There is a saying in life that goes all good things must come to an end. In sports that may be the case more often than in any other profession. Once it’s over it’s over. Father Time as they say is undefeated and the fat lady is warming up backstage. And for the New England Patriots and Tom Brady that time is now.
Embed from Getty ImagesDeclining Numbers.
Another saying that is often thrown around in the world of sports is that “Men lie, women lie, but numbers don’t.” Tom Brady and the Patriots offense have struggled against legit competition for the better part of a calendar year. Including last year’s Super Bowl they have scored 20 or more points just once against teams with winning records. Furthermore, Brady has only averaged 230.75 yards against teams .500 or better a far cry from the 272.4 he put up against push overs. Last but not least, Brady has thrown for one touchdown or less 7 times this season thru 13 games. Two more stinkers and he’d set a new career mark. Simply put Brady and the Pats are no longer putting fear in the NFL’s elite teams.
Embed from Getty ImagesExcuses A Plenty
Patriots fans will give you a million excuses as to why number 12 is not playing up to par. First, being Rob Gronkowski’s retirement. While he does leave a big hole it’s nothing Brady and company haven’t overcome before. Gronkowski over his last 6 seasons has missed 24 out of a possible 96 games the Patriots and Brady have won 74 of those 96 games including 6 division titles and 2 Super Bowls without him. The second biggest excuse is the receiving corps. Although, they are not a murderers’ row of talent they are better than a lot of what other teams have. Also a lot of the issues in the passing game lie not in their inability to get open but Brady’s inability to get the ball to them. He sits right now ranked 30th out 33 possible quarterbacks in completion percentage. Only Baker Mayfield, Andy Dalton and Josh Allen have been worse.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat To Do Next
The answer to what Brady should do next is simple. Retire. There is no reason for him to play another down once this season concludes. He has nothing left to prove and nothing more to give to the game that has made him an icon. No one wants to see him in another jersey if his contract is not renewed. Just like we didn’t want to see Montana in Kansas City or Jordan in D.C. Some things should be left alone and the image of Tom Brady in red, white, and blue is one of them.