Brady’s immortality challenged in latest skid
New England Patriots quarterback still searching for familiar consistency
BOSTON If his 19th NFL season has been more taxing than any of the previous 18, Tom Brady isn’t willing to say so.
Even if his play on the field through the Patriots’ first 10 games this season might suggest otherwise.
Last season, at age 40, Brady became the oldest player in NFL history to earn regular-season MVP honours.
A year later, he finds himself in the throes of some his worst passing numbers in three seasons as the Patriots head into their bye week. What’s unclear is whether it’s an aberration or perhaps the first subtle signs of decline for the 41-year-old quarterback.
It’s not as if Brady is having a disastrous year. Despite coming off a humbling 34-10 loss to Tennessee, New England still enters its bye with a 7-3 record and is on its way to capturing its 10th straight AFC East title.
Brady is still completing 65 per cent of his passes and has 17 touchdowns. He’s done it despite having to break in new players in the receiving group, dealing with injuries at running back and seeing tight end Rob Gronkowski battle ankle and back injuries.
“We just haven’t had that, I would say, overall consistency and the ability to practise together,” Brady said. “That’s not an excuse .... A lot of teams deal with injuries and moving parts and bringing different people in. That’s just part of football. But we’re trying to adjust and adapt like everyone else. Some weeks it’s been better than others.”
Brady’s guarded posture has extended to inquiries about whether any of the hits he has taken this season have affected his performance.
Asked Wednesday about how he was feeling physically heading into the bye week, Brady smiled before saying, “Pretty good, pretty good.”
“Some bumps and bruises, but I think that’s part of football season and I feel pretty good,” he added.
There’s definitely been more hiccups than usual in the passing game for the Patriots.
In his first seven games this season, Brady had a passer rating of 100 or greater five times, while completing 67 per cent of his passes and throwing for 16 touchdowns. He did it despite being sacked nine times during those games and tossing seven interceptions.
He hasn’t thrown any picks over the Patriots’ last three games, but he’s been sacked seven additional times. He’s also thrown just one touchdown pass and seen his completion rate drop to 59 per cent with a passer rating of 85.1.
Brady is also being asked to do more outside of the pocket, serving as a blocker on trick plays and even catching a pass during the loss to the Titans. And because of injury issues at running back, Brady’s number has been called more often for quarterback sneaks.
“I think we’re certainly aware of that, but there’s certain things that I think you have to do sometimes to win the game,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said.