The Hits Keep Right on Coming for Matt Patricia, as Kerryon Johnson Blames Him for Ending His Career

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Did you ever have that guy in your life who everybody finds sort of pathetic so they run him down all day everyday, until you realize you're all just being cruel instead of funny? Think Neville Longbottom from Harry Potter. Or Nathan Shelley from Ted Lasso. Those guys who are universally derided to the point you have a come-to-Jesus moment, remind yourself they're human beings too, and hopefully force yourself to come to grips with how they deserve some modicum of respect? 

I think we've reached that point with Matt Patricia. Where, with the passage of time and a little perspective, people are realizing he was put in a situation last year that was beyond his capabilities. That he's a guy brilliant enough to earn a degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic, design submarines as well as Super Bowl defenses, and become one of only 32 people walking the Earth who could legally put down "NFL Head Coach" in the "Occupation" box of his 1040 form. But ultimately, asking him to coach offense with no previous experience was like putting someone who's captained powerboats his whole life behind the wheel of a sailing yacht. 

I'll put my hand up for that. Months of frustration over the ineptness of the Patriots offense got the best of me, and I've been lacking basic humanity when it comes to talking about someone who's been nothing but a loyal soldier to the Patriots organization. Matty P. deserves better. That's been hitting home as the offseason has gone on, he's interviewed for jobs around the league, some as low as being a linebackers coach somewhere, and has come up empty. 

I say all this someone who's watched Patricia run Super Bowl champion defenses. Which is to say, not someone from Detroit. Where the milk of human kindness does not get poured on his cereal. Least of all from the guys who played under him. Take, for instance, running back Kerryon Johnson. This Kerryon Johnson:

Johnson was the second pick of the short-lived Matt Patricia Era in Detroit, taken 48th overall out of Auburn. As a rookie, he appeared in 10 games, then eight the next year, then 16. And only one the rest of his career, that coming with the 49ers. Someone asked him why. And had and answer:

Oh right. That again. Patricia's ill-fated attempt to coach in Detroit the way he's seen it done in New England. Hated for it by Lions players and media alike:

Which doesn't make them wrong. Certain Johnson knows what his knees and neck could handle, and presumably that full season games in 2020 (with 52 rushing attempts and 19 receptions) was not it. Because his football days were over at the age of 24. So you can understand why he's a little salty.

Patricia was with the Lions for parts of three seasons. So that makes for who knows how many dozens of players who are still in the league with other teams being asked for their impression of working for this coach. There might be some with nothing but glowing things to say, but they sound like a minority. Fair or not, Johnson's perception is Patricia's reality. 

So please, Patriots, do him a mercy. Give him a job in the front office or the coach's booth reviewing replays or something. (Not calling plays, obviously.) Because there's a lot more Kerryon Johnsons out there who are in no mood to stop kicking the man when he's down, as I'm trying to.