- Joined
- Nov 14, 2006
- Messages
- 49,635
- Reaction score
- 28,362
The lack of balance in 2007 is overstated. The Pats passed 56.5% of the time. If you compare that to other years in the Brady era, there isn't a sizable of a difference for many years. In fact, the Pats passed more in 2002 (60.5% of the time) than 2007. Here are the breakdown of passing percentage in the Brady years:
2001 - 50.4%
2002 - 60.5%
2003 - 53.2%
2004 - 48%
2005 - 56.2%
2006 - 51.4%
2007 - 56.5%
2008 - 52.7%
Belichick is always about doing what is best to win. If it is to air the ball out, that is what he will do. If it is to pound the ball on the ground, that is what he will do. I don't see that changing. I think since 2006, the defense has needed the offense to carry them. So far this year, it hasn't been the case so the Pats have not needed the offense to carry them.
Also, the Pats did air it out last weekend. Brady threw down the field several times against the Falcons, the difference between last weekend and 2007 is that those plays were being made on a consistent basis in 2007 and weren't last weekend.
2001 - 50.4%
2002 - 60.5%
2003 - 53.2%
2004 - 48%
2005 - 56.2%
2006 - 51.4%
2007 - 56.5%
2008 - 52.7%
Belichick is always about doing what is best to win. If it is to air the ball out, that is what he will do. If it is to pound the ball on the ground, that is what he will do. I don't see that changing. I think since 2006, the defense has needed the offense to carry them. So far this year, it hasn't been the case so the Pats have not needed the offense to carry them.
Also, the Pats did air it out last weekend. Brady threw down the field several times against the Falcons, the difference between last weekend and 2007 is that those plays were being made on a consistent basis in 2007 and weren't last weekend.