Don't Crown The Patriots Champions Yet: Tom Brady Has Much To Prove

by TheRant on May 19, 2009 11:14 PM EDT Comment 13 comments

Note to the Patriots fans: Although I am not a fan of the Patriots I am very interested in the Tom Brady saga. I do hope he regains his form and if so the Patriots are my favorites to win the Super Bowl but it remains to be seen how he will perform throughout the season. This is an article I wrote on the bleacher report. Let me know what you think.

The 2007 New England Patriots finished the regular season with an extraordinary record of 16-0. Not only had the Patriots won every game, becoming the first team to go 16-0 and the first undefeated season since the 1972 Miami Dolphins, but they slaughtered their competition in almost every "contest".

Although their undefeated season came to an end with a shocking, to some, loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII, the team had made a historic run and appeared to be the front runners going into the 2008 NFL Season.

Fast forward to September 7, 2008 when the NFL world and Patriots fans held their breath as the 2-time Super Bowl MVP lay on the ground clutching his knee in pain. The unthinkable was a reality as the almighty, poster boy of the NFL, Tom Brady was carried off the field and later placed on injured reserve, ending his season.

The Patriots, under the inexperienced yet surprising Matt Cassel, went on to finish the season 11-5 but missed the playoffs. Cassel thrived under then offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels system, leaving the Patriots with a sufficient backup plan if Tom Brady wouldn't be fully healed for the 2009 season.

Matt Cassell was traded from the Patriots to the Kansas City Chiefs for a second round pick in this years NFL draft. Did this mean New England and Bill Belichick had enough confidence that Tom Brady will be fully healed and ready to go for the 2009 season?

The Patriots must be sold on Brady's progress because backups Kevin O'Connell and Matt Gutierrez have attempted 7 passes COMBINED. At least Matt Cassel had 39 career attempts going into the season, right?

So is Tom Brady really ready to step back out on the field? Word out of New England is Brady practicing without any restrictions and is moving without any problems. The Patriots say will be the same Tom Brady as he was before the injury. I'm not so sure I believe he is 100%. Carson Palmer struggled mightily after his injury, granted Brady was hurt in week one while Palmer was hurt in the playoffs.

The preseason power rankings are all-ready out all over the Internet with the Patriots claiming the top spot in most of them. They have added weapons on offense in RB Fred Taylor, TE Alex Smith, WR's Greg Lewis and Joey Galloway and used 4 second round picks on the defensive side of the ball in addition to signing CB's Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs. A revamped defense should help sure up some of the problems from last season but the defense isn't the main concern for the 2009 Season.

You can argue that the Patriots have more help than last years team thus they are deserving of the top spot but has anyone seen Tom Brady play in a full game yet? Does adding 6 aging veterans and a few rookies to your roster automatically put you as the favorite for Super Bowl XIV? I don't buy it.

I never want to see an injury hurt a players legacy but Brady has much to prove this upcoming season. Will he return to his Pro-Bowl, MVP type form or will he join the ranks of mediocrity?

All eyes are on Tom Brady to perform from the start of training camp till week one and on. The crown shouldn't be handed to the Patriots just yet because Brady has much to prove.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/179273-dont-crown-the-patriots-champions-yet-tom-brady-has-much-to-prove

The views expressed in these FanPosts are not necessarily those of the writers or SBNation.

0 recs | Comment 13 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I think we'll be ok

Carson Palmer actually had a career year coming off of his injury.

If Tom had a career year in 2009, my head would explode.

"It is what it is." - Bill Belichick

by 108 on May 20, 2009 1:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good piece

If you look around this site a bit, I think you will notice, that we are not really buying into the hype. We like the team’s moves in the off-season, and we believe Brady will be ok – but of course we don’t really know until the season starts. Personally I do expect Brady to be a bit rusty in the first few games – and the #1 team might play a bit more than usual in the preseason – but we will just have to wait and see.

