NBC analyst and former New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison believes coach Bill Belichick, not quarterback Tom Brady, is to blame for the team's offensive woes. Harrison said the Patriots are struggling not because of Brady, but because of the people around Brady.
New England looked terrible Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs. After allowing only 23 points through the last two games, the Patriots' defense surrendered 34 points in the 41-14 loss at Kansas City.
Moreover, Brady managed to find the end zone only once in the blowout loss. He has yet to throw for more than 300 yards in one game, and he's so far passed for only 791 yards and four touchdowns - very unBrady-like numbers. On top of the pedestrian passing numbers, Brady has two interceptions and five fumbles.
While some critics might point to Brady's age, Harrison believes the 37-year-old can still play. If the blame for New England's 2-2 start is to go anywhere, Harrison indicated it should be on Belichick for not putting together a better roster.
"Tom Brady can still play," Harrison told WEEI 93.7 FM in Boston, via ESPN. "But when you surround him - there's a reason why Brandon LaFell was let go [by Carolina]. He's not a great player. He's a young guy, and he has to make his way in this league.
"And Danny Amendola, you look at him, no one ever said he was a great player. He's always been hurt. The history is behind it. Rob Gronkowski obviously coming off that ACL injury, he's been hurt. So it's not like when you look at the Patriots on paper they just have all these weapons and teams are afraid of them."
Harrison also said Brady doesn't have any confidence in his offensive line, which had players swapped around throughout the night.
Brady struggled last season with the loss of Wes Welker, and Belichick has yet to give the future Hall of Famer a comparable receiver to throw to. Belichick also traded Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins, who had been an anchor on the offensive line since 2005, in the offseason to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Most would agree if Brady were put on any other team, he would finish the season with Pro Bowl-worthy numbers. The fault isn't with Brady getting older, but with the poorly constructed offense Belichick has put together.
