Mazz22
A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.
The AFCCG prior required Brady to outduel Mahomes. The defense was toast in that game.Really? how many points did the Rams score in that superbowl? Lack of a run defense is a killer no matter what your passing is like. It's hard to complete a pass when your O sits for 6-7-8 minute drive that end in a rushing TD time after time. That 6 1/2 minute drive to close out the Steelers was nothing compared to how we ran on the Rams.
I understand your point on Mac's ceiling going up if he had a better weapons, and note that you applied the same criteria to Josh Allen (he's a much better QB after he got Diggs) and Tua (post Tyreek). But I submit that gaining WR talent did not make them better QBs, only that they are the same QB with better stats post-Hill and Diggs.
I think one of the marks of Brady's greatness wasn't him playing with Moss, Welker and Stallworth on the field in 2007, but rather in 2001 when Troy Brown was his #1, and David Patten and Fred Coleman as #2 and #3 WRs. Not to mention TEs Jeremain Wiggins (can catch but not block my grandmother) and Rod (hand of cement) Rutledge.
I don't think Mac Jones gets nearly the credit he deserves for reaching the playoffs with the receivers he had and as a rookie. All the focus was in losing the playoff game, but it's remarkable that we got there at all.
I am not sure I understand your point about saying that Allen has better stats with Diggs. Those stats equate to points which equats to wins - much easier wins than the ones the Pats are going to have to squeak out all season long.
I think Mac has gotten plenty of credit for last year. Not just getting the team to the playoffs but also finishing second to Chase for rookie of the year. The issue is this year. His second year when Bill decided having a defensive minded head coach and special teams coach be his offensive coordinators.
if Mac does regress this year it is 100% on Bill for not getting him better coaches to make sure he took a step forward this year and in concert with that also getting him receivers that are on par with the other teams in the AFC. Neither one of those things has happened and so here we are wondering what this season will look like and making comparisons to championship seasons from 20 years ago.