This is Brady's legacy year

[patchick]

His legacy still remains as a mediocre playoff QB. Let's see, he struggles the 1st half against the Pats D, then they lose 3 key guys and he's torching our defense. Throws 7 picks in 4 postseason games. Champion or no, he's still a mediocre playoff QB.

Not so sure about that. Elway had the Marino-type label until the last two years of a long career, now that's completely erased from the Official Memory of him.

 

[richpats]

Not so sure about that. Elway had the Marino-type label until the last two years of a long career, now that's completely erased from the Official Memory of him.

That's because he never played another down after his last SB victory.

 

[JoeSixPat]

If everything goes perfectly this season Brady will not even come close to career passing year. The team will build a lead in the first half and let the RBs run out the clock while the Defense stops any comeback.

If things go badly this season the Patriots will need to air it out and put up a lot of receiving numbers which might give Brady statistics to rival Mannings'.

I think most fans would hapilly choose the former and not the latter.

I'm never clear why anyone's concerned about passing stats. Team passing stats were better in 2005 than they were in 2004, but I'll take the 2004 season every time.

 

[solman]

If everything goes perfectly this season Brady will not even come close to career passing year. The team will build a lead in the first half and let the RBs run out the clock while the Defense stops any comeback.

If things go badly this season the Patriots will need to air it out and put up a lot of receiving numbers which might give Brady statistics to rival Mannings'.

I think most fans would hapilly choose the former and not the latter.

I'm never clear why anyone's concerned about passing stats. Team passing stats were better in 2005 than they were in 2004, but I'll take the 2004 season every time.

1. Do we actually feel confident in the ability of our running game to make this happen in the absence of a substantial number of passing plays?

2. Do we actually WANT our running backs to shoulder this kind of load? It seems like a recipe for Maroney getting hurt (again).

I agree with previous threads about how the passing game is going to open up all sorts of opportunities for Maroney. Take away that passing game, and I'm not so sure. He got stuffed at the line an awful lot of times last year.

 

[g-fresh]

What if we don't make the playoffs this year then win three straight SB starting in 2008 ? This year would be irrelevant. Brady's legacy is his entire career and he already has three Super Bowls.

Absolutely.

Some of you guys are saying he needs a stellar year this year to prove his greatness to people who are not fairly evaluating his career. I do not care what people who value TDs and yards thrown over everything think, people who know anything about the game know that Brady is the one of the best of his generation and that he has the rings to prove it. In the end does it matter if everyone thinks that he is better than Manning? Colts fans will always say Manning is better, unless Brady breaks all his records which will simply not happen because Brady and Belichick are too smart to play like that. I really don't care what those people think, and I will guarantee you Brady himself cares about nothing but superbowl wins.

 

[sieglo]

I will guarantee you Brady himself cares about nothing but superbowl wins.

And, don't forget, banging supermodels.

 

[JoeSixPat]

1. Do we actually feel confident in the ability of our running game to make this happen in the absence of a substantial number of passing plays?

2. Do we actually WANT our running backs to shoulder this kind of load? It seems like a recipe for Maroney getting hurt (again).

I agree with previous threads about how the passing game is going to open up all sorts of opportunities for Maroney. Take away that passing game, and I'm not so sure. He got stuffed at the line an awful lot of times last year.

Talk about extremes - no one is talking about "taking away the passing game". I expect balance on offense - not an imbalance that's going to see Brady hit an alltime high passing mark.

The pass will be utilized plenty - though again, the deep pass will be used enough to make sure there is a very credible deep threat. The vast majority of passes will still be 10 yards and under as they are for pretty much every team.

If the team builds a good lead as I expect the offense (and Defense!) can - yes, you can expect to see them run the ball about 2/3rds of the plays. And yes - whether its Maroney or additional RBs currently or soon to be with the team (and I'm probably alone in thinking Dillon returns late in camp) I think they can average about 4 yards a carry - more than enough to get the job done.

If things go well with a balanced offense and quality defense Brady doens't need to have a legacy year. If they go badly he will need to strap the team on his back I don't doubt he can have a legacy year - I'm just hoping that doesn't happen.

 

[FirstAndGoal]

Well, he is having a baby so I guess that's true (legacy year)

 

[PatsSteve1]

If the Patriots keep winning SB's but Manning has better stats than Tom, that's fine with me.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Brady could retire tomorrow and be inducted into the Hall of Fame first ballot. Guaranteed, believe me this kid's legacy is secured regardless of what he does from here on out.

 

[jbb9s]

If the Patriots keep winning SB's but Manning has better stats than Tom, that's fine with me.

I hear Manning really likes getting to Hawaii 3 weeks early before his Pro Bowl start too.

 

[brdmaverick]

I think last year meant more to his legacy than anything he does this year would.

How far he brought the team with as few receiving options as he had last year was just incredible.

I don't think this year is setting himself up for his legacy, I think this year could only hurt his legacy. After all, everyone is already EXPECTING GREAT statistics and a Super Bowl victory for this season with the weapons he has. If you ask me that is being set up for failure. It sounds like he only has something to lose and nothing to gain.


Even so, with three Super Bowl titles, I think Brady's legacy is fine right where it is.

 

[Peytonsbetter]

Solman.....you speak the truth my friend. I'm with you 110%.

My dream season is for Brady to not only win....but light up his stats this year. On the surface, I don't care if Brady puts up huge stats, as long as the Pats are winning I am happy. But wouldn't it be great to for the season to playout as follows:

Brady throws for over 4,000 yards and 40 TD'S.

