What to expect in the Post-Brady era.

[TheRainMaker]

I expect:

1. The board will be obsessed with how Brady and Gronk are doing in Tampa Bay.
2. This draft (like the last 6) will be heavily scrutinized, especially the new fan favorite 2nd round DB if he doesn't make an early impact when they ignored more glaring needs.
3. Not drafting a WR within the first 3 rounds when this group was the worst in the NFL at gaining separation will be be brought up.
4. Not drafting a DT within the first 3 rounds when they couldn't stop the run will be revisited.
5. N'Keal Harry will be put under a massive spotlight and be expected to become a big time player. Diapers need to come off. No more excuses. No more limited to jet sweeps.
6. Sony Michel having a bounce back year or the chatter of bust will be coming.
7. Offensive line to block better (Run and Pass).
8. Edelman to be over targeted which will get him beat up by seasons end.
9. Teaching Stidum to do the Slater bomb once a game. And he must overthrow him to do it right.
10. BB vs Tom will be discussed weekly.

 

[lancerman]

It was very foolish to not draft a WR in such a deep class imo

 

[Biffins]

No year is the same but I see alot of similarities between 2020 and 2001. Kind of an iffy QB situation, Stidham in 2020 and Bledsoe-Brady in 2001, veteran playmakers on defense Hightower, D.McCourty in 2020 and Bruschi, Mcghinist in 2001 and a solid O line. I don't expect us to be an offensive powerhouse next year, BB seemed to focus this draft on defensive players, getting the size and physicality they need to compete with KC. Younger fans don't remember the beginning of the Brady era, he was a game manager who made the plays when he needed to in the clutch but didnt become the QB who lit it up until around 2006ish. I think they're trying to follow a similar model here. As long as BB is the coach, we should not be tanking, at least that is what I am seeing at this point. Even in 2008 without Brady we went 11-5 with Cassel as the starter and won a couple of games in 2016 when Brady was suspended.

To answer the question in the title: Expect pain. Lots of pain. And anguish. And despair. And frustration. And despondency. And anger. And bitterness. And nostalgia.

 

[patsfan13]

Well we gained a valuable bit of information this weekend. Belichick thinks Stidham is a potential franchise QB.

Like last year the plan is to be a run first Offense. More 3-4 looks this year.

 

[maust]

I want Cat like quickness ans hustle across the board.

 

[sb1]

Well we gained a valuable bit of information this weekend. Belichick thinks Stidham is a potential franchise QB.

Like last year the plan is to be a run first Offense. More 3-4 looks this year.

I think so too.

Shouldn’t be too hard for Stidham to at least duplicate the 78 passer rating their QB gave them last season from the start of November onward.

 

[Betterthanmost]

I think so too.

Shouldn’t be too hard for Stidham to at least duplicate the 78 passer rating their QB gave them last season from the start of November onward.

This is Stidham right now after Pats did not draft any QB.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

To answer the question in the title: Expect pain. Lots of pain. And anguish. And despair. And frustration. And despondency. And anger. And bitterness. And nostalgia.

The Stan Smith haunted house era is over.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

To answer the question in the title: Expect pain. Lots of pain. And anguish. And despair. And frustration. And despondency. And anger. And bitterness. And nostalgia.

Yep, more of the same from all the other teams in the NFL. Sore losers.

...What? You mean the Patriots? Well, in terms of the logo and uniforms, again, business as usual, Kraft will always remain in love with Bledsoe and flying elvis, so, yeah, whatever.

The team? Some people never learn.

The New England Patriots are winners. The Patriots have always been winners.

Only the media likes to portray them as losers.

Go ahead and wallow in misery when they lose one stupid game during the season.

You'll still be tuning in to them in Tampa in February on the slight, slim, unlikely chance that they win again, rack up #7 and prove the rest of the world wrong, again.

 

[iapatsfan]

2020: Ceiling 8-8, floor 5-11
2021: Hopefully we'll have our QB of the future in hand, a good defense and begin loading up on offense.

This season will be ugly though.

You may want to look at the 2020 opponents again. Our floor is lower than 5-11.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

stop insulting bricks,29....

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Yep, luckily its only about 3 or 4 posters and they have the combined IQ of a brick.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

You may want to look at the 2020 opponents again. Our floor is lower than 5-11.

OK fine, if we really suck this year then everyone at Patriot Place will be pissed.

I mean winning the Super Bowl in 2022 is just a given.

Only question is will it initiate a new Dynasty.

[It's getting hard to keep track of all our dynasties, now. One, two, etc. etc. It's like studying for high school history all over again.]

 

[cmasspatsfan]

Some people are going to be surprised when we go 11-5 and make the playoffs.

 

[scott99]

I think we all need to be patient with Stidham. He’s gonna make more mistakes than we are accustomed to. May go 8-8 or best case scenario 9-7 this year. Once again Belichick didn’t do anything in the draft to help a pedestrian receiver corps. Or to give Stidham any explosive weapons wide receiver wise. Offense will be quite stagnant until Stidham feels comfortable. That may take a while. I could see 2 years of mediocrity. Hopefully within those 2 years, the offense gets weapons.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

The team can still win, it just won't come at the same clip as it was coming with Brady. Our defense should still be elite if at least one of these LB's are serviceable which chances are they will be. Even though Brady has bailed BB out many times (and vice versa), last year it was the defense, not Brady, that carried us to 12-4. There may have been a dozen or so QB's that would have fielded the same result - playoff appearance and first round loss. This year I see a drop in wins mainly because of a tougher schedule. But long term if Stiddy is the real deal I could still see us having similar success to Baltimore / Denver / KC / GB / PIT other franchises that have been tier 2 the last 10-15 years while Patriots were in a tier 1 by themselves.

 

[carmelo15]

That’s what a lot of pats fans are hoping so he won’t win in Tampa which i expect him to do .

There’s a lot of time left. I think there’s a season.

why the **** would someone not want football to be back

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Some people are going to be surprised when we go 11-5 and make the playoffs.

An astronomical number of people across the country are going to be mortified when we win the Super Bowl again.

Baseless cheating allegations will be brought. As usual.

 

[sb1]

You may want to look at the 2020 opponents again. Our floor is lower than 5-11.

In Bill I trust. If things start to go south moves will be made. We will not be in contention for Lawrence.

And if we do suck we would have sucked with Brady only a tiny bit less. No question about it.

 

[sb1]

I think it’s funny people are writing off Michel after his 2019 season following up the season where the Patriots do not win a SB without his contribution.

Even funnier - they’re the same ones that then insist the Patriots are the best team in the league in 2020 if Brady stuck around. The same Brady that had the same passer rating as Jacoby Brissett last year... and a second half passer rating that tied Baker Mayfield.

Gotta love that logic