2 min read • September 11, 2020
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Tom Brady - QB
Tom Brady changed teams but the good and bad news is he is the same guy, at age 43. Brady is one of the greatest players in history but despite any workout regimen, even with avocado ice cream, father time is undefeated. He had elbow, shoulder and calf issues last year and made several appearances on the questionable list despite never missing a game. Some pointed to a decline in his play, but this could really be attributed more to the Patriots' lack of weapons and offensive linemen than the demise of Brady. With only 33 year old slot machine Julian Edelman and backfield option James White to truly rely on, Tom Brady still won 12 games, passing for 4,057 yards, 60.8% completion rate, 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions. There is no particular worry here other than his age at 43 when Brady takes the field for the 20th season.
Mike Evans - WR
Mike Evans like his counterpart Godwin, suffered a hamstring injury which caused him to be placed on injured reserve and miss the final three games of the season. Evans finished the year with 67 receptions, 1157 yards and eight touchdowns. The Texas A&M alum should be healthy with Tom Brady tossing the rock, and defenses are going to have a hard time contending with the size of Evans and tight end Rob Gronkowski, coupled with the speed of Chris Godwin.
Chris Godwin - WR
Chris Godwin suffered a hamstring injury and missed the final two games of 2019. Prior to the injury, Godwin was in the midst of a breakout season, and caught 86 receptions for 1,333 yards and nine touchdowns with Jameis Winston under center. He is healthy for the 2020 campaign and we will see how the chemistry is with new quarterback Tom Brady, who hasn’t likely had a wide receiver threat like Godwin since Randy Moss.
Rob Gronkowski - TE
Rob Gronkowski has the perception of being injury prone, with his hard-nosed playing style taking the blame. The Arizona product has had his share of issues but has overall been tough and played through many ailments. The question is if taking 2019 off will help or hurt him. Rest can either rejuvenate a player, or make them rusty. We don’t know if his apparent weight loss will hurt him, and while he’ll likely be used sparingly as a blocker, it could impact his running style and ability to take hits. His return and health remain a wild card for 2020. Gronkowski is the epitome of boom or bust based on his medical history, and early retirement from the game at 29, only to return for his age-31 season. He has a legendary connection with Tom Brady, but we would not expect a record-breaking season as the game is just too hard to turn it on and off.
IR/Opt-Out List
RB TJ Logan
WR John Hurst
T Brad Seaton
G John Molchon
DB John Franklin
SS Justin Evans
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