Superbowl XLII should have been the greatest night in Tom Brady’s illustrious career, capping off a perfect record shattering season for Brady, Moss and Co. Instead it was Eli Manning and that catch which stole the show and provided one of sport’s golden moments.
From there, Tom Brady was to miss 2008 through injury and the Patriots would struggle, despite Cassel’s efforts. It was to be noted that Cassel did not struggle as this was a major discussion point in determining Brady’s class. Was it Brady or was it Brady’s protection that led him to three superbowls? I’m not sure we can answer that question but it did come up again at the start of 2009.
Brady was back from injury, and he started out well enough against the Bills without causing huge waves. 39 from 53 for 378 yards, 2 TDs and one interception. It seemed the Patriots were happy to have him back, but too happy. The Patriots, for all their flaws in 2008, had become more versatile. It showed too with great statistics but a single point win against the Bills was hardly spectacular.
Two road defeats and two more home wins later, and Brady’s Patriots were 3-2. The road form is already a worry. Two games and two defeats, with Brady’s combined statistics as 42 from 80 for 421 yards, 2 TDs and one interception. This almost matches his single game statistics for game one. It wasn’t great reading for Moss either, 5 receptions for 60 yards and nothing to show for it. This is surpassed by his 10 receptions for 141 yards in game one, but still no TD. Let’s hope that New England find some road form at Wembley Stadium before the season really gets going.
Randy Moss has been an enigma this season, it is almost as if Welker has stolen the limelight and he has lost that slight edge. After 5 games Moss had only one TD to his name.
It was confusing to some, as the team hadn’t changed all that much from the perfect Patriots of 2007 and with a home game coming up against the Titans it was the perfect stage to put things right.
The wind was up and there was snow in Foxborough, so conditions weren’t perfect for a big passing night. It didn’t matter however, for the man who once claimed (in jest) that he was better than Jesus was in fine form. 29 from 34 for 380 yards, 6 TDs, and no interceptions, including 5 TDs in the second quarter. It would have been perfect if Moss could get in on the act, and he did just that with 3 TDs from 8 receptions and 129 yards. Moss’ swagger appeared to be back and there was a great moment where Moss and Brady sat next to each other on the bench like two kings on their thrones. Brady may not have walked on water this week, but he did a good job walking on snow.
With the New England Patriots up against Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium in front of an excited 80,000 fans, there couldn’t be a better time for these two greats to find their form.
