If you want to just look at the Patriots era, the biggest game they played without Brady was the 2001 AFC title game. Brady got hurt and Bledsoe had to play most of the game. And even without Tom Brady, the team managed to defeat that 13-3 Steeler team on the road.So that's evidence that Belichick gets the credit.
No, it isn't. The Patriots won that game because of two special teams touchdowns.
One of which was a Troy Brown punt return for a TD. The other was a blocked field goal that Troy Brown recovered and lateraled. Brown also had 8 catches for 121 yards in that game - out of 217 passing yards by Brady/Bledsoe combined. He followed up with 6 catches for 89 yards in that Superbowl, including a 23 yard reception to cross midfield during the game-winning field goal drive at the end of the game. This after recording 101 catches in the regular season that year, and leading the league in punt return average.You could make a very good argument that Troy Brown was the Patriots MVP in 2001.
And what about Venitieri for other games? That kind of proves that other players (Not just Brady) are critical to the success of the team and BB and Pioli have a ton to say about that. If I am starting my team for all available coaches/players/GM's, my first choice is BB and Brady would not be in my top 5. I conclude BB is more valuable
Brady would be 1.1 for me in a new draft of players. Brady has consistently made the Patriots a Superbowl caliber offense with little but spare parts at WR, RB, and offensive linemen. We've seen how good David Patten, David Givens, Deion Branch, Jabar Gaffney, and Reche Caldwell were on other teams. Troy Brown is the only constant here, and he played more on defense and special teams than offense during Brady's best statistical seasons. In the three Superbowl seasons, the Patriots have had 10 different offensive line starters. One was an undrafted free agent, and four more were free agents who had been released by other teams. Right guard Stephen Neal was a pro wrestler before he came to the Patriots. He was then cut, signed with the Eagles, cut by them, and eventually signed back with the Patriots. Logan Mankins is the only first rounder ever on an offensive line protecting Tom Brady. He did not play on any of the first three Superbowl teams. Right tackle has been no better. Remember Greg Robinson-Randall, their starting right tackle in 2001? He then got traded for a fifth round pick, and never played again. Brandon Gorin was a 7th round pick of the Chargers, got cut before ever playing a down, and went on to start in the Superbowl. Tom Ashworth was an undrafted free agent of the 49ers. He was cut by San Francisco, signed by the Patriots, cut, then re-signed and anchored another Superbowl line. Ryan O'Callaghan, Wesley Britt and Nick Kaczur have all held that position since. None of these guys are world beaters. The left side of the line has been better over the years with Matt Light at left tackle. Unfortunately, Light got hurt for most of last season and was replaced by their backup right tackle. Brady went on to have his best statistical season ever. Antowain Smith was the starting running back in the 2001 Superbowl season. He had 1157 yards, the best output of his career, and more than his previous two years with Buffalo combined. In 2003, he was the starting running back and led the Patriots with 642 yards. They went to their second Superbowl. Some say that tight end was the key to the Patriots offenses. In 2001, only two tight ends caught passes for the Patriots - Rod Rutledge (5 rec, 32 yards) and Jermaine Wiggins (14 rec, 133 yards). In 2002, Daniel Graham and Christian Fauria combined for 403 yards. In 2003, they combined for 694 yards. In 2004, Graham, Fauria, Watson and Jed Weaver combined for 668 yards. By comparison, in 2004, Tony Gonzalez had 1258 yards on his own. I don't see how you could take anyone else #1. You could take Brady, spend your next 11 picks on defense, and still have a top offense each year.
