Are people under-estimating Tom Brady?

[RIpats88]

yes, losing Gronkowski for the next 4-6 weeks definitely hurts....but the way alot of fans are talking you would think we have no chance.

People are forgetting that Tom brady brought us to the AFC championship game in 2006 without a Wide receiver.

while losing Gronk certainly limits us, we still have riches on offense with Welker, Lloyd, Edelman, Hernandez, the running backs and a HOF Qb in Tom Brady

so, Gronkowski get healthy for the playoff Run, and lets continue to win games

 

[ausbacker]

I know he's a force in the run game but losing Gronk will place an added emphasis on the performances of Ridley, Vereen and Woodhead.

 

[mgteich]

And who has said that?

yes, losing Gronkowski for the next 4-6 weeks definitely hurts....but the way alot of fans are talking you would think we have no chance.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

And who has said that?

So far mostly just idiots and wishful thinkers.

 

[CityOfChampions]

Every time I go onto opposing team's forums and see that they're saying that Brady is old and the Patriots aren't explosive anymore I giggle.

 

[Deus Irae]

Hernandez should be back
Welker should be back
Edelman should be back
Lllllllllllllllllllllllloyd should be back
Shiancoe should be available
Fells should be available
Woodhead should be available
Mankins and Connolly should eventually return


Given that it's the regular season, and that the schedule includes

Jets
Dolphins
Dolphins
Jaguars

I'm not going to worry about the Gronk loss until I see it having a major negative effect in a game against one of the above scrub teams. The Patriots are now at 7 wins. Just by winning 3 of those 4, they'd be guaranteed at least a tie on top of the division (Buffalo could theoretically catch them at 10-6).

 

[PatriotSeven]

Absolutely. They have dogged him for the past couple of years. I would be very happy if the NFL players and coaches believed it too. But they know better.

So it's really just a bunch of mediots who are honestly sick and tired of us winning doing him diservice. We are despised for being consistent winners. Brady and Bill are the leaders of our team.

But don't worry, when Brady retires, they will all be riding his jock for an eternity and recognize everything about him that we already know. He's a living legend. It's just a phase. We're the villains outside our fan base. The public loves an underdog and I still do as well. But we are not that so we won't get that love. It is what it is. I learned to accept it.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Since SF and HOU are home games I think we still have a solid shot if they have to be without Gronk. The other 4 games should be W's - Jets, Fins twice, Jags.

As for the 2 big ones it depends on the health of Welker, Hernandez, Lloyd, they'll have to be full strength for those games. Bolden would be really nice too.

 

[wistahpatsfan]

Since SF and HOU are home games I think we still have a solid shot if they have to be without Gronk. The other 4 games should be W's - Jets, Fins twice, Jags.

As for the 2 big ones it depends on the health of Welker, Hernandez, Lloyd, they'll have to be full strength for those games. Bolden would be really nice too.

Damn! Almost forgot about Bolden!

 

[RayClay]

What do you expect, a 6th round pick to carry the team on his back?

 

[Salva135]

No, nobody is underestimating Tom Brady. He is who we thought he was, as good as ever.

It's possible I underestimated Julian Edelman last week, however. Maybe Dennard and Talib too. But no, not Brady.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

no...guy is a beats...hernandez coming back will help

 

[Seanzayyy]

Brady will still hit the open man and pump out first downs to move the chains regardless. We're obviously better with Gronk in, but Gronk or no Gronk we're an explosive, dynamic offense.

 

[DaBronxPats14]

Same old story when it comes to Brady. It's like he's taken for granted and mediots slight him and try to find somebody else to blow up as GOAT.
From Peyton to Brees to Rodgers to Eli back to Peyton. Bottom line is Brady ALWAYS prooves mediots and haters wrong. I could careless what they think about him & his play and who is better. Knowing every game, season that Brady is QB'n there ALWAYS is a great chance of a superbowl win.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Anyone who thinks losing Gronkowski is JUST another injury is very naive/foolish. Losing Gronkowski is a huge hit. Nobody on this team can make the catches Gronk makes, he is 6'6" 265, and he catches the high passes that Brady throws up, and knows only Gronk can come down with it. He's also the BEST RED ZONE WEAPON IN THE NFL. Great blocker that helps the run game big time.

That being said, the Pats have a lot of weapons, especially IF Hernandez is indeed coming back. Welker, Hernandez, Lloyd, Edelman, Woodhead, Ridley and Vereen have proven to be good weapons. The interesting part will be if Brady gets comfortable with Fells, Shiancoe & Salas during Gonk's absence. They all offer some decent size and possible red zone targets.

I think the Pats will be fine, I have thought all along that they will lose to Houston and San Francisco, but both teams have proven to be human, and it would be amazing if we can beat one of those teams without Gronk. I predict an 11-5 record when all is said and done (and AFC East Champs).

As far as Brady, the man is a Football God, 7 to 1 TD/INT ratio, amazing ! Nobody would ever underestimate the GOAT.

 

[upstater1]

Yes, he is being underrated. Let's keep it that way.

People have a lot of respect for Brady and think he's great, but I've read very little about the Patriots offense this season. For a team that is scoring at a historic rate, there is almost no buzz whatsoever.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Anyone who thinks losing Gronkowski is JUST another injury is very naive/foolish. Losing Gronkowski is a huge hit. Nobody on this team can make the catches Gronk makes, he is 6'6" 265, and he catches the high passes that Brady throws up, and knows only Gronk can come down with it. He's also the BEST RED ZONE WEAPON IN THE NFL. Great blocker that helps the run game big time.

Umm, Hernandez could make a lot of those catches.

Aaron Hernandez 2-yard TD - NFL Videos

 

[chasa]

Brady is having the quietest MVP quality season in history.

Nobody even mentions his name in the MVP race, but there he is with an 8-1 td-int ratio.

 

[Deus Irae]

Brady is having the quietest MVP quality season in history.

Nobody even mentions his name in the MVP race, but there he is with an 8-1 td-int ratio.

Brady wasn't a big early season comeback story (Manning)
Brady wasn't on a long undefeated team (Ryan)

In terms of play, Manning bounces all over the place, even while staying centered in the pocket. Rodgers does his scrambles and half-scrambles. Roethlisberger is on the move all the time. Little Drew Brees is moving and then throwing the huge heaving kinds of deep passes that make it look as if he's throwing himself out of his shoes.

Meanwhile, Brady just uses near-flawless technique to keep racking up the numbers. It's boring. ESPN needs flash. A perfect strike to Welker for a 10 yard gain on 3rd down is important, but it doesn't look impressive on the TV.

 

[kennyb]

Some people may be. It's hard to know how many.

Some people may even be "mis-underestimating" him, like they did George Bush, at least according to him.

I may even be underestimating him myself. Or maybe I'm overestimating him, it's hard to know. I am hopeful for the next few games they can put something together without gronkowski. I'm thinking maybe Salas is being underestimated. He could be a missing piece.