Brady bunch of yards

WEEK 1
Let me just say one more time... Thank you, Mo Lewis.

The Dolphins started last night's season opener with a very impressive touchdown drive (12 plays, 84 yards, more than seven minutes) and a lot of confidence. Tom Brady methodically took that confidence away from them. Bit by bit. Pass by pass. Touchdown by touchdown.

MO: A big assist

By the time he was done, one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game kicked off his 10th season as a starter (Really. Thanks Mo.) with his best performance yet. Brady passed for 517 yards on 32 of 48 passing. He connected for four touchdowns. He's Bird. He's Orr. Check that. He's Jordan. He's Gretzky.

Brady is 34. I don't know how many more years Gisele will let him play. Right now he's as good as it gets. I'll enjoy it as long as it lasts.

The game was sure enjoyable. As was the whole opening weekend of football. Sports Blab Radio is in full blab mode about how so many QBs broke 300 yards (a record) and how offenses are dominating. There's no doubt that is true -- for one weekend at least. But the lockout and shortened training camps are a handicap for the defenses. They'll catch up. As will the weather. It all evens out.

There will be talk about how many yards the Pats D gave up. It was a lot. But, like last year, the young D made plays when they had to. The Pats had four sacks. Phat Albert didn't look too out of shape. But it wasn't pretty. And that actually shows how far this young defense has come. A year ago, after a disastrous '09, there was no discussion of style points when it came to road wins. ANY road win was huge. Now it's not good enough to just win on the road. That's a good sign.

Most of the Brady talk will focus on his 99-yard touchdown to Welker. It was a great play from the shotgun in his own endzone. But Brady was truly at his best in the third quarter. The Pats were only up 14-7 at the half. It should have been 27-7. They were driving on the opening possession of the second half, looking to deliver a knock-out score. Brady tossed a little screen out to his left at the Miami 40 but the ball was tipped and landed in the arms of Miami lineman Jared Odrick. The big man rumbled inside the Pats 20. It was Brady's first interception since October of last year. A record streak of 358 passes without a pick. I don't think Favre went 358 seconds with throwing one to the other team.

The Dolphins scored to tie the game at 14. A game the Pats should have been in control of was up for grabs. Till Brady got back on the field. He marched the offense down the field in 10 plays with machine-like efficiency. He connected with Woody, Branch, and then capped it off with his first TD to Welker. The Pats were back in the lead and soon would pull away. Those are the moments that separate Brady from the rest. He rarely loses his focus. He makes everyone around him better.
He responds when challenged.

It was just one game and the Pats have a tougher test ahead next week against the Chargers. But the offense, even with the loss of center Dan Koppen, looks as good as ever. With Brady running the show as always.

Monday Night Football's John Gruden, known for his colorful constantly-running game commentary, was singing Brady's praises as the clock wound down on the victory. It went something like this...

"I love hanging with this guy. He's a fierce competitor. This guy says he loves being on the field near the end of a big win because he can enjoy all the work that the team had put in all week. This guy just loves competing. He says he wants to play till he's 48!"

48? Ha. I'll be happy with 38. That would mean four more years of watching a lot more amazing performances like tonight. Hmmm.... only four more years? 48 does sound better.