Brady Among Three Named AFC Players of the Month
The Patriots just announced that Patriots QB Tom Brady, Steelers LB James Harrison, and Broncos Kick returner, and WR Eddie Royal were all named AFC Players of the Month for October.
Here is more information from the release:
Brady led the Patriots to a 3-1 record in October and completed 92 of 131 passes (70.2 percent) for 1,161 yards with 12 touchdowns versus two interceptions and a 121.7 passer rating.
He also led the NFL with 12 touchdown passes in October and ranks first in the AFC and second in the NFL with a 121.7 passer rating for the month (AARON RODGERS, 123.9).
In Week 6 against Tennessee (10/18), Brady set an NFL record with five touchdowns in a quarter while earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
In Week 7 against Tampa Bay (10/25), he completed 23 of 32 passes (71.9 percent) for 308 yards to register his 26th 300-yard game, tying DREW BLEDSOE for the most 300-yard games in franchise history.
Since 2006, Brady has a 12-1 (.923) record in October and has 42 touchdowns versus five interceptions and a 121.0 passer rating.
In his 10th season from Michigan, this is Brady’s third career Player of the Month Award. Brady last won the award in October of 2007.
Patriots Back In Boston
The Patriots just reported via Twitter that the team has just landed back in Boston after, as the pilot called it, “a quick 6 hour and 44 min flight.”
Quarterback Tom Brady called their game in London last week a, “business trip”. One would have to believe he’d have to call it a successful one after he and the Patriots beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 35-7 yesterday. Brady finished the afternoon 23-of-32 for 308 yards and three touchdowns, and is currently among the league leaders in most offensive categories after improving his team to 5-2 heading into New England’s bye week.
BY THE NUMBERS: Patriots Among the NFL’s Best
After beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 35-7 in London on Sunday, New England now heads into their bye week at 5-2 as they get set for the stretch run of their season.
So far through seven games, while all hasn’t exactly been perfect, fans have plenty of reason to be optimistic. Their two losses have been by a combined 10 points (7 against the Jets, 3 against Denver), and came while quarterback Tom Brady was still trying to get his feet back under him. Two weeks, 94 points, and over 1,000 yards later things look completely different. Brady’s back to lighting up the league and appears to be back on the same page with his receivers, while New England’s defense is younger, faster, and is back to making plays.
Needless to say looking at numbers there are plenty of reasons why Patriots fans should be feeling pretty good about this football team heading into the second half of the season.
A quick look for those who are wondering where they rank:
Patriots Total Offense Ranking:
Offensive Average Total Yards Per Game: 406 (Rank: 3rd)
Offensive Total Yards: 2842 (Rank: 1st)
First Downs Per game: 23.9 (Rank; 1st)
3rd Down Efficiency: 44.8% (Rank: 5th)
Points Per Game: 28.3 (Rank: 4th)
Avg Time of Possession: 34:22 (Rank: 1st)
Concerned about the play of Tom Brady? Here is how he ranks against the rest of the NFL’s elite:
Brady’s 2009 Ranking Through 7 Games:
Completions: 179 (Rank: 1st)
Attempts: 273 (Rank: 1st)
Total Yards: 2032 (Rank: 3rd)
Touchdowns: 15 (Rank: Tied for 2nd)
Interceptions: 4 (Fewer than 19 other QB’s, tied with Peyton Manning & Tony Romo)
Passer rating: 99.9 (Rank: 8th)
Wondering about the Patriots offensive line? Brady’s been sacked just 8 times, tied with two other quarterbacks for six fewest in the NFL.
As for their defense, they’ve been much better than anyone could have anticipated, and have the Patriots among the NFL’s best:
Defensive 2009 Rankings Through 7 Games:
Points Per Game Allowed: 14.0 (Rank: 3rd)
Yards Per Game Alowed: 285.7 (Rank: 6th)
Passing Yards Per Game Allowed: 176.3 (Rank: 5th)
Forced Fumbles: 8 (Only 4 other teams have more)
Fumble Recoveries: 6 (Only 2 other teams have more)
Interceptions: 7 (Only 6 teams have more)
Needless to say there’s plenty to feel good about heading into the latter part of the season. Two close losses and a team that is starting to put it all together should give you plenty of reasons to like their chances in the coming weeks. With matchups against two of the NFL’s elite (Indianapolis & New Orleans) we’ll find out what kind of team we really have. Let’s face it, the numbers don’t lie. Thankfully from all indications they’re already on their way to joining them.
Interesting Notes on Adalius Thomas
Looking accross the Twitter-verse this morning I noticed an interesting comment regarding Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas, who was benched by head coach Bill Belichick on Sunday.
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Most reports indicated that Thomas being inactive was due to “performance related issues.” Tom Curran of NBC Sports gave an interesting take via Twitter on the veteran’s “lack of effort”.
“Did something I should have done Sunday and watched Pats-Broncos again. Took 3 plays to realize why Adalius Thomas was benched last week,” posted Curran via Twitter.
“Half-hearted effort and piss-poor tackling. Outplayed by his sub Ninkovich significantly. And reason Bodden, Springs didn’t start clear too.”
Albert Breer Tweeted a few minutes ago that Thomas “says he hasn’t spoken with Belichick about the situation.”
Thomas also told Breer, “If someone has a problem with me, usually they’ll come talk to me.”
Mike Reiss just posted another interesting quote on Twitter from Thomas: Thomas on if this fires him up: “I don’t need something like this to fire me up. … This is not Kindergarten. I don’t play [those] games.”
