Tom Brady and his improved deep ball

[Rock Strongo]

With 79 days to NFL opener, timely to revisit Tom Brady's deep-ball rise

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- There are 79 days until the New England Patriots host the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL opening game, and as part of an ongoing countdown, ESPN’s Stats & Information has produced a numbers-based theme to mark each day.

As for the number 79, here’s the notable nugget: Tom Brady’s 79-yard touchdown pass to receiver Chris Hogan against the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 12, 2016 was his longest scoring pass since an 81-yard connection to receiver Aaron Dobson on Nov. 3, 2013 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

This provides a springboard to revisit, at this slower time on the NFL calendar, how Brady’s long ball has improved in recent years.

Consider these stats dug up by Jason Starrett of ESPN’s Stats & Information:

• In 2016, Brady completed 44 percent of pass attempts thrown at least 20 yards downfield. That was Brady’s highest percentage since 2007, when Randy Moss’ presence helped him complete 44.4 percent of such throws.
  
  
• Brady ranked eighth in the NFL among quarterbacks on throws 20 or more yards downfield last season.
  
  
• He completed 33 percent of those throws in 2015 (tied for 22nd in NFL), 28 percent in 2014 (No. 28 ranking) and 25 percent in 2013 (No. 34 ranking).
  
  
• Brady had seven touchdown passes on throws 20 yards or more downfield last season, his highest total since the 2012 season (also 7.) That total was one more than he had in the previous two seasons combined.
  
  
• Brady was one of only two players last season with at least seven touchdowns and one or fewer interceptions on 2-yard throws. Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (10 TDs, 0 INT) was the other.
  

When this topic was brought up to coach Bill Belichick at one point last season, he made the point that a quarterback’s deep-ball efficiency is tied to a receiver’s ability to get behind the defense.

The addition of Hogan, in particular, helped Brady in that area.

 

[YankeeRebel]

With 79 days to NFL opener, timely to revisit Tom Brady's deep-ball rise

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- There are 79 days until the New England Patriots host the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL opening game, and as part of an ongoing countdown, ESPN’s Stats & Information has produced a numbers-based theme to mark each day.

As for the number 79, here’s the notable nugget: Tom Brady’s 79-yard touchdown pass to receiver Chris Hogan against the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 12, 2016 was his longest scoring pass since an 81-yard connection to receiver Aaron Dobson on Nov. 3, 2013 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

This provides a springboard to revisit, at this slower time on the NFL calendar, how Brady’s long ball has improved in recent years.

Consider these stats dug up by Jason Starrett of ESPN’s Stats & Information:

• In 2016, Brady completed 44 percent of pass attempts thrown at least 20 yards downfield. That was Brady’s highest percentage since 2007, when Randy Moss’ presence helped him complete 44.4 percent of such throws.
  
  
• Brady ranked eighth in the NFL among quarterbacks on throws 20 or more yards downfield last season.
  
  
• He completed 33 percent of those throws in 2015 (tied for 22nd in NFL), 28 percent in 2014 (No. 28 ranking) and 25 percent in 2013 (No. 34 ranking).
  
  
• Brady had seven touchdown passes on throws 20 yards or more downfield last season, his highest total since the 2012 season (also 7.) That total was one more than he had in the previous two seasons combined.
  
  
• Brady was one of only two players last season with at least seven touchdowns and one or fewer interceptions on 2-yard throws. Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (10 TDs, 0 INT) was the other.

When this topic was brought up to coach Bill Belichick at one point last season, he made the point that a quarterback’s deep-ball efficiency is tied to a receiver’s ability to get behind the defense.

The addition of Hogan, in particular, helped Brady in that area.

This is something that has always bothered me. A QB throws a 20 yard out to a WR, the WR then runs 60 Yards yet the QB gets credit for an 80 yard pass.

 

[NEhomer]

This is something that has always bothered me. A QB throws a 20 yard out to a WR, the WR then runs 60 Yards yet the QB gets credit for an 80 yard pass.

Yeah that's true to a degree but finding the wide-open receiver with room to run is part of the decision making process. I do get your point though.

