I've had enough of all the Chris Carters/Max Kellerman's etc. claiming how the Pats went 3-1 without him, so that is reason why he isn't the straw that stirs the drink in Belichick's "system".
Well, which long-term QB even HALF his production frees up as much salary cap space to use on other players as Brady???
Isn't he therefore largely responsible for that "system" being what it is today?
Sorry, folks, if field play is a close contest between Brady and Ryan, the salary cap differential and it's importance to the team turns the Most Valuable contest into a rout for Brady.