Patriots coach Bill Belichick has turned to his past to teach UNC, using highlight reels of New England legends as a blueprint for the Tar Heels’ approach. He points to Dont’a Hightower, Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Lawrence Taylor, Stephon Gilmore, Ty Law and Aqib Talib as living examples of how to play the game with discipline, anticipation and ruthless finish. The method isn’t nostalgia for Belichick—it’s a playbook transfer, aiming to build a college dynasty from a Patriots-like culture of preparation, film study and relentless attention to detail. UNC, coming off a 6-6 season, is betting on the belt-and-suspenders grind that powered New England’s dynasty era to carry over to the college level. Belichick emphasizes watching how these players do it, then adapting those techniques to UNC personnel and schemes to maximize both defensive grit and offensive efficiency. The takeaway for fantasy strategists is simple: buy into players who excel at process—film study, disciplined alignment, and finishing plays—and watch for Tar Heels who show that Patriots-like cognitive edge on game tape.

Belichick’s philosophy has always hinged on culture and technique, not just talent. He frames the tapes as case studies in fundamentals—how to align, shed blocks, read routes or deadlines, and execute under pressure. For fantasy decision-makers, the message is that players who thrive in high-IQ systems—the ones who translate study time into on-field steps—are the ones to target. If UNC can graft that Patriots DNA onto its roster, the program’s ceiling could rise quickly, particularly on the defensive side where the tape of Hightower and Talib would be most influential as a teaching tool and a blueprint for future game plans.

In Indianapolis, the injury cycle hit the Colts front and back lines, but the cornerback room took the blunt end first. Justin Walley’s season-ending torn ACL leaves a vacancy opposite Charvarius Ward, with JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones nursing hamstring issues. Samuel Womack III looms as the likely Week 1 starter if Brents and Jones aren’t ready, turning a once-deep depth chart into a tighter, high-stakes rotational assignment just weeks before the regular season.

Walley, a third-round rookie, had drawn strong coaching praise, amplifying the concern over the group’s ceiling should depth evaporate. Womack’s 2024 tape—17 games, eight starts, and a solid PFF 71.4—suggests a capable stopgap, but the drop-off if he’s asked to handle heavy workloads is real. The club is expected to explore veteran reinforcement, with Stephon Gilmore floated as a familiar option who previously spent 2022 in this system.

Compounding the challenge, Anthony Richardson’s finger issue adds a layer of unpredictability to a unit already dealing with multiple injury fronts. The Colts must chart a path to resilience, whether through a veteran signing, a reshuffled depth chart, or a combination of both. For fantasy owners and bettors, the early-week risk to Colts pass defense means opponents’ aerial games could be more exploitable until depth stabilizes.

Bottom line: the Colts face a month of roster churn at cornerback, with the potential addition of a veteran like Gilmore looming large for how the defense might step forward and how fantasy outputs might shift in Weeks 1 and 2.

Stephon Gilmore, the former New England Patriots cornerback, recently shared his all-time dream secondary, showcasing a stellar lineup that would intimidate any quarterback in the league. He features himself alongside Hall of Famers Deion Sanders and Ronde Barber as the two cornerbacks. For the safety positions, he selected the legendary Ed Reed and Rod Woodson. This assembly boasts an impressive 39 Pro Bowl nominations collectively, signifying their dominant status in NFL history.

Imagining this elite secondary facing off against a quarterback like Tom Brady, with the iconic Patriots receiver corps, presents a thrilling scenario for fans. Gilmore's choices reflect not only his respect for these players but also a deeper understanding of the qualities that define a great secondary. With their blend of physicality, intelligence, and playmaking ability, this unit embodies the essence of defensive excellence.

Stephon Gilmore, former New England Patriots cornerback, expressed awe over his first encounter with Tom Brady. After playing against Brady in the division as a Buffalo Bill, Gilmore joined the Patriots in 2017, where he found inspiration in Brady's unmatched work ethic. Gilmore recalled Brady's welcoming nature, stating, 'Happy to have you,' which left a significant impact on him. This interaction motivated Gilmore to elevate his practice intensity, as he recognized the level of dedication Brady exhibited, akin to an undrafted free agent striving to prove himself.

This mindset shift contributed to Gilmore's growth, allowing him to excel on one of the NFL's most iconic teams. His experience with Brady exemplified how using the right influences can transform an athlete's journey, highlighting the significance of mentorship in professional sports.

Stephon Gilmore, a former Pro Bowl cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings, remains unsigned as the NFL season approaches, yet he maintains optimism about finding the right team for the 2025 season. After starting 15 games in 2024, posting one interception and contributing to the Vikings’ fifth-ranked scoring defense, Gilmore's performance fell short of his past standards, earning him a disappointing PFF grade of 60.4. Despite this, he expressed a desire to continue playing, emphasizing that any new team must fit his criteria for success. The Vikings, who have not significantly upgraded their cornerback lineup this offseason, could be a logical fit for his return.

Gilmore's future hinges on his choice of a team he believes is positioned to contend for the Super Bowl, which may lead to him remaining unsigned until the season begins.