Tom Brady addresses the offense's struggles

After only two games this season, it really is difficult to take statistics seriously because of the small portion of games played. Things change quickly in the NFL; teams start off hot then cool down while other teams start awful and then turn things around. So the legitimacy of stats early in the season (especially after only two weeks) is what you choose to make out of it. That being said, the following statistics from the Boston Herald are shocking to say the least:

They (the Patriots) are tied for 25th in points (18 per game), 22nd in yards (331.5), 21st in passing yards (225.5) and 13th in rushing yards (113)

This is Tom Brady's offense we are talking about people. How on this Earth are they performing so poorly? At least statistically speaking... Most people (myself included) point at the lack of talent around Brady. With Rob Gronkowski, Danny Amendola, and Shane Vereen injured, the rookies and new guys have been lackluster to say the least. Even still, Brady will never point the finger at anybody but himself and the team as a whole (from the same article linked above):

"It’s overall execution of our whole offense," Brady told WEEI's Dennis & Callahan. "It’s not the receiver position. It’s every position, including the quarterback position. So it’s the quarterback position, the running backs, tight ends, receivers, we all have to be on the same page. And until we are, we’re going to struggle. I’m really glad we’ve won these last two games. I think our defense has done such a great job of limiting points and scoring opportunities for our team, getting us great field position. We just haven’t done much to take advantage of those things.
"We have to work harder at what our job is because, obviously, what we’re doing isn’t good enough at this point. How we’ve performed through two games as an offense is less than what the level of expectation is, and we need to find ways to improve it."

Rookie receivers Kenbrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson received high praise during training camp, but have yet to live up to expectations. Together they have caught only 9 of their 31 targets while the other rookie, TE Zach Sudfeld has also been MIA. Once again though, Brady took some of the slack:

"I’m not making all the right plays, either," Brady said. "It’s not like the rookie receivers are messing up all the time -- no, not at all. Look, I’ve been really able to count on those guys. They’ve done an incredible job. I think we’ve got to improve in all aspects of our offense, and that will hopefully remove some of the burden that is fallen on the receivers right now. We have a lot of veteran players that aren’t playing right now, too, that if they were playing, the burden would be spread around to different guys who have actually been able to, would shoulder a lot of that responsibility that’s now fallen on the younger players.
"And the younger players are doing a great job. They’re working really hard. Their attitude is great. It’s been fun to work with them. Hopefully it all pays off in November and December when if we can ever get to a point where we have a lot of our guys back and healthy and playing really well."

As Brady pointed out, the pressure really is amped up on the younger guys because of the veteran injuries. They are expected to play at a higher level because the Patriots demand excellence. After a rough two games, things will likely get better. Hopefully as the year goes on and some of the players return from injury, things will begin falling into place for Brady & Co.

Anthony Aidonidis
@aidonidis18
#BradyAndCo