Brady's remaining years: what to expect?

[CheeseMonkeys]

I think at the MOST Brady will play 4 more years (maybe less as physically he is wearing down.) I would expect him to win at least 2 more AFC East championships and hopefully go deep into the playoffs at least 1-2 more times as well. I think that we have seen Brady play in his last SB for the Patriots. I think that it will take the Pats awhile to get back to the SB (took 4 years to get back after losing to the Gints) and by that time it will be with a new QB.....and most likely a new coach......Sad to think of.......Obviously, BB and Pats missed golden opportunities this past year and in 07....wish they could have at least gotten one SB win there....but it is what it is.....

Nah... Brady is a much better QB 2007-Present than he was 2001-2006. He's getting older but that doesn't take away the fact the he will be a top 5 QB in the NFL for the next 3-4 years. Brady is just gaining more experience and should now be hungrier than ever for that next ring. Also, the defense is finally evolving from the inexperienced/young defense it's been in recent years. I see a bright future for Tom Brady.

 

[signbabybrady]

I think at the MOST Brady will play 4 more years (maybe less as physically he is wearing down.) I would expect him to win at least 2 more AFC East championships and hopefully go deep into the playoffs at least 1-2 more times as well. I think that we have seen Brady play in his last SB for the Patriots. I think that it will take the Pats awhile to get back to the SB (took 4 years to get back after losing to the Gints) and by that time it will be with a new QB.....and most likely a new coach......Sad to think of.......Obviously, BB and Pats missed golden opportunities this past year and in 07....wish they could have at least gotten one SB win there....but it is what it is.....

The 07 team VS the 11 team were heading in diferent directions. In 07 there was a lot of aging talent where as now there is a lot of youth and no reason to think we wont be right back at it. Truth is despite the aging talent they were right there in 08 and likely would have been pushed over the top by the presence of Brady (but two years later the door was closed). No reason to think this team wont be better this season and no reason to think that we are in for a 4 year rebuilding process.

 

[stcjones]

Nah... Brady is a much better QB 2007-Present than he was 2001-2006. He's getting older but that doesn't take away the fact the he will be a top 5 QB in the NFL for the next 3-4 years. Brady is just gaining more experience and should now be hungrier than ever for that next ring. Also, the defense is finally evolving from the inexperienced/young defense it's been in recent years. I see a bright future for Tom Brady.

You make some great points. I don't doubt that Brady will continue to rack up alot of stats and the Pats are going to be competitive....I just think that other teams in the AFC are coming on strong and we are going to have a hard time getting back to the SB. But no doubt, Brady is a more "experienced, seasoned" QB now than he was back in 01-06....but back then he was HUNGRIER....and more physically "able".

 

[Steve102]

The 07 team VS the 11 team were heading in diferent directions. In 07 there was a lot of aging talent where as now there is a lot of youth and no reason to think we wont be right back at it. Truth is despite the aging talent they were right there in 08 and likely would have been pushed over the top by the presence of Brady (but two years later the door was closed). No reason to think this team wont be better this season and no reason to think that we are in for a 4 year rebuilding process.

IMO they will be in the third year of rebuilding from the '09 mess. The '12 team should be better than the '11 squad, now that "BB has jettisoned the dead wood and divas who were uncoachable. However, this is really not my point....

Most of these posts deal with the fact that BB builds for the long term. Are we assuming he's here for the long term? What is his long term plan? IMO, he's brought in his replacement (JMcD) for more schooling. I can't help but think that BB and Brady ride off in the sunset together, leaving JMcD and Mallett to take up the reins.

 

[stcjones]

The 07 team VS the 11 team were heading in diferent directions. In 07 there was a lot of aging talent where as now there is a lot of youth and no reason to think we wont be right back at it. Truth is despite the aging talent they were right there in 08 and likely would have been pushed over the top by the presence of Brady (but two years later the door was closed). No reason to think this team wont be better this season and no reason to think that we are in for a 4 year rebuilding process.

Good points as always sbb......You are definitely right in that we are younger and some things are coming together going into 2012....but we still have alot of holes to fill. The secondary needs alot of help. Moore was brilliant in the playoffs and he may become a top CB....Chung is good.....and then it thins out. McCourty? I don't know what to make of him at this point, but I see him as more of a role player than a superstar. Probably going to need to add some DE....Carter rehabbing well it seems, but may be slow coming back to full tilt, not sure if Anderson coming back....who else do you like after that? Could use one more playmaker LB (Cunningham so inconsistent) We need some really talented receivers that can stretch out the field and open things up. Why BB is hanging onto Ocho is beyond me...I would expect Branch gone... Welk and the TE's can tear it up in the middle and in the flat.....but add a deep threat (or two) and they could be almost unstoppable. RB: What to make of Ridley and Vereen? I don't know. I think Ridley can hopefully be "coached up" on ball control much like Faulk did. Ridley had fumble issues in LSU and they continued this year....obviously has to stop. Vereen couldn't get on the field with injury woes early.....still apparently doesn't know the playbook....not sure if he will hang around or not. BJGE with turf toe (s)....how much will that impact his future? Woodhead is great change of pace back....not going to hold up physically to running as much as he did this year. I think they add another RB either FA (Stewart maybe?) or draft. OL: Light may retire, Waters hinted at retiring too it seemed.....Can Connelly continue to play at high level at center as it doesn't seem like Koppen is coming back....Can vollmer stay healthy? OL will probably have some concerns as well. I hope you are right and that Brady has several more opportunities.....but I fear that they and he, have wasted HIS window of opportunity to win again.....thx

