ESPN:Is Tom Brady on the decline?

[Jackson 2]

It's not total BS. There have been studies that show that Brady has a poor deep ball. His completion % at that level ranks near the league low, it's not all the receivers. PFF also recently came out with an analysis that shows Brady is one of the best when handling outside pressure but dead last when handling inside pressure.

I think all of these analyses pass the eye test. Brady is historically awesome at certain parts of his game, and questionable at other parts. He's not perfect.

The only poor deep ball is the one Gisele occasionally complains about.

 

[Rob0729]

I love this quote from Matt Williamson in the article:

I thought Brady played very bad against the Ravens in the playoffs. He looked old, beat up and tired. At that age, I think the length of the season starts to wear on you.

Yes, I agree he played bad against the Ravens, at least in the red zone, but a week earlier he had one of his better games of the season against the Texans. If the season was wearing on him, he would be declining before the AFC Championship Game.

Funny, ESPN spent all last season trying to prove that Peyton Manning's passes were as sharp as ever when anyone who watched him could see that he has lost some of his zip on the ball. But they are trying to show how Gronk's and Brady's careers are just about over.

Yet, if you go to the Jets' board, they think that ESPN are a bunch of Patriots homers.

 

[Raymond]

It's not total BS. There have been studies that show that Brady has a poor deep ball. His completion % at that level ranks near the league low, it's not all the receivers.

Who are these deep ball receiver threats Brady was supposed to throw to? Since Moss shot his way out of town a couple months into 2010, he's had nobody capable of being a deep threat. They didn't practice it because, well, nobody IS deep, why bother?

Maybe, just maybe, a couple of the kids this year will jell and allow Brady to fine tune a part of his game he's neglected.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Isn't this like a billionaire complaining that he lost $10 million on an investment?

 

[Joker]

you should be immolated by napalm for posting any link to that miscreant Walker...

 

[randomk1]

It's not total BS. There have been studies that show that Brady has a poor deep ball. His completion % at that level ranks near the league low, it's not all the receivers. PFF also recently came out with an analysis that shows Brady is one of the best when handling outside pressure but dead last when handling inside pressure.

I think all of these analyses pass the eye test. Brady is historically awesome at certain parts of his game, and questionable at other parts. He's not perfect.

Who are the QBs who are great at handling inside pressure?


Brady's deep ball passed the eye test back in 07. And i'm sure Aaron Rodgers would be lighting the world on fire with Branch,Edelman,Tate,Ocho,Lloyd and not be relying on Welker,Gronk AH.

 

[Deus Irae]

Here's another example of why you have to look deeper than just the articles and websites:

Consider that Tom Brady last year had a nearly identical rate of poor throws, yet completed 63% of his passes versus just 54.3% for Sanchez.

The primary difference is that when Brady's throws are on line, there's often a wide-open receiver at the other end of it.

Why There May Be Hope for Mark Sanchez - WSJ.com

 

[Ring 6]

It's not total BS. There have been studies that show that Brady has a poor deep ball. His completion % at that level ranks near the league low, it's not all the receivers. PFF also recently came out with an analysis that shows Brady is one of the best when handling outside pressure but dead last when handling inside pressure.

I think all of these analyses pass the eye test. Brady is historically awesome at certain parts of his game, and questionable at other parts. He's not perfect.

I think I disagree with every sentence.

 

[LivinLovin&Breathin_Brady]

Funny Manning is a year older than Brady and they don't type up these sorts of articles about him.

 

[Pewsterbaby]

Who are the QBs who are great at handling inside pressure?

Brees, Rogers, & Rothlisburger. I dunno 'bout great, but they're better than Brady circa the last 4 years.

 

[Gumby]

Here's another example of why you have to look deeper than just the articles and websites:

Consider that Tom Brady last year had a nearly identical rate of poor throws, yet completed 63% of his passes versus just 54.3% for Sanchez.

The primary difference is that when Brady's throws are on line, there's often a wide-open receiver at the other end of it.

Why There May Be Hope for Mark Sanchez - WSJ.com

The QUOTED PART -----> to me implies: When Brady's throws are off-line, THERE IS NO receiver anywhere near it ( cause he is throwing it away !!

