New England is preparing for Brady’s inevitable physical decline and, beyond that, when he’ll no longer be at the controls in Foxborough. How? Read on.
Tom Brady is still playing top-level football, even at age 42. Like wine, he gets better with age (maybe with less physical movement), and he still reads defenses like he’s motoring through a children’s book. Heading into his 20th pro season in the League, TB12 will be going for an unprecedented 7th Super Bowl ring.
Courtesy: Last Word on Pro Football
First, though, let’s get historical perspective. We’ll start by taking a stroll down memory lane–to the infamous “Tuck Rule” game between the Pats and Raiders.
That game was played during the 2001 AFC Divisional round. The Raiders had seemingly ended the Patriots playoff run with a sack, fumble, and a turnover late in the 4th quarter. But the call was overturned, and the Tuck Rule became a topic of debate around water coolers across America.
Because of that controversial call, New England won the game and, later, its first Super Bowl.
New England has dominated the league ever since.
Back then, the Pats weren’t known as an offensive juggernaut. The team played outstanding defense, made quick and good reads on offense, and played turnover-free football. Defense ruled the day during the Pats’ first three championships. Coaching and ball-control offense contributed a lot, too.
My point: championships weren’t by way of a dynamic passing game.
Did Brady deserve credit back then? Of course! But let’s also face facts. During a four-year run when the Pats hoisted the Lombardi trophy three times, TB12 never eclipsed 4,000 yards and never threw for 30 touchdowns. He was something else: the perfect quarterback for the Patriots’ system.
But, then. Brady became something more. He turned up productivity after Randy Moss joined the team. In 2007, Brady had his best statistical year with 50 TD passes, and almost all of those TD passes (23) went to Moss. Brady won the NFL MVP award going away.
After missing the 2008 season with injuries, the League ruled that hitting a QB below the knees (especially when a defender is on the ground trying to make a play) constitutes an illegal hit. Credit Tom Brady! Two NFL rule changes were made in Brady’s name–the aforementioned ‘Tuck Rule’ was first, and now it was illegal to hit a QB below the waist. Brady was ready for takeoff!
From 2009 to 2018, Brady has averaged around 4,500 yards, 30+ TD passes and has a remarkable TD/INT ratio. In 2007, for example, he had 50 TDs and only 8 INTs. Amazing!
The current Tom Brady wants to play a few more years. The reality, though, is that at 42 years of age, hits feel harder and it’s tougher to recover. It’s never (as the myth suggests)–‘the mind over the body.”
If the Patriots are to continue winning with Brady, the offense will have to change…at least a bit. What needs to be shelved (or at least minimized)? Two things loom large–long bombs and trying to fit passes in small windows.
As Brady loses arm strength, which all aging QBs do, accuracy will only take him so far. Bill Belichick knows that, and so does the Pats’ management. Brady does, too. As healthy as is Brady, no holistic approach–including ‘pure’ eating habits–will make him throw the ball better, longer, and more accurately.
That’s why I think the Pats are now in transition. Consider this.
You won’t find many NFL rosters that carry four excellent running backs. The Pats have big-time players in James White, Rex Burkhead, and Brandon Boldin sharing the backfield. The team drafted another stud, Sony Michel, last year.
So while just about everybody lathers about who will replace Brady at QB and when, I think it makes more sense to watch what New England is doing at the RB position. I predict that this team will transition into a running team. The organization loves Michel, and New England has a stable of running backs with strong legs and something to prove.
For sure, Tom Brady will be throwing short passes over the middle to Edelman. He’ll get Josh Gordon involved. And rookie N’Keal Harry out of Arizona State is 2020’s version of Moss. But Brady’s safety blanket is gone with Gronk’s retirement. The Past will need somebody to step into that position.
But even if nobody replaces Gronk’s productivity, the overarching gameplan is bolstering the running game, shoring up the offensive line, and building a super-strong defense.
I am NOT saying Tom Brady is done! What I am saying is New England is already showing signs that it’s preparing for his inevitable physical decline and, beyond that, when he’ll no longer be at the controls in Foxborough.
