OT: What would have happened if Bledsoe never got hurt?

[Maple Leafs]

Week two of the 2001 football season - Pats QB Drew Bledsoe is obliterated by a Jets LB and suffers serious injuries, including internal bleeding. With the Pats already 0-2, coach Bill Belichick inserts unknown backup Tom Brady into the lineup, and the rest is history. The Pats win the championship that year, again two years later, and will go for a third title this week.

So today's topic for discussion: What would have happened if Bledsoe had never been hurt on that play?

[stevew]

Actually, a moot point, but the superbowl is Next week.

[Warhammer]

Every one would be talking about the Rams dynasty, and whether or not they could keep it going another year.

The Rams psyche has not recovered from that SB loss.

[Passacaglia]

My eNFL Bills would really blow.

[kcchief19]

Bledsoe would have had to go at some point. He didn't fit the system that the Patriots were building. He is a pocket, vertical passer.

Brady only got a chance through injury. No one thought he was a franchise QB coming out of Michigan and everyone thought Patriots were done when Bledsoe went down. There is no comparison with Roethlisberger -- Ben was a can't-miss first-round draft choice. Brady was an afterthought who everybody thought had too weak of an arm for the NFL.

If Bledsoe had lasted the season, I have no doubt that the Patriots would have gotten a new QB through a trade, FA or the draft. Even if Brady did get a shot later, I tend to think it was a right place, right time phenomenon.

Interesting discussion topic. I don't think the Patriots success is because of Brady, but I'm not sure it would have started without him. Brady is not a guy who will carry an offense. But he came and gave the team a jolt and they had to play as a team to win. That team concept is what makes the Pats successful. Aside from a couple of fine players, they are really a collection of parts that work well together. Bledsoe was too much of a star for the system.

[Maple Leafs]

Here's a fascinating article from December 2001:
http://slate.msn.com/id/2059381

Excerpt:
The Bledsoe-Brady controversy is a perfect example of how the introduction of a salary cap has turned NFL conventional wisdom on its head. Indeed, the irony of the situation is that all the Boston talk-radio cranks convinced that Brady is a better quarterback are almost certainly wrong. Sure, the guy has fine mechanics and uncanny poise in the pocket. But despite his torrid start, four teams with solid pass defenses—Buffalo, Denver, Miami, and St. Louis—contained him handily. Brady's rolled up his biggest numbers against the Colts, whose pass defense would have trouble keeping some 1-AA college teams out of the end zone.

Bledsoe, on the other hand, has about as good a stat sheet as you can compile in nine years of professional play. He made the Pro Bowl in his third year and led the Patriots all the way to the Super Bowl in his fourth. In 1995, he became the youngest player ever to throw for 10,000 yards; his current career stats include 136 touchdowns and nearly 30,000 yards. And he's done all this despite an ever-changing roster of coaches that would make George Steinbrenner blush. Belichick is Bledsoe's third head coach; the Pats' current offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis, is his fourth.

So if this were simply about which quarterback has more talent, you'd be a fool to choose Brady. But think about what Bledsoe could fetch if the Patriots, a team with gaping holes all over the place, traded him. In April, the Atlanta Falcons gave up a first-round draft pick and a solid wide receiver-kick returner for Michael Vick. Bledsoe would probably claim an even higher bounty: Paul Zimmerman, Sports Illustrated football Svengali, recently suggested Bledsoe would probably fetch a starter plus two first-round draft picks.

[Passacaglia]

For me, all of Brady's success makes me think more about what would have happened if Drew Henson never went to Michigan.

[Tekneek]

Brady was lucky to still be there. He was a 4th QB the first year, which is rare anyway. He persevered and got his chance.

[rkmsuf]

They already had a sense that Brady was the guy of the future. He was #2 on the depth chart by then. I'm guessing he would have beat out Bledsoe the following year in training camp anyway. Bledsoe was that bad even if half the fans couldn't see it.

[Desnudo]

It says something about a low-round guy if he can work up from #4 to #2 in his first year. I think Brady would always have been successful somewhere in the NFL. There's no way the Patriots would have won the SB with a shell-shocked Bledsoe though.

