Jonathan Kraft On Myra Presentation, Bill O'Brien
BOSTON (CBS) – Patriots president Jonathan Kraft joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Patriots Preview on Sunday prior to the team's game against the Buffalo Bills, and recalled one of the most special moments of the season.
After Week 16's win over the Miami Dolphins, the team presented owner Robert Kraft with a special oil painting to commemorate his late wife Myra. Matt Light made the presentation, which was to let Mr. Kraft know that his players view him, and his family, as much more than the owners of the team.
"It was a special moment," said Kraft. "When the players were done with their thing, Matt asked everyone to stay together. He came around the corner and said 'we know it's been a difficult season for your family, and the players want to tell you this is more than just a business relationship for us.' That my mom's influence and memory have had a big impact on a lot of the guys that have been with the team for a long time."
"It meant a lot to my dad and my brothers and I for the players to take the time to conceive of this, spend the money on it and then present it like that. It was very meaningful."
Kraft also spoke about the report Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien may be heading to Penn State to take over as head coach. While he said the team is focused on finishing the regular season and the upcoming playoffs, O'Brien deserves any chance he gets to coach his own team.
"Bill definitely deserves, in my opinion, the opportunity if he wants to be a head coach to be a head coach. My feeling is he'd be a really good one," said Kraft. "He's a no-nonsense guy, he's very creative, and he works incredibly hard at what he does and I know the players respond and respect him."
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Losing an assistant coach is nothing new for the Patriots, who have seen the likes of Josh McDaniels, Eric Mangini, Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis all leave for their own head coaching jobs.
"We've had experience here before over the last decade when you get to this time in of the year, right before black Monday in the NFL and the college coaching carousel," said Kraft. "I'm not surprised if Billy O'Brien is on people's [radar], at the pro level or the college level, because Billy is a great coach. But we're going to play our season out and worry about details then."
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