20 years we have waited. 20 long years. It is was 7:00 AM here, I'd have popped something from the cellar. I'll be responsible and wait until 8 AM.
Brady has announced he is leaving. https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/17/sport/tom-brady-leave-new-england-spt-intl/index.html Seems like Buffalo is now the team to beat, though if New England landed a vet QB that could change. The days of them getting vets cheap for a chance to win a Super Bowl are over though, I hope. The Jets I count out, due to Gase being an idiot. The free agency moves along with a good draft and Miami can compete this year. Well, we need Fitz to play as well as he did last year, but I don't expect to see the Phins get blown out in some games like last year.
I think that there's a good chance that things revert to the way they were before the Patriots became what they have been. Now, there were five teams in the division instead of four in those days, but from 1991 through 2002, there were at least three teams in the East at 8-8 or better every single season, and the teams traded off who was at the top on an annual basis. Everyone beats each other up all season long, and you don't know who's going to come out on top until the end.
The more interesting question for me is how Belichick does without Brady and vice versa. This will help define their legacies, though I think it's a bit unfair to Brady because he's jumping ship near the end of his career where there's already some evidence he's not who he once was (statistically last year was the first year of his career where he ended up below average by passer rating, even if it wasn't by too much). Personally I think Belichick was more important even though both are great. What would be real interesting though is if NEITHER does well without the other lol. 8-8 seasons for both is my hope.
I'm afraid his leaving won't really put a dent into that regime. As long as BB and Ernie Adams are devising cheating methods and getting favorable treatment from the league they will be favorites each year.
I still think the Pat's are a 10 to 11 win team. Brady was not instrumental in their success last year and at times was a hindrance. Until I see them flat out fall I still think they are at least a borderline playoff team. That said, IMO it's the Bills. Also, with our signings I feel like we are now into win now mode as long as Fitz is QB. I no longer see us starting whoever we draft at all this year. We've talked about how a low salary but efficient QB allows you to build a team around him. I think that is honestly the plan. Win this year AND groom a rookie. I've been on record as saying we will win 3-6 games this year, but currently I could see us winning 6-9 games depending on health just based off these moves IF Fitz starts all year.
Would anyone be shocked to see Bellicheat grab Andy Dalton and win 10-11 games in 2020? Not dominate like the old days, but still competitive. I hope both Brady and the Pats struggle going forward though. Brady might have it pretty good in Tampa Bay, if he ends up there.
Dalton, Cam Newton....heck, San Fran may sign Brady and cut Jimmy G. Lots of possibilities to grab a QB these days.
San Fran has adamantly stated that they are not offering anything to Brady. LA or Tampa are the best bets if he doesn't decide to retire.
He will most likely go to Tampa or LA. And as long as BB and Ernie Adams are in NE, they will be the AFCE favorites.
He should probably go to Tampa. That division has become pretty bad recently, only the Saints provide any semblance of challenge. Tampa would be a playoff team just based on the fact their QB didnt throw 3 INT a game like Winston....though I want to call him Loseston, because hes kind of a loser IMO.
I think Giselle wears the pants in the family and tells Tom to retire. Either that or, Jerry Jones pays Brady to teach Prescot a lesson.
Giselle said months ago that they're moving to Florida, which matches up with Tampa or Miami. I don't think Brady would want to come here for the same reason we don't want him to come here, so hopefully Tampa works out. Otherwise, I think he just retires to Florida.
I'm more worried that Winston will go to NE and Bellichek will fix him. Winston on a good team,with his head screwed on right, is bad news for the rest of the league. Alternatively, he might not be fixable.
Brady to Bucs - done deal, announcing on Wednesday according to Fantasy Pros, quoting multiple sources.
I will see if my theory that Brady is done tested next year. Very talented wide receiver group there.
Belichek is also on the down end of his career. He’s 67 or 68 and few coaches in any top level sport are successful at that age. He’s already the oldest to win a superbowll, and if he makes it again he’ll be the oldest coach to make a superbowl, beating out Marv Levy.
IMO He isn't fixable. The reasons he can throw for so many yards are the same reasons he throws so many picks. Hes never had a mind for the game and plays street ball based on athleticism. I called out of college that he just isnt a good QB that can win games and I think hes proven that.
There's no evidence he's getting worse with age though. Last 10 years the Pats have averaged 12.5 wins per season with the worst being 11 wins, while since 2001 the Pats have averaged 12.2 wins per season with the worst being 9 wins. Standard deviation is smaller last 10 years too: 0.97 to 1.7. So if anything Belichick has become (slightly) better and much more consistent with age. So if we see a drop-off, say to 10 wins even, for Belichick.. that's evidence of the loss of Brady given their performance this last decade.
If Brady goes to the Bucs.. let's note that the Bucs already have a very good offense. They came in #3 in points scored in 2019. It's VERY heavy on the pass with Winston ending #1 in passing yards last year. The Bucs' problem has been on defense. So we shouldn't just look at passing stats to compare Brady vs. Winston if Brady goes to the Bucs. We should also look at whether their offense as a whole improves (by points scored). If it doesn't, that says something about Brady's influence on the team (or lack of it).
I am sure 30 interceptions didn't help the defense. If Brady can have the yards and points scored without the interceptions that would help the team a lot.
Agreed. Winston threw for 5100 yards, 33 TDs and 30 picks last season, with a 60.7% completion rate. If Brady ends up with 4000 yards, 27 TDs and 12 picks and a 65% completion percentage, he had the better year, and the team is better for it. If the Bucs go from a league worst 20% turnover rate to a league average 10%, they've cut their number in half. Its hard to even figure how huge of a difference that would be. The Patriots turned it over 7.5% of the time last season.
