Pioli: Belichick draft criticism 'ridiculous'

[Hammock Parties]

Thick as thieves.

http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/th...ism-ridiculous

Chiefs GM and former Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli, in an appearance on The Big Show, said that criticism of the draft and player personnel record of Patriots coach Bill Belichick was "ridiculous." While some of Belichick's player moves have come under scrutiny in the years since Pioli left New England for the Chiefs after the 2008 season, the architect of the Chiefs -- who spent 16 years working with Belichick in the NFL -- said that Belichick remains the best coach in the NFL and that the Patriots front office continues to assemble strong groups.

"I haven’t paid attention to it but I just think it’s ridiculous, quite honestly," Pioli said of such criticism. "The reality is Bill’s done a great job with that football team. Bill does a great job with personnel."

"What happened dring our time here together for the nine years was special. ... A lot of things came together, the alignment of a lot of things: ownership, coaching, players and all the other people," he added. "It’s inevitable that things are going to change. I’m not sure why Patriots fans are disillusioned at different times, because they’re gong to be in the hunt every year. They still have great ownership, they still have the best coach in the NFL and there’s a lot of good people there that are finding players. It’s still a special place. Don’t worry, Patriots fans."

Pioli, who will be returning to Gillette Stadium for the first time in his three seasons with the Chiefs, said that the Monday Night game in Foxboro will result in "a lot of mixed emotions. It’s going to be a business trip, [but] ... I know for me, it will be impossible for me to remain unaffected emotionally by seeing those people, going back into Gillette Stadium."