It was Randy Moss in 2007. Now, 12 years later, it’s Antonio Brown joining the Patriots in 2019. Wow. The unpredictability of the NFL rings true once again. One of the top receivers in the league is now with one of the best teams in the league. That’s a recipe for success..right?
Not only is Antonio Brown now on one of the best teams in the league, but he’s also paired with one of the best quarterbacks in the league as well.
Brown is an obvious upgrade to the Patriots WR core, which gives them elite talent throughout that position. If AB can stay on the field and kill the antics, it very well could go down as the biggest move of what has been a wild offseason for the league.
Antonio Brown and His Impact on the Patriots
His Playmaking Ability Will Open Up the Field For the Patriots
Antonio Brown has both the speed and the catching ability to burn defenders every play. He has nearly 50 100-yard games. He’s averaged a little over 13 yards per catch for his career and currently sits third at yards per game with 86. He is as elite as they get in the pass-catching game, and his ability to get open off routes is second to none.
Since 2013, Brown is first in yards per game with 99.4, with his teammate, Josh Gordon, sitting right behind him at 83.9. The big-play ability of Brown is second to none in this league. That’ll help the Patriots open the field even more and should help out those in the short passing game such as Julian Edelman, Sony Michel, and James White.
New England has always valued small/quick receivers (Welker, Edelman), and it really is what their game plan is all about. They don’t rely on the deep ball too often. They pound the rock and pick apart the defense play by play. Antonio Brown has the playmaking ability that we haven’t seen on the Patriots wide receiver core for quite awhile. Partnering up two of the best in the game at creating plays (Brady/Brown) is a scary sight.
Antonio Brown Solidifies the Wide Receiver Core For the Patriots
This is a somewhat obvious point, but the addition of Antonio Brown deepens a position that the Patriots have struggled with in the past, at least in terms of depth. The narrative that Brady is throwing to a bunch of “undrafted walk-ons” is now in the past. Sure guys like Jakobi Meyers will still be around, but Tom Brady has three elite receivers for his choosing; Josh Gordon, Julian Edelman, and now Antonio Brown.
Tom Brady has never played with an elite receiving core like this one. Sure the Patriots had some great receiving talents in the past (Moss, Welker, Branch), but pairing three top tier receivers with the greatest quarterback of all time is a recipe for success.
Recent Allegations
Unfortunately, Brown is now under scrutiny and possible further investigation for rape and sexual assault acquisitions by a former trainer. Until further investigating is done, Brown will stay with the Patriots and will practice and perform at his normal state.
Moss 2.0?
The acquisition of Antonio Brown without a doubt is a game-changer for both the NFL and the New England Patriots. The immediate comparison traces back to 2007. Randy Moss was sent from the Raiders (ironically) to the Patriots and went on to have one of his greatest years ever that upcoming season. Could the same be in store for Brown? Only time will tell. There is no question that the talent and scheme are there, but it’ll be a question of whether Antonio Brown can kill his antics, buy into the system, and keep this New England Patriots dynasty alive just a little while longer.
