patchick

Not so sure about that. Elway had the Marino-type label until the last two years of a long career, now that's completely erased from the Official Memory of him.

richpats

That's because he never played another down after his last SB victory.

JoeSixPat

If everything goes perfectly this season Brady will not even come close to career passing year. The team will build a lead in the first half and let the RBs run out the clock while the Defense stops any comeback.

If things go badly this season the Patriots will need to air it out and put up a lot of receiving numbers which might give Brady statistics to rival Mannings'.

I think most fans would hapilly choose the former and not the latter.

I'm never clear why anyone's concerned about passing stats. Team passing stats were better in 2005 than they were in 2004, but I'll take the 2004 season every time.

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solman

1. Do we actually feel confident in the ability of our running game to make this happen in the absence of a substantial number of passing plays?

2. Do we actually WANT our running backs to shoulder this kind of load? It seems like a recipe for Maroney getting hurt (again).

I agree with previous threads about how the passing game is going to open up all sorts of opportunities for Maroney. Take away that passing game, and I'm not so sure. He got stuffed at the line an awful lot of times last year.

g-fresh

Absolutely.

Some of you guys are saying he needs a stellar year this year to prove his greatness to people who are not fairly evaluating his career. I do not care what people who value TDs and yards thrown over everything think, people who know anything about the game know that Brady is the one of the best of his generation and that he has the rings to prove it. In the end does it matter if everyone thinks that he is better than Manning? Colts fans will always say Manning is better, unless Brady breaks all his records which will simply not happen because Brady and Belichick are too smart to play like that. I really don't care what those people think, and I will guarantee you Brady himself cares about nothing but superbowl wins.

sieglo

And, don't forget, banging supermodels.

JoeSixPat

Talk about extremes - no one is talking about "taking away the passing game". I expect balance on offense - not an imbalance that's going to see Brady hit an alltime high passing mark.

The pass will be utilized plenty - though again, the deep pass will be used enough to make sure there is a very credible deep threat. The vast majority of passes will still be 10 yards and under as they are for pretty much every team.

If the team builds a good lead as I expect the offense (and Defense!) can - yes, you can expect to see them run the ball about 2/3rds of the plays. And yes - whether its Maroney or additional RBs currently or soon to be with the team (and I'm probably alone in thinking Dillon returns late in camp) I think they can average about 4 yards a carry - more than enough to get the job done.

If things go well with a balanced offense and quality defense Brady doens't need to have a legacy year. If they go badly he will need to strap the team on his back I don't doubt he can have a legacy year - I'm just hoping that doesn't happen.

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FirstAndGoal

Well, he is having a baby so I guess that's true (legacy year)

PatsSteve1

If the Patriots keep winning SB's but Manning has better stats than Tom, that's fine with me.

Patriot Missile

Brady could retire tomorrow and be inducted into the Hall of Fame first ballot. Guaranteed, believe me this kid's legacy is secured regardless of what he does from here on out.