Yes, downfield accuracy isn't as good as the really elite QBs any more. He's in his mid 30s, no shame in being in the next tier down.

I disagree with this. Let's see what these guys would do with Brady's "weapons" over what they have now.

Specifically, with Gronk, Brady is a totally different QB. Taking Brady's stats for Gronks 7 games would look like this (over a 16 game season):

64.1 %
7.76 YPA
5,040 yards
30 TD
11 INT

Brady-esque #s IMO.

For all their injuries--Wilfork, Mayo, Talib, etc.--Gronk hurt by far the most.

If anyone thinks the narrative for that game is anything other than "Denver is a better team and was playing at home", they're crazy. That's all it was. Better team won.

I have very high hopes though for the next 3 seasons (I think 3 is about the top end of the range that Brady sticks around is still legit). I think our D is going to be very, very good next year as Wilfork and Mayo will be back full force. Jamie Collins has looked like a beast the last couple of weeks. I'm not jumping the gun but he certainly has the potential to be great. And even Hightower has looked a lot better towards the end of the season. Plus Jones on the edge and I think they have a lot of good potential in the Secondary (Ryan, Dennard) and if they keep Talib, obviously he's a stopper.

I also think one of either Dobson/Thompkins/Boyce is going be a very good outside receiver. And, if, fingers crossed, we can actually get a healthy Gronk for a post season, they might even be the team to beat in the AFC.

So, I'm disappointed but optimistic. I just HATE to have to wait the 8 months for meaningful football again. That's always the worst part.

Also, one quick point about the Amendola/Edelman situation. I thought I read earlier in the year that Amendola's injury was one that would not get worse but would require surgery. Anyone else remember that? So, I don't think he was ever 100% this year and if he is 100% next year, he might be able to be close to as productive as Edelman was this year.

I agree with this, his deep ball has been a disappointment.

I have it Rodgers>Manning>Brady>Brees

Long time til next season.

BB calls Welkers hit "deliberate" and "one of the worst plays he's seen."

If you watch the replay, this isn't anything close to a "rub", this is Welker, with no intent to get open, running at full speed straight at an unsuspecting defender and laying him out. Clear dirty play. I'd expect Welker to be fined, and I'd have expected better from him.


Here is the gif

Did anybody suggest a different narrative?

Also, Wilfork being back and in full force is a longshot imo. For one, he's going to have to restructure or he's getting cut. Secondly, even if he comes back he's likely to regress some more and he's already nothing like he was 3 years ago.

The good news is I think the D can get by just fine without him.

I read this on ESPN Boston on Siliga

My guess is BB must see him as Wilforks replacement down the line. I do agree that Wilfork is a threat to get cut without restructuring.

The Pats 2nd drive yesterday was depressing. This is the play by play.

1st and 10 at NE 20 T.Brady pass short right to M.Mulligan to NE 26 for 6 yards (N.Irving).
2nd and 4 at NE 26 L.Blount left guard to NE 27 for 1 yard (T.Knighton).
3rd and 3 at NE 27 (Shotgun) T.Brady pass incomplete deep right to M.Slater (T.Carter).
4th and 3 at NE 27 R.Allen punts 55 yards to DEN 18, Center-D.Aiken, fair catch by E.Decker.

Rude awakening of what Pats are really working with on offense when Mulligan and Slater are part of the gameplan.

Also someone earlier wondered about Blount and Talib.

I think Blount is easy: if he's willing to stay for short/reasonable money then imo they will be happy to keep him. If he wants full market I think he's gone.

Talib I have no idea. He's obviously extremely important to the D, but I'm worried about giving a lot of money to someone that has a hard time staying on the field. Even though they have more depth in the secondary now it will still hurt to let him walk. Very interested to see what they do -- but my gut instinct says they will sign him.

I'm optimistic about next season and the future. The team is relatively young. Some players showed some great development during this season. The defense started the season strongly. If not for injuries, this defense would have been the best in years.

BB discussed off season planning at today's presser including that the style of team would be evaluated (as it always is.) I think the Hernandez situation really hurt this year because the team planned to have a TE-centric attack. Perhaps the team will go away from that offensive philosophy for next season given the roster. Clearly, they have to acquire another TE or some outside WR or develop the young WR's. I think the young WR's show some promise so there is that hope. Gronk probably does not join the team again until mid season again next year.

I hope for a healthy Gronk for the playoffs next year.

More borderline OPI than I thought after watching that gif, thought it was clear OPI live.

Lol at it being a dirty play

Pretty pathetic that Welker's best play this season was a cheap shot on Talib.

lol at borderline OPI, go see an eye doctor today bro.

Offensive talent surrounding Brady this year just wasnt good enough. Granted Injuries and Murder played a big part in that.

While i Like Dobson, Gronk, Amendola and Edelman (if they keep him). Im not confident on going into next year with just that. Amendola was pretty much injured all year, Edelman now has 1 full season without missing games from Injuries and we all know the concerns with Gronk.

I think it was OPI, just a lot closer than watching live. What does he hit Talib, a quarter second before the ball hits Thomas hands?

No, no one here had a different narrative. Sorry, probably still defensive about all the asshat's on FB and their narratives.

You're right about Wilfork. Totally forgot about his deal and the need to restructure.

He did hit him a little early, on top of the fact that Welker made no attempt to get open--he went straight for Talib.

After the ridiculous call on Hooman, letting this go was laughable.

Refs sucked like they always do, but it didn't win or lose this game by any stretch.

He didnt hit him in the legs.

They are a good team that obviously have the play practiced and timing down so that the block/contact with Welker/Talib comes as the ball arrives to DT. (Not sure how that will read so will clarify that i mean it as a compliment)

The thing that slightly annoys me looking back on the play is that regardless of what happens Welker is making the same contact with Talib. Sack/Pass Deflection at LOS/Inaccurate throw. All will lead to DT not getting the ball but Welker makes the same contact with Talib.

Like if they sacked Manning on that play and Talib still got injured i would have been seriously rustled.

The OPI on NWE, missed DPI on NWE, missed OPI on welker were 3 inexcusably bad calls. It was like the refs were trying to "let them play" and then randomly were like oh lets flag this TE with the weird name & number.

D holding was even worse. Oh well...the better team won. Hard to win when your d can't get off thr field.

This loss doesnt feel as bad as previous years. Likely because the previous years i believed they blew legit chances at a ring. This year they were clearly the 4th best of the 4 teams left.

I'm already over it. These guys played their asses off this year no regrets. My only fear is McDanials taking over sometime downstream -- hopefully no time soon.

well, at least we have no excuses! I think the games where one play makes all the difference (ie the Welker drop in the SB) are horrible to get over. here, we got flat outplayed, by obviously a good margin. the Talib loss hurt but they were playing without their top CB too - the right team won. it's too bad we looked so bad for the 2nd year in a row in the AFCCG...oh well.

hopefully we acquire some receiver help, and Gronk can actually stay healthy for the playoffs next year

After thinking about it a bit longer...I loved what Blount did for the Pats in the last month, but prior to that he was very ordinary. Long term, if the Pats are going to invest in only 1 of Blount or Ridley, I think they need to go Ridley.

I would rather spend top $$ on another pass rusher rather than Talib. I love the guy, but he gets injured far too much. That isn't going to improve over time.