"The only reason we know Tom Brady is because of the Tuck Rule." - Ray Lewis

[blstoker]

He has a point about Brady - not long term, but short term. Brady became the media darling early in his career, partially due to his success in the post season. All you heard about was Brady winning his first 10 starts, (an NFL record) and winning the Super Bowl in each of his first three playoff appearances (again, an NFL record, I believe).

You take that win away, then he doesn't have either of those, but I still think he becomes a top tier QB, he's just too good to have not made it there eventually. But instead of a 19-8 playoff record, that becomes 16-9.

I don't know if Bellichek gets fire in 2002 after the 9-7 record, but if he makes it through that season, I don't see how anything else changes. So, Brady still has 2 SB wins, he still has his pro bowls, he still has his MVPs. He's still a great QB, even if he history changes and he doesn't keep that Super Bowl (which is the one most commonly linked to "spygate" anyway).

 

[sonnyblack65]

"The only reason we know Tom Brady is because of Bledsoe getting injured

I concur and Pats dont have those 3 SB's 5-11 and 0-2 team with Bledoe

 

[NEPatsfan]

It is an interesting theory:

1. Bill Belichek was an abysmal failure in 5 years at Cleveland.
2. He sucked ass his first year in New England (5-11)
3. He started 0-2, but got a little hot to make the playoffs as a 2 seed
4. TUCK RULE
5. They missed the playoffs altogether in 2002 at 9-7


If you make one tiny little change #4 to FUMBLE CONFIRMED


Then Belichek would be a guy 8 years in the league, without a single playoff win.
I am not sure Belichek doesn't get canned after 2002 in that scenario.
He might never had a chance to win in 2003 and 2004


So, there is some plausible logic behind it.
That is not hating. It is just an interesting "what if".

I disagree with that thought because of his relationship with the Kraft family that predates him being head coach of the Pats. Had it played out in that manner I believe he would still be the coach in the 2003 seaon.

The problem with people hanging onto the "tuck rule" is that it leaves out how the Raiders then went on to allow the Pats to complete two scoring drives in the snow for the win. Raiders could have stopped them on the drives after that play and still won, but they didn't.

Kind of reminds me of how everyone remembers Bill Buckner but seem to forget that one era is not what cost the Red Sox the WS because it was only game six.

 

[NEPatsfan]

Ray got tips from OJ.
Seriously what will it say for our justice system if AH is the third NFL player to walk?

Second question to that scenario is which team picks him up first, the Ravens or the Raiders?

 

[Rex Racer]

Ray got tips from OJ.
Seriously what will it say for our justice system if AH is the third NFL player to walk?

Speaking only to the Hernandez case, it will say that if the state is going to charge someone with 1st degree murder it would be helpful if they had some physical evidence.

 

[tducey]

As others have said we only know Ray Lewis because of that even in Atlanta years ago. I think Brady would have been a good 1 Tuck rule or not.

 

[blstoker]

Why do people need to always tear down others to give their opinion more value. Because he said that Brady was created by the tuck rule that mean Lewis was created by the murder trial? He was a 4 time pro bowler, 2 time all pro, defensive player of the year and a Super Bowl MVP BEFORE the trial happened. If people didn't know who Ray Lewis was before the trial, they weren't football fans.

 

[Ricky Roma]

Pretty much everything I flush down the toilet has more credibility than Ray Lewis. That anyone could even remotely sidle up to such stupidity.....not surprising.

 

[cezero]

Pretty sure Brady is playing under the same rules as everybody else, Mr. Lewis.

 

[RoboticDreams]

Why do people need to always tear down others to give their opinion more value. Because he said that Brady was created by the tuck rule that mean Lewis was created by the murder trial? He was a 4 time pro bowler, 2 time all pro, defensive player of the year and a Super Bowl MVP BEFORE the trial happened. If people didn't know who Ray Lewis was before the trial, they weren't football fans.

I'm pretty sure anyone who knows football would've eventually realized who Brady was. Tuck rule or no. It was an asinine thing for Lewis to say. Not that that surprises anyone.

 

[blstoker]

I'm pretty sure anyone who knows football would've eventually realized who Brady was. Tuck rule or no. It was an asinine thing for Lewis to say. Not that that surprises anyone.

I'd already pointed that out earlier, this particular quote of mine is for posters specific references to Lewis being a nobody because of an unrelated incidence. Brady's career most likely doesn't change much without the tuck rule, though the difference between 2 SBs and 3 is huge in the eyes of some when legacies are discussed, but he's still a HoFer without the tuck rule.

 

[RoboticDreams]

I'd already pointed that out earlier, this particular quote of mine is for posters specific references to Lewis being a nobody because of an unrelated incidence. Brady's career most likely doesn't change much without the tuck rule, though the difference between 2 SBs and 3 is huge in the eyes of some when legacies are discussed, but he's still a HoFer without the tuck rule.

Gotcha.

 

[Dude]

Tom Brady needs a public relations strategy to diminish his image, wow that's a first. I guess it comes with bunch territories.

 

[NEhomer]

Wow, this thing brought about an interesting topic to discuss at least!

I pretty much agree with all that blstoker said. It was undeniably significant but it would be an understatement to say that Ray overstated.....cripes Ray. He did retract it and claimed that he intended to be critical of the rule itself and not Brady for what that's worth.

 

[PatsFan2003]

Brady had already taken over a stumbling team with Bledsoe (on the downside of his career) and turned the team around. I think he still would have made people notice soon enough. He probably wouldn't have regressed in 2002.

 

[Leroy Brown]

definitely too late and let's not forget the DOUBLE murder is yet unsolved. Not to mention the white suit Ray was wearing that nite still hasn't been found. Did I mention Ray has fathered 6 kids w/4 different women? Ah never mind , Ray is a great roll model which all children should look up to. Carry on.

If Ray Lewis was involved in a double murder that night in Atlanta, then Officer Darren Wilson was definitely involved in a murder that night in Ferguson.

 

[HammerDown]

If Ray Lewis was involved in a double murder that night in Atlanta, then Officer Darren Wilson was definitely involved in a murder that night in Ferguson.

Keep your racist bullshit off the NFL board.

 

[MISKO]

Keep your racist bullshit off the NFL board.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

 

[sonnyblack65]