Tom Brady responds to a question on WEEI this morning on if we are going to notice a difference in the way the offense runs ... a rhythm kind of offense that we've seen in the past, without Randy there.
I don’t know. The truth is, I don’t know. I’d love to have an offense that controls the tempo of the game and controls the clock by running it. You have these certainly high-percentage passes with the different players that we have. I think we still have some explosive players in the passing game. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.
Whether it’s Brandon Tate, I mean, you’ve seen what he can do on kickoff returns. His ability to make that more of a threat on offense is something that, as a second-year player, of course he’s trying to do. Aaron Hernandez, I mean, he’s had the biggest pass plays all season for this team. Adding a guy like Deion [Branch], I mean, Deion has caught a lot of deep balls in his career.
So, there’s a lot of guys that have that explosive ability in the passing game. Obviously, you’ve got to get Wes down the field. You’ve got to get [Rob] Gronkowski down the field. You see what kind of plays he can make. So, there’s obviously a lot of guys that can do different things — short, intermediate, deep in the passing game. And that’s what you need as a good offense. You need multiple threats. You need guys that can do multiple things. So, I think that’s the goal of our offense.
Christopher Price discusses what the Patriots can expect from Deion Branch, who has dealt with his share of injuries but has been a dependable presence this year for Seattle.
According to Brian McIntyre of "Mac’s Football Blog," he was in on 83 percent (186 of the 224 offensive snaps) of the Seahawks’ offensive plays this season, and had 13 catches for 112 yards and a touchdown through four games this year. That, combined with his pre-existing knowledge of the New England’s intricate passing game, should allow him to step in and contribute immediately to the Patriots’ offense.
While his presence will cut into the playing time of some of New England’s younger receivers (namely Tate and Price), it buys some time for the Patriots’ younger receivers to continue to develop within the system. What he isn’t is a deep threat in the mold of Moss: His yards per catch average has steadily declined the last three-plus years, going from 13.7 in 2008 to 8.6 this season. (His career-high was 14.1 with the Patriots in 2003.)
TEAM TALK
- Game Preview: New England Patriots vs. Baltimore Ravens. Broadcast info, series history, team connections and more.
- Erik Scalavino's biggest concern about Branch is his injury history.
- Eric Scalavino reports that after the Bye, the Patriots find themselves with no Moss on offense, and nowhere to go but up on defense.
- Monday Conference Calls: Matt Patricia (8.08 min.), Nick Caserio (7.51 min.) Bill Belichick (11.35 min audio) Plus transcripts.
- WEEI Patriots Monday: Brandon Meriweather (8.35 min.), Vince Wilfork (17 min.) and Bill Belichick (26.46 min.).
- Patriots Today - Making the best of the bye. (3.04 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Karen Guregian and Ian Rapoport report the Patriots have brought back Deion Branch, trading a 4th round draft pick to the Seahawks for him.
- Shalise Manza Young says adding Branch brings a veteran presence to a young receiving corps, someone who knows the system and can provide great leadership.
- Mike Reiss reports Deion Branch is excited to be back with the New England Patriots, and feels he should be able to contribute immediately.
- Christopher Price analyzes what the return of Deion Branch means for the Patriots.
- Mike Reiss tells us four thoughts about Deion Branch coming to New England.
- Mike Reiss recaps some of the top Deion Branch moments in New England.
- Christopher Price posts a portion of the 60 minutes segment from 2005 with Tom Brady and Deion Branch. Pretty cool
- Nick Carfardo reviews Randy Moss' Vikings debut where he caught Brett Favre's 500th career touchdown pass.
- Kirk MInihane offers his Jets-Vikings diary, saying we all knew how it would end.
- Mike Reiss notes Randy Moss thanks Tom Brady directly for his text after the Vikings loss to the Jets on MNF.
- Karen Guregian lists five questions about the post-Randy Moss era.
- Michael Felger explains why the Jets will ultimately crash land this year and says dumping Moss for Branch is the best move the Pats have made in a long time.
- Michael Vega notes OL Dan Connolly has done well as a starter, filling in for holdout Logan Mankins.
- Mike Reiss asserts it's easy to forget, but after all the hoopla the Patriots find themselves in a solid position in this wide-open NFL.
- Mike Reiss notes the top CBS broadcasting team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms will call Sunday's Patriots-Ravens game.
- Mike Reiss takes a look at where the Patriots rank in key NFL statistical categories after five weeks. First in points scored, even with the bye.
- Mike Reiss looks at the snaps played by Patriots defenders in the Week 4 win and offers his analysis. Devin McCourty plays 'em all.
- Mike Reiss reports the Patriots have tightened things up after opening the season with six accepted penalties apiece in their first two games.
- Mike Reiss reports the Patriots project to have Brandon Tate, Wes Welker and Julian Edelman atop the "pure" receiver depth chart. Taylor Price is one step closer to contributing.
- Mike Reiss looks at the target percentages for the Patriots through the first four games. Aaron Hernandez has been targeted 20 times and has 18 receptions.
- Mike Reiss notes one reason for running back Danny Woodhead's surprising contributions is his ability to pick up the playbook so quickly.
- Mike Reiss points out how LB Tracy White has been worth the investment when looking at the special-teams tackle leaderboard.
- Mike Reiss looks at tackle stats and notes Jerod Mayo's rise after Monday night's 16 tackle performance against the Dolphins.
- Mike Reiss breaks down Brady's protection, saying the Patriots rank 7th in fewest sacks allowed per pass play through the first five weeks.
- WEEI offers the transcript of Tom Brady's appearance on the Dennis & Callahan show early this morning.
- WEEI Patriots Monday: Bill Belichick, Vince Wilfork and Brandon Meriweather.
- Karen Guregian Patriots Notebook: Bill Belichick and Nick Caserio claimed the offense won't change without Randy Moss; Taylor Price is still learning and moving in the right direction; Fred Taylor is getting better; Jerod Mayo was credited with 16 tackles in Miami.
- Karen Guregian notes the fallout from hair/beard gate, as the Patriots continue to brush off reports of any dispute.
- ESPNBoston reports Bill Belichick discussed the reported spat between Tom Brady and Randy Moss, saying 'That's news to me'.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Patriots welcome back Deion Branch.
- Danny O'Neil (Seattle Times) Seahawks trade Deion Branch back to Patriots for fourth-round pick.
- Mike Sando (ESPN) Multiple winners in Deion Branch trade.
- Michael Lombardi says the Patriots will be better off without Moss. (2.12 min. video)
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Moss still looking for Revis' respect.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Brett Favre more distraction than immortal. Jets fans would rather forget him .
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) NFL blows out baseball in TV ratings.
- Jason Whitlock (Fox Sports) Favre situation makes us confront sexism.
- Michael Lombardi (NFL.com) Imagine how the Week 5 upsets went down, it's easy if you try.
VIEW FROM BALTIMORE
- Jamison Hensley (Baltimore Sun) Ravens best in NFL? Some saying yes.
- Mike Duffy (BaltimoreRavens.com) 5-1 Super Bowl record within grasp.
- Mike Preston (Baltimore Sun) Belichick will have Patriots ready for Ravens.
- Ryan Mink (BaltimoreRavens.com) Rested Patriots 7-0 after Bye weeks.
- Sarah Ellison (BaltimoreRavens.com) Patriots replace Moss via Branch trade.