On the other hand, I'd like to see perfectly thrown balls that get tipped up to the defender taken off of a QBs INT stats.

 

[Rock Strongo]

As for the number 79, here’s the notable nugget: Tom Brady’s 79-yard touchdown pass to receiver Chris Hoganagainst the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 12, 2016 was his longest scoring pass since an 81-yard connection to receiver Aaron Dobson on Nov. 3, 2013 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.


fans will remember that dobson play. i think it was a 5 yard dump off. no one in front of dobson, ran untouched.

 

[YankeeRebel]

Yeah that's true to a degree but finding the wide-open receiver with room to run is part of the decision making process. I do get your point though.

On the other hand, I'd like to see perfectly thrown balls that get tipped up to the defender taken off of a QBs INT stats.

I agree if the tipped ball goes off the hands of an offensive player.

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

Its only taken him 18 years to figure out how to throw more than 7 yards?

 

[Rock Strongo]

Its only taken him 18 years to figure out how to throw more than 7 yards?

i thought he was mr 6 yard, even tho drew brees was the REAL mr 6 yard?

 

[NWPATSFAN]

As for the number 79, here’s the notable nugget: Tom Brady’s 79-yard touchdown pass to receiver Chris Hoganagainst the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 12, 2016 was his longest scoring pass since an 81-yard connection to receiver Aaron Dobson on Nov. 3, 2013 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.


fans will remember that dobson play. i think it was a 5 yard dump off. no one in front of dobson, ran untouched.

Funny how these came against the Ravens and the Steelers.

 

[ArlingtonCowboys100]

Brady''s days as an NFL player are numbered. Dude is old and will get hurt

 

[soxfan1468927]

Brady''s days as an NFL player are numbered. Dude is old and will get hurt

That's a brilliant scoop right there.

 

[YankeeRebel]

That's a brilliant scoop right there.

I decided not to respond directly mainly because it just seemed like a dumb thing to say.

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

Brady''s days as an NFL player are numbered. Dude is old and will get hurt

Great post

 

[sonnyblack65]

Brady''s days as an NFL player are numbered. Dude is old and will get hurt

Happens to young guys too like Romo and his no# ran out

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

Speaking of Deep Ball

I count 5 guys in this thread that wanna get Balls Deep in Tom

Make it 6 when Rex inevitably arrives

 

[sonnyblack65]

Speaking of Deep Ball

I count 5 guys in this thread that wanna get Balls Deep in Tom

Make it 6 when Rex inevitably arrives

I counted 4 , but had you on the fence. Thanks for the admittance, but should be on a different thread

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

I counted 4 , but had you on the fence. Thanks for the admittance, but should be on a different thread

I count NWPATSFAN twice

 

[Breed]

This is something that has always bothered me. A QB throws a 20 yard out to a WR, the WR then runs 60 Yards yet the QB gets credit for an 80 yard pass.

Yeah and nothing illustrates better what you say. Than that DIRECTV commercial with Jimmy Kimmel back in the day. When Kimmel is talking about and showing the 52 yard TD pass from Eli to Armani Toomer in their 2007 21-17 playoff win over Dallas.

Eli throws a little funky ass 10 yard out to Toomer, who breaks a tackle and then outraces a couple more Cowboys the remaining 40 yards for the TD. Just an outstanding play all the way around by Toomer and Kimmel doesn't even mention his damn name in the commercial. He did mention Eli throwing a 52 yd TD pass though.

I guess WRs get some get back though on those plays where well thrown passes bounce off their hands or chest and get INTed. Even though it wasn't their fault. The QB is the one charged with throwing an INT.

 

[Oldschool739]

I count NWPATSFAN twice

That's reasonable, after all he is twice as dumb as anyone else !!!!

 

[Tapey]

Didnt read the thread, but I can only imagine the title of this thread was meant to be "Patriots fans deep throating skills improve"

 

[redseat]

Brady''s days as an NFL player are numbered. Dude is old and will get hurt

The bolded can be said for any player regardless of age... But yes of course his injury risk will increase since he is older now..