Anyone who believes Bill Belichick, Head Coach of the New England Patriots,  doesn’t have tough decisions to make every week of the season is living in fantasy land. Despite having the best record in the NFL (OK, I know, Dallas is there too), this year has been a season of turmoil.

Whether it is injuries, suspensions (U-Know-Who), trades, a lackadaisical defense, benching players or any one of numerous week-to-week issues, this has been a season of distractions…something the arguably best coach in the NFL doesn’t like.

…And now, heading to Denver in game 14,  Belichick has another real dilemma. No, it’s not simply how to win a big game in the Mile High (literally) City, but is what to do with 2016’s 2nd round draft pick (60th over-all) Cyrus Jones.

The rookie from Alabama has been given multiple chances to get over the rookie jitters, but instead of getting better he continues on a downward curve with a multitude of bad decisions and turnovers. As Chris Mason noted in his Tuesday Boston Herald column he fumbled for the fifth time in Monday night’s win against the Ravens , yet his teammates continue to support him.

Jones’ college resume was great:

1. The young man (23) returned 42 punts for 530 yards
2. Led the nation with four touchdowns, the most in a single season in Alabama’s history
3. His 530 return yards rank second all-time in Alabama single-season history
4. Earned All-SEC honors as a defensive back

With his college resume it was a reasonable expectation Jones could step right in as a punt returner,  easing the burden on Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola, but instead:

• Fans are SCREAMING for the Patriots to give up on him and just let him go
• Opponents want New England to continue to keep him returning kicks

Well, there is no chance the Pats will just let him go. Be real, this was a 2nd rounder, the Patriots’ 1st pick in 2016. His upside is still high, while his confidence is at an all-time low. Things couldn’t get much worse for the rookie (please!) and, surprisingly, Belichick sounds like he will stick with him through thick and thin.

“We have confidence in all of our players,” Belichick told reporters when asked about the rookie. “Of course once the ball hits the ground, we don’t want to be near the ball and have that hit us,” Belichick said. “That goes for everybody. . . .”

Notes:

• With the injuries to Defensive Backs Malcom Butler and Eric Rowe,  Jones snaps have grown. Despite being burned against the Ravens, look for that to continue in Denver
• Surprisingly, the Patriots picked up WR Michael Floyd on waivers. He was released by Arizona after getting a DUI when found passed out with the motor running in his car at 2AM Monday. Hmmmmm! Strange move. In order to make room the Pats reportedly released recently signed Griff Whalen
• Michael Reiss has reported that the Patriots brought in Devin Hester for a look see. The former pro-bowler is long past his prime and he has actually been worse than Jones this year, if that is possible!

Follow me on twitter @snowdonbob