[Maple Leafs]

Maybe a more interesting debate would be: "What would have happened if Belichick had given Bledsoe the job back when he was healthy, instead of publicly announcing that Brady was his guy"?

[rkmsuf]

Losses, sacks and interceptions.

[QuikSand]

Bledsoe would have had to go at some point. He didn't fit the system that the Patriots were building. He is a pocket, vertical passer.

Brady only got a chance through injury. No one thought he was a franchise QB coming out of Michigan and everyone thought Patriots were done when Bledsoe went down. There is no comparison with Roethlisberger -- Ben was a can't-miss first-round draft choice. Brady was an afterthought who everybody thought had too weak of an arm for the NFL.

If Bledsoe had lasted the season, I have no doubt that the Patriots would have gotten a new QB through a trade, FA or the draft. Even if Brady did get a shot later, I tend to think it was a right place, right time phenomenon.

Interesting discussion topic. I don't think the Patriots success is because of Brady, but I'm not sure it would have started without him. Brady is not a guy who will carry an offense. But he came and gave the team a jolt and they had to play as a team to win. That team concept is what makes the Pats successful. Aside from a couple of fine players, they are really a collection of parts that work well together. Bledsoe was too much of a star for the system.


My response was too close to this to merit its own typing out.

[Maple Leafs]

Was there any more awkward moment in recent sports history than the start of the OT against the Raiders (in the 'tuck' game) when Bledsoe had to go out to call the coin toss?

You could hear an entire nation going "Oh yeah, I remember him..."

[Franklinnoble]

I think the system would have suited Bledsoe fine, and the Pats could have won as well with him. Didn't Bledsoe win the AFC title game for them that year?

[rkmsuf]

Nothing could be farther from the truth talent wise. Brady was and is the much more skilled player compared to Bledsoe. Star for the system is way off. His worth was all skill based.

There are numerous accounts that Brady would have been put in anyway. Maybe that's all redboarding but anyone who says that the Pats success isn't because of Brady is nuts.

Yes they are a collection of team guys but listen to the Brady and watch Brady. He is the glue. I believe his skill gets sold way short.

[rkmsuf]

I think the system would have suited Bledsoe fine, and the Pats could have won as well with him. Didn't Bledsoe win the AFC title game for them that year?

Barely. He threw 2 good passes and the rest was junk. I'll never forget the hook shot over his shoulder while looking at the opposite endzone.

[MylesKnight]

Bledsoe is still the starting QB.. Brady is dealt to Arizona and lasts a couple of seasons before ending up with the Albany, NY Arena League 2 Franchise. ;)

[Desnudo]

I think the system would have suited Bledsoe fine, and the Pats could have won as well with him. Didn't Bledsoe win the AFC title game for them that year?

He threw a great rainbow TD pass, I think on his first throw. Other than that, he was ineffective. I think Bledoes is a good guy, but he always presented the risk of making 2-3 game breaking mental errors each game. Never mind the pressure he puts on an offensive line. Since the Pats had to play a near perfect game to beat the Rams that year, I don't think they could have done it with Bledsoe at the helm.

[rkmsuf]

Anyone who thinks the Pats would have been just as successful with Bledsoe should be ashamed to call themselves a football fan.

[Franklinnoble]

Anyone who thinks the Pats would have been just as successful with Bledsoe should be ashamed to call themselves a football fan.

I'm a Redskins fan. Shame comes with the territory.

[Desnudo]

I think the Redskins might suprise a few people next year.

[Cap Ologist]

This thread definitely wouldn't have happened.

[Danny]

For whatever reason I have always liked Bledsoe. I don't think any of the answers cover my answer. I was thinking the Pats might still win that first superbowl, but that's it.

[Desnudo]

This thread definitely wouldn't have happened.

Taking it a step further, your thought on this thread not happening never would have popped into your head.

[Ramzavail]

That Jets LB was named Mo Lewis, thank you.

[jeff061]

The coaches knew they had something in Brady, otherwise they would of put Bledsoe back in when he was healthy.

