postseason. 

During the season, Belichick had to manage a falling out between quarterback Mac Jones and offensive assistants Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. Reports indicated that Jones and Judge often engaged in expletive-laced arguments during practice. Ultimately, the Patriots chose to bring back a familiar face to run the team's offense going forward, former assistant Bill O'Brien, to the reported delight of Jones.