This year we see Brady's importance.

[1960Pats]

Unlike many Pats fans here, I don't see the Pats coming out of the first four games without Brady with a winning record. This will be the best example of what life after Brady will be like, and it won't be as good.

I know that some people might look back at Cassell's 11-5 season and use that as an example of what could happen this time, but the circumstances now are entirely different. Back then the Pats went from a tough schedule in 2007 to an easy one in 2008. This time it's the opposite.

Of course I hope I'm wrong and JG steps right in and the offense flows like it always has under Brady, but I just don't have confidence in that happening.

I'm curious if there are others out here that have the same apprehension as I do for the first 4 games or can show me why I'm wrong.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Okay, in our most successful years, we have started out relatively slowly, with some mediocre performances and ugly losses. Then, the team has grown and developed as the season progressed, like the defense did in '14 when Mayo went down. I remember liking a lot of what I saw in that Monday night mess at Kansas City, and I pay no attention at all to what is in the media.

Since I only care what happens in January and February, I look for positive signs in the Fall. I think if we're 4-4 halfway through, we have a good shot. As always, people will have to step up if/when there are injuries. I understand that this bunch has not gone all the way as a wild card. But I am very happy and encouraged that Dante is back with us.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Brady is important obviously, and I respect that you feel he's so important that the team won't win without him, but I disagree completely. Brady, as GOAT as he is, is still one player. And the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts. We have a stacked offense, barring injury and if everyone plays to the potential they've each shown already in the league, which I feel rivals 2008 (if not outright better). The defense is also vastly better than that 2008 defense, especially considering it is essentially the same group we saw play very well last season prior to the injuries (and even after for the most part). I actually feel the team can be 4-0 when the GOAT is released from his wrongful imprisonment. I'm not saying they will be...just that I feel they're good enough to be.

Jimmy G will have missteps. I don't think it's realistic to think he's going to seamlessly run an offense that he's still learning or like the GOAT does. But again, we have a team make up that's set up for success. There are a lot of players on both sides of the ball just hitting their primes or just entering twilight. That means a great mix of veteran leadership and youth athleticism and hunger. As such, I just don't see failure as an option, with or without the GOAT. I have said ALL off season that a bad OLine and injury are the only things that can stop NE this season (or a playoff trip to Denver), though I know and accept that football will always be an 'any given Sunday' game.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

The Denver Broncos won the Super Bowl last year despite having mediocre QB play pretty much from the start of the season.
The Patriots are so much more than Tom Brady and you will see just how good they are in the 1st 4 games this coming season.

BTW the offense flows under Brady ONLY if he has his short passing game binky's.

What's fun about Jimmy G is he's mobile and he also seems to throw a nice deep ball.
Josh McDaniels must be having a lot of fun game planning with JG's skill set.

Looking forward to it.

 

[anditsgood]

I think a lot of pats fans sees us going 2-2, which is not a winning record, and hopes for a 3-1

Either one i would be fine with, (of course prefers 4 and 0)

 

[varjao]

If the only absence were Brady I think the strenght of the roster could overcome that, but with Edelman and Amendola possibly out, no running game and the O-line starting the year like finished last season, that's too much.

Anyway I think we can go 2-2 being optimistic maybe 3-1. Thats my bet.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

If the only absence were Brady I think the strenght of the roster could overcome that, but with Edelman and Amendola possibly out, no running game and the O-line starting the year like finished last season, that's too much.

Anyway I think we can go 2-2 being optimistic maybe 3-1. Thats my bet.

Missing Edelman and Amendola would be a much bigger concern if Brady were playing
TB tends to zone in on the smurfs way too much and does not see other guys open.
Think Jimmy G will play QB like Tom Brady used to, his favorite receiver will be the OPEN receiver.
This offense is LOADED. Gonna be fun!!!!

 

[PatsBoy12]

If the only absence were Brady I think the strenght of the roster could overcome that, but with Edelman and Amendola possibly out, no running game and the O-line starting the year like finished last season, that's too much.

Anyway I think we can go 2-2 being optimistic maybe 3-1. Thats my bet.

Respect, Varjao. But a lot of the reasons you list are so unknown. Edelman, who I also thought would be out to start the season, is apparently looking like he'll be in pads as early as the next time they wear 'em by most accounts. Same goes for Amendola. We have no clue what the OLine will look like, which has a direct impact on the running game.

I think threads like this are fun and I welcome them for sure, but I think it's also worth mentioning that we know very little about this year's team (obviously) and are living off of what we've seen in the past from the names on the roster. That's not necessarily bad, as it really is mostly all we have go on right now. Suffice and safe to say if each player lives up to reputation and Scar really is the elixir for the OLine, we should have an incredible team in a weak AFC (again) that should be contenders regardless of what happens the first four (barring significant injuries like last season).

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Brady is important obviously, and I respect that you feel he's so important that the team won't win without him, but I disagree completely. Brady, as GOAT as he is, is still one player. And the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts. We have a stacked offense, barring injury and if everyone plays to the potential they've each shown already in the league, which I feel rivals 2008 (if not outright better). The defense is also vastly better than that 2008 defense, especially considering it is essentially the same group we saw play very well last season prior to the injuries (and even after for the most part). I actually feel the team can be 4-0 when the GOAT is released from his wrongful imprisonment. I'm not saying they will be...just that I feel they're good enough to be.

