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Ron Jaworski on The Big Show: Brady ‘began to see ghosts’ on the field 01.18.11 at 3:53 pm ET
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Ron Jaworski

ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski, after reviewing the coaches’ film of the Patriots’ 28-21 loss to the Jets, credited New York for their defensive execution. At the same time, he expressed surprise at the number of opportunities missed by the New England offense, particularly quarterback Tom Brady.

“Obviously, a disappointing effort from the Patriots. I was surprised they played as poorly as they did,” Jaworski said. “I’m going to be honest with you guys. I looked at tape. There were some plays on the field that Tom Brady did not see. I think Tom began to play a little bit fast, and the term I use, he began to see ghosts. There were some opportunities, particularly early in the game, a key third-and-3, he had Danny Woodhead out of the backfield in the flat, he doesn’t throw the football. It’s a play that Tom has probably seen 50 times this year and completed 50 times. For some reason, he didn’t throw the football. I don’t know if he got spooked by the interception or what, but he did leave some plays on the field.

“I think he had a poor game,” Jaworski added. “He’s always been really good at that movement in the pocket, those subtle little moves to the left or right or up in the pocket that allows some time for the receivers to uncover. I just felt that at times he had those opportunities and he kind of flinched. There was a perception of pressure, and at times it wasn’t there. It was awkward to me to see Tom reacting that way. When bodies weren’t around him, he was perceiving pressure.”

Jaworski said that the Jets did not blitz on a high percentage of plays, but that they did so enough to change the timing and rhythm of Brady, the offensive line and receivers. He praised the play of cornerback Darrelle Revis, suggesting that he turned the contest into a “10-on-10″ game. He also suggested that the Jets — who had as many as seven defensive backs on the field — employed a strategy used to great effect by Bill Belichick and the Patriots against the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI, chipping receivers to throw off the rhythm of the passing game.

The analyst (and former NFL quarterback) also noted that the Patriots offensive line did not have its best game against the Jets’ defensive front. Though he said that the call for a punt fake was an excellent one — and that “the play would have worked” but for Patrick Chung fumbling the snap — he expressed surprise that the Patriots did not try to take advantage of tight end Aaron Hernandez to create matchup problems for the Jets and that the Patriots did not exhibit greater urgency on their almost eight-minute drive in the fourth quarter.

“There just didn’t seem to be a sense of urgency,” said Jaworski. “It was a great drive if it was in the first quarter. … I was very surprised by the lack of urgency to get the plays running.

To listen to the interview, visit The Big Show’s audio on demand page. For complete Patriots coverage, visit weei.com/patriots.

Read More: Bill Belichick, New York Jets, playoffs, Rex Ryan Print  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Mark

    Great analysis. I was seeing the same sudden get ready to be hit tendancy after the first two sacks. There seemed to be plenty of time to throw but after 3 seconds , Brady became very nervous in the pocket and was more concerned about being hit than waiting for a receiver to find an opening.He also threw the ball into the ground at least twice which is out of character for Brady. Hernandez must have been invisible in this game.

  • Jeff

    Brady was the reincarnation of Tony Eason. He was ducking and bobbing at phantom rushers. A disgraceful performance for the so-called MVP.

  • http://google DeCe

    sorry tom, i’m a big fan of you and your wifes’, but you SUCKED! what the hell were you thinking, why didn’t you run and slide, like i’ve seen you do before? it would have been better than being SACKED 5 times!!!!! you and your other high paying players broke our hearts, hopes and dreams for another SUPERBOWL!!! right now, i hate the patriots , but after mourning like in 2007, i’m sure i’ll be back in my pats gear and ready for of another season of hopes and dreams, and hopefully i won’t be disappointed again.

  • Dana

    I couldn’t agree more with all of u here and jaws. We, down in here jerzie, so close to ny jet territory, we were walking around telling everyone (mostly eagles and giants fans) down here in deep so. jersey, that the pats were going to beat jets again, maybe not a blow out like the 45-3 debacle in dec. but no way in hell were the big mouths going to beat us on our field. BINGO! Brady and boys came up lame. And i know i’ll sound like a homer, but it almost seemed fixed? how can the most prolific offense in the nfl, and the most accurate qb in nfl, play like they did? incomprehensible? I said it earlier in the week, but the only team that could beat the Pats, were the Pats? And f—-the jets. They didn’t beat us, we beat ourselves, as much as a cliche that sounds. Pitt better beat them, cuz I want to see that sorry ass sideline late on sunday, and see if any of the idiots are doing back flips at the end of the game while they watch the pitt guys move on to the Superbowl. lol As far as tom and the boys, SHAME ON ALL OF YOU FOR NOT SHOWING UP FOR WORK ON SUNDAY NIGHT. After the jets, we’ve owned pitt in big games, and then you could ve exacted revenge on the packers in the bowl for the 96 loss. But not to be and I for one am extremely angry and stil numb.

  • Ken

    Has anyone considered the fact that Tom may have been in pain.That foot had gone thru alot all year with treatments.Maybe it was all too much.I have watched the tape over and over and agree Tom was not right.I don’t think the Jets were that much better,Tom is the leader and on this day was not able to lead.With a healthy foot,at home,perfect weather,the Patriots win.

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