No way they win their first Super Bowl. As has been said Bledsoe makes to many mistakes, and they were supreme underdogs all the way through the playoffs and the superbowl. Bledsoe would be missing those key third down passes time and time again when brady is hitting them.

People seem to forget Bledsoe's last 2 years in New England just were not that good. He'd need 3 seconds to pas the ball, refused to look at anyone less than 10 yards downfield, to many times botched throws at a wide open guy, and made tons of bad rushed decisions. Christ people were calling for Michael Bishop to start over him before the season even started.

If Bledsoe didn't get traded he would of fought it out with Brady during the preseason the next year, only as a show to the public, Belicheck had already picked his man in Brady. In the long run I think Brady's work ethic(which he was rewarded for as #1 on the team his first and second year while sitting on the bench), rubbed off on everyone on the offensive side of the ball. He got to where he is doing that, and other players see it and follow it.

[NoMyths]

My response was too close to this to merit its own typing out.Of course, some people just say "word", Quik. ;)

[Balldog]

I don't think they could win with Bledsoe. Too many turnovers.

[Vince]

Having watched nearly every Bills game this season, I often wonder where the QB named Bledsoe that was so good went to, because this version is simply not a good Quarterback anymore.

[SirFozzie]

we'd be going 6-10 every year. Brady would have just got his chance this year, and Everybody would be whining how we need a franchise QB in the draft.

Seriously. Drew Bledsoe was the anti-Bellicheck system QB.

[Desnudo]

Having watched nearly every Bills game this season, I often wonder where the QB named Bledsoe that was so good went to, because this version is simply not a good Quarterback anymore.

He disappeared after being sacked a zillion times in the late 90s.

[Izulde]

An important thing to remember about Bledsoe is that they kept changing offensive systems on him like every year or every other year practically.

So he never had the chance to get settled and comfortable in one system long enough to develop into the best quarterback he could be because he was always having to learn all these different systems so often and that really impacted his ability to develop well.

Had the Patriots maintained a consistent system, there'd be no doubt that Bledsoe would be almost universally regarded as a better quarterback.

I'd take Bledsoe over Brady any day myself. Brady is highly overrated and only happens to do as well as he does because of Belicheck's system being the perfect fit for him and vice versa. Put him somewhere else in somebody's else system and he becomes mediocre at best.

[jeff061]

But then you look at what he did in two Super bowls, drives against the rams and the whole second half against Carolina. He does not have bad games when the pressure is on, unlike a lot of other "stars". I'll take that over someone who can bring you to the playoffs by themselves, then bring you out of it by themselves. .

[Warhammer]

But then you look at what he did in two Super bowls, drives against the rams and the whole second half against Carolina. He does not have bad games when the pressure is on, unlike a lot of other "stars". I'll take that over someone who can bring you to the playoffs by themselves, then bring you out of it by themselves. .

The Rams kept the Pats in check all day long. They scored 17 of their 20 points on turnovers. The only 3 they didn't was due to the FG by Vinateri at the end. At the end of that game, the Rams went into a prevent, and allowed the Pats to march downfield!

[gstelmack]

I voted for the first option, but then I cheated and read "Patriot Reign" ;-)

[korme]

What if Sanders didn't retire early.

What if McNabb was drafted by the Browns.

What if Randy Moss' dad didn't doink his mom.

WHAT IF! BLAH!

[ISiddiqui]

I think the Pats win a few championships with Bledsoe at the helm. Remember this was the guy who let the Pats to the Superbowl in late 90s (where the Pack beat them). He has suffered from changes in the offensive system and rapidly changing personnel. He did have a wonderful year his first year in Buffalo as well.

[gstelmack]

I think the Pats win a few championships with Bledsoe at the helm. Remember this was the guy who let the Pats to the Superbowl in late 90s (where the Pack beat them). He has suffered from changes in the offensive system and rapidly changing personnel. He did have a wonderful year his first year in Buffalo as well.
Pats' coaches weren't happy with his performance at the start of 2001. Remember the team was 0-2 with him at the helm. Brady took over and they started winning.

Also, he had a wonderful START to his first year in Buffalo. The offense really sputtered down the stretch and hasn't regained the form it started with.

