bradytovereen

Brady simply doesn't have the team around him he had in the 01-04 run. Welker/Hernandez et al might be bigger "names" than Givens/Patten/Branch (in his prime) but those guys stepped up when it counted. The defense - you can undermine it all you want and say they weren't all that - was unreal. And Brady, while he didn't have the numbers then he has now, was at his best, being a huge contributor to a great "team."

The Ravens beat us (and the Giants in the two SBs) the way we used to beat the Colts and Rams...physical defense, timely offense.

This team just isn't that team anymore. They're good enough to win the division and make the playoffs, but come January the more physical team always wins. This isn't arena league football.

If we're to win another SB it will be with a major overhaul on the defense and finding hungry players on offense that don't tighten up and drop easy receptions in crucial moments.

Triumph

A solid argument can be made that Brady carried the Pats in every Super Bowl win.

Brady was 2001 and 2003 Super Bowl MVP. Branch was the 2004 Super Bowl MVP due to Brady.Super Bowl XXXIX MVP

ThatllMoveTheChains!!!

Maybe I'm missing the actual analysis here, but to me it seems like this is just Bedard listing off the regulars for each unit and declaring the Ravens > Pats. I sure would like him to back up all these statements. I would think if it was so cut and dry he would've been picking the Ravens to win, or did he expect Brady to magically have a great game against a team he historically struggles against to make up for the lack of talent at every other position...

RhodyPatriot

An embarrassing piece of fluff from Greg Bedard.

"So, basically, I think any criticism of Brady is nonsense. His team was less talented than its foe. His team didn’t play well. He didn’t play that well. Nobody in the salary cap era is ever going to be as good as Montana. That’s just the way it is."


Really Greg?? Any criticism of Brady is nonsense?? What an embarrassing comment to make. Have no credibility when you spew this fan boy fluffiness. Huh, last time I checked great players ELEVATE those around them. In fact Brady has always gotten credit for his early career successes while working with "inferior" offensive talent. That was always the mantra but now that Brady no longer has that big game magic it's "Don't Blame Brady it's da team"

What nonsense!

Welker's drop is on Welker. BUT....missed a wide open Hernandez in the flat, Ridley's "drop" happened on a ball thrown behind him on his back shoulder, forcing the ball to a covered Welker on 3rd down with a wide open Woodhead standing all alone 20 ft to Wes' right, the embarrassing lack of clock management/game awareness at the end of the 2nd qtr costing the team a chance at a TD, 4th and 4 with a running lane (Tom is over 6 feet tall - Tom simply falling forward gets him 2 yds) and he throws an incomplete pass on the run.....and on and on it went.

You're right Greg, Brady deserves NO criticism.

p8ryts

Stand by from message from Homer BSer----

Bedard makes one good point I agree with. In the last few years, the Pats have not played well in big games. The thing that struck me is the winners showed more intensity. In this year's championship game I didn't see Tommy yelling on the sideline. I saw a subdued bench for most of the game. The offensive line played one of its best games against Baltimore and the Pats should win when that happens. All year long they made 3rd downs, this game they failed. Welker and Lloyd don't make catches they normally make. Tommy throws in the dirt.

I give Baltimore for finally attacking the Pats weak spot, the middle of the field passes. Any team serious about beating the Pats should come out throwing down the middle 10-20 yards. It's open just because of the defensive scheme and because of LB's that don't cover.

I'm not complaining though. BB has built a whole new team, defense is evolving, very young, running game is competitive and we were in the championship game and will be SB contenders next year.

So as a Homer BSer- I'm looking forward to what Bill does to improve the team for next year.

BTW-heresy, the last piece is to trade Tom before he declines. How about to Arizona? Play with Mallett for a year and if he can't manage the team effectively, trade all the picks for Terry Bridgewater next year.

__________________
Stan the Man the Patriots Fan from Wareham

Jackson 2

I hope you recognized my sarcasm.

upstater1

Bedard's point is that you have the best QB in football. He didn't say Brady is infallible. If your starting point is already the best QB in football, then look elswhere for improvement. That's a perfectly logical point for him to make.

The way Brady plays, with his quick release, his pocket presence, etc., makes this team infinitely better especially since you can take a bunch of castoffs (Wendell, Thomas, Connolly, McDonald) and stick them in the middle of the line, and you can be successful. In the past, we saw him take wide receivers off the street like Caldwell, Gaffney and Stallworth, and that team should have won the Super Bowl!

I remember people saying the myth of Brady was over after he threw an INT to Marlin Jackson in the AFCCG. The idea that Brady could lead the team to a TD from 80 yards away with 50 seconds left is a bit farfetched, the fact that he threw an INT with 17 seconds left at the Indy 40 is not surprising at all, since you have to gamble in that situation with defensive backs roaming the field.

The point is, the Patriots have the QB position covered. That's not a concern. Bedard is absolutely right.

p8ryts

Nope, my bad

__________________
Stan the Man the Patriots Fan from Wareham

Jackson 2

You made some good points. You also know that you can reach Bedard by e-mail at gbedard@globe.com. My experience is that he will reply.

letekro

Silly to blame brady. When I see a QB with his experience and knowledge hold the ball for 7 seconds and find no one open, I assume there is no one getting open. Also, key drops killed them.

As I predicted, the Ravens skill position players stressed every level of the defense, leading to breakdowns. They were just better there. And Bedard makes a case that the Ravens were better along the lines as well.