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I would hope that we draft a young stud at RB within the next year or two who will mature into a full blown beast by the time Brady is ready to call it quits.

The chances of getting another QB even coming moderately close to what Brady has done here is slim and none.

The only teams I can recall in NFL History to be lucky enough to provide one HOF or Elite QB after the other left or retired was the 49ers (Montana,then Young) and Green Bay (Favre then Rodgers) ..... That is not many,so don't expect the next starting QB of the Patriots to be on Brady's level thus we will need that Running Game to suddenly become a large part of the offense and take pressure off the new guy that stands behind center once Brady is gone for good.

 

[supafly]

These are facts when trying to determine Brady's longevity:

1. He doesn't rely on any kind of running or 'athletic' types of skills

2. He does rely on his brains, experience, and ability to read defenses

3. He has continued to get better in some regards, as 3 of the past 4 yrs have been (2007 MVP, 2010 MVP, and 2011 5,000+ and 40 TD's)

4. He still trains harder than ever, and has the fire that it takes to win

5. He hasn't really shown much in the signs of slowing down

6. The offense continues to evolve, taking advantage of shallower routes when we utilize skill sets such as Hernandez, Gronkowski, and Welker


All of these point to the fact that Brady should be able to play for at least 5 more years in my opinion. All he has to do is snap the ball, take a quick drop back, and fire the ball 10 yds down the field....these are all qualities that point to his increased longevity in my opinion.

 

[Guts]

I think Tom settles all family business by the time he retires meaning he will at least win one more super bowl

 

[ProudestRyno]

I think his arm strength will slowly diminish, we might already be seeing that when he goes for the long bomb. So i think the TE offense is more important as he gets older, that being said he Still does need a legit down field threat to keep opposing defenses honest along with a potent running attack.

Like the throw in the Superbowl where he threw it from his own 40 all the way to back of the endzone in flight?

Just because he doesn't chuck the ball downfield every game doesnt mean he cant...

 

[ProudestRyno]

Good points as always sbb......You are definitely right in that we are younger and some things are coming together going into 2012....but we still have alot of holes to fill. The secondary needs alot of help. Moore was brilliant in the playoffs and he may become a top CB....Chung is good.....and then it thins out. McCourty? I don't know what to make of him at this point, but I see him as more of a role player than a superstar. Probably going to need to add some DE....Carter rehabbing well it seems, but may be slow coming back to full tilt, not sure if Anderson coming back....who else do you like after that? Could use one more playmaker LB (Cunningham so inconsistent) We need some really talented receivers that can stretch out the field and open things up. Why BB is hanging onto Ocho is beyond me...I would expect Branch gone... Welk and the TE's can tear it up in the middle and in the flat.....but add a deep threat (or two) and they could be almost unstoppable. RB: What to make of Ridley and Vereen? I don't know. I think Ridley can hopefully be "coached up" on ball control much like Faulk did. Ridley had fumble issues in LSU and they continued this year....obviously has to stop. Vereen couldn't get on the field with injury woes early.....still apparently doesn't know the playbook....not sure if he will hang around or not. BJGE with turf toe (s)....how much will that impact his future? Woodhead is great change of pace back....not going to hold up physically to running as much as he did this year. I think they add another RB either FA (Stewart maybe?) or draft. OL: Light may retire, Waters hinted at retiring too it seemed.....Can Connelly continue to play at high level at center as it doesn't seem like Koppen is coming back....Can vollmer stay healthy? OL will probably have some concerns as well. I hope you are right and that Brady has several more opportunities.....but I fear that they and he, have wasted HIS window of opportunity to win again.....thx

This post gives me a headache.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

You make some great points. I don't doubt that Brady will continue to rack up alot of stats and the Pats are going to be competitive....I just think that other teams in the AFC are coming on strong and we are going to have a hard time getting back to the SB. But no doubt, Brady is a more "experienced, seasoned" QB now than he was back in 01-06....but back then he was HUNGRIER....and more physically "able".