Bledsoe was a great QB in the '90s, but his inability (lack of desire?) to move in the pocket led him to take a lot of sacks and make some really poor decisions with the football. He wasn't worth the contract he was making in 2001. He's a solid starter but is past his prime. Like most Patriots fans (I think), I am very grateful for his help in bringing the franchise to respectability, and for not letting his benching become a public distraction to the team during the first Super Bowl run. But he was not worth the $10+ million a year he was making then, and the team was ready for a change. Brady is a much better Belichik QB than Bledsoe.

[jeff061]

Yeah, I think anyone who actually watches Bledsoe on a weekly basis can't possibly think he is capable of getting to the Super Bowl. '96 was a special gun slinging year, he hasn't been like that since.

[rkmsuf]

Completely laughable anyone would say the Pats would have won a sb with Bledsoe or that the Pats would be just as good.

Silly people, silly. You folks need to follow a new sport.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

I think they would have one 1 SB with Bledsoe. Anymore than that though.....

[rkmsuf]

How could you even possibly think that?

[FrogMan]

What if Sanders didn't retire early.

What if McNabb was drafted by the Browns.

What if Randy Moss' dad didn't doink his mom.

WHAT IF! BLAH!

What if the Bengals never drafted Ki-Jana Carter?


:D

FM

[Alan T]

At the time Bledsoe was the starting quarterback, alot of people in the Boston area thought that he should have been replaced by the then #2 Quarterback Michael Bishop. It was not due to Bishop being anything great, everyone was pretty done with Bledsoe being there. I don't recall if the Pats let Bishop go the offseason they got Brady or the season after that however, but I remember a strong number of Pats "Fans" would constantly be calling radio stations or writing in to papers saying that Bishop should be starter.

I am pretty sure Bishop was still on the team the year Brady became the #2 QB, because there were alot of people who were playing the Race card, saying how Boston never changes and a Black star such as Bishop was going to become, would never get a chance in Boston. The coaching staff was very high on Brady though from the training camps and jumped him to #2 straight out of camp, long before Bledsoe ever got hurt. This is perhaps the most interesting part of this whole story, that evidentally the coaching staff saw something special in him even before he got his "chance".


ps.. (I believe the QB that people played the race card with at the time was Michael Bishop, I think it was him still on the team that year. he eventually faded away however as Brady quieted the critics after only a few weeks.)

[rkmsuf]

Damon Huard was the other guy in 2001.

I believe the season before Belichick had determined Bishop couldn't play in the league and I think by then he was in Green Bay.

Prior to that in 1999 and 2000 many folks called for Bishop to play but only because Bledsoe sucked. There were those morons who thought the man was keeping the kid down even though he had zero talent.

[jeff061]

Bishop tore it up in preseason a couple times. That coupled with Bledoe's crappiness had people calling for him.

[Yossarian]

Michael Bishop == Dameyune Craig - almost exactly the same situation, fans want him, athletic qb, exciting during preseason.

DC's now a coach at his high school.

[FrogMan]

Bishop was on the roster for the Toronto Argonauts last season. He was even the starter at some point, I think, due to injuries to their main guy...

FM

[Maple Leafs]

Bishop was on the roster for the Toronto Argonauts last season. He was even the starter at some point, I think, due to injuries to their main guy...
Yep... he was starting when Damon Allen (veteran CFL star, brother of Marcus) was hurt. He struggled at first but then played fairly well, keeping the Argos in it until Allen came back and led them to a title.

[FrogMan]

Yep... he was starting when Damon Allen (veteran CFL star, brother of Marcus) was hurt. He struggled at first but then played fairly well, keeping the Argos in it until Allen came back and led them to a title.
The few times I saw him, I felt like his style fitted the CFL kind of well. An athletic QB who can run and has a fair arm...

FM

[Tekneek]

Put him somewhere else in somebody's else system and he becomes mediocre at best.

I hope Brady does go somewhere else eventually. I am really interested in seeing how good he is on a team that does not have a great philosophy behind it every year. Can he take a mediocre team and overachieve? I hope we get to find out someday.