I do, however, disagree with your statement that improving the defense is not the main thing. It really declined down the stretch last year, and to me the most important changes in the offseason has been the retooling of the secondary. Whether that works out remains to be seen, but something had to be done.

by hythlodaeus on May 20, 2009 3:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I link to the hype, but don't necessarily buy it all

The overall message is that the national media feels it can’t go too wrong predicting a Belichick team will be at or near the top of the charts with a healthy Brady solidifying the pick, and it can’t be faulted for putting the reigning Super Bowl champions up there either. The rest is a crap shoot.

Long gone are the days when the Patriots couldn’t buy respect and even after winning the Super Bowl were dismissed as one-hit-wonders. That said, realistically I’m looking at how Peyton Manning started the season in 2008 coming off his surgery as a guide. I’m hoping Brady will start a bit stronger, but that’s my guide.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on May 20, 2009 7:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The lovefest drives me nuts

Even though it’s about my favorite team, I find it unpalatable. There are too many variables to crown any team right now. That being said, what are your thoughts on the Patriots’ upcoming season?

Blogger at SBNation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit

by MaPatsFan on May 20, 2009 10:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It's not Brady that has to prove anything

It’s our defense. We were a potent offense with Cassel at the helm, and I expect that to continue with our solid additions. Even a shaky Tom should match last year’s offense.

The real question is will our linebackers and secondary improve enough to bring us to championship levels.

The Pats have amazing potential though, it will be fun to see how high we go.

"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters."- Bill Belichick

by Mainiac on May 20, 2009 10:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I buy the hype completely!

Mostly because I would like at least one of my teams to be successful this year.

Mainiac brings up the most salient point. The onus is on the defence to prove that they are championship calibre.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on May 21, 2009 4:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

quite frankly

i feel like the level of play has dropped off in the NFL since the 07 season. I think you guys will be fine, probably go 12-4 or better with the schedule you guys have. As for winning the SB……..if you get there, i don’t see you guys losing, IF you get there.

by Bleed-Black&Gold on May 31, 2009 3:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

As a Chiefs fan

I know the Patriots will continue to thrive. How many QB’s have you seen with knee braces and still perform well enough to win Championships. QB’s need it between the ears and not always the wheels.

Let's Kick some ASS in 09 or Die trying

by Steve_Chiefs on Jun 7, 2009 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Crown them champions , cause Bradys back DIDN'T WORK TWO YEARS AGO

You see to forget fast that they didnt win the last Superbowl when he was healthy, just because hes playing seem as if you hand it to him , you beloved boneheads choked the last one
Damn .

“delusions of grandeur”

From the town of SIXBURGH PIITSBURGH STEELERS

by Martin1468_steelerfan on Jun 2, 2009 3:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Now now.....

Speaking of delusions of grandeur…… Let’s not get all full of ourselves. Sure, the Pat’s blew it against the Giant’s. But let’s be fair. It did take a fluke play to do it. And the steelers just barely squeaked by the Cards, of all lame entities, with an outstanding catch at the last moment (talk about a game of inches). Who exactly did they beat to even get the trophy? Pretty much nobody.

Nobody is impressed with the steelers win except steeler fans. It is one of the least talked about Superbowls ever; and rightly so.

by BabeParilli on Jun 7, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Crown them what , duh? They didnt win the last one they played in

I have no problem with Brady or the Pats , I think theyre great, just delusional writers,
but they choked the last Superbowl when he was healthy.

Maybe stop smoking all that stuff and you’ll remember that they didnt win the last one with all that superior talent

You gotta win before you say anything

“delusions of grandeur”

From the Land of SIX-BURGH

by Martin1468_steelerfan on Jun 2, 2009 4:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nope.

Tom Brady has nothing to prove. Tom Brady says he is physically sound. That should be good enough for anybody. He will be a Hall of Famer the first year he is eligible. That generates enough respect from me to believe him if he says he is okay.

I understand there is much wishful thinking out there in football-land that Brady will somehow not be Brady. Forget it, and live with it. Brady is back and there will be hell to pay.

by BabeParilli on Jun 7, 2009 1:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs