Week 11 Quick Hits: Tom Brady and Patriots’ Versatility – NYTimes.com

We marvel at New England’s ability to cultivate versatile players but too often overlook why they’re able to do so. In short, it’s because they have Tom Brady. His command of the pocket and football IQ allows for New England’s week-to-week, even series-to-series flexibility. Augmenting that flexibility is the quick tempo with which Brady runs the Patriots’ offense. It’s easier for wide receivers to make big runs and running backs to catch passes when they’re drawing mismatches against a defense that’s constantly back on its heels.