The New England Patriots brought an old AFC foe to their facilities this week.
According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Tony Dungy appeared at Thursday’s practice. The former Indianapolis Colts head coach and current NBC analyst addressed Jerod Mayo’s team.
Reiss noted that Dungy has “a strong faith-based connection” with Matthew Slater. Mayo hired the longtime Patriots special teamer as his “right-hand man” after Slater retired this offseason.
Led by Peyton Manning, Dungy’s Colts butted heads with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick’s Patriots for AFC supremacy. Dungy led Indianapolis to seven straight playoff appearances and a Super Bowl championship before stepping down for Jim Caldwell in 2009.
The Patriots appeared to create a similar succession plan for Mayo, who faces the tall task of replacing a six-time Super Bowl winner. Dungy noted the high standards Mayo must meet to fill Belichick’s shoes.
“Just like every quarterback that comes in there for the next 15 years is going to be measured against Brady, you’re going to be measured against some unrealistic expectations,” Dungy told Andscape’s William C. Rhoden in January. “If he goes 10-6 next year, everybody’s going to be happy. But he goes 10-6 the year after that, it’s not good enough.”
Meanwhile, Dungy told former Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty last month he was “shocked” nobody else hired Belichick this offseason. He expects teams to target the coaching icon during the next coaching cycle.
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