Un-Patriotic
Posted on September 28, 2006 in SportsI don't get it - after the Pats admittedly lackluster kickoff to the 2006-2007 season - somehow people, writers and fans (both nationally and disturbingly locally) have been commenting that this is the beginning of the end of Tom Brady *genuflects* and the Patriots.
I was at the game last Sunday and it was unbearable to listen to some fans yelling obscenities directed at the field and most disturbingly Tom Brady. I was floored .. I couldn't help but think that these are the kind of fair weather fans which think a long snapper is a type of fish!

It had to be somewhat expected that after moving on from two of the best wide receivers from the golden era of the Patriots that there would be some falloff. It took years for Branch and Givens to take the form that they were in when they departed ways with the team. It didn't start the first practice of rookie camp ... check the footage. Go ahead, check it. I'll wait.
...
People, this is going to take some time to develop have some patients. There is a lot nuance to running an NFL route, never mind one inside a 140 page Belechick system. Brady over and under throwing is all part of a comfort which is developed over time and I believe if given enough time to develop we could see the same things (if not better) from Grabrel and Jackson (note: I'm not 100% sold on Caldwell yet)
Also it should be noted that Chad Jackson (the most promising of the three newbies) has been dealing with hamstring issues lessening the amount of in game and in practice experience.
If the Belichick gestapo would loosen the muzzle a bit I'm sure Brady would mention how he is over thinking things or he is ensuring not to throw a pick by passing in a manor which ensures only the pats WR can possibly make a play because he unsure on what these new wideouts are going to do.
There is a certain level of trust and chemistry which makes up the effectiveness of the passing game.
If a wide receiver breaks in a direction which is only 5 degrees different than the play is envisioned the pass is over or under thrown if Brady is trying to "lead" the receiver so he can catch it in stride.
You will notice that most of his passes to Watson and or Brown are pretty spot on most of the time.
There is plenty of pressure on his shoulders already and I think the team has earned a little more credit than you Red Sox bandwagoneers are giving him.
We are spoiled people, seriously spoiled. Anything less than 16 and 0 is unacceptable in our eyes. Get your grubby doomsday Red Sox fingers off that panic button, sit down and STFU.
The Pats (including The Golden Boy -- Tom Brady) will be just fine.

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Being a Packers fan, I understand your sentiment. When fans are used to a certain level of excellence that the Patriots have demonstrated over the past several years, it's hard to put up with performances like the one the Pats displayed on Sunday. I guess that's just the nature of sports media and the casual fan. Let's face it though, you New-Englanders have been spoiled as of late!
I am not ready to say that Tom Brady has started to decline and is destined to become a 3rd string backup for a CFL team. I still think he's a great quarterback who looked extremely vulnerable on Sunday. Everyone has bad days - it's true - and that was one bad day for Brady. I will say though that Brady has not looked as good so far this year as he has in years past, especially against the Broncos on Sunday.
Personally, I think that Brady has received a little too much credit for the success of the Pats over the last 5 years. The Patriots, to me, have been a shining example of the power of TEAM over the past 5 seasons. They've turned no-names into stars, but it's not the player that deserves the credit, it's the team, the coaches and the system.
Yesterday's convincing victory over the Bengals should shut the critics up for a couple of weeks ;)
Well its just a matter of getting it all working consistently and in unison.
One week the Defense is there, then another the running game or passing game. Last night they seemed to get it all working well including some defensive turnovers which they had been missing for weeks.
Like I said above -- they will be there in the end -- they have 2/3's of a season to get ready (because the division is so weak) and in the end this could be the hardest Patriots team to stop with the range of weapons they have on offense.
I can't understand why people question Brady but I also can't understand why people still think the Colts are the best team year in and year out?
Give Brady some guys to get open like Doug Gabriel and he will be back to full form. The last group of was with Brady for several years it takes time to develop and gel as a cohesive unit. And with a schedule like ours time we may have biatches. :-)
I was pleased Sunday but I don't think we can book hotel rooms in Miami just yet.
Given that our schedule is WEAK I would like to see them beat 2 of these 3 teams... The Vikes, The Colts, and Da Bears. If they can take take two of these three and win the division I think things look good. Not that the Vikes are that good...Just compared to the Bills, Jets, Dolphins, and Texans...
PS
Miami might be harder than we think.
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/
-The Old Dirty Tekwizad
Agreed Tekwizard.
Miami has had The Pat's number through the years .. this is a statement game to them. You can bet they will be ready to smack the Pat's in the jaw.
I think the Jets and Bills are better than they get credit for being, with that said your right there still not good teams. Cincy and the Broncos are however -- nothing is solidified yet.
If they can continue to improve the consistency (Offensively and Defensively) of the Cincy game this weekend vs the "Fins" I will feel much better.