ESPN’s Chris Forsberg also just Tweeted: ‘Most common refrain from LB Adalius Thomas today: “Ask Bill, he has all the answers.”‘
We looked at the numbers and the stats certainly indicate he’s not playing up to expectations. Hopefully Sunday’s time on the inactive list will help motivate him to return to form, and that there’s not too much animosity to prevent them from moving forward.
Patriots Cut LB Tully Banta-Cain
According to published reports, the Patriots have released linebacker Tully Banta-Cain this afternoon.
So far this season Banta-Cain had 10 Solo tackles and three assisted, along with three sacks.
Banta-Cain’s release comes just a day after head coach Bill Belichick benched linebacker Adalius Thomas for what was reportedly done because of the veteran’s lack of production so far this season. With this second move it appears there is a shake up coming at this position, so we’ll have to wait and see what transpires.
BY THE NUMBERS: Adalius Thomas – Why He May Have Been Benched
The biggest story prior to the start of Sunday’s record setting win against the Tennessee Titans was the fact that veteran linebacker Adalius Thomas had been benched for the game.
Thomas, who according to published reports wasn’t at the stadium and sources say was less than pleased about it, was reportedly benched due to “performance-related issues” - although Belichick told reporters after the game it was more due to having the best personnel on the field.
When asked by reporters after the game if there was a personal issue with Thomas, Belichick said, “No, we just went with the players that would have a bigger role in the game.”
His comments and tone were telling, and it’s going to be interesting to see how this whole thing unfolds. Looking at the numbers, through five games Thomas’ production has already waned compared to where he was even at this point last season, and it’s hardly the type of play one would have expected from a player who signed a 5-year deal back in March of 2007 that was reportedly worth $35 million. Granted he’s coming back from a broken arm, but so far he’s seemed out of position and must have done something wrong to cause Belichick to sit him down.
Here is a look at the numbers from 2008 through the first 5 Games
Week |
Solo |
Assist |
Tackle for a Loss |
QB Hit |
Passes Defensed |
Sacks |
| Week 1 | 4 | - | 1 | 1 | - | 1 |
| Week 2 | 3 | - | 1 | 1 | - | 1 |
| Week 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - | 1 | - |
| Week 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Week 5 | 2 | - | - | 1 | - | - |
| TOTALS | 15 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
Here is a look at the numbers from 2009 through the first 5 games of this year
Week |
Solo |
Assist |
Tackle for a Loss |
QB Hit |
Passes Defensed |
Sacks |
| Week 1 | 4 | 1 | - | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Week 2 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| Week 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - |
| Week 4 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| Week 5 | - | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| TOTALS | 10 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
So draw your own conclusions. But just by looking at where he is so far this season, obviously Belichick isn’t pleased and it remains to be seen what he’ll really need to do to prove his worth before we’ll see him back out on the field.
RB Morris Leaves With Injury
With snow covering the field in Foxboro, Patriots runningback Sammy Morris was injured on the team’s third offensive play of the game and had to be helped off the field after limping off. He was replaced by Laurence Maroney.
Maroney had a productive game in his absence, finishing with 16 carries for 123- yards and a touchdown.
Adalius Thomas Benched for Titans Game
Unless he’s dealing with an injury that we’re unaware of and head coach Bill Belichick gave him the day off, the fact that Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas is not active today has definitely raised a few eyebrows.
Apparently with good reason. Tom Curran first reported via Twitter that the veteran linebacker has been “benched” for today’s game, and later followed it up by saying it appears to be “performance related” and not related to a “family emergency, etc.”
“Checking further on Adalius Thomas, hearing nothing that indicates that this is anything but performance related. No family emergency, etc.”
Curran’s first Tweet read,
“Adalius Thomas has been benched by the Patriots today. Not on the injury report and not active for today’s game. Galloway sits again as well”
According to Shalise Manza Young, this report appears to be accurate and I’m guessing will obviously gain steam until someone breaks the news on what actually happened.
Said Young:
“All who asked (there were a few) – it is a healthy scratch for AD. Apparently BB not pleased with his production to this point”
We’ll have more on this story as it becomes available.
Today’s Patriots Inactives
Just announced by the team via Twitter:
Today’s Patriots inactives are:
- WR Joey Galloway
- RB Fred Taylor
- DB Terrence Wheatley
- DB James Sanders
- OT Rich Ohrnberger
- OT Matt Light
- DL Ron Brace
- LB Adelius Thomas
Discuss your reactions here in our forum: CLICK HERE
BY THE NUMBERS: QB Comparison
Coming into Sunday’s game where the 3-2 Patriots will take on the 0-5 Tennessee Titans, here’s a spotlight comparing quarterbacks Tom Brady and Kerry Collins:
Player |
Comp |
Att |
Cmp% |
Yds |
Yds/Att |
LONG |
TD |
INT |
Sacks |
Rating |
| Collins, Kerry | 106 | 185 | 57.3 | 1078 | 5.8 | 69 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 67.4 |
| Brady, Tom | 127 | 207 | 61.4 | 1344 | 6.5 | 36 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 85.9 |
Their numbers are actually pretty similar, but one key thing to note is the fact that as erratic as Brady has been this season, he hasn’t been turning it over – which has been one of Collins’ most damaging traits after the vetran QB has already been picked off seven times. As we all know turnovers are the achilles heel for any team, so for those who are frustrated with Brady’s inconsistent play – things could certainly be worse.