I predict that whatever I predict will be wrong. I predict that Bill will continue to value defense and the trenches in his draft picks and free agency moves. I predict that the "balanced attack" will be the key to this team again next year. I predict that they will win 12 games in the regular season, and then whoever's hot and healthy will advance.
I predict that Bill will be able to instill "60 minutes = win" from day 1, continuing from this season. I predict a
decline in Brady's numbers, as he relies on the run as appropriate, and as will continue to be more appropriate little by little. I predict that his veteran intelligence and composure trump concerns about numbers - witness the SB. Big numbers by playing small ball. A thousand cuts.
I post-dict that we are, strategically on a multi-season level, on a glide slope away from Brady-reliance (while we are still reliant on him, let's face it, as long as he can not suck.)
But I man-love TFB as much as the next guy if not more, don't get me wrong. It was amazing to see a guy used to having lots of time in the pocket adjust into a 2.5-second passer. If O-line upgrades give him more time, we might see one more big stat season some time. But I don't think we spend big money or a high pick on the much-ballyhoed "downfield threat."
I like where we are now - it might feel like home to BB. ALWAYS be able to sustain a drive, NEVER give up on the outcome, SOMEBODY step up and make the special play. Situational football around the clock. Team mentality. Give up 3s, score 7s.
We've seen 14 years of great football because we've always resisted the "future is now" analysis. I expect us to continue to resist this whenever Brady's "window" begins to close in earnest. I don't think that will be next year
But I think we're building toward a world without Brady... whether the next guy is Grapes or somebody else. Defense. O-Line. D-Line. Preserve that secondary. Take what the D gives you with the receivers we've turned up, plus or minus a middle-class face in the crowd.
As I said, I predict that everything I have predicted is wrong. That's usually what happens when I try to get inside the head of the BB brain trust. Hey, if they can fool 31 other professional teams, why shouldn't they be able to fool me?