Poll: Tom Brady peak season

Antdawg said:

I hate to say it, but I think when we look back 10-15 years from now, we'll see 2016-2017 as his peak as a pure QB, regardless of who's around him. There was a noticeable drop off in 2018 and father time is what it is. I still take him over any other QB in the league going into 2019, but I hope the decline doesn't worsen. The guy is human.

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4 SBs with 3 titles from age 37 onward? That's a ridiculous late-career peak and major bonus to us fans. If the decline...or dare I even say 'cliff'...occurs, let's not lament its arrival, but rather applaud Tom for beating it as long as he has.

Regards,
Chris

he hasn't yet

chris_in_sunnyvale said:

4 SBs with 3 titles from age 37 onward? That's a ridiculous late-career peak and major bonus to us fans. If the decline...or dare I even say 'cliff'...occurs, let's not lament its arrival, but rather applaud Tom for beating it as long as he has.

Regards,
Chris

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I agree that we as fans shouldn't lament or criticize TB12 when the decline occurs, but I disagree that it's a matter of "IF the decline" occurs. He'll be 42. It's gonna occur and I think it probably is already beginning to occur. 11 INT's last season.

But that's not his fault. He's a human being and we've been playing with house money now for a few years with TB12. That he's been able to be elite this long is a testament to his dedication and supreme work ethic, but human biology is what it is.

BobDigital said:

2006 was his best season IMO.


I honestly believe any other QB that year would have lead his team to at most 17PPG and have thrown a public fit at being left out to dry. And rightfully so. Instead Brady leads this offense to a very good season and I still have no idea how he managed it.

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I've said the same thing for a while. He peaked in 2006 from a skill perspective. There was no fundamental difference in Brady between 2006 and 2007 except 2007 he had significantly better players around him.

For the options his poll left me with, I picked 2012. 2012 was when I felt there was no lead that was insurmountable for Brady / this Pats team. This hasn't changed since then, but probably wasn't the case as early as the year before.

I picked 2007 because that was the last season before he hurt his knee. He has been great since but not as great as he was before he got hurt.

Either 2007 or 2016.

Most professional sportsmen reach their physical peak before 30. Fact.

Often times we see athletes peak as early as 23 (Tracy McGrady) and 24 (Vince Carter). But the most skillful positions in team sports need more time to improve, get experience and learn to thrive under stress. Quarterback is the best example with so many players peaking at 32-34 (Unitas, Young, Montana, Roethlisberger etc.).

Brady is a freak example because we legitimately have at least 4 uberstrong candidate years and possibly 8 seasons with a good shot. It's even more problematic because individual stats in the NFL aren't really individual. BobDigital mentioned how 2006 Brady was basically as good as 2007 version but without weapons. Yet, we see twice as many TDs, 80 ypg more, vast difference in completion rate, INT rate, passer rating, everywhere.

So 2007 Brady stands tall, but I'm not sure he was at his best then. He had better health and athleticism then now, but should we trade additional 5, 7, 10 years of experience for slightly better arm strength or mobility? Perhaps, but I'm not buying it.

I remember how pretty much every offseason there was an article on Patspulpit outlining how Brady prepares for next campaign, and he always tried to add more versatility to his game, improve pocket presence, scrambling, fast release etc. How much did those exercises influence his later seasons?

What are the gains from healthy knees and more strength?
What are the gains from increased pliability and hundreds of hours worth of experience?

I believe the sweet spot might be somewhere between 2014-16, but I can't claim it's undisputed. There are great arguments for 2006, 07, or those middle years around 2k10.

BUT as much as I like that guy, I don't see him reaching his peak in upcoming years. I believe he'll put up another prime season, very close to his usual self in previous years. But the peak? Sorry folks, but I don't see it.

2014. He took his game to yet another level that I don't think even 07 or 10 match (and he closed it with a terrific SB performance).

That’s the crazy thing is he’s never really had a peak and been playing all time elite level an from 2006ish onwards. His very best years are probably 07; 10, and the second half of 14 till the eagles sb. it’s really only depended on the overall health and structure of the team that has affected which years are the best numbers wise.

physically brady was at his best 2006-2011. that was his prime. 2007 is a great example of his arm strength, accuracy, throwing with anticipation, leading WRs and etc. even without tb12/pliability, brady just had a youthful arm with a ridiculous zip.

that's his physical prime.

but 2014-2017? i have to say that's the best combination of mental/physical. he lost his elite arm strength, but he makes up for his experience and just the fact that he has seen every damn defense known to men. and then he just moves so well in the pocket due to his rigorous pliability workout/diet.

i dont think 2007 was his best, i think his pocket awareness and movement got WAY better after the knee injury, it took a year or two, but ever since then he has been better in pocket than before knee injury

gotta say either 2010, 2014, or 2016

He didn’t get back to pre-injury pocket movement until the Bengals game in 2014.

2019

No votes for 2015? It's a downer. I was super high when he dismantled PIT, DAL, BUF or JAX that year. And the game vs Giants basically felt like playoffs!
His run between Week 1 and 10 was great and if not for injuries, they would easily get 13 or 14 wins. I mean, EASILY. What a terrific team, that 2015 crew... so close to beat Broncos while at 40% of former power level