Former Patriots LB blasts Bill Belichick, says he 'quit' on team

"I thought it was embarrassing the way that game ended. I really did," Johnson said. "I thought it was embarrassing the way the game was called, the conservative nature in which that game was called from Bill Belichick."

Johnson wasn't alone in his harsh words for his former boss, as retired quarterback Matt Cassel blasted Belichick as well. Cassel played with the Patriots under Belichick for the first four seasons of his career from 2005-08.

"I'd be pissed off," Cassel said during the postgame show. "As the quarterback of the team, I'd say, 'Look, we've got these guys out here. They've all made this team... you've got to give us an opportunity. Give us enough trust to go out there (and try to make a play)."

Trailing 27-10 in the opening moments of the fourth quarter, New England faced fourth-and-two on its own 42-yard line and Belichick chose to punt. The three-time AP Coach of the Year again played things conservatively with 9:20 remaining, having the team punt on fourth-and-four from their own 33-yard line, still down by 17.

"The lack of confidence also hurts this team at times, because maybe Bailey Zappe makes a play or DeVante Parker or one of these guys steps up and you're able to put together a drive and get yourself back into the ballgame," Cassel said. "So again, as a player, as a competitor, you want the ball in your hand. You want the opportunity to do everything you can to win the ballgame."

Johnson was selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft and spent his entire 10-year career with New England, including the last five with Belichick as his head coach. The 51-year-old helped the Patriots win their first three Super Bowls in 2002, 2004 and 2005, recording three tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks over 14 career playoff games.