To me that is the only explanation for stats that just seem mind-bogglingly off. That or the completely SUBJECTIVE determination "Stats" made about 111 of his passes is ..... well, ..... Completely SUBJECTIVE.

 

[BradyFTW!]

It's not total BS. There have been studies that show that Brady has a poor deep ball. His completion % at that level ranks near the league low, it's not all the receivers. PFF also recently came out with an analysis that shows Brady is one of the best when handling outside pressure but dead last when handling inside pressure.

I think all of these analyses pass the eye test. Brady is historically awesome at certain parts of his game, and questionable at other parts. He's not perfect.

Considering that he's throwing those deep balls to guys like Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, and Brandon Lloyd, I'd be shocked if his percentage was very good.

Nobody was complaining about his deep ball when any combination of Moss/Gaffney/Stallworth were on the team. Just watch: if Dobson turns out to be any good, Brady's completion percentage on deep balls will mysteriously get a lot better.

Maybe he has lost accuracy on his deep ball. It's possible, I guess, but we really just don't know at this point, because he doesn't have anyone to throw deep to.

Also, PFF is a terrible source.

 

[Fixit]

I don't think brady is a guy who likes to throw the ball out of bounds when nothing is there....sometimes he tries to make plays that just aren't there.

That would explain his high interception totals every year.

 

[Ring 6]

Considering that he's throwing those deep balls to guys like Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, and Brandon Lloyd, I'd be shocked if his percentage was very good.

Nobody was complaining about his deep ball when any combination of Moss/Gaffney/Stallworth were on the team. Just watch: if Dobson turns out to be any good, Brady's completion percentage on deep balls will mysteriously get a lot better.

Maybe he has lost accuracy on his deep ball. It's possible, I guess, but we really just don't know at this point, because he doesn't have anyone to throw deep to.

Also, PFF is a terrible source.

Every QBs completion % on deep balls is bad. Totally misinterpreted stat.

 

[Ian]

Yes, he's in decline. He's no longer as quick running while juking guys like Urlacher for first downs, and his only reception as a receiver was 12 years ago.

As was previously stated these articles come every year and you can pull a negative out of any stat. Bottom line is they continue to finish with double digit wins and he's still near the top of his game.

This year will certainly be interesting, and hopefully they do well. But no matter how it goes, all it will still likely do is dictate how next year's edition of this article will be written.

 

[Joker]

Perhaps a "I TOLD YOU ALL FIRST" Brady in decline contest can be stickied up top so the rest of the board can stay on top of the latest "knower of things" predictions about Brady's career....maybe a gigantic exploding cigar as the main prize or something.

The funny thing about "declines"...we are all in some sort of decline right out of the cradle...live long enough and the "experts" are always right...

 

[ausbacker]

I love this quote from Matt Williamson in the article:



Yes, I agree he played bad against the Ravens, at least in the red zone, but a week earlier he had one of his better games of the season against the Texans. If the season was wearing on him, he would be declining before the AFC Championship Game.

Funny, ESPN spent all last season trying to prove that Peyton Manning's passes were as sharp as ever when anyone who watched him could see that he has lost some of his zip on the ball. But they are trying to show how Gronk's and Brady's careers are just about over.

Yet, if you go to the Jets' board, they think that ESPN are a bunch of Patriots homers.

Yeah, it was just Brady who was off against the Ravens after half time. Just Brady...

 

[Fencer]

Brady has never thrown a reliably accurate deep ball. Moss was just great at adjusting, and one of the many things Brady DOES do reliably in pass in a manner that leverages the skills of his receivers.

 

[DocHoliday]

Anything that makes the opposition simmer down and feel better about their chances if fine with me.

I think Tom likes complacency too. In his opponents.

 

[JarOfMayo51]

I agree that brady is the big reason the the team didn't beat the ravens last season. Folks, he just didn't play great in the AFCCG. The ravens just confused him and when he gets confused he panics. And it doesn't help that he doesn't have any scrambling ability when no one is open downfield. I don't think brady is a guy who likes to throw the ball out of bounds when nothing is there....sometimes he tries to make plays that just aren't there.

With that said, i don't think he's in decline. He just doesn't play as well against the ravens or giants.

That game would have gone entirely different but they turned the ball over THREE times in the redzone. That will destroy any team.