Tag: Dante Scarnecchia

Dante Scarnecchia doesn’t plan to watch Patriots docuseries for this reason

Dante Scarnecchia not planning to watch new Patriots docuseries

“The Dynasty: New England Patriots” docuseries on Apple TV+ is not getting good reviews from former Patriots.

Several former players, including Rob Gronkowski, Matthew Slater, Devin McCourty and Rodney Harrison have even called out the show for leaning too hard on negative storytelling.

Now, you can add former Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia to the show’s growing list of critics.

Scarnecchia was the architect behind several of the great New England offensive lines. He served separate stints with the team, most recently serving from 2016-2019 as the team’s offensive line coach. His career spanned 34 years, and he was inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame in 2023.

Scarnecchia indicated he had not seen the documentary, but he did admit he was surprised when several key people were left out, as transcribed by ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

“When I had heard after the first couple of episodes that they had talked to one coach, I started texting guys and asked Charlie [Weis] if he had been [interviewed] and he said ‘No,’” said Scarnecchia, when appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “Then Romeo [Crennel]. Then Brad Seely. Those 3 guys came there and, in the first year, implemented systems on offense, defense and special teams that essentially transcended the next 20 years. And not one of them was interviewed and I said, ‘How can this possibly be?’”

The validity of the documentary should undoubtedly be questioned, as several key pieces of the Patriots dynasties were not even interviewed. Scarnecchia’s involvement would have been fascinating to see, given his knowledge of the team with a career spanning multiple decades.

The Morning After…Patriots shock NFL with underdog victory led by Mac Jones

Here are some leftover thoughts the morning after the Patriots’ upset win over the Bills

The New England Patriots improved to 2-5 through a 29-25 victory over the Buffalo Bills, who fell to 4-3 on Sunday. They finally won after giving up 24 or more points in a game against a legitimate opponent with a winning record.

The game came down to a quarterback duel between Mac Jones and Josh Allen, and surprisingly, Jones got the better of Allen in the matchup.

Jones completed 83 percent of his passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns, with a passer rating of 126.7. He led his team to a victory with a touchdown to Mike Gesicki with :13 left on the clock.

So what changed?

The Patriots finally made changes we have been clamoring for since the spring. Mike Onwenu started and played right tackle, and the Patriots gave snaps to rookie wide receiver Demario Douglas over DeVante Parker.

Let’s get into some leftover notes from the game.

Photos, video from Mike Vrabel’s Patriots Hall of Fame induction

Check out photos and video from Mike Vrabel’s Patriots Hall of Fame induction.

Tennessee Titans head coach and former linebacker Mike Vrabel and former offensive line and assistant head coach Dante Scarnecchia were inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Scarnecchia and Vrabel became the 33rd and 34th members of the Patriots Hall of Fame. The Titans head coach was a nominee for several years before finally getting the nod in the vote from fans.

“This is just an amazing (honor),” Vrabel said, per Karen Guregian of Mass Live. “I don’t want to take it for granted. I’m so thankful to my teammates, the organization, the coaches, the fans… I’m very appreciative of this honor.”

During his speech, Vrabel noted how special the Patriots’ locker room was during his time there and admitted it’s something he’s trying to recreate in Tennessee.

“There was understanding, there was respect, you could say things that needed to be said to each other, and every day that’s what I’m trying to recreate wherever I coach, and now it’s with Tennessee,” said Vrabel.

“What I’m trying to recreate is what we had in that locker room,” he added. “I don’t know if we’ll get it, but every day I’m going to try.”

Patriots owner Robert Kraft joked that Vrabel would have been inducted much sooner if not for the Titans beating the Patriots in 2018 and 2019.

“This Hall of Fame honor is well deserved and long overdo,” Kraft said. “I’m sure you would have been in years ago. But after beating the Patriots in 2018, knocking us out of playoffs the following year, you might have lost a few votes.”

