New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady seemed frustrated with his pass-catchers during the team’s 28-22 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 13. He was animated on the sideline in an apparent effort to motivate them — he seemed to be telling them they needed to step up. And of course, he was right. New England needed more from their pass-catchers in the loss.
But there was another moment, which NFL analyst and former Detroit Lions quarterback Dan Orlovski spotted, when Brady seemed to say that he was done with receiver Phillip Dorsett. But Brady refuted that interpretation.
“I would never think that way — ‘I am done with him’ — that’s crazy,” he told WEEI on Monday morning. “A quarterbacks responsibility is to lead and motivate. We’re often the voice of a lot of situations. First, we’re calling plays in the huddle and B, we have a lot of information because we talk with the coaches and coordinators with what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to motivate people and get people to play their best.
“Guys are trying. I have no problem — I love playing with Phillip Dorsett. I love playing with N’Keal. N’Keal is working his tail off. He hasn’t had a lot of opportunities out there and he’s learning as he’s going. To expect someone to go out in their third game of the year and be perfect, I think that is unrealistic for anyone. I love what N’Keal is bringing. We’re gaining confidence every week. I love what Jakobi (Meyers) is doing. We’re gaining confidence every week. Gaining confidence with Mohamed (Sanu). Julian (Edelman) and I — we’ve played together for a long time and I think that shows itself pretty well. I think you see, James (White) and I, we’ve played together a long time.”
Been saying this for weeks now for @Patriots offense. Outside of the physical-12 has trust in 1 guy. Edelman. That’s it…and it’s warranted. Watch 👇🏼 below. @MikeGiardi @patspulpit #SNFonNBC #Patriots @RochieWBZ @BenVolin pic.twitter.com/Vf8mbaUqXg
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) December 2, 2019
Edelman managed six receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown and White had eight catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns. They both had a rough first half when the Texans presented a game plan that was designed to stop both of them. Edelman drew double coverage and the Texans put a cornerback on White. But when Houston established a big lead, they slackened their coverages and focused less on those two. That proved a mistake, as it let the Patriots get back into the game.
But New England couldn’t close the gap and get a win. The rest of Brady’s supporting cast didn’t step up — and the quarterback is struggling to elevate his play. Rookie receiver Jakobi Meyers had three receptions for 46 yards. Rookie N’Keal Harry, a 2019 first-rounder, had zero catches. Phillip Dorsett had six targets for two catches and 14 yards while Mohamed Sanu had three catches for 14 yards.
Brady added: “There’s some good effort out there. Guys are doing the best they can do in my belief. We’re working hard and trying to do the right thing, and sometimes it’s been good. Other times, we obviously still have work we still have to do. That is just part of playing football. Sometimes people have it figured out early and some people, we’re trying to figure it out as we go. That’s just part of it. That is just part of what we’re dealing with.”
“We’re learning as we go and by no means — we’re not 2-10, we’re 10-2,” said Brady. “And I know there’s very high expectations as there are for us. I think the expectations for our team often are at a very, very, very high level and I understand that, but at the same time I think there are realistic expectations with our circumstances incorporating different elements, and players and injuries. We’re just trying to do the best we can do.”
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