AzPatsFan
Veteran Starter w/Big Long Term Deal
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2004
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Many have complained here that it does little good to compile records like 11-5, and 14-2 if you immediately lose in the Playoffs. Real Patriots fans remember the dreary decades of hoping for merely .500. They then describe what they believe the reason is for losing to a club that they had beaten soundly in the regular season.
We have all heard the ideas: can't rush the passer, can't force the run, can't go deep with a game-breaking WR, etc.
I propose a much more mundane suggestion. The Patriots are not yet deep enough to withstand a rash of injuries, especially at critical positions.
But I think everyone overlooks THE most critical position of all. The last two seasons we staggered into the playoffs with a throughly beat-up QB.
Both off seasons, Tom Brady had to go in for surgery. Even now we have a report that Brady is still not fully recovered but making good progress. How can you win, if your GOAT QB is walking wounded, by the 'Second season'?
I know that BB hasn't felt that he could force Tom Brady to sit, and send in a QB to mop up, or take over in a lopsided game, and try to pull it out, when the danger of injury is greatest. Hoyer is still learning and with his limited athletic talent, needs to use every bit of it, and his head to succeed. I expect Hoyer will eventually be able to do so, but he isn't ready to do that yet.
Ryan Mallett is another kettle of fish though. If or when, Mallett gets his legs under him, Belichick will be able to force Tom Brady to sit, and that is what it takes to make the competitor to sit down. Hopefully the Team will have him healthy, and more ready to go in the Playoffs.
I'd much rather enter the playoffs with a healthy Tom Brady, rather than walking wounded, staggering into the playoffs, unable to avoid the sacks (2010), or throw well (2009), hampered with a broken foot or a bum shoulder.
We have all heard the ideas: can't rush the passer, can't force the run, can't go deep with a game-breaking WR, etc.
I propose a much more mundane suggestion. The Patriots are not yet deep enough to withstand a rash of injuries, especially at critical positions.
But I think everyone overlooks THE most critical position of all. The last two seasons we staggered into the playoffs with a throughly beat-up QB.
Both off seasons, Tom Brady had to go in for surgery. Even now we have a report that Brady is still not fully recovered but making good progress. How can you win, if your GOAT QB is walking wounded, by the 'Second season'?
I know that BB hasn't felt that he could force Tom Brady to sit, and send in a QB to mop up, or take over in a lopsided game, and try to pull it out, when the danger of injury is greatest. Hoyer is still learning and with his limited athletic talent, needs to use every bit of it, and his head to succeed. I expect Hoyer will eventually be able to do so, but he isn't ready to do that yet.
Ryan Mallett is another kettle of fish though. If or when, Mallett gets his legs under him, Belichick will be able to force Tom Brady to sit, and that is what it takes to make the competitor to sit down. Hopefully the Team will have him healthy, and more ready to go in the Playoffs.
I'd much rather enter the playoffs with a healthy Tom Brady, rather than walking wounded, staggering into the playoffs, unable to avoid the sacks (2010), or throw well (2009), hampered with a broken foot or a bum shoulder.
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