Posted by zorzii on 1/25/2016 7:44:00 PM (view original):
I think Bellichick made the worst call, they had three shot at this, at one point, it's second and 1 and he calls a pass. Then he tries at 3 and 1 to QB sneak... They have a penalty... It's 3 and 6, and they pass... Then, just kick the field goal!!! Anyways, at 2nd and 1, bring your RB and get Inside running... If you miss it, at least they will be aware you can run on the third play and it will open up the passing lanes...
They did a terrible coaching job down the stretch. But you are right, Brady did look human and had trouble against pressure. The offensive coordinator needed to design plays where he could get rid of the ball quicker though.
I don't think the sneak is a bad call for NE in that situation. Historically their offensive line has opened up some gaping holes when they try to sneak on 3rd or 4th and short (of course the talking heads credit Brady for it because he's Brady and he just happened to be the guy going through said gaping holes...).
They probably should have kicked a field goal. That one is on Bellicheat.
Brady ALWAYS "looks human" and ALWAYS has trouble against the pressure. This is nothing new - many people just overlook it, which is one of the major reasons he's so OVER RATED.
The NE coaches have ALWAYS tried to design plays which will work to Brady's advantage because while he is a good game manager type of QB,
he is average at best when compared with other NFL QBs on difference making skills.
He throws an okay short pass, but he doesn't have a rocket arm, and unless he's got great downfield threats (see Moss and Gronkowski) they often limit his long throws. He runs okay when he needs to, but he can't cover ground like the better running QBs, so they don't expect him to scramble often. He moves in the pocket well sometimes (and better as he's gotten more experience), so get gets by but he goes down pretty fast if there is more than one guy anywhere near him. He can't shake off tackles like some QBs (Big Ben comes to mind), and he's not as elusive overall as some otherwise slow-footed QBs.
Basically, he's a slightly above average QB, and only then because he's a decent game manager. He knows his bread and butter is quick release short passes, and the coaches do too, so they put a system and plays in place to let him do that. The same system and game plan (and team talent) allowed Matt Cassel to step in and do the same things when Brady went down in 08.
If that leg injury had somehow ended Brady's career, Matt Cassel would have ridden the coat tails of team talent and great coaching (and some cheating) to playoffs and Super Bowls the same way Brady did, because Brady just isn't that great.