Here’s a sobering stat: Under Tom Brady this year, the Patriots’ offense is averaging just over 20 points per game. That’s about five fewer than they had with Matt Cassel at quarterback last season.
Is it a reason to take pause about the Patriots’ place among the NFL’s hierarchy? Sure. But it’s not cause to panic.
Yet.
To be fair, Brady and the Patriots set the bar awfully high in 2007 with that perfect regular season. Unreachably high, I’d argue, even for Tom Terrific.
Keep in mind that there has been some change to the team since 2007 — namely, the fact that offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is now wearing a Denver Broncos hoodie. Defenses have adjusted (remember, they did in a slightly less prolific second half to that ’07 season, too). And Brady is admittedly still adjusting after missing all but a quarter of the 2008 season.
It looks more and more like 2007 was a once-in-a-lifetime run, rather than a sign of seasons to come. But before you go pressing the ole panic button on this Patriots team, just remember what it was about Tom Brady that earned him the “Terrific” label: He wins.
In years past, it was never a question of how Brady got the job done, just that he does the job. He wasn’t a stat guy. Just a winner.
In his first six seasons as the Patriots’ starting quarterback, Brady’s numbers weren’t exactly gaudy. Well, unless you’re looking at Super Bowl rings. He picked up three of those in five years, and not because he looked like Peyton Manning every Sunday.
He just won like him.
Won more than him, in fact, at least in the Super Bowl category.
And yes, in 2007, it was Peyton’s single-season touchdown record that Brady broke. But remember, even Manning struggled to match his 49-touchdown 2004 season the following year. He threw only 28 touchdowns in 2005. In fact, Manning hasn’t topped 31 touchdowns in any season since.
But that doesn’t mean he’s not the same brilliant quarterback. Last time I checked, a 31-touchdown season is a pretty special one.
Granted, to win another championship this season, there is plenty that must improve in Foxborough — Brady’s play included. But the Patriots don’t have to put up the absurd offensive numbers that they did in ’07 in order to win.
Look, Tom Brady will eventually hit Randy Moss on that deep post route. One of these Sundays, it will click for the Patriots’ quarterback.
And when it does, just promise you won’t say it feels like 2007 all over again. Remember, for all of their fireworks that year, they still didn’t win the Super Bowl.
Four Downs: Titans at Patriots, Sunday, 4:15 p.m.
First: Light’s Out
Missing Matt Light would be a blow to the Patriots’ offensive line. For what it’s worth, Light was seen in the locker room this week walking without the aid of crutches and a knee brace.
Second: Surf’s Up
Junior Seau is back, roaming the Patriots’ locker room in his bare feet (once a beach bum, always a beach bum) at the age of 40. Given his age, how much he contributes on the field will be interesting to watch, but it’ll be no match for the veteran leadership he adds to a young linebacking corps.
Third: Running Out
Will the Patriots call Laurence Maroney’s number a few more times on Sunday, with Fred Taylor now done for a good chunk of the season? He had just five carries for 21 yards last Sunday in Denver — not exactly the stuff of a former first-round pick. The Pats absolutely have to run the football for the passing game to succeed.
Fourth: To Be Young
The Titans are staring an 0-6 start to this season when they visit Gillette on Sunday. It’s fair to wonder if they’re also looking at a quarterback change. Anyone remember Vince Young?
Forward Progress
Daunte Culpepper: With Matt Stafford out, Culpepper played like it was 1999 with a 282-yard passing effort (and 44 rushing yards, to boot).
Braylon Edwards: The guy jumps into the Jets’ starting lineup the week after he’s traded there (unheard of in the NFL, by the way) and dazzles on Monday Night Football. Hmm. Maybe, just maybe, he was mailing it in for the Browns?
Chad Henne: Looks like the Dolphins have a quarterback. The former Michigan Wolverine sure can put a little mustard on those throws.
Down and Out
Dre’ Bly: En route to a would-be pick-six last Sunday against the Falcons, the 49ers’ corner struck a Deion Sanders pose, only to be stripped of the ball (yup, a la Leon Lett). Afterward, he justified the premature celebration, saying, “Dre’s going to be Dre.”
Yeah, Dre’ went all Ricky Henderson, using third person. And what, exactly does that mean? He’s going to be a journeyman cornerback who’s lost at least a step? A little perspective, before you speak next time, Dre’. For what it’s worth, the veteran said he’s sorry this week. Over and over.
Rush Limbaugh: The right-wing radio talker was dropped from the St. Louis Rams’ ownership picture, not that it bothered Rams defensive end Chris Long. When asked his thoughts on Rush, Long offered a puzzled response, “Who?”
Donovan McNabb thinks that’s hilarious.
JaMarcus Russell: I know I’ve said it before in this space, but it bears repeating. Awful. Simply awful.
Film Room
Think Jim Zorn is coaching on borrowed time in D.C.? Watch Redskins great John Riggins absolutely blast the head coach:
Fantasy Fix
If you have Matt Schaub, start him. And keep starting him. I say this not just because Schaub is currently giving Philip Rivers a run for his starting job on team More Cowbell, but simply because the Texans’ quarterback (10 TD, 4 INT, 97.9 rating) is pretty darn good. This just in.
