Bledsoe Discovers Perfect Fit Carroll’s Low-Key Approach Gives Patriots New Incentive

Drew Bledsoe left the New England Patriots’ first team meeting with new coach Pete Carroll on Wednesday with a positive outlook and a slap at old coach Bill Parcells.

The quarterback and his former coach went to the Super Bowl after working together for four seasons, yet Bledsoe said Parcells never held a farewell meeting with the players.

“You’d like to think that you go through some things with a guy, he (can) at least say goodbye. But that’s the way Bill is,” Bledsoe said. “Bill, from the get-go has been … about Bill.”

On Jan. 31, five days after New England’s Super Bowl loss to Green Bay, Parcells said he didn’t want to stay with the Patriots. His contract barred him from coaching another NFL team in 1997, but commissioner Paul Tagliabue worked out an arrangement that made Parcells coach of the New York Jets in exchange for four draft choices.

Bledsoe was upset that the focus before the Super Bowl was on Parcells and his stormy relationship with owner Robert Kraft after a newspaper story said Parcells would leave the Patriots following the game.

“It was turned into a deal where it was Bill Parcells vs. the Packers,” Bledsoe said. “So we’ve got something to prove, that it was the players that made the plays that got us to where we were. But nobody seems to realize that.”

Bledsoe no longer will face Parcells’ sideline glares and harangues after interceptions. Carroll’s style is far less intimidating.

“I wasn’t dissatisfied with Bill,” Bledsoe said. “Bill was a coach who had his style of coaching, but with Pete and the coaching staff we have now it’s a different atmosphere. It’s a different way of getting things done, and both ways can work.

“It just so happens that this way fits me a lot better.”

Most of the players showed up for Wednesday’s meeting at which Carroll, appointed Feb. 3, told them what he expected of them.

“The stage was set last year for us to establish our expectations quite clearly,” said Carroll, San Francisco’s former defensive coordinator. “We’re playing to win that championship.”

Many players will stay in the area for off-season conditioning, although they are not required to under an agreement with the NFL Players’ Association.

“They need to be here,” Carroll said. “There’s too much work to get done.”

Among the notable absentees Wednesday were tackle Bruce Armstrong, tight end Ben Coates, fullback Keith Byars and wide receiver Terry Glenn.

Carroll said he won’t fight comparisons with the success Parcells’ approach brought.

“It worked well and he left his mark on this team,” Carroll said. “I’m grateful that he did. He’s a hell of a coach.”

One player who was sorry to see Parcells leave was defensive end Willie McGinest, the Patriots top draft pick in 1994.

“Along with the yelling and discipline, I was close to Bill,” McGinest said. “A lot of people don’t really understand Bill… . Me and Bill were tight, and that’s just not as a coach. He was also a friend.”

McGinest also praised Carroll, saying, “we have open arms for Pete.”

Others anticipated a more relaxed relationship with their new coach.

“There seems to be a lot less tension in the air when (Carroll) speaks,” free safety Willie Clay said.

“He seems like he’s a pretty fun coach,” cornerback Ty Law said.