Brady: Better or Worse in 2014?

[Ivan]

The question of how much longer Brady can play at an elite level has been raised repeatedly over the past year, and some pointed to the decline in his statistics as evidence of his decline, so my question has been whether that statistical decline was a result of declining abilities on Brady's part or the loss of over 85% of the production from his receivers the previous year? My take on it is fairly well known, I don't see any slippage in Brady's abilities and attribute the down year statistically to the loss of his receiver's and inexperience of the replacements. It will be interesting to see how people feel about his coming season.

 

[Gronkandez]

My prediction is he'll play like Brady

 

[letekro]

Well, he is becoming ever more a statue in the pocket. So, I predict that his success will depend almost exclusively on the health of the players around him. Amendola, Gronk, Vereen, Dobson and the OL all stay fairly healthy and his numbers could rival 2007. They don't, particularly Gronk, and he will struggle again in the playoffs/against good defenses.

 

[BradyManny]

His performance this season, in a vacuum, was as good as its been other than perhaps 2007 & 2011.

Unfortunately, it wasn't in a vacuum, and he had to deal with a weak OL, inexperienced wide receivers, no production at TE, and no third down back for half of the season.

I'd expect his production to be better next year when the sum of the parts around him is greater. And healthier.

 

[SalemPats]

Brady had a very good season last year, he to run a different type of offense then he did the last few years. I think 2014 will see him put up much better numbers, but it doesn't necessarily mean he's better (he's the best). He will just have better weapons (hopefully Gronk is back for a full season).

 

[strngplyr]

His performance this season, in a vacuum, was as good as its been other than perhaps 2007 & 2011.

Unfortunately, it wasn't in a vacuum, and he had to deal with a weak OL, inexperienced wide receivers, no production at TE, and no third down back for half of the season.

I'd expect his production to be better next year when the sum of the parts around him is greater. And healthier.

This basically.

Brady started 2013 without:

A. Hernandez
W. Welker
R. Gronkowski
B. Lloyd
D. Woodhead

That's 338 receptions for 3,984 yards and 29 touchdowns.

In week 1 he lost Danny Amendola, who was signed to replace Welkers production and Shane Vereen, who took over for Woodhead.

Gronkowski left the field faster than he returned due to the knee injury. The 3 rookies couldn't stay on the field to save their lives either.

2013 was an incredible offensive success compared to what it should have been, and if anything, it was maybe one of Brady's BEST seasons i've seen.

Brady, without a doubt, will be STATISTICALLY better in 2014 unless we get derailed by injuries in the same fashion we did this year, which I don't see happening.

Gronkowski will be healthy to start the season, the 3 rookies will have a year of experience under their belts and will be healthy. Shane Vereen will be healthy.

The offensive line will have HOPEFULLY been upgraded, because in addition to all the woes at the skill positions in 2013, the interior OL played one of the worst seasons i've seen recent history for us.

And my final note, unless we're missing something with Hooman or Mulligan, the TE position should receive an upgrade which should help the deep-intermediate middle field passing game.

I highly doubt Brady hits some magic wall entering this season that degrades his play SO severely that he reverts back to 2002 levels. He will look as great as he always does, and unless things go horribly wrong our offense will be 150% better than it was last season.

 

[supafly]

My one and ONLY concern with Tom Brady...is protecting him properly with the offensive line.

The longer he can play, the better we are and will continue to be.

The receiving options were a total joke last year. It was pathetic. That's not on Tom Brady. Without him, we'd have likely been an 8-8 team at best.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I think Dobson makes that jump, Thompkins and Boyce will be a year better, I expect them to draft AND sign a FA TE, since this is a TE driven offense, and I think they'll go back to that kinda offense. It all really depends on if people can stay healthy. Wouldn't be surprised if Gronk is PUP'd so therefore Brady needs some Gronk-like TEs available for him to throw to early in the season.

 

[strngplyr]

By the way, fix the poll.

"Better or Worse" is not a "yes or no" question.

 

[patsfan-1982]

if Gronk plays a full season he will be in the top 3 in stats

 

[grux]

I think he will have a better year because:

1. He will have better chemistry with the rookie receivers
2. Hopefully Gronk will stay healthy and be in beast mode
3. I am pretty sure the pats will sign a decent vet receiver to compliment the rookies.

 

[NormZauchin]

Given that three of Brady's receivers finished in the NFL's top six in drops, one can hardly put declines in completion percentage, yardage, and TDs solely on TB's shoulders.

 

[Kontradiction]

Impossible to answer this right now. We won't know whether 2013 was the first season in a decline until he gets better receiving options, better protection on the interior OL, and has health and continuity around him. Even with what he had to put up with at WR this year (which is almost inexcusable given his age and what he's done for this franchise), he still threw for better than 4,000 yards. IMO, I don't think he's declining yet. But he's getting up there in age. If Gronk can stay healthy (probably not), they can add a second TE option (FA or draft), they can upgrade at least Wendell if not Connolly as well (probably... hopefully), Dobson and his other receivers develop (likely), and they make a move for a veteran WR in FA then I think he can, and probably will, be better in 2014 than he was in 2013. But the end is getting near. That can't be doubted, unfortunately.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

Brady keeps himself in great shape. He isn't losing much, if any, velocity on his throws.

He should have some consistency from last year to this year in his receiving options. We'll have to see what happens to his line with Dante retiring and some of the positions in need of depth/upgrades. Actually, I'm offended any Patriot fan thinks he would decline from last season. (even statistically).

 

[BlueThunder]

He needs protection,protection,protection.

Upgrade at Center and backup OL.

Brady is fine.

WR's will mature this season.

Now if the DL can provide some pressure, problems solved!

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Congrats! This is the 1st poll ever on Patsfans where we can all agree!
Brady will be better or worse in 2014!
We all say YES!

As to which, I say he'll without doubt be measurably better
(My key assumption is that BB does NOT lose his mind and trade Amendola as my man Brady6 wishes)

 

[Kontradiction]

Congrats! This is the 1st poll ever on Patsfans where we can all agree!
Brady will be better or worse in 2014!
We all say YES!

As to which, I say he'll without doubt be measurably better
(My key assumption is that BB does NOT lose his mind and trade Amendola as my man Brady6 wishes)

Good call. Shouldn't we have a "trade Amendola" option in this poll?

Will Brady be better or worse in 2014?

Yes
No
Trade Amendola

 

[Brady6]

He will be the same Brady; the hope is that his stats will be better because the players around him will not let him down, as they did consistently this season with drops and poor route running.

 

[Brady6]

Congrats! This is the 1st poll ever on Patsfans where we can all agree!
Brady will be better or worse in 2014!
We all say YES!

As to which, I say he'll without doubt be measurably better
(My key assumption is that BB does NOT lose his mind and trade Amendola as my man Brady6 wishes)

Brady6 is nuts he lost his mind a long time ago…

Danny is dreamy...

 

[goheels22002]

By the way, fix the poll.

"Better or Worse" is not a "yes or no" question.

To answer the poll "No" means Brady will be statistically identical to 2013. Anything else is a "Yes." So my answer is, "Yes, Brady will be better or worse."