Tom Brady: 10 Reasons He and Patriots Will Do Better Without Randy Moss
Following the trade of Randy Moss, all of Patriots nation was wondering how the offense would fare.
Without a deep threat, would Wes Welker be as effective out of the slot? Could the rookie tight ends really step in and be difference makers? Would a new receiving threat emerge?
It's only been one game, but many of those questions have already been answered. Against one of the league's premier pass defenses, Brady threw for a season-high 292 yards while spreading the ball to six different receivers.
With New England not skipping a beat after adding Deion Branch, the Patriots offense more closely resembles those of their Super Bowl-winning teams of the early 2000s.
But are the Pats really better without one of the game's premier playmakers?
10. Moss Took Plays Off
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For years, people have known Moss takes plays off. If you call for a run play, he doesn't block, and if he's going across the middle, he will often half-ass it. His play even inspired Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis to call him a "slouch."
Of course, by taking so many plays off Moss would often lull his defenders to sleep and set up the deep ball, where he is extremely dangerous, but that's not the point.
Moss runs hard on only around 40 percent of the offense's plays, which makes it difficult to have a consistent passing attack. As great a weapon as Moss is, Brady is an accurate passer that requires more willing receivers.
9. Better Intermediate Game
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With Moss gone it would seem that the Patriots' only deep threat is Brandon Tate—a second-year receiver out of North Carolina with only 11 career receptions.
While the Pats may not have the best deep threats, their intermediate game is much improved. Welker, Branch and Julian Edelman provide sound route runners with the ability to cut on a dime.
Rob Gronkowski provides a massive goal line target to supplant Moss, and Aaron Hernandez is a unique playmaker who has already showed his big play ability.
Moss is gone, and the offense looks different. But different isn't always a bad thing.
8. Team Chemistry
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Who knows whether or not these stories about Moss and Brady fighting about hair is true, but there was certainly turmoil in the clubhouse.
Brady had cashed in on a massive contract extension, and Moss believed he deserved to be taken care of as well. Moss publicly stated that he "did not feel wanted" and would later request a trade following a game against Miami where he was held without a reception.
Obviously no team wants to lose a talent like Randy Moss, and the Patriots would have received draft pick compensation after the season if Moss left via free agency. However, Bill Belichick and the Pats front office felt that the team would be better without Moss as a distraction.
One game in, it looks like the right decision.
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7. Quicker Reads
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With Moss on the field, Brady would often take seven-step drops so Moss had the time to work his way downfield.
Sunday against Baltimore, the Pats offense looked like the West Coast offense applied by Bill Walsh with Brady doing his best Joe Montana impression. Brady made quick decisions, and the offense flourished against an elite defense.
This new offensive philosophy will cut down on sacks and take pressure off an offensive line that has regressed without guard Logan Mankins.
6. Greater Emphasis on Run Game
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When the Patriots went 18-1 in 2007, the Patriots had no semblance of a running game. Instead of rushing the ball, they would utilize screens, dumps to the back and short slant routes. However, this is no way to win a title.
The Patriots from earlier in the decade supported their aerial attack with thousand-yard backs Corey Dillon and Antowain Smith. In their first game in the post-Moss era, New England ran for 127 yards—including 63 from Jets castoff Danny Woodhead.
The Patriots will be a better team with a well-rounded offense, and we can thank Randy Moss for that.
5. Ball Control Offense
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New England's defense has been atrocious this year. The young defensive backs have had trouble all season, and the front seven hasn't applied enough pressure to compensate for the secondary's poor coverage.
Perhaps if the defense gets to sit more, they'll be well rested and productive. The Patriots were more of an all or nothing offense with Moss in the lineup.
Now by spreading the field and mixing in the ground game, the Pats should be able to milk the clock. Think fewer six-play drives and more 10-play drives that eat up six or seven minutes.
The offense will score fewer points without Moss. That I don't doubt. But Brady will complete a higher percentage of his passes, and New England will be a better team.
4. Forces More Creative Play Calling
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When Bill Belichick has to, he can be one of the most creative play callers in the game. Unfortunately, with Randy Moss in the lineup, Belichick wasn't forced to dial up the trickery (with the exception of one amazing flea flicker).
In their first game without Moss, Belichick called reverses to wide receiver Brandon Tate and tight end Aaron Hernandez, which each went for 18 yards or more. Belichick was also creative in finding ways to create space for Hernandez, who at 20 years old already looks like a seasoned pro (those two drops excluded).
The thing I keep coming back to is how much the Moss-less Pats resemble the championship teams. They were underdogs who had to outwork their opponents while beating them in the mental aspect of the game. If Sunday's game was any indication, we could be in line for some creative trickeration.
3. Greater Opportunity for Hernandez
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With Moss gone, somebody has to step up as the go-to receiver. Whenever a play broke down in the past, the 6'4" Moss was the ideal target. Now that Moss has taken his talents back to Minnesota, that void needs to be filled.
Enter Aaron Hernandez. The 6'1" tight end from Florida slipped to the fourth round after reports that he had failed multiple drug tests for marijuana. Now it's GMs who passed on him that look like they've been smoking.
Hernandez has elite speed for a tight end, and at 6'1", 245, he provides a unique target. He's too fast for linebackers and too big for corners, almost like an Antonio Gates doppelganger.
Through five games the rookie has 301 yards, but in the words of ol' blue eyes, the best is yet to come.
2. Moss Was on the Decline
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Let's be honest—this is not the same Randy Moss. In four games with the Pats this season the future Hall of Fame receiver had nine catches and four drops! Hell, Deion Branch had nine catches in his first game.
Some of Moss' drop-off can be attributed to his discontent regarding a new contract, but he's not quite the same receiver. At 33 years old, Moss has seen his best years pass him.
That's not to say he's not an elite receiver—just that I would not want to be paying him $9 million when he's 36.
As much as I hated to see Randy go, I have to admit that the trade was the right decision for both teams.
1. Branch Is Better Fit for Offense
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It's like the saying goes: Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Four years ago when Deion Branch was traded, I was ecstatic. Not that I wanted to see Branch go, but getting a first-round pick for a second-tier receiver seemed too good to pass up.
The deal looked even better when the Pats used Seattle's pick on Brandon Meriweather, who made the Pro Bowl last season.
Years later Branch is back, and his chemistry with Brady is stronger than ever. Branch looked sharp on his cuts and looked phenomenal on his touchdown catch from Brady. The play broke down, and Brady tried to buy time in the pocket. In the meantime, Branch faked the safety and ran to the vacated corner of the end zone for an easy six points.
Ironically, Branch's nine receptions are the most since his days as a Patriot (eight catches were tops in Branch's four years in Seattle). Some may have wondered if the 31-year-old Branch still had any gas in the tank after his unproductive time in Seattle. Reunited with Brady, Branch looks as good as ever.
For that matter, so do the Pats' Super Bowl chances.
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