“The System”

I originally sat down to write a blog post about how it was now clear more than ever that Peyton Manning is a better QB than Tom Brady, but that just seemed to obvious. Look at the Colts record so far without Manning, 0-3 without a win in sight. Do you remember the year the Patriots played without Brady? They went 10-6 and barely missed the playoffs with a QB who hadn’t started a game in like seven years.(Matt Cassel) Now I know I’m going to get a lot of hate from people who say, “What about Brady’s three rings?” Then go on to point out Manning’s failures in the post season. I understand those arguments but I respond to that with maybe Brady success comes from the fact that he just plays in a great system. Don’t get me wrong Brady is a real good QB but I’m here to argue that he was fortunate to play in a system that makes bad QB’s average, average QB’s good, and good QB’s great. You in a good coach and some other talents and you have the New England Patriots.

First off, what exactly is the system the Patriots run? It’s called the Erhardt-Perkins system after Ron Erhardt and Ray Perkins who were offensive coaches in the 70s. It was originally an offensive that coined the phrase “smash mouth football”. It was ideal for cold weather teams and the Patriots ran the system in the 70s. Charlie Weis learned the system as an assistant coach under Bill Belichick and Bill Parcells with the Giants in the 90s. When Parcells became the N.Y. Jets coach he gave Charlie Weis his first OC job in 1997. Weis modified the system a little to turn it into an offense that used the run to set up the pass with play action. This led to the Jets having one of the best offenses in 1998. QB Vinny Testaverde had one of his best seasons at the age of 35 in this offense. His 61.5 completion percentage tied his 2nd best up to that point. Along with 3256 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also made the Pro Bowl. His number one receiver Keyshawn Johnson joined him in Hawaii as well with on of his best seasons. In fact his three seasons in “The System” were probably his best. Only argument for a better season came in 2001 in Tampa during their Super Bowl run. But in 97,98,99 which was Weis last season in New York, Johnson had 70,83,89 receptions. He had 963,1131, and 1170 yards in those 3 years. He also had 5,10,and 8 TDS. 01 and 02 were the only other years where he had over a thousand yard receiving. He also had his only 100 catch year but only one Td. Is it safe to say that Key had his best years in “The System”

In 2000 Weis became OC of the New England Patriots and the rest is history. 2000 is also Tom Brady’s first year in “The System” but he didn’t play until 2001. Weis stayed in New England until 2004 and within that time they won 3 Super Bowls and Tom Brady became the legend he is now. Now I could talk about Brady’s impressive numbers but they all come within the system so you can’t compare them to nothing outside so lets talk about some other players that benefited from “The System”. ” The System” is a QB and receiver friendly offense and Testaverde and Johnson were living proof, but let’s look deeper. Troy Brown played 7 years prior to ” The System ” and in those 7 years he had a total of 137 catches. In 5 seasons in “The System” he had 83,101,97,40,and 17 catches from 2000 to 2004. He had his best season in 2001 with 101 catches 1199 yards, and 5 touchdowns. David Patten played across from Brown and in his for previous season he had a total of 38 catches.(Which was his best season until ”The System”) In his four years in “The System” 51,61,9 and 44 catches. Deion Branch played his first four seasons in “The System”. His best came in 2005 with 78 catches and 998 yards. In four season after he never had more than 50 catches until he rejoined “The System” in 2010 and caught 61 passes. In 2005 Josh McDaniels took over as play caller for the Pats’ where he continued to run “The System”. Everything came to a head in 2007 where Brady broke the single season touchdown record with 50 and Randy Moss broke the touchdown reception record with 23 in “The System”. As Wes Welker was another player who benefited from “The System” with 3 seasons in a row of 100 catches. In 3 seasons prior he totaled 96 catches.

Weis went on to Notre Dame and took “The System” with him and he made 1st and 2nd round draft picks out of Brady Quinn and Jimmy Clausen. Now its a good chance neither one of them will ever see the field again. At least not as a starter.

McDaniels went to Denver in 2009 and Kyle Orton had his chance to vast in the glory of ” The System”. Orton played four years in Chicago but played only two full seasons. In those seasons he had 51 and 58 completion percentage. He had 1869 and 2972 yards in those two seasons. He also had 9 and 18 TDS. In his two years of “The System” 62 and 58 completion percentage. 3802 and 3653 yards. 21 and 20 TDS. Big difference right? Orton’s main target in 2010 was Brandon Lloyd. Who had 77 catches for 1448 yards and 11 TDS. His best numbers in his 6 seasons prior were 48 catches, 733 yards, and 7 TDS.

In 2008 while McDaniels was still the OC at New England, Brady got hurt for the season and Matt Cassel came in and won 10 games while throwing for 3693 and 21 TDS. He then went on to Kansas City where his numbers dropped to 2924 yards 16 TDS and 16 INTS as well. In comes the originator of “The System” in Charlie Weis and Cassel’s numbers spike back up with 3116 yards 27 TDS and only 7 INTS. He also made the Pro Bowl. His receiver Dwayne Bowe joined him with a career year with 72 receptions, 1162 yards and 15 TDS. “

The System” is great isn’t it? Weis is now with the University of Florida so keep an eye on QB John Brantley’s numbers. And McDaniels is in St Louis so look out for Sam Bradford and his receivers to start putting up big numbers.

In the end do what you want with the information when you decide on who’s better, Brady or Manning but while you think about remember the names Orton, Cassell, and Quinn. Also think of the names Jim Sorgi, Curtis Painter, and Kerry Collins then ask yourself is it ” The System”?