As much as I absolutely hate to say it, Brady has not been playing well this year.

[aluminum seats]

They are definitely missing talent, but not simply via injuries. The O just isn't very talented from it's construction either.

Explain?

 

[PatsBoy12]

Explain?

Do I really have to? You can't look at the roster and see for yourself? And I'm really asking that, not being a smarty pants.

 

[italian pat patriot]

TB will show his best at the correct time this year...

 

[aluminum seats]

Do I really have to? You can't look at the roster and see for yourself? And I'm really asking that, not being a smarty pants.

Yep...I have some thoughts but curious what you mean

 

[PatsBoy12]

Yep...I have some thoughts but curious what you mean

Aluminum, you're one of the posters I enjoy, so I'm respectfully declining your request. Just look at the TE position by itself and that should at least somewhat illuminate why I say the construction of the offense is lacking talent. I shouldn't have to go through the rest of the offensive roster, which is also very (possibly critically) flawed and lacking real talent.

 

[PP2]

Well that post was deleted pretty fast. Is Bedard perusing these pages? Or have the mods been warned?

 

[RobertWeathers]

Well that post was deleted pretty fast. Is Bedard perusing these pages? Or have the mods been warned?

Which post?

 

[PP2]

Which post?

A poster copied and pasted the article that @KontradictioN was asking for, but it disappeared right away.

 

[RobertWeathers]

A poster copied and pasted the article that @KontradictioN was asking for, but it disappeared right away.

Oh that one. That was very good but yea a big no-no.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

Well that post was deleted pretty fast. Is Bedard perusing these pages? Or have the mods been warned?

Hopefully it was some forum member looking out for Ian. A copy & paste job like that could get the board in trouble.

 

[aluminum seats]

Aluminum, you're one of the posters I enjoy, so I'm respectfully declining your request. Just look at the TE position by itself and that should at least somewhat illuminate why I say the construction of the offense is lacking talent. I shouldn't have to go through the rest of the offensive roster, which is also very (possibly critically) flawed and lacking real talent.

Ok no worries. I thought you were talking specifically about the offensive line, where so much has happened (center with blood clots, LT hurt, Mason hurt, multiple retirements) I think it’s hard to blame construction. Other areas of the offense you can for sure.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Excellent point - but can an NFL championship team still get away with that 16 years later?

Time will tell, we shall see over the next 11 weeks.

I share your concern. Fortunately we do have 2 tall wideouts. Harry's contribution will be pivotal, either way.
In 2003 we had Corey Dillon & a running attack. Now, not much

 

[Kontradiction]

A poster copied and pasted the article that @KontradictioN was asking for, but it disappeared right away.

Did they paste the entire thing? I wanted some of it redacted to avoid that.

 

[venecol]

Frankly when my team is a SB contender who will need to rely on the GOAT QB to win another one and that GOAT QB is 42 years old I’m perfectly fine that he rushes throws or throws the ball away when pass blocking breaks down in regular season games, particularly while the team is 9-1 with 179 point differential.
I’m sure we could have better stats and win by a little more if he didn’t abandon plays when the OL acted like a sieve but when you are the key to a ring and you are 42 preservation is more important than winning 24-10 instead of 17-10 in week 11.

Unlike dozens of other fanbases, Pats fans expect to make the playoffs every year. Any concerns related to the Patriots are usually based on the teams they will face in the playoffs not so much the regular season. As TB and BB say, you don't win anything with a 9-1 record.

Given the above, the team will be facing better defenses in the playoffs, so the anemic offense is cause for concern. Granted, there is time to make adjustments and it is likely McDaniels has yet to totally open up the playbook.

 

[Tony2046]

AB wasn't on the team until Week 2.

That's you're one allotted " A few good men" moment for the day buddy.

" but Downey wasn't in the room to hear the Code red"

 

[PP2]

Did they paste the entire thing? I wanted some of it redacted to avoid that.

Looked like they did, unfortunately.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

Physically, I see Brady throwing the ball and moving around within the pocket better this year than last. Give him a left tackle and a center and things would be different.

I agree with this take. Athletically he seems better to me, certainly no drop off. If we had some medium to deep threats and a little better protection, he'd be putting up big numbers.

The D is so dominant that the philosophy is now about field position and no turnovers. If there's no fumbles or INT's, and they can consistently get at least a couple of 1st downs and pin the opponent inside their 20, we're gonna win that game. Saw it in the SB, Brady was fine with getting off the field and letting the D get back to work.

When he throws it away in 1.5 seconds, there are 3 positive outcomes:
- it's not going to be an INT
- it's not going to be a strip sack
- there's not going to be any yardage lost
- also he's not going to get hit/hurt, but he's not afraid of contact, he's thinking about ball security and negative plays

The only completions they're making now are when they scheme to get someone wide open. If nobody's coming open right away, Brady knows he doesn't have the time to wait for the receiver to get himself open, and it's not worth the risk to try to make a play when it's not open.

I do think Sanu, Harry, and Wynn will help improve that equation for us.

 

[eustis22]

Given all the OL has lost, would have been cost-effective to just pay Trent Brown?

 

[Kontradiction]

Looked like they did, unfortunately.

I don’t know who it was, but if you’re reading this and did that - you’re a moron. Please read the post in its entirety in the future. I deleted it to avoid any further confusion.

 

[condon84]

Brady hasn't played up to his standard thus far.

It doesn't help that he's got an underperforming OL. But let's be realistic here, prime Brady would still stand tall in the pocket and make accurate throws knowing he's about to get hit.

This version of Brady ain't having none of that. He is 42 freaking years old now. lol

I still think he can pull out some magic for a 3 game stretch in the playoffs.