The twist with Brady, though, is where he's found the most success as of late.
When the season began, we expected wide receiver Chad Ochocinco to have a Randy Moss-like season (circa 2007, of course). He’s been more like Javon Walker in 2007. Many of us also expected Deion Branch, the Super Bowl XXXIX Most Valuable Player, to be the secondary, yet still game-changing, receiver that he’s been in the past.
But lately, it’s been the basics that have worked best for the Pats’ offense – tight ends and the slot. Despite making some big moves over past several seasons (releasing, then reacquiring Branch; releasing countless running backs; acquiring, then releasing Moss; adding Ochocinco), New England’s most successful game plans remain based on its nuts and bolts.
Wes Welker, the undrafted wideout who spent stints in Miami and San Diego, has had some memorable seasons since being added as an essential weapon for Brady. While Welker is the kind of guy who can easily slip into a supporting role, he’s the sketchiest threat on the offensive side of the ball. His beauty isn’t the deep ball, so he’s easy to overlook, but his productivity is not debatable. It was on display last week in his two-touchdown, 200-plus-yard receiving showing in New England's last-second loss to the Buffalo Bills (3-0).
“Wes is a really smart player and understands our schemes and their schemes as far as defensively and what he’s seeing,” Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien told the media Tuesday. “He has played a lot of football.”
Second-year tight end Rob Gronkowski is also having a gem season for New England (2-1). After making a splash last year with 10 touchdown receptions, Gronk is causing a tsunami in 2011. He’s already caught five touchdown passes, and we can certainly expect more out of him, especially with fellow tight end Aaron Hernandez sidelined for a couple more weeks due to injury.
The Patriots have always thrived off of using their tight ends as key receivers, and with their stacked TE corps, it’s obvious that’s not changing anytime soon. Coming off back-to-back two-touchdown games, look for more defenses to key on Gronkowski, and expect them to continue to struggle with the 265-pound beast.
Guys like Welker and Gronkowski are clearly New England’s backbone. Brady will keep moving the ball around to a variety of players, but O'Brien and Brady will continue to take the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach.
Follow Sam @SammySportsGuys like Welker and Gronkowski are clearly New England’s backbone. Brady will keep moving the ball around to a variety of players, but O'Brien and Brady will continue to take the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach.
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