On course with no-names
Brady still shredding defenses
NASHVILLE — Does it really matter if Tom Brady is left with no receivers in his arsenal, good, bad, or otherwise?
Missing from his huddle yesterday were Julian Edelman, Phillip Dorsett, Maurice Harris, N’Keal Harry, Demaryius Thomas, Stephen Anderson, Matt LaCosse and Cameron Meredith. The collection of receivers and tight ends was unable to participate in the final joint practice against the Titans for various reasons.
That meant, at the start of the final period against the Tennessee defense, Brady had Gunner Olszewski positioned out to his left, Dontrelle Inman to his right, and Braxton Berrios in the slot.
Sound like an imposing cast?
No matter. Brady still shredded the Titans secondary with that group, whether it was 11-on-11s, 7-on-7 red zone work, or whatever situation was posed. Name the drill, Brady & Co. owned it.
“He throws to the guy that’s open,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said when asked why the 42-year-old quarterback looked so good against his vaunted secondary.
Even Berrios, Inman and Olszewski were getting open against Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan and Adoree Jackson. So was Jakobi Meyers, who absolutely toasted Butler on one crossing route.
“I think those guys are working hard. I think training camp’s an interesting time with a lot of bodies and there’s a lot of guys in and out. Some years, you might have three guys set, or four guys set, and I think this year we haven’t really had that,” Brady said with respect to
the uncertainty of the receiver group.
“It’s good work for the quarterback, just to make a read and then make a throw, and whether we come up with it or not, at least we’re going to the right place and making a good, decisive play. So, there’s still a lot to be gained with guys moving in and out, and that’s just the way it’s been here.”
Berrios, for instance, has come a long way since the start of camp. He’s benefited from Edelman’s absence, getting more time with the top group. There was an interesting sequence in that final period where Berrios ran the wrong route, making a bad read and got an earful from Brady. The wideout then responded by drawing a hold on Ryan on one play, and following with a long reception.
“I think that’s the learning curve for a lot of players and being on the same page. Really, I think so much is (Braxton) expecting the ball to be a certain place and me expecting him to be a certain place,” Brady said, when asked about the teaching moment with Berrios. “I think the chemistry between a quarterback and receiver, a quarterback and a tight end, is so important because it’s all anticipation. If you’re waiting for things to happen in the NFL, you’re too late. You’ve got to just anticipate and expect them to be a certain way, and that’s the way they turn out.
“I have, obviously, a lot of experience, so I know where guys should be, so I’m trying to tell them, ‘If you want the ball, this is where you’ve got to be,’ which is hopefully good learning for those guys, and it’s good teaching for me,” Brady went on. “I always say the quarterback can’t do anything without the receivers, and the receiver can’t do anything without the quarterback, which makes it a really great relationship. That’s why we work hard at it, that’s why you spend the time with those guys and you put all of the work in.”
Right now, Berrios, Inman and Meyers are gaining some important building time with Brady, and their success over the past few days against a much better secondary than the one they faced last week in Detroit should foster some confidence. Rookie first-round pick Harry, out since the Lions game, is missing out on the vital Brady time, but he’ll get there.
“I think for the guys that are out there, they’re trying to get the work they need to do, and I think it was good, competitive work,” said Brady, who didn’t know if he would play in tomorrow’s second preseason game with the Titans. “You’re going against Malcolm, Logan, Adoreé — those are three really good corners. They’ve got two very good safeties, a good group of linebackers, a good scheme.”
Meyers is still having some trouble lining up in the right place, but when he does get there, he continues to run great routes and make plays for Brady or whichever quarterback he’s playing with. Berrios, meanwhile, knows he’s making strides. He didn’t mind having Brady scold him. The point is improving, getting on the same page.
“There’s a lot of moving pieces in football. You have to do a lot of it on the fly,” said Berrios. “Everybody has to be on the same page, because everybody’s connected. But this is what practice is for . . . learning. We go back every day, and watch the film and we learn different things. That was a learning moment so you don’t do it so much so on Sundays, we’ll get it right.”
Over the course of the two days, the offense did look better than one might expect given the absences. A lot of that was Brady, but credit also goes to the receivers.
And there’s more positive news. Isaiah Wynn is getting more reps at left tackle. It’s looking more likely he’ll be Brady’s blindside protector on opening night. He’s moving well and held up just fine in his line battles.
Beyond that, reinforcements might be on the way. Both Edelman and Thomas look like they’re coming along. Edelman (broken thumb) was actively catching footballs yesterday, while Thomas (torn Achilles) was impressive doing agility drills with his feet, along with sprints.
Ultimately, as long as Brady’s throwing the football, and someone gets open, the Patriots are in business.