For the moment, the weight is on Tom Brady to be a solo act
He needs help, still, and the Patriots — and bizarrely, Bill Belichick — aren’t giving it to him.
Maybe it’s because the end is, if hardly imminent, at least in our line of vision now. But lately I’ve found myself reminiscing on how this all began for Tom Brady, Patriots starting quarterback, 17 extraordinary seasons ago.
Remember? I’m sure you do, though there have been enough highlights to justify a Hall of Fame induction ceremony all his own. But even the oldest memories should remain in vivid color for a still-vivid performer. Sepia tones belong to those relegated by time to the past tense.
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If the first chapters of the Book of Brady (prologue by Mo Lewis) haven’t been forgotten, they are at least worth a refreshing re-read from time to time. What I remember most is how the pace of the offense changed for the better when Brady replaced the injured incumbent, Drew Bledsoe. The lethargy gave way to a new energy. The screen pass suddenly became a weapon. A team that looked disorganized in losses to the Bengals and Jets suddenly became disciplined.
This scrawny sixth-round pick had something. We thought it was a youthful charisma, a command of the job, and limited physical ability. Who could have known he had so much more, a broader range of attributes than any quarterback ever to play?
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We did not know that then, of course. We probably didn’t recognize that he would own a place as an all-time great until 2004. It was certainly assured by 2007, when he threw a then-record 50 touchdown passes, 23 to Randy Moss. (When you were watching from the couch and Brady would launch one deep, that split second when you couldn’t see the receiver yet was a joyous split-second of suspense. Inevitably, the payoff was discovering just how badly Moss had burned his defender.) It became singular truth that he was THE all-time great when he won his fourth Super Bowl in 2014. The Falcons, and 28-3, was the conversation-ender.
What I also remember is that when he was finding his footing early in that 2001 season, his teammates were there to help him, again and again. In his first start in Week 3 against Manning’s Colts, he threw for 168 yards and the Patriots scored 44 points anyways — Antowain Smith, who always seemed to get 3 yards on third and 2, ran for two touchdowns, and Ty Law and Otis Smith each had interception returns for scores.
The next week, Brady threw for just 86 yards in a 30-10 loss to the Dolphins, and help was hard to find. The next week brought a real reason to believe, and the first true moment of Brady greatness. He completed 33 of 54 passes for 364 yards and 2 touchdowns against the 3-1 Chargers, including a tying 3-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Wiggins with 36 seconds left. Adam Vinatieri won it in overtime with a 44-yard-field goal that would not rank in the top three kicks that season, and Brady and the Patriots were on their way.
It was a wonderful ride, and I think of this now because I can’t help but feel we’re stuck in opposite world right now. Brady is 41, and as accomplished as any player can be. And yet for the moment, the weight is on him to be a solo act. He needs help, still, and the Patriots — and bizarrely, Belichick — aren’t giving it to him.
Sure, he has Rob Gronkowski, as accomplished as a tight end can be at 29 years old. His he’s-my-quarterback support of Brady that derailed a near-trade to the Lions in the offseason enhances a standing that I didn’t know could be enhanced. But he hasn’t been able to help him as much on the field this season, because opposing defenses know if they can stop him, they can stop everyone else, too.
He’s not just the focus of attention. He’s the only one worthy of attention, other than third-down back James White, who was underutilized against Detroit. Chris Hogan is the Patriots’ best receiver right now, which is worrisome given that he’s at his best as the third or fourth option. Phillip Dorsett has had his moments, but he’s basically Reche Caldwell in terms of reliability. Cordarelle Patterson runs fast in a straight line. The job requirement demands more than that. Dwayne Allen has as many catches as Brady this season.
Rookie first-round pick Sony Michel appears lost. That is not unusual for a young running back. Jim Nance, the Patriots’ all-time leading rusher, averaged 2.9 yards per carry as a rookie. Sam Cunningham, second on their all-time rushing list, averaged 3.3. Curtis Martin, the best back they have ever had, if just for a fleeting three seasons, ran for 102 yards in his first game, then over the next five, went for 40, 63, 44, 8, and 31 yards. Michel was electric at Georgia. He just needs time and good health.
It was frustrating to watch Brady’s frustration percolate Sunday night. He implored his teammates after the slow start, but the inability of the receivers to get open (and in Patterson’s case, get to the right spot) wore him down. He fell into just-chuck-it-deep mode, a telltale sign of his near-hopeless resignation in the moment. He flipped away his helmet twice, something I’ve never seen him do. He may have even called up Joey Galloway to yell at him for old time’s sake and perhaps some catharsis.
The help should come. If Julian Edelman, at 32 and with a scar on his knee, is a reasonable facsimile of the tenacious Julian Edelman we are used to, he will allow for Hogan and Dorsett to slide into more fitting roles. The over/under on targets when he comes back in Week 5 should be 40. Josh Gordon? He’s as unreliable as any player in the league, but there are few as talented. Jacob Hollister may emerge when healthy.
It is bewildering to learn that the Patriots were so close to trading Gronkowski in an offseason in which they were losing Dion Lewis (man, is he missed) and Danny Amendola (ditto) to free agency while trading Brandin Cooks (Dorsett is his junior varsity version) for a first-round pick.
Brady is 41, as you may have heard. While he should have been at OTAs, get over it; he’s banked as much benefit of the doubt as anyone can. He’s here and committed now, questing to win another championship, at least. And yet the Patriots lost some of his best help, some of it deliberately. It’s not sabotage; I believe they wanted Baker Mayfield, and to be ready to start anew. But that’s not fair to the best player they will ever have.
It seems weird to sympathize with someone who seems to have everything. But even Brady can’t have what all of us desire — the ability to stop time at a certain moment or age. He’s here for the perfect ending. But that already happened in Super Bowl LI. Now there is uncertainty, inflicted upon him by the coach who got him that help all those years ago. Whatever is ahead, and however this season ends, it’s a shame that he’s had to begin the journey almost alone.
