One thing Bledsoe is far better than Brady at....

I know Bledsoe's numbers weren't all that in the AFC Championship game in 01 but I think most other backup QBs would lose that game in the exact same situation. He was good enough to get the W.

italian pat patriot said:

Great finds Chris...i never forget as you mentioned 1998 back to back wins against Buf and Mia...i remember correctly that he had also a broken finger ?

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Yes. Broken finger in both games. After the Steelers game he was shut down for the year.

Regards,
Chris

Bledsoe was an awesome Patriot. Despite all the greatness this franchise has achieved with Brady, Bledsoe and Grogan were still funaf to watch and good teammates as well as competitors. Not sure why these backhanded threads are still made. I know some aren’t meant to be malicious slights but they sure sometimes seem that way.

I still hear his interviews from time to time on the airwaves discussing the Patriots and wine and as always, is as gratious as can be when it comes to Brady and Belichick questions. It would be nice to actually have reporters, talk show hosts discuss his 90’s playing days on Glenn, Coates, Jefferson etc more. A 30/30 type of set up.

StockingAnarchyNumber12 said:

I missed the Bledsoe era. However, are there any memorable Bledsoe games you could suggest I watch? I might watch a game or two.

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I'll say this, I think Bledsoe was every bit as tough as Brady. Maybe even tougher. Just not anywhere near as mentally tough when the game was on the line.

Bledsoe took some hits that I don't think Brady has ever taken because Brady moves around in the pocket so much better.

I'll always love Drew, but I don't think it would be easy to watch him now without having lived through what came before. It's like having someone watch the new Battlestar Galactic first and then telling them to go watch the old Lost in Space next or something.

fnordcircle said:

I'll say this, I think Bledsoe was every bit as tough as Brady. Maybe even tougher. Just not anywhere near as mentally tough when the game was on the line.

Bledsoe took some hits that I don't think Brady has ever taken because Brady moves around in the pocket so much better.

I'll always love Drew, but I don't think it would be easy to watch him now without having lived through what came before. It's like having someone watch the new Battlestar Galactic first and then telling them to go watch the old Lost in Space next or something.

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Well said.

I think there was a universal belief that the Patriots had the worst pass blocking line in the NFL when Bledsoe was back there. All you ever heard was "man, if Bledsoe only had an oline".

When Brady came in, all of a sudden that awful oline looked all pro. And you actually saw that in preseason that year as well. I remember one game Bledsoe started, couldn't do squat, Brady came in and they drove for a TD, then they put Bledsoe back in and nothing.

Brady, year 1 especially, did not have the wow factor Bledsoe did. Brady just took what the D gave him and consistently kept the chains moving. Bledsoe had the athleticism to make incredible plays, but his decision making was awful at the worst possible times. He absolutely could not process the game as quickly as Brady.

I don't say the above to bash Bledsoe. He and Parcel's put the Patriots back on the map. Before Drew came, the Patriots could not sell out a home game. None of the home games were televised. When Drew came he brought excitement to the Patriots. Those home games started to sell out. He was putting fans in the seats. I think the second best Patriots QB ever, ahead of Grogan, who also had a knack for in-opportune decisions.

sarge said:

I think there was a universal belief that the Patriots had the worst pass blocking line in the NFL when Bledsoe was back there. All you ever heard was "man, if Bledsoe only had an oline".

When Brady came in, all of a sudden that awful oline looked all pro.

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Brady was sacked 41 times in that first season as a starter, and the team averaged 3.8 yards per carry. So I think you might be a bit off in your recollection about that OL situation.

Deus Irae said:

Brady was sacked 41 times in that first season as a starter, and the team averaged 3.8 yards per carry. So I think you might be a bit off in your recollection about that OL situation.

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All pro may be an exaggeration, but the o-line that everyone was blaming for being the reason why Bledsoe struggled all of a sudden was not a problem once Brady got under center.

Deus Irae said:

Brady was sacked 41 times in that first season as a starter, and the team averaged 3.8 yards per carry. So I think you might be a bit off in your recollection about that OL situation.

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Also suffered a separated shoulder if I recall the following year in the 2002 season, which was quietly so severe that the rumor going around at the time, if I remember correctly, was he might not have been able to play in the postseason...it really was supposedly that bad. Took some tough hits that year.

Ivan said:

Kind of odd imo. What Alex Hannold attempted in particular, is something no one else should ever try again, although I’m certain some will, and numerous climber’s will die trying in the future. I realize Brady is fooling around to some degree, but I still see some hubris in suggesting he would attempt these kinds of feats. El Capitan is for the greatest climbers in the world only, Brady wouldn’t be able to attempt it regardless of how long and how hard he decided to train for it. Like I said, it would be akin to asking Laird Hamilton to tow him into a 60 foot wave, which should only be done for those who have dedicated their lives, from a young age, to that pursuit. Brady should stick to a Augusta National, and keep El Capitan out of his mouth.

