by Chris Warner, Patriots Daily Staff
Being of such sunny disposition here at PD, we find it difficult to assign our notorious lap to any one player after a division win. Still, the lap waits for no one and must go to Tom Brady this week.
Brady completed two notable passes, firing a touchdown to Randy Moss (here’s the clip) and converting a third-and-long to Wes Welker to seal the game. Overall, he went 11 for 23, with an early interception that killed New England’s first drive (clip here). On the play, he missed Welker across the middle and failed to account for linebacker Paul Posluszny. This pass followed a first and 10 bomb to Moss which Brady threw incomplete into double coverage.
Brady also failed to connect with Sam Aiken on a couple of deep balls and threw short passes to Welker that had better odds of getting caught by groundhogs. Though the QB felt some pressure from Buffalo’s rush, they failed to sack him, and throughout the day he appeared to have enough time to follow through on his throws.
As Brady goes, so goes New England. We can say that his decisions goaded Buffalo into committing pass interference penalties that won the game, but the Patriots can no longer depend on other team’s mistakes to win. Mr. Brady, it’s time to step up. For this week’s performance, and with the hope of improvements to come, we ask that you take a lap.
Email Chris Warner at chris.warner@patriotsdaily.com
Patriots Daily 
I have to disagree. Personally, I think Brady is playing hurt – the finger thing is worse than reported. I noted after the Panthers game Delhomme came over to talk to Brady, and they were clearly talking about his finger (both have finger injuries). From the body/facial expressions of both, it was clear that it was more than just a little thing.
It’s hard this time of year to fling the ball, but he just doesn’t seem to be airing it out as much as he needs to on the deep routes.
Right, back to my armchair!
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David, you have a point. I’ve never questioned Brady’s toughness, but for this game I thought his lack of accuracy ended a few drives, especially in the second half. For me, it wasn’t his effort but his execution that failed him.
I had a tough time focusing on one guy this week, but at the same time couldn’t settle on any positions either (for example, the DL got tossed around early but Mike Wright excelled overall). Thoughts?
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Yeah, I think you’re right in one sense – Brady didn’t execute at time, but I think there are “reasons”, like I mentioned. I think many people on the team are much more banged up than we know, and we’ll never know – that’s the Patriot way, at this stage.
But, when I watch the Pats play, I get perplexed at times watching the game plan unfold. The first half seems to have a lot of rushing, effective, and sets up the play action for Brady very well. But in the second half, it seems like as soon as the run is challenged it gets abandoned.
Maybe its just perception, but SOMETHING is happening in the 2nd half, and that’s attested by the low scoring in the 2nd half of games this year.
I don’t see that dynamism in the the offense this year – Brady used to set the tempo, other teams would be hurrying to get into a formation, or couldn’t get subs in. Heck, Cassel was doing that at points and time last year!
I know, injuries, QB had a year off, but Brady himself said 95% of a game is won in the preparation. I see too many confused looks by Brady at the sideline, too many full counts, no element of surprise.
What the D did with the 5/6 formation was SUCH a breath of fresh air! It was amazing to see. I think the Offense needs something like that on their side of the ball. Maybe that’s a no huddle look – I don’t know, I really hate to second guess these coaches, they’ve forgotten more football than I’ll ever know, but, what the heck, I’ll state my case anyway!
Cheers
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Definitely something wrong there but inability to connect with Sam Aiken is not among them. That he looked better with Reche Caldwell, et al than with Moss and Welker is tough to believe.
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