That’s a pretty strong endorsement. But you can’t just drive by with this. You gonna tell us why?
Flores was an excellent linebacker coach when he was at that position with the Patriots. Been with them for 11 years and I have an ex teammate whose friend played under him for a little while and said he was an amazing coach that is tough as hell and it’s not just rah rah talk. He excudes toughness even though he can be soft spoken at times - but that’s the mark of a great leaders. Can command respect without the need to be yelling and screaming like Rizzi does or gritting their teeth like Gase did. Admits when he is wrong and corrects himself. And then gives credit to others around him when they deserve it or and really believes in the team approach , not the sole mastermind/genius approach that Gase was eating up of himself. His humility is eye opening and he always gives credit to others before himself. Basically the Anti-Gase.
He grew up in one of the shittiest areas of New York and was part of a constant winning team with Boston College when he played. Has been with the Patriots for 11 years and actually is someone who knows that he makes mistakes and needs to learn from them. One of his favorite sayings it “It takes a village” and really really embraces the idea everyone has a role to play. He’s an extremely positive person and always looks for that rather than harp on the negative.
Flores only knows what winning is. In high school he was an absolute dog and they didn’t lose once in the three years he started on varsity. There’s a famous story where they were losing by big in the 3rd quarter and they were going to put at midfield on 4th and 3 but Flores demanded to get the ball (as a running back) and told his coach he would get the first down. They did and it helped them lead a comeback. Same thing happened at BC, he would constantly tell everyone that he can come through and lean on him and they did.
He got a high score on his SAT and was very good with academics. Not only that but when it came to the field Flores almost ALWAYS executed correctly on Technique and positioning of where his body should be (an ex coach of mine played at BC when he did).
Flores was an absolute film nerd and would do everything he could to eat up film, learn players tendencies on the other team and his own too. He learned from one of the best In Scott Pioli who made Flores his personal project in shaping him into learning how to assess and shape talent.
Belicheck has a fondness for him and he gives him the same treatment that Parcells gave Belicheck when he was under Parcells. Tough love but really really believes in him.
And let’s be honest as an African American who grew up in one of the shittiest areas in New York. He can relate to everyone but NFL teams primarily have African americans from not great backgrounds playing for them - he can relate and get on the same level as them at the end of the day.
But not only that he mingled and got along really well with whites, blacks, Asians, etc when he was younger and throughout his life. He can relate to people of all socioeconomic backgrounds. He has the charisma that makes you gravitate towards him and makes you feel Comfortable as hell.
Everyone can complain about that leader remark he had about himself but it’s more about how he saw himself rather than how he carried himself. Sometimes it’s difficult for people to admit they are a leader when they are so humble - that’s the case with Flores.
Awsi always preaches drafting quarterbacks who have always experienced winning - high school and college. People who are known winners and can carry a team by themselves at times. That was basically Flores during his playing career and now only has experienced winning during his coaching career.
