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Ding..Ding..Ding! We have a winner!
Who are some of the Centers that Brady (who, when it comes to football smarts, might be the smartest NFL player in history) has played behind?
Well, there was Dan Koppen for many years. Talking about Koppen, BB said: “ Seeing the front seven, even sometimes the secondary rotation on a particular play...he does that very well and is on the same page with our quarterback...He's really good at that, probably as good as anybody I've ever coached." Clearly Koppen was an extremely intelligent player to recognize the defense in that way, and he was always on the same page as Brady.
Then there was Connolly and Wendell. Neither were great centers (especially Wendell), but everything I've read indicates that both were overachieving ultimate professionals who probably didn't have the talent for the NFL but managed to hang on by being smart, professional, and tough. About Connolly (at his retirement), BB said: "Dan Connolly exemplified everything our program requires of players. He was tough and dependable, smart and team oriented and his work ethic ensured he improved on an annual basis to reach his potential." Wendell had a 3.2 average in history(!) at Fresno State, and was one of the players featured in an article about how smart the Patriots were a couple of years ago.
So, after having smart centers like Koppen, Connolly, and Wendell, we get reports that "Brady had gotten into it with Stork for not knowing the line checks. Andrews is more cerebral, knows plays in & out." Is anyone really surprised that Andrews has won the job and Stork is gone?
Yep- I think having an intelligent center who studies the game takes some of the responsibility off of Brady's shoulders.
Seems like Stork had plateaued in this area.