It was notable that after last Sunday’s letdown at Lucas Oil Stadium, Brady mentioned four times in his postgame news conference variations of “Hopefully, we’ll get back to another Super Bowl.’’
There should be a sense of urgency about making sure Brady gets another shot. Like any successful organization, the Patriots have taken the long-term view and remained consistent to their values. But it’s time to go all in, borrowing a phrase from the Giants. We’ve reached the point where maximizing Brady’s remaining prime years trumps any business model, value system, or organizational ethos.
That means no more hand-me-down secondaries, no more ignoring the need for a premiere pass rusher that other teams have to game-plan for, no more pretending that the deep threat is a luxury, no more rolling over first-round picks like they’re certificates of deposit.
The Patriots don’t have to spend like profligate shopaholics, but they do have to extend themselves. If that means retaining Wes Welker and overpaying for Brandon Lloyd, or making Detroit defensive end Cliff Avril a monster offer, or, gulp, moving up in the draft by packaging the 27th and 31st picks, so be it.
This is a golden era of football in Foxborough, but Brady isn’t an alchemist. He needs more help.
Perhaps, Brian Hoyer is the next Steve Young or Aaron Rodgers, but if he’s not, then not taking full advantage of Brady’s window will prove more costly than any bad contract or failed draft pick.
All the Patriots have to do is look in their own division to see what life can be like after the departure of a Hall of Fame QB. Dan Marino last played in 1999, and the mantle of Miami Dolphins franchise quarterback has remained in abeyance ever since. Jim Kelly retired following the 1996 season, and the Bills have made the playoffs twice since then, not at all this century.