You can check out the entire ceremony for Vrabel in the first video below, with Vrabel’s portion beginning around the one-hour mark. We’ve also included some highlights and photos beneath that.

Bill Belichick shocked NFL fans by animatedly telling a delightful Dante Scarnecchia story

Bill Belichick…animated?!

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick isn’t known for being particularly animated while he’s speaking publicly about, well, really anything.

However, the longtime Patriots coach surprised NFL fans by tapping into his personality while honoring former New England assistant coach Dante Scarnecchia as he was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame on Saturday.

During his speech to honor both Scarnecchia and former New England linebacker Mike Vrabel, Belichick recalled when the Patriots briefly had former Chicago Bears offensive tackle James O. “Big Cat” Williams in for training camp.

Williams had been in the NFL for quite some time, but Scarnecchia wasn’t pleased with his technique while practicing. He gave the new Patriots tackle an earful, which Belichick remembered with a lively demonstration of how it went.

You can hear the story at the 1:44:26 mark in the Patriots Hall of Fame video.

You can see below the glaring height difference between Scarnecchia and Williams.

 

Belichick’s hidden personality pops in this short anecdote, one that shows how deeply the Patriots coach respects Scarnecchia’s time in New England.

While Belichick is in the midst of a nightmarish season with the Patriots, he got the opportunity to relive some happier times during this ceremony.

As he did, NFL fans got a look at the side of Belichick we don’t often see.

Dante Scarnecchia gives new OL coach Adrian Klemm ringing endorsement

Dante Scarnecchia already likes what he’s seen from Patriots new offensive line coach Adrian Klemm

Former longtime New England Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia has high praise for new Patriots offensive line coach Adrian Klemm, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

Klemm is coming to the Patriots after serving on the Oregon coaching staff last year.

Oregon’s offensive line was one of the best in the country. They allowed only five sacks all season, and their offense flourished as a result. Klemm had a huge hand in that effort as the team’s associate head coach and offensive line coach. He took on a third role as the program’s run game coordinator as well.

“Adrian is a really good coach,” said Scarnecchia. “I was really impressed with the way he conducted his practices [in college], the demands he put him on the players. No-nonsense guy. I think he’ll do a great job here.”

New England will have several returning pieces on an offensive line headlined by Trent Brown, Mike Onwenu and David Andrews. Rookies such as Jake Andrews, Atonio Mafi and Sidy Sow will be important for the future as well.

Klemm undoubtedly has pieces to work with as he looks to get the offensive line unit back on track.

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Dante Scarnecchia wants seven-time Pro Bowler in Patriots Hall of Fame

Dante Scarnecchia is going to bat for a former seven-time Pro Bowler

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Even though former New England Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia is going into the Patriots’ Hall of Fame, he’s also still going to bat for Logan Mankins, who he feels is more deserving of the honor.

Mankins, a longtime standout offensive guard, played for the Patriots from 2005-2015. He had a stellar career, making the Pro Bowl seven times in his 11-year career. He was named a First-Team All-Pro player with New England in 2010. As a former first-round draft pick, he was certainly able to prove his worth.

Scarnecchia got to see Mankins firsthand in an eight-year stretch, and he believes the legendary guard is worthy of a Pro Football Hall of Fame nod, not just the Patriots Hall of Fame.

In a weekly column, ESPN’s Mike Reiss wrote:

Longtime Patriots assistant coach Dante Scarnecchia, who will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame alongside Mike Vrabel on Oct. 21, shared last week that he’s having a tough time reconciling that former New England offensive lineman Logan Mankins isn’t going in instead of him. In fact, Scarnecchia said he feels so strongly about Mankins that he says Mankins is Pro Football Hall of Fame worthy in his eyes.

There is little doubting Scarnecchia’s resume during his time with New England. With that in mind, Mankins’ resume is clearly impressive in its own right.

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Dante Scarnecchia recognized by Pro Football Hall of Fame

Dante Scarnecchia gets recognized on a national level

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It has been a busy year for former New England Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia. He was announced as a Patriots Hall of Fame finalist in April, and he received a bigger honor on Thursday.

