I posted in another thread about this. I really believe we can win this game and I'll tell you why.
Brady is increasingly jittery in the pocket. He still has all the throws and the sheer will to win that makes him great, but it's a truism at this point that he isn't as comfortable under pressure as he was.
Brady just lost his blindside guard and isn't happy about it. There isn't really a ready-made replacement at left guard who has the same connection with their QB. It'll probably be Kline, who is a decent player, but that's not the point. The point is, Brady will need it proven to him in a game situation that the line can keep him safe. He's going to be a little more tentative/susceptible, in my view, than normal until the line proves itself.
We get to test that line in week 1. It's a work in progress and it going to be tested by one of the league's great d-lines, with added blitz heat. I really believe that line isn't ready for us yet and I think that'll have an effect on Brady, which is what we need to win.
They're talking about all kinds of shuffles to get the best guys on the field. It could be Solder, Kline, Connolly/Wendell, Vollmer, Cannon. It's a sign that they (read Brady) is still not happy the line is right. That's a new combo for the Pats and while they're all good players, the unit is only as good as the weakest link. If we can introduce doubt into the o-line and Brady, this could be a nice starting win.
There are other reasons why things might not pan out that way, but I think we're getting them at a great time to give Tom a dose of happy feet and snag a win.