While Harrison and Wayne miss time due to minor injuries throughout the season (don't wish major injury on anyone) and Manning looks lost with who ever the replacements are.

Brady wins MVP.....and superbowl of course.

Every football fan that EVER discussed the Manning vs. Brady thing would only be able to think one thing.

IT WASSSSSSSSSSS THE RECEIVERS.

Funny stuff. I guess Joe Montana's legacy is tarnished because he had Jerry Rice and John Taylor right?

Nonsense. Joe made his teammates better in the same way Peyton does.

Tom and Peyton's legacies are already secure. Peyton's previous playoff failures won't affect his legacy any more than Tom's season ending int's the past 2 years or his 3 consecutive losses against Peyton will affect his legacy.

Both are all time greats. Leave it at that.

 

[BionicPatriot]

You gotta be kidding me.

The dude has given us our first dynasty since Bird's jersey was retired. The dude had absolute rubbish on the field and never ever opened his mouth once. The dude took us a few plays away from getting back to the promised land with Rache Caldwell! You people are insane if you think the man's legacy is anything but cemented. Brady can go anywhere in Boston and get a free drink,free room, free stripper, whatever he wants.

This year IMO will just be his ultimate eyar with his weapons. But again, I think alot of us need to keep one thing in perspective. These are weapons Brady has never worked with. What makes a football team great is continuity, remember that.

 

[PatsWSB47]

Funny stuff. I guess Joe Montana's legacy is tarnished because he had Jerry Rice and John Taylor right?

Nonsense. Joe made his teammates better in the same way Peyton does.

Tom and Peyton's legacies are already secure. Peyton's previous playoff failures won't affect his legacy any more than Tom's season ending int's the past 2 years or his 3 consecutive losses against Peyton will affect his legacy.

Both are all time greats. Leave it at that.

Rice was super with Young as well. He would have been super with any competent QB. Harrison would be as well. A QB and receiver that stay together year after year will make each other better. Brady hasn't had that kind of luxury except forTroy Brown(no Marvin Harrison) who's best years were behind him save 2001. Manning has had way more offensive support thorughout his career.

 

[solman]

You gotta be kidding me.

The dude has given us our first dynasty since Bird's jersey was retired. The dude had absolute rubbish on the field and never ever opened his mouth once. The dude took us a few plays away from getting back to the promised land with Rache Caldwell! You people are insane if you think the man's legacy is anything but cemented. Brady can go anywhere in Boston and get a free drink,free room, free stripper, whatever he wants.

This year IMO will just be his ultimate eyar with his weapons. But again, I think alot of us need to keep one thing in perspective. These are weapons Brady has never worked with. What makes a football team great is continuity, remember that.

If Brady's legacy as the greatest QB of all time is so secure, how can you explain all of the "analysts" rating him #2 amongst currently active QBs?

You may be sold on Brady. I may be sold on Brady. But outside of New England it is very hard to find somebody who believes that Brady is the consensus #1 QB of all time.

 

[ivanvamp]

I don't think titles are important to Tom Brady's legacy anymore. He already has three rings. Nobody will ever question that Tom Brady is a winner.

They DO question whether Tom Brady has the raw talent of a Peyton Manning or a Dan Marino. This vexes me.QUOTE]


Why does this vex you, solman? I am as big a Brady backer as there is, but it's entirely possible that he doesn't have *quite* as much "raw talent" that Manning does or that Marino did. I mean, isn't that within the realm of possibility? Brady is a no-doubt Hall of Famer, and an all-time great winner. But it's possible that other players in league history have (or have had) more "talent" than he does.

Larry Bird's place in the history of basketball is completely secure - one of the game's greatest players and greatest winners (3 NBA titles and 3 MVP's), but he probably wasn't the "most talented" player ever.

John

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Brady's legacy is already secure. Only stat geeks who don't understand football would think any different.

There is no "more" than having a bunch of rings and going into the Hall of Fame as his generations Joe Montana. He could throw for 5000 yards this year and it still could not get better than that.

You're right that his legacy is secure in that he is a First Year of Eligibility HOF QB, probably unanimous, who has accomplished something that no one else in the cap era has accomplished (Aikman straddled the pre- and post-cap years).

However, I disagree that I'm a "stat geek who doesn't understand football" if I suggest that Tom Brady could equal or surpass Joe Montana by putting up a few more years of great numbers and snagging another ring. Right now, Joe is in a class by himself when we consider modern era QB's. Tom could join him in that class (or blow by him, as I personally think he will). However, he needs some more "stats" to do that.

 

[cstjohn17]

I believe that the entirety of the statistical difference between Brady and Manning can be explained by two factors:

I think Manning has better stats because he is a better passer, maybe the best passer of all time. Brady is not as good as Manning at throwing the ball and won't be able to put up the same kind of stats (Manning has 8 straight years of over 4000 yards).

But Brady is a winner, that is why is he my favorite. The only way Brady's legend gets even bigger is if he wins some more championships. He could throw for 400 yards but if he wins the Superbowl he moves right up to the same level as Joe Montana. If he gets 6000 yards and no title it doesn't help his legacy at all.

 

[g-fresh]

If Brady's legacy as the greatest QB of all time is so secure, how can you explain all of the "analysts" rating him #2 amongst currently active QBs?

You may be sold on Brady. I may be sold on Brady. But outside of New England it is very hard to find somebody who believes that Brady is the consensus #1 QB of all time.

Why do you care what the "analysts" think? Things like "who is the best QB" are totally subjective, be happy about the rings that Brady and Patriots have because no one can make an argument against those.