Some of this is reposted since my posts are "disappearing"... I'm literally interacting with another member, replying directly to their questions, and my posts get deleted while some of my responses remain quoted in the other member's replies. Ridiculous! How am I supposed to discuss Gronk and games played with New England without mentioning Brady? It's a Gronk thread and everything I'm saying is Gronk related...
The one target Welker didn't pull in cost them the game. That and an 88-yard game-winning TD drive by Eli against our defense that was really weak in 2011.
They had 28 first downs and 428 total yards of offense.
Agreed but Gronk's absence wasn't the only reason. Brady's #2 in that game was a completely washed Austin Collie. Their defense also wasn't good in 2013.
With a historic 4th quarter comeback against the Legion of Boom. 4 TDs by 4 different receivers in that Super Bowl.
Brady was 14-16 for 123 and 2 TDs in that 4th quarter. The biggest play was probably the 3rd-14 completion to Edelman for 21 yards when he got lit up by Chancellor.
Here's a breakdown of those completions:
Vereen = 5 rec, 2 first downs
Edelman = 4 rec, 2 first downs, 1 TD
Gronk = 2 rec, 2 first downs
LaFell = 2 rec, 1 first down
Amendola = 1 rec, 1 TD
Brady pretty much spread it around and had important completions to 5 different receivers. Gronk is probably the hardest receiver to replicate with another player but in this particular game Edelman had the biggest receptions and ultimately it was an exceptional example of ball distribution by the quarterback.
Not in 2016 when they played as well offensively as they ever had with Brady under center.
Bill still moved on from Brady too early. Bill also tried to trade Gronk when he was still in his prime. Given how the 2016 season went (and finished), it became impossible for the Patriots to move on from Brady at that time. But again, the 2016 season happened without Gronk making a reception after week 9.
Looking back at that draft, Jimmy Graham went a round later than Gronk. Gronk had the better career but he also had Brady his entire career. Graham had some highly productive seasons and his career stats are fairly similar to Gronk's. Had Brady had Graham and Hernandez as opposed to Gronk and Hernandez I think it's possible a lot doesn't change for Brady. Meaning Brady with Graham probably could have stuck around as long as he did in New England. Don't forget either that Brady staying in New England wasn't entirely his decision. The team drafted his supposed replacement in 2014 before his heroics in SB 49 and SB 51 solidified his staying with the team. As it turned out he still left with a lot of elite play left in him.
