Tom Brady has been here before…

[Brady6]

It is very easy to chalk things up to Tom Brady getting old; it is the logical assumption. That does not mean it is accurate, in my opinion, Tom Brady has been here before, in 2013 lost Welker, Llyod, Hernandez and Woodhead, and Gronkowski missed 9 games with injuries. This year he is without Cooks, Amendola and Lewis, and Gronkowski has missed multiple games with injuries, plus Edelman missed the first 4 games due to suspension. Chris Hogan is the only offensive skill player who has been on the field for more than 75% of the team's offensive snaps this season, back in 2013 only Edelman was on the field for 75% or more of the snaps.

To put things in perspective James White leads the team in targets, he is a RB, Edelman is second and he has only played in 6 games after missing all of last year, Josh Gordon a player we traded for after the season started is third in targets. The problem is not Brady being old, the problem is Brady having to rely on a RB as his most targeted receiver, and having all other targets be on the field inconsistently.

If you look at the stats Brady is performing at a very similar level to 2013, except this season is better across the board, which is why everyone should stop getting so caught up with his age and instead look at his situation, compare it to previous situations that were similar and if the result is that much different.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

Looking at that year, situation looks similar with the injuries....hopefully the results will be better this year.

 

[Uptown]

Yeah. Until we’re out of it, we ain’t out of it.

IBB&TBWT

 

[Bradyking12]

Hope so and this bye week is gonna be a long one.

 

[Kdo5]

Agreed with OP. I haven't seen a physical deterioration in Brady and that's the real concern with his age. The offense as a whole has problems. Gronk is injured, OL injuries, lack of reliable and consistent receivers (missing a guy like Amendola).

Brady is not comfortable with the offense and it is showing, much as he wasn't in 2013.

Two things can help right the ship. A healthier, effective Gronk returning and an efficient running game, like what we were seeing with Michel up to his injury.

Give us those two things and a (mostly) injury free rest of the way and we are back in business.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

If you look at the stats Brady is performing at a very similar level to 2013, except this season is better across the board, which is why everyone should stop getting so caught up with his age and instead look at his situation, compare it to previous situations that were similar and if the result is that much different.

Most people worrying about Brady aren't looking at stats.

They're looking at things like the surprising number of bad & off-target throws to open, familiar receivers (so we're not talking about miscommunications between people new to the system), even when he's not under pressure.

 

[Angelpats]

Most people worrying about Brady aren't looking at stats.

They're looking at things like the surprising number of bad & off-target throws to open, familiar receivers (so we're not talking about miscommunications between people new to the system), even when he's not under pressure.

I’m in that camp too. Glad he is our qb. Don’t think there is a decline but something is just not right. Seems to be more bad decisions and bailing out on too many plays when there is no pressure.

 

[maust]

Most people worrying about Brady aren't looking at stats.

They're looking at things like the surprising number of bad & off-target throws to open, familiar receivers (so we're not talking about miscommunications between people new to the system), even when he's not under pressure.

There's certainly a drop in the efficiency of the outlet and checkdown game. Although in all fairness on closer inspection it looks like a decent portion of the ugliest ducklings have been throwaways. The rhythm just seems off in the short game, some of that is the absence of Amendola and Lewis but lets not discount the line play in front of him and the injury riddled run game adding to the overall lack of 'smooth' for want of a better word.

 

[pats_premi]

We all know it is a team sport and everyone needs to be sync to make the offense work. Does Brady’/team performance have anything to do with him skipping the off-season workouts this year ? Injuries are a factor, but Patriots use to have a saying “the games are won before you get on the field”