The eternal debate was always: which guy is more responsible for the Pats' success: Belichick or Brady? Brady recently said that both guys were necessary - that Belichick can't do what Brady does (be an NFL QB), and Brady can't do what BB does. But now that they're apart, might we get a glimpse into which person was more valuable or important to the Pats' success?
Four possible scenarios:
1. The Patriots are good and the Bucs/Brady are good. Right now, the Bucs are widely considered to have a ton of talent while NE doesn't. Plus, NE has a virtual rookie at QB. I think most people think that the Bucs will be good. Tons of offensive talent around Brady and a good offensive coach. If he does well, does that speak of Brady, or of the talent around him? Or both? I mean, even with the talent, Brady will be 43 years of age. If BB and the Pats do well, then I think this speaks more to Belichick, making lemonade out of lemons (though I'm not as down as some others on NE's talent). If the Pats are good and the Bucs are good, I think it speaks more highly of Belichick than it does Brady. Slight edge: Belichick.
2. The Patriots are good and the Bucs/Brady are bad. This would clearly be a decisive win for Belichick. If the Pats are good, it means he's built a good team. If the Bucs and Brady are bad, it means that even with all that talent, Brady probably can't get it done anymore. Now his age is a factor here. And just because it might mean that he wouldn't be more important to his team's success *now*, that might not have been true when he was in his prime. But still, you'd have to say a NE-good, TB-bad scenario favors Belichick. Big edge: Belichick.
3. The Patriots are bad and the Bucs/Brady are good. These are actually the expected outcomes right now. It may not speak poorly of BB if the Pats struggle. Their QB is a second year guy with very little experience. He's *supposed* to not be that great. And it's a rebuilding year. But still, if the Pats are bad while Brady is good, this is going to be a point in Brady's favor. Edge: Brady.
4. The Patriots are bad and the Bucs/Brady are bad. The Bucs are supposed to be good. So if they're bad and Brady plays poorly, this reflects poorly on Brady. But the Pats not being good reflects somewhat on Belichick - "He can't win without Brady". But it is a rebuilding year. I'd say if both are bad, it's less of a statement about BB. Slight edge: Belichick.
Four possible scenarios:
1. The Patriots are good and the Bucs/Brady are good. Right now, the Bucs are widely considered to have a ton of talent while NE doesn't. Plus, NE has a virtual rookie at QB. I think most people think that the Bucs will be good. Tons of offensive talent around Brady and a good offensive coach. If he does well, does that speak of Brady, or of the talent around him? Or both? I mean, even with the talent, Brady will be 43 years of age. If BB and the Pats do well, then I think this speaks more to Belichick, making lemonade out of lemons (though I'm not as down as some others on NE's talent). If the Pats are good and the Bucs are good, I think it speaks more highly of Belichick than it does Brady. Slight edge: Belichick.
2. The Patriots are good and the Bucs/Brady are bad. This would clearly be a decisive win for Belichick. If the Pats are good, it means he's built a good team. If the Bucs and Brady are bad, it means that even with all that talent, Brady probably can't get it done anymore. Now his age is a factor here. And just because it might mean that he wouldn't be more important to his team's success *now*, that might not have been true when he was in his prime. But still, you'd have to say a NE-good, TB-bad scenario favors Belichick. Big edge: Belichick.
3. The Patriots are bad and the Bucs/Brady are good. These are actually the expected outcomes right now. It may not speak poorly of BB if the Pats struggle. Their QB is a second year guy with very little experience. He's *supposed* to not be that great. And it's a rebuilding year. But still, if the Pats are bad while Brady is good, this is going to be a point in Brady's favor. Edge: Brady.
4. The Patriots are bad and the Bucs/Brady are bad. The Bucs are supposed to be good. So if they're bad and Brady plays poorly, this reflects poorly on Brady. But the Pats not being good reflects somewhat on Belichick - "He can't win without Brady". But it is a rebuilding year. I'd say if both are bad, it's less of a statement about BB. Slight edge: Belichick.