Belichick may be putting target on Brady's back
The buzz about Patriots quarterback Tom Brady being at-risk in those New England blowouts is getting louder and you have to wonder whether Bill Belichick is putting a bull's-eye on the only irreplaceable player on the roster with these over-the-top scores and the play-calling.
The out-loud grumbling has been somewhat muted so far. We heard from Redskins linebacker Randall Godfrey, who called out Belichick for showing no class by continuing to throw late in the 52-7 game. Joe Gibbs, for the record, said he had no problems with what the Patriots did (like throwing on fourth down with the score, 38-0). But his sideline expression and his frosty post-game meeting with Belichick said otherwise.
And here's where this can get ugly. Let's face it, there is probably only one way to stop the Patriots. And that's if they don't have Brady. Now, the same could be said of the Colts and Peyton Manning. And Brett Favre and the Packers. And maybe most other winning teams. And no one would suggest that Manning or Favre, through their respective careers, has ever been especially targeted by the opposition.
But here's the difference. There is, around the league, an obvious level of respect for those quarterbacks and those organizations that certainly discourages the opposition from deliberately gunning for those star quarterbacks.
By all accounts and my limited first-hand experience, Brady is the same. Super good guy. Respected by the opposition and respectful of them as well. But unlike Manning and Favre, he's playing in game after game where the score is getting out of hand. He plays for a coach who is aggravating lots of people in the NFL fraternity. There's frustration building on the other side late in these games and Brady is the guy following the orders coming into his helmet.
In 1990, I saw the Eagles knock out SIX quarterbacks, including Troy Aikman (Dallas), Chris Miller (Atlanta), Steve Grogan (New England), Anthony Dilweg (Green Bay), Stan Humphries (Washington) and Jeff Rutledge (Washington). The last two in the same game -- the infamous "Body Bag Game." And they were hardly the only ones in the Philadelphia "Gang Green" era of Reggie White, Clyde Simmons, Jerome Brown, Seth Joyner, Andre Waters and the rest. Once, that defense turned a game with the Giants completely around by knocking out Phil Simms and terrorizing his backup. Their technique was often deceivingly simple. A defensive player would wrap up a quarterback, pin his arms to his sides and fall on the guy, driving a shoulder into the ground. Hello, Brian Mitchell (that's who wound up playing QB for the 'Skins that one day).
You don't see much of that stuff anymore. And that's a good thing. Life is plenty dangerous enough in the pocket -- just look at the list of quarterbacks already hurt this season. But with these New England beatdowns mounting, it just takes one guy on the other side who feels he's had enough.
Photo credit: John Makely/Sun
Comments
With the increase with strength, size, conditioning and speed of the NFL players. It a wonder you dont have more injuries, than you already have.
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That's the truth.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Captain Jack | October 30, 2007 12:28 PM
One more thought. Did you see the facial expressions on Brady after he was pulled? He was madder than heck, that he was not still in the game, even when they did remove him. I think Brady is trying to implant himself as the best all time around QB. Its a tuff call to say if Peyton or Brady is the best. Brady does have his three rings and Peyton finally has one. I dont believe either are done yet.
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Peyton has always had the numbers and Brady the rings but that's changing this season, isn't it.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Captain Jack | October 30, 2007 12:31 PM
It makes you wonder if that is Brady's point, though. Is he in it to beat Peyton Manning, is it a vendetta, perhaps? It's almost like a team trying to duplicate the success held by the Ravens defense over the past few years as a whole, it's a rarity. In light of your finishing thoughts though, I think that's a position the Patriots have put themselves into now, because it might be the only way to beat that team.
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Joe,
Thanks for writing. It's a very disconcerting thing to ponder. For the record, I hope the guy goes through the season healthy ... which is my wish for every player.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Joe | October 30, 2007 3:03 PM
Remember the bounty bowl? When Buddy Ryan put a $500 bounty on Aikman's head in 1989. It's just interesting to see some of the lengths that people will go to. Personally, now I wonder if his son will do that, hopefully not, but you never can tell with genetics.