He received a Pro Football Hall of Fame Award of Excellence, becoming the 17th person to get the honor.

Scarnecchia was the architect of some of the best New England offensive lines in team history. He worked with the organization from 1999-2014, and then again from 2016-2019. He was there for all of New England’s Super Bowl titles and became an integral part of the organization.

The legendary coach will be honored at the Patriots Hall of Fame ceremony on October 21, according to a press release from Patriots.com.

Scarnecchia is finally getting his due recognition after a storied and celebrated career. It’s fulfilling to see him rewarded on a national scale.

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Date set to induct two legends into Patriots Hall of Fame

Save the date for the Mike Vrabel and Dante Scarnecchia Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

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Save October 21 as the date that the New England Patriots will officially induct former linebacker Mike Vrabel and offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia into the Patriots Hall of Fame. 

Per ESPN’s Mike Reiss, it will be a free event for fans, and it is slated to be held in the plaza outside of the Hall.

Vrabel, who is the current coach of the Tennessee Titans, will be in Foxboro that weekend with the Titans scheduled to be on a bye week.

“Well, thank you,” Vrabel said back in May, when receiving the news of his induction from Patriots owner Robert Kraft. “Obviously, it’s an unbelievable honor to be associated with the people in that hall. Thank you. You don’t think it’s a big deal until you get called, and obviously, I’m very honored.”

Meanwhile, Scarnecchia, the legendary assistant coach that had a huge hand in the franchise’s success over the years, was surprised with the news at a luncheon.

Both Vrabel and Scarnecchia have permanently cemented themselves as key contributors to the greatest dynasty in NFL history, and they’ll rightfully be rewarded for it in front of the same Patriots fan base that cheered them on the journey.

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Dante Scarnecchia impressed by Patriots’ new OL coach Adrian Klemm

Dante Scarnecchia recalled the first time he saw Patriots’ newly-hired OL coach Adrian Klemm in action.

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Former legendary New England Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia is hopeful about the impact current offensive line coach Adrian Klemm is going to have.

Scarnecchia, a recent inductee in the Patriots’ Hall of Fame, spoke on the “6 Rings & Football Things” podcast earlier this week. He has a history with Klemm, having coached him back when he played for the Patriots.

New England will look to find consistency along the offensive front considering the unit was a sore spot for the organization last season. Scarnecchia believes Klemm will be able to breathe life back into the struggling unit.

“Adrian went into coaching right after he got done playing. I think he’s had a really good career in college,” said Scarnecchia, as transcribed by Pats Pulpit. “I remember I went out to work out a player at UCLA, and Adrian was the offensive line coach. I sat at a distance and watched him coach the whole practice. He’s a detailed guy. He’s tough. He doesn’t have much patience for guys that aren’t working hard. I was really impressed with the way he went about his business.”

It will be interesting to see if the offensive line can make that jump this season. At the very least, a vote of confidence from a pillar of the team’s recent success is encouraging.

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WATCH: Moment Dante Scarnecchia learned of Hall of Fame induction

Here’s the moment Dante Scarnecchia learned of his Patriots Hall of Fame induction.

Former New England Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia was elected into the team’s Hall of Fame on Thursday, after a successful career with the Patriots.

He first began his NFL coaching career with New England in 1982. He then went to the Indianapolis Colts organization following his first stint with the Patriots. Scarnecchia returned to New England in 1991 and didn’t leave the organization after that. He officially retired following the 2019 season.

Scarnecchia helped the team win six Super Bowls in the process and even came out of retirement in 2016. He was a key part of the Patriots organization and an integral part of the line development and play all of those years.

He was honored at a luncheon on Thursday and was certainly pleased with the honor.

This is an appropriate honor, given how much Scarnecchia meant to the Patriots organization over the years. There were some individuals during the Patriots run of success that were crucial but didn’t necessarily receive a ton of press.

Scarnecchia was one of them.

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