Looking at the pressure Brady was under last night

Brady could play at his peak level and the offense would still struggle to be average due to things outside his control.

But how many clear, obvious passes does he miss now, even on short and intermediate throws? I mean, little crossers over the middle going to the wrong shoulder, balls that aren’t really catchable because they’re at someone’s feet rather than knees (like the end zone pass to Meyers.) Noted a lot of passes where he had an open throwing lane, the receiver was open, and the pass was just not exactly where it should be. A lot 2nd and 10s when a normal Brady pass would have us 2nd and 5. A few sideline outs just sailed yards past the receiver and weren’t catchable. These weren’t route running problems...they were “see and throw” passes and not timing ones.

Either injured or in fast decline. I think he’s injured. Clearly it isn’t a lack of desire from Brady, but a lot of these problems really are due to his play.

Viper652 said:

To me the real criticism of Brady is not throwing to Meyers on 4th down and instead to Edelman.

Am I wrong? Meyers looked open

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It would have hit Meyers on his chest and fallen to the ground. Glad he tried Edelman.

Froob said:

Cannon probably doesn’t have much left. Won’t be surprised if he retires.

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Isn’t he one of the longest tenured Patriots?

Biffins said:

Isn’t he one of the longest tenured Patriots?

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Yup, 2011.

Ian said:

Nice piece by Hurley, with about 7-8 Gifs showing the pressure Brady was dealing with last night:

You Can't Blame Tom Brady And Other Leftover Patriots Thoughts

Another reminder that despite the lack of depth at receiver, the offensive line has also been a mess this year and certainly has made this season harder than it's needed to be.

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the OLine is the #1 concern. WR are ok, but the OLine has been terrible. This needs to be addressed in the off season before they get someone killed.

Comments:

a.) Anyone know what's up with Karras? He hasn't been I/R'd....so I ASSUME he will be back soon?

b.) Our OL-men keep playing too high, IMO....I am not seeing hands UNDER THE PADS...and I am seeing 1-2 "hands to the face" penalties per game as well.

c.) The difference between last year and this year is?

LT: Brown to Wynn (literal size difference, but Wynn is a first round pick)
LG: Thuney (no difference, in fact an improvement)
C: Andrews to Karras/Ferentz (a drop off for sure)
RG: Mason (no difference other than Mason looking crappy for whatever reason? Injury?)
RT: Cannon (no difference other than Cannon looking crappy for whatever reason? Illness?)
FB: Develin to Roberts/TE's (Big drop off)

Still even with the drop off at C and the FB spots....we have the talent to be at minimum a "middle of the pack" OL, but we are not right now....

d.) I am thinking it is time to say F it...and put Newhouse out there as a 6th OL-man...and line up 2 TE's as well...just put Edelman out wide to take two defenders. Then Brady/White in the pistol....and just run draws with White...occasionally attempt passes to White in the flat with moving guards/TE's...and let Brady/Edelman play pitch and catch.....it is about the only thing that works for us at this point. I think we are gonna need to BURN clock with draw runs...and try to hit Edelman on 3rd and shorts....then punt...and just play D all day!

There is little that can be done for the rest of this season. The only players who could help would be ones that already know the system. That said, Matt Lengel and Dwayne Allen (if he's healthy) are available at blocking TE. Not all pro caliber, but better than what we have now. Also, if he's healthy, Jeremy Hill might offer some blocking at FB plus someone who can pound the ball up the middle.

Hyped said:

Comments:

a.) Anyone know what's up with Karras? He hasn't been I/R'd....so I ASSUME he will be back soon?

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Karras has a sprained MCL iirc, so he could make it back

I have seen 4 keepers on offense this year: Brady, Edelman, Thuney and White.

I've seen people getting on Brady, the receivers, our running backs and the tight ends but it really starts with our line. Tom doesn't have any time to throw. When he does, good things happen. Our backs have no holes to run through. Our offensive woes or our future success begins or ends with our line.

Viper652 said:

To me the real criticism of Brady is not throwing to Meyers on 4th down and instead to Edelman.

Am I wrong? Meyers looked open

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He had people in his face before his read got that far

When the season is over, we’ll know the extent of Mason’s injury, and I suspect it will be amazing that he’s playing at all.

Silver Blue&Red said:

Myers sucks. He can't catch.
He pouts and looks overwhelmed and confused.

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how close to an undrafted rookie does he look like?

Ice_Ice_Brady said:

Either injured or in fast decline. I think he’s injured. Clearly it isn’t a lack of desire from Brady, but a lot of these problems really are due to his play.

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No

As everyone who's watched the film over the past weeks can tell you.

No

aluminum seats said:

When the season is over, we’ll know the extent of Mason’s injury, and I suspect it will be amazing that he’s playing at all.

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Probably the same for Cannon.

Viper652 said:

To me the real criticism of Brady is not throwing to Meyers on 4th down and instead to Edelman.

Am I wrong? Meyers looked open

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Meyers kept dropping balls. Brady was under pressure (again) and had to go to his first read and most trusted option, Edelman.

Viper652 said:

To me the real criticism of Brady is not throwing to Meyers on 4th down and instead to Edelman.

Am I wrong? Meyers looked open

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Brady doesn’t trust Meyers. That’s why he isn’t throwing to him. Meyers has dropped several important catches and we all know Brady has a short leash, especially with young receivers.

I’m thinking Brady’s thinly veiled frustration with the receivers isn’t helping Meyer’s confidence though.

ashley1992 said:

I've seen people getting on Brady, the receivers, our running backs and the tight ends but it really starts with our line. Tom doesn't have any time to throw. When he does, good things happen. Our backs have no holes to run through. Our offensive woes or our future success begins or ends with our line.

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Receivers have had some huge and critical drops as well as running wrong routes even when Tom has had time.

Kdo5 said:

Brady doesn’t trust Meyers. That’s why he isn’t throwing to him. Meyers has dropped several important catches and we all know Brady has a short leash, especially with young receivers.

I’m thinking Brady’s thinly veiled frustration with the receivers isn’t helping Meyer’s confidence though.

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Watch any interview by Tom about Gronk for last 10 years and he keeps talking about how Gronk has these gigantic hands and he catches everything that comes his way. Tom is not saying crisp route running or separation or break at right time or double move. He just says, over and over, Gronk doesn’t drop it. If you want Tom’s trust you have to hold on to the ball.