For anyone who hasn’t watched Free Solo you should check it out, what Hannold is attempting is insane.

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What Alex Honnold did on El Cap is actually something even the world’s best of the best climbers never considered possible. I actually doubt anyone tries it again. You don’t get the credit for being the first. Alex is really all alone in terms of cutting edge free solos. He’s competing with himself. Now, is he the world’s Best sport climber? Not even close, that would be Adam Ondra who can climb several grades harder than Alex.

And yes, everyone who hasn’t seen Free Solo needs to immediately.

Ian said:

Also suffered a separated shoulder if I recall in that 2002 season, which was quietly so severe that the rumor going around at the time, if I remember correctly, was he might not have been able to play in the postseason...it really was supposedly that bad. They didn't do a very good job protecting him that year at all.

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That was the 2002 season. Fortunately for Brady that was the one and only season the Pats did not make the playoffs with Brady under center.

sarge said:

That was the 2002 season. Fortunately for Brady that was the one and only season the Pats did not make the playoffs with Brady under center.

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Sorry - I misread Deus' post in my head as "first full season as a starter". That's where that came from. I edited it to hopefully have it make more sense. I'm a dumbass. Carry on.

chris_in_sunnyvale said:

Give Brady time. He'll be the best at it soon enough.

Regards,
Chris

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No doubt, but he better wait until he's retired before attempts to ski with Drew.

Ian said:

Sorry - I misread Deus' post in my head as "first full season as a starter". That's where that came from. I edited it to hopefully have it make more sense. I'm a dumbass. Carry on.

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No worries at all. I understood you to mean the 2002 season. I was only confirming what you said cause you said "if I recall". Yes indeed you do!

Bledsoe is an extremely good skier

FirstAndGoal said:

Bledsoe, very advanced skier. Great form and balance with the exception of skis a little too close together. When he learned, that's how we were taught though so it's a hard habit to break after all these years - I still do at times myself (been skiing for 45 years).

Brady... (lol). Stay on piste.. you'll get hurt trying to ski with Drew... (not complete beginner but not good)

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What are you talking about? Drew can rip it up and I'd love to ski with him. His form looks great and is fine for skiing wind blown fluff, soft cordorouy, powder and cornices. It wouldn't work so well on bulletproof, blue ice like we have back here, but he doesn't have to worry about that out there. I too, skied my whole life(40 years), including growing up ski racing all over the northeast and in college along with guiding backcountry tours outside of Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee.

I do agree about Brady's form though. He needs to stick to the blues and greens and keep his skis on the ground...at least while he plays QB for NE.

sarge said:

No worries at all. I understood you to mean the 2002 season. I was only confirming what you said cause you said "if I recall". Yes indeed you do!

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One moment I'll point out that also could have left us in trouble during the 2001 season was this:



Brady showed his toughness on that play, but we were still fortunate it didn't turn out differently. Definitely endeared himself to those who wondered if he was a tough kid after that one. They went on to win 12-9, with Brady earning his first of many against the Bills

XLIX said:

Brady family ski trip injury report:

Probable: Tom Brady (shoulder)

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That's the old format. New format:

Monday: Did not Fondue: Brady (Shoulder)

Patriot Missile said:

Bledsoe was an awesome Patriot. Despite all the greatness this franchise has achieved with Brady, Bledsoe and Grogan were still funaf to watch and good teammates as well as competitors. Not sure why these backhanded threads are still made. I know some aren’t meant to be malicious slights but they sure sometimes seem that way.

I still hear his interviews from time to time on the airwaves discussing the Patriots and wine and as always, is as gratious as can be when it comes to Brady and Belichick questions. It would be nice to actually have reporters, talk show hosts discuss his 90’s playing days on Glenn, Coates, Jefferson etc more. A 30/30 type of set up.

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Bledsoe was like unto one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the GOAT, make his passing lanes straight...

I liked Bledsoe kind of like how much I loved Royal Crown soda, then I discovered beer..

Or kind of liking playing with Mr. Ralphie, then I discovered women..

fair catch fryar said:

What are you talking about? Drew can rip it up and I'd love to ski with him. His form looks great and is fine for skiing wind blown fluff, soft cordorouy, powder and cornices. It wouldn't work so well on bulletproof, blue ice like we have back here, but he doesn't have to worry about that out there. I too, skied my whole life(40 years), including growing up ski racing all over the northeast and in college along with guiding backcountry tours outside of Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee.

I do agree about Brady's form though. He needs to stick to the blues and greens and keep his skis on the ground...at least while he plays QB for NE.

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re-read. My only criticism of Drew was his skis are a little close at times for today's skis. I have a similar background and raced too. I'll stand by that one minor critique.