VERY good points. I would also add the Brady was mentally tougher back in the day. Never forget how he was called out personally and publicly by Cromartie in the press before that Jet playoff game and then went out and laid an egg. That doesn't happen 7 or 8 years ago. We would have seen Brady successfully target Cromartie all game long and at some point get in his face. The lasting impression from that Jet game was Brady sitting by himself head down and pouting on the sideline.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

The average retirement age for SB-era HOF QB's is 37, which is what Brady will be at the beginning of the final year of his current contract.

He's already lost one season to major injury, has taken a lot of hits and has several reported ongoing injuries.

He's also a very smart guy who understands the long term toll that injuries take both physically and mentally.

He has a lot to live for outside of Football and more money than he could spend in a dozen lifetimes. I don't see him playing much longer than the length of the current contract, at least not at the level he expects of himself.

As for the Pats, I don't see them "loading up for one more run" or changing their studied approach to personnel because one of the greatest QB's of all time has a couple of top years left. We have learned the hard way against the ******* Giants that there are too many random things that can happen along the way to make it reasonable to do that. That's not to say they might not tweak a few things around the edges given the chance, but I don't see them abandoning their fundamentals.

 

[BradyManny]

VERY good points. I would also add the Brady was mentally tougher back in the day. Never forget how he was called out personally and publicly by Cromartie in the press before that Jet playoff game and then went out and laid an egg. That doesn't happen 7 or 8 years ago. We would have seen Brady successfully target Cromartie all game long and at some point get in his face. The lasting impression from that Jet game was Brady sitting by himself head down and pouting on the sideline.

Question for you, but does being horribly negative and wrong about almost everything all the time ever get tiring?

 

[signbabybrady]

I would hope that we draft a young stud at RB within the next year or two who will mature into a full blown beast by the time Brady is ready to call it quits.

The chances of getting another QB even coming moderately close to what Brady has done here is slim and none.

The only teams I can recall in NFL History to be lucky enough to provide one HOF or Elite QB after the other left or retired was the 49ers (Montana,then Young) and Green Bay (Favre then Rodgers) ..... That is not many,so don't expect the next starting QB of the Patriots to be on Brady's level thus we will need that Running Game to suddenly become a large part of the offense and take pressure off the new guy that stands behind center once Brady is gone for good.

Bob Griese and Marino say hi. Bledsoe and Brady too. Brees - Rivers, Raiders had decent run of qbs in their hay day.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

Question for you, but does being horribly negative and wrong about almost everything all the time ever get tiring?

Not horribly negative or wrong. Just honest. Now wipe that Brady kool-aid off your chin.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Bob Griese and Marino say hi. Bledsoe and Brady too. Brees - Rivers, Raiders had decent run of qbs in their hay day.

I always thought Griese was overrated and Bledsoe was good but not considered one of the best ever,the Jury is still out on an inconsistent Rivers.

 

[Tunescribe]

Not horribly negative or wrong. Just honest. Now wipe that Brady kool-aid off your chin.

That was his unanimous MVP season. You're full of negativity, poor judgment AND nonsense. :singing::singing::singing::singing:

 

[RhodyPatriot]

That was his unanimous MVP season. You're full of negativity, poor judgment AND nonsense. :singing::singing::singing::singing:

Good to the last drop eh Tune??

As the past few years NFL seasons have shown us throughout the NFL, the regular season is arena ball which Tommy and this Colt offense thrive in. Sadly in the playoffs they play real football and that has been a real struggle for this QB. Them there's the facts. Try dealing with it.

 

[BradyManny]

Good to the last drop eh Tune??

As the past few years NFL seasons have shown us throughout the NFL, the regular season is arena ball which Tommy and this Colt offense thrive in. Sadly in the playoffs they play real football and that has been a real struggle for this QB. Them there's the facts. Try dealing with it.

You do realize that the Patriots are simply two miraculous Giants' catches away from having won 2 Super Bowls in their last 4 playoff appearances, right?

But that's OK. I know you're just excited that you can blame their SB loss on Brady and get to play armchair psychologist again, so don't let me interrupt that.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Bob Griese and Marino say hi. Bledsoe and Brady too. Brees - Rivers, Raiders had decent run of qbs in their hay day.

Miami's Superbowl to no SB era transition...Pats were 5-13 when Brady stepped in and had been to a SB once and lost in Drew's 9 years here. Brees to Rivers still hasn't amounted to anything meaningful. And don't even go there (Raiders). A couple of aging JAGS in the right place at the right time and some extended gaps between the last two, one of whom played in a SB but threw so many picks they had no shot.

Even those who talk Favre to Rogers ignore the 15 year gap between rings and some ugly seasons with both.

None of those transitions was seamless and none of those team had performed with the consistency this one has for 12 years and counting. We're talking transition to replacing that, not just eventually hitting on something decent or something that wasn't close but won or was prolific and didn't.