Is Tom Brady Getting Better?
October 19th, 2021
Wild stats.
The question in the headline you have probably read before. Perhaps several times this year.
That’s how good 44-year old Tom Brady is playing this season.
On Friday, Joe wrote all about how Brady snapped a personal record against the Eagles some 20 years after he first stepped on an NFL field. First the first time, Brady completed 80 percent or more of his passes while attempting 40 or more throws in a game.
And Brady did this on the dreaded road game with three days’ rest since it was a Thursday night.
Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com points out that Brady’s new mark is rare. Lamar Jackson of the Crows is the only other quarterback to hit the 40-plus completions and the 80 percent completion rate this season. And only Jeff Garcia back in 2007 had ever done it for the Bucs.
Additionally, Smith points out Brady was lethal last week when throwing between the hashmarks.
Brady was surgical yet productive, completing 18 of 19 for 158 yards and a touchdown.
Now Joe has no idea if the Eagles defense contributed to this or not. It was likely a factor, but to what degree? Bucco Bruce Arians told WFLA-TV that Philadelphia was covering the deep ball all night and conceding short throws.
And just think, Brady’s long-time favorite toy, foot-rubbing, car-littering film guru Rob Gronkowski is due back soon, maybe as soon as Sunday.
So Joe thinks it is fair to ask, is Brady better at 44?
October 19th, 2021 at 10:48 am
Getter better? Joe fix this!
October 19th, 2021 at 10:49 am
The knee cleanup/surgery/coverup (according to conspiracy-buff Mike Flores) was a godsend for Brady. He’s more mobile, bouncier, and more elusive in the pocket than previous years.
October 19th, 2021 at 10:50 am
Is Tom Brady Getter Better?
Better getter spell check or some sleep, lol. Nothing but love for you Joe.
Brady is so good at his age it’s crazy that we think it’s normal for him, we are amazed at not being amazed anymore.
October 19th, 2021 at 11:06 am
I think what separates Brady (and a very few others) from the pack at QB is his amazingly quick (2 seconds) ability to read defenses as the play starts. That ability to choose the optimum target takes ability to throw the ball (lots of folks have that) plus this quick analytic ability. This latter skill comes from experience – and nobody has that (winning) experience like our GOAT. That’s why is stays great – or even better. IMO.
October 19th, 2021 at 11:28 am
It really demoralizes a pass rush when you get there and the ball is already out of his hands. Brady is a straight up assassin on the football field!
October 19th, 2021 at 11:29 am
I really doný know, I ever seen a Pats game…Hate them with all my heart…..But I like TB12 now, and I can say he is the best….by far…….Next one is Rodgers….
October 19th, 2021 at 11:32 am
We learned last year that QB longevity is about:
1) Keeping your legs in shape
2) Not taking big hits
If he stays healthy, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Brady play 1-2 more years and be the only QB with 90,000 Yards and 700 TDs.
October 19th, 2021 at 11:33 am
Brady said its easier than a Qb than ever. Then we had a official that single handling push a player off of Brady in the middle of the play. I’m glad we are right side of that
October 19th, 2021 at 11:39 am
Yes, I think so because he has more weapons now, so he can learn how to roll out too. His brain looks like a computer such as a chess grand master who can calculate hundreds of plays within minutes.
October 19th, 2021 at 11:40 am
It surly doesn’t hurt that Brady is throwing to Evans, Godwin, Brown, Miller, Johnson, Gronk, Brate, OJ and his line is pretty decent at pass blocking…
October 19th, 2021 at 11:51 am
Some of the credit for TB12’s resurrection, has to be the results of all the advice he’s been given, down here in the peanut gallery.
October 19th, 2021 at 2:45 pm
Brady’s biggest asset and key to his amazing career is that he is NOT a gifted, natural athlete. Hear me out….
His lack of being “athletic” caused him to have to fight for playing time at Michigan and work.harder to prove himself. His poor performance at the combine caused his draft stick to fall, causing that chip on his shoulder to grow into a cinder lock.
We’ve all seen so many “gifted athletes” at QB have very short shelf lives. Whether it be injury do to their style of play (lots of runs = lots of hits) or they believe their own hype and just don’t work on their craft. If you watched the “gifted” Cam Newton last year, his mechanics were atrocious and his accuracy (or lack of) showed it. Did the QB coach try to work with him on his mechanics? If so, did he listen or just do a “Superman” pose and say “I’m Cam Newton”?
TB12 has been in this league 20+ years, has accomplished more than anyone at his position yet he STILL works relentlessly on his throwing mechanics and footwork. Why? Because that’s where it all begins for a QB to succeed. Even without being a “natural stud athlete” he’s proven that you don’t have to be if you want to.win badly enough to put in the work.
You can have your RGIIIs, Vicks, Cams, etc. Curious to see the longevity and Super Bowl successes of the current batch of “gifted athletic quarterbacks”. History hasn’t been to kind to them.
October 19th, 2021 at 5:58 pm
@Browsing – all good points. The question is at what point Brady’s fire was started. I tend to believe that the chip on the shoulder and his motivation go to his high school days. He had a very tough time at school and even went to therapy for help. At that point the desire, drive and legend was born. He could have been the best athlete at the combine and he would have still made it. He was in the conversation of the GOAT since 2007, and he still have not slowed down. He is on a mission. The mission stated long before he was drafted in the sixth round.
October 21st, 2021 at 12:49 pm
No. He’s not getting better.. staying the same is the goal .. um.. that’s pretty good.. lol