Jimmy G will have missteps. I don't think it's realistic to think he's going to seamlessly run an offense that he's still learning or like the GOAT does. But again, we have a team make up that's set up for success. There are a lot of players on both sides of the ball just hitting their primes or just entering twilight. That means a great mix of veteran leadership and youth athleticism and hunger. As such, I just don't see failure as an option, with or without the GOAT. I have said ALL off season that a bad OLine and injury are the only things that can stop NE this season (or a playoff trip to Denver), though I know and accept that football will always be an 'any given Sunday' game.

I think you're right. And the more W's you can tuck away early, the easier it will be to get that crucial first round bye. We were right there at the end last season; it will help going forward if coach stops eschewing automatic FG's and going for it in unlikely 4th down situations in critical games where every possession counts.

 

[Huckleberry1]

We have been seeing Tom Brady's importance since 2001.

 

[farn]

Every year is different. Following 2015, people say D is key. But I don't think last year was typical. There are several ways to win it all : Ravens 2000 & Denver 2015 did it one way. But there is no blueprint.

Brady is exceptional. He is a huge reason we have, as fans, enjoyed watching our team succeed. But he's won 4 and played in many seasons. So, he isn't a fullproof SB each year. Skill, smarts, health, and luck are all factors. I'm not sure the first quarter of 2016 really indicates where NE is going long-term.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

We have been seeing Tom Brady's importance since 2001.

Yeah, and I can't help remembering how full of themselves the Dolphins, Raiders, Steelers and Rams were then, and how the Patriots were in stark contrast. Nothing's really changed since: Opponents=****y and Patriots=disrespected.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Missing Edelman and Amendola would be a much bigger concern if Brady were playing
TB tends to zone in on the smurfs way too much and does not see other guys open.
Think Jimmy G will play QB like Tom Brady used to, his favorite receiver will be the OPEN receiver.
This offense is LOADED. Gonna be fun!!!!

I guess you didn't watch much of Brady in 2014, especially in the SB where he threw TD's to four different receivers against the '85 Seahawks?

 

[Mike the Brit]

Brady's greatness was fully on display at the end of last season with a gimpy O-line and effectively no running game. Yes it was "small ball" but it was outstanding (go and re-watch the KC playoff game).

What Brady has are: exceptionally ability to read and anticipate defenses, great timing and judgement against the rush, the ability to throw hard and accurately into very tight windows, excellent judgement about when NOT to throw the ball.

I'm excited to see Garoppolo but I'm not kidding myself he'll show those qualities in his first serious NFL action.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

Brady's greatness was fully on display at the end of last season with a gimpy O-line and effectively no running game. Yes it was "small ball" but it was outstanding (go and re-watch the KC playoff game).

What Brady has are: exceptionally ability to read and anticipate defenses, great timing and judgement against the rush, the ability to throw hard and accurately into very tight windows, excellent judgement about when NOT to throw the ball.

I'm excited to see Garoppolo but I'm not kidding myself he'll show those qualities in his first serious NFL action.

What are you talking about? The Patriots and Brady sucked at the end of last season. That's why they lost home field against Denver. Why don't you go and re-watch the Jets game or the Dolphins game or the Bronco game. This team faded down the stretch.

 

[Mike the Brit]

What are you talking about? The Patriots and Brady sucked at the end of last season. That's why they lost home field against Denver. Why don't you go and re-watch the Jets game or the Dolphins game or the Bronco game. This team faded down the stretch.

Brady did NOT suck. The O-line and the injuries sucked. He did a remarkable job despite it all (see KC game). Don't forget how nearly, nearly, nearly they came against the Broncos ...

 

[JMC00]

If the only absence were Brady I think the strenght of the roster could overcome that, but with Edelman and Amendola possibly out, no running game and the O-line starting the year like finished last season, that's too much.

Anyway I think we can go 2-2 being optimistic maybe 3-1. Thats my bet.

According to numerous reports it looks like Amendola and Edelman will be off PUP very soon so if they do come off the PUP in camp they will be there Week 1


Well OL is absolutely not starting the year like it finished for the fact that Solder will be at LT and Vollmer will be at RT and it seems so far according to reports it wouldn't be unfathomable to think Thuney could start Week 1. and OH YA Scar is back coaching the OL.

As for the "no running game" stuff i'd wait on that, BB could put a real emphasis on it this preseason, not to mention Develin is back and there were already beat guys making mention of the difference they see with him back in there.

 

[JMC00]

Don't forget how nearly, nearly, nearly they came against the Broncos ...

Missed XP and a decision to go for it instead of trying a FG

 

[Deus Irae]

3 home games against very beatable teams in the first 4 weeks. Given the theoretical strength of the defense, we should only see "Brady's importance" if JAG completely ****s the bed. Even a poor backup should have this team at a minimum 2-2.

 

[JMC00]

This team was injury ravaged down the stretch

Fixed that for you