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Joe,
Remember it? I covered it. Thanksgiving Day, 1989. It was kicker Luis Zendejas who allegedly had a $200 bounty placed on him. Opening kickoff, second half. Jessie Small clocked Luis. Luis wobbled to the Eagles sideline and yelled at Buddy. Later, Jimmy Johnson said that Aikman was included in the bounty business but it was Luis that was at the center of it all. Two weeks of controversy followed and then the Cowboys rolled into Philly where the Eagles fans were waiting for them with snowballs. Those were the days. I don't think Rex Ryan would ever condone anything like that.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Joe | October 30, 2007 3:43 PM
So your message is, "if you can't beat'em hurt em?" It is not above the Ravens to play dirty. Especially that thug Lewis. Anyone who goes after Brady is a dead man and they know it. Mental note for BB, beat the Raven's next month by 60.
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If that's the message you got, you got it wrong. The message was that by leaving Brady in these blowouts, it may increase his chances for injury in an already dangerous game. And the blowouts, by their nature, may breed ill will in an already dangerous game. As far as the Ravens are concerned, no one has accused them of dirty play. They take more penalties than they should but they have been of the type that simply hurts themselves.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Patriot Reign | October 30, 2007 10:13 PM
I surely hope there is no Bounties on anyone's head. Football is rough and hard enough to succeed without Bounties.. ( Can't we all just get along) ;-)
I think Tom Brady is talented and I think Belichick is a dirty but smart coach.. I don't care what happens this year no matter what they do will be tainted by there dishonesty . And no matter what Indianapolis Colts will always have their classy team with A classy Coach and a classy QB you know they are all just a great bunch of guys , so no matter what happens this Sunday no matter what happens this Season Colts are winners in my book and the Patriots have alot to learn from them that has nothing to do with Football .
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Suzy,
I think bounties are gone for good. Thanks for the thoughtful note.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Concerned Fan | October 30, 2007 10:49 PM
The patriots are about to get the payback they have coming to them for their unsportsmanlike play and camera gate. The only thing is that it won't come in the form of a cheap shot at Brady, the Colts have more class than that. The payback will be a sound win, in which I predict Jim Sorgi at the helm in the last two drives for the Colts, because even against classless jerks like Belichick, they have more style than to run up the score. Fearless prediction: Colts 38, Patriots 17
Posted by: Jeremy | October 31, 2007 11:39 AM
That would be the classy Colts QB who threw his OL under the bus and called his kicker an idiot (not to mention all the on-screen whining when something goes wrong)? Or the classy Colts coach who has let his name be used by a bigoted anti-gay organization and hasn't done anything to stop it? Or a classy team with perhaps the most repulsive GM in the business (Polian has never stopped complaining about anything, has at least once assaulted another team's employee, has rooted for players to get their legs broken, etc.).
You have a really odd definition of "classy", ConcernedFan.
Posted by: PatsFan | October 31, 2007 2:06 PM
While the likelihood it's going to come into play is slim, as long as the NFL uses points as a possible standings tiebreaker I think it's somewhat unfair to demean any team for scoring as much as they can. The "classiness" issue for me is a non-issue, fueled by those who are probably tired of dynasty-talk or irritated by spygate.
I agree with Bill O. that it's far more practical to view this through the prism of a risk/reward situation. Is the risk of injury to a starter worth the reward of gaining an advantage in an obscure tiebreak that is unlikely to come into play given the team's overall and division record, especially considering they still face both the Steelers and the Colts head-to-head (a higher priority tiebreaker) this season? As a coach, I'd say definitely not. And given your upcoming opponents any more game film to analyze of your starters than you have to also seems like a bad trade in that regard too.
Either way, let's hope for no injuries and just some incredible football the rest of the way. There's a good chance the Pats will either make history this season or the Colts will continue to add to their own, and I want a front row seat.
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I'll send that.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Jay Maduro | October 31, 2007 5:53 PM