Tom Brady's comeback from last year's torn ACL is the biggest storyline this offseason. But the quarterback should bounce back just fine from the knee injury.
After all, history is on his side.
There have been four other starting quarterbacks since 2005 who have suffered a torn ACL ... Daunte Culpepper (2005), Carson Palmer (2005), Donovan McNabb (2006) and Philip Rivers (2007). All returned the next season, and three put up tremendous stats in their comeback. Only Culpepper struggled the year after his ACL injury, but he was likely never fully recovered and had the turmoil of going to a new team in Miami from Minnesota.
Palmer, who was hurt in the 2005 playoffs, came back and set a career high in passing yards in 2006. He remained an elite quarterback despite the short recovery.
McNabb was injured during the 2006 regular season in Week 11. He came back ready for Week 1 the following year and continued to post stats consistent with the rest of his career.
Rivers also was hurt in the playoffs in 2007, and he came back like a new quarterback last season. He was previously just an average passer, but he set new career highs in passing yards and touchdowns. Heading into 2009, Rivers is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
Brady has already reached that status, but it will be hard for him to set new career highs. Before he was injured in Week 1 last year against Kansas City, Brady was coming off the best season in NFL history when he passed for a record 50 touchdowns along with 4,806 passing yards and just eight interceptions.
Tom Brady, New England
Injured year: 2008
2007 stats: 4,806 passing yards, 50 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 98 rushing yards, two touchdowns, 21 sacks
2009 stats: ???
Philip Rivers, San Diego
Injured year: 2007 postseason
2007 stats: 3,152 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 33 rushing yards, one touchdown, 22 sacks
2008 stats: 4,009 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 84 rushing yards, 25 sacks
Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia
Injured year: 2006
2006 stats: 2,647 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, six interceptions, 212 rushing yards, three touchdowns, 21 sacks*
2007 stats: 3,324 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, seven interceptions, 236 rushing yards, 44 sacks
* Played 10 games in 2006 before injury
Carson Palmer, Cincinnati
Injured year: 2005 postseason
2005 stats: 3,836 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 41 rushing yards, one touchdown, 19 sacks
2006: 4,035 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 37 rushing yards, 36 sacks
Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota
Injured year: 2005
2004 stats: 4,717 passing yards, 39 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 406 rushing yards, two touchdowns, 46 sacks
2006 stats: 929 passing yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions, 20 rushing yards, one touchdown, 21 sacks*
* Only played four games with Miami |
But Brady has the opportunity to return as the No. 1 quarterback in all Fantasy leagues, especially since his receiving corps still features Randy Moss and Wes Welker. Brady is excited about his outlook for this season and is confident he can be the same player he was before the injury.
"I'm going to do the best that I can do and I'm going to try to be the best leader and the best teammate and supporter of the guys on my team," