This year we see Brady's importance.

[Deus Irae]

What are you talking about? The Patriots and Brady sucked at the end of last season. That's why they lost home field against Denver. Why don't you go and re-watch the Jets game or the Dolphins game or the Bronco game. This team faded down the stretch.

 

[ahmed]

I will be very happy with 2-2. We won't know his real importance until he retires. That's is when things will change, will the confidence of always winning still be there? Will veteran players come here for less money to win? Will the belief in culture and methods used still be there? Will the leadership still be there? All of these things will still be there for those 4 games except the QB performance.

So sure, we will not be as good as with him in for those 4 games but it's nowhere near the impact of him not being there for good.

 

[Wheelman]

We're going 19-0 baby!

 

[Wheelman]

What are you talking about? The Patriots and Brady sucked at the end of last season. That's why they lost home field against Denver. Why don't you go and re-watch the Jets game or the Dolphins game or the Bronco game. This team faded down the stretch.

They also only had like 30 healthy players for the rats and lolphins game.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Brady did NOT suck. The O-line and the injuries sucked. He did a remarkable job despite it all (see KC game). Don't forget how nearly, nearly, nearly they came against the Broncos ...

...It was October 1st, 1972. I was back home from summer camp, and the Patriots were about to embark on a nine-game losing streak, on their way to finishing last again. They were hosting the Redskins at Schaefer Stadium, who were about to win nine straight on the way to their first Super Bowl. But on this day, Washington made a field goal, but of course the Patriots committed a penalty on the play. Coach George Allen elected to accept the penalty and keep the ball. The Redskins failed to score, and lost the game, 24-23. Thus, I learned one of the cardinal rules of football: NEVER take points off the scoreboard. That includes, eschewing an automatic (Gostkowski) FG in favor of going for it in an unlikely 4th down situation in a tight game where every possession counts.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

We're going 19-0 baby!

You can't win them all...



...but you can try.

 

[goheels22002]

The key to the first four games is the offensive line. If they come out of the gate healthy, playing as a unit, Garoppolo will be fine. That's already in jeopardy with Cooper gone with a foot injury and Stork leaving practice on Saturday unexpectedly.

We saw what happened when the offensive line collapsed last season due to injuries.

If the line is solid, Garoppolo will competently run a pared down version of the offense tailored to help him succeed. There is no coaching staff like Belichick, McDaniels and Scarnecchia as good at creating a successul game plan to attack a defense and adapt to the strengths of the available players.

It would be valid to discuss a post-Belichick Patriots as apocalyptic.

 

[letekro]

Finally! I've been waiting his entire career to see his importance....(smh)

That being said, Barnwell's advance stats suggest Brady is worth about 0.5 wins over 4 games, which sounds about right. So, I would say there will be at most a one game difference between the two alternate realities. Jimmy is no slouch and the team is stacked.

 

[PatriotSpy]

Unlike many Pats fans here, I don't see the Pats coming out of the first four games without Brady with a winning record. This will be the best example of what life after Brady will be like, and it won't be as good.

I know that some people might look back at Cassell's 11-5 season and use that as an example of what could happen this time, but the circumstances now are entirely different. Back then the Pats went from a tough schedule in 2007 to an easy one in 2008. This time it's the opposite.

Of course I hope I'm wrong and JG steps right in and the offense flows like it always has under Brady, but I just don't have confidence in that happening.

I'm curious if there are others out here that have the same apprehension as I do for the first 4 games or can show me why I'm wrong.

I agree for the most part. I think we beat the Texans at home but I see us losing to the cardinals and the dolphins and bills will be amped up and playing at a very high level as they see this as a window of opportunity while Brady is out. I think we go 1-3.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

The key to the first four games is the offensive line. If they come out of the gate healthy, playing as a unit, Garoppolo will be fine. That's already in jeopardy with Cooper gone with a foot injury and Stork leaving practice on Saturday unexpectedly.

We saw what happened when the offensive line collapsed last season due to injuries.

If the line is solid, Garoppolo will competently run a pared down version of the offense tailored to help him succeed. There is no coaching staff like Belichick, McDaniels and Scarnecchia as good at creating a successul game plan to attack a defense and adapt to the strengths of the available players.

It would be valid to discuss a post-Belichick Patriots as apocalyptic.

Remember, if ownership is the same - should be - whoever our coach is will NOT be coaching against Bill (yes, I think this is his last gig here). Likely will be lots of BB staff leftover. The world is not Parcellsian.

 

[Boomer B]

3 home games against very beatable teams in the first 4 weeks. Given the theoretical strength of the defense, we should only see "Brady's importance" if JAG completely ****s the bed. Even a poor backup should have this team at a minimum 2-2.

I agree. 3 home games in a row with the talent on this team and the coaching staff we have and this team should be 2-2 at worst.

2 keys are gonna be the o-line and the running game. Brady puts the team pre-snap in the right situation and he helps cover for the line with quick decision making and release. If we can run the ball we can set up play action for #10 and that can mean some plays down the field.

Arizona on the road will be a tough game. The D is gonna have to step up because I can't see us winning a shoot out in #10's first start. In the next 3 games if we can play good D and not turn the ball over we should be able to win 2 of them and possibly 3.

 

[JarOfMayo51]

Unlike many Pats fans here, I don't see the Pats coming out of the first four games without Brady with a winning record. This will be the best example of what life after Brady will be like, and it won't be as good.

I know that some people might look back at Cassell's 11-5 season and use that as an example of what could happen this time, but the circumstances now are entirely different. Back then the Pats went from a tough schedule in 2007 to an easy one in 2008. This time it's the opposite.

Of course I hope I'm wrong and JG steps right in and the offense flows like it always has under Brady, but I just don't have confidence in that happening.

I'm curious if there are others out here that have the same apprehension as I do for the first 4 games or can show me why I'm wrong.

Last years schedule was pretty tough, but this years is very tough as well. I think the overall team is very solid and very deep at a lot of positions.. its possible for Jimmy to come in and win some games with the help of all the other units

I think Arizona is probably going to pummel them, they're an elite team with a good QB, great offensive weapons and a very stout defense. I'd be ok with 2-2, hopefully with the 2 losses being Cardinals and Texans, but we could split one of the division games

 

[A man named Brady]

The 2008 team had the best offensive line in the NFL and prime Randy moss/Welker

 

[rochrist]

Unlike many Pats fans here, I don't see the Pats coming out of the first four games without Brady with a winning record. This will be the best example of what life after Brady will be like, and it won't be as good.

I know that some people might look back at Cassell's 11-5 season and use that as an example of what could happen this time, but the circumstances now are entirely different. Back then the Pats went from a tough schedule in 2007 to an easy one in 2008. This time it's the opposite.

Of course I hope I'm wrong and JG steps right in and the offense flows like it always has under Brady, but I just don't have confidence in that happening.

I'm curious if there are others out here that have the same apprehension as I do for the first 4 games or can show me why I'm wrong.

JG is a LOT better than Cassell.

 

[RayClay]

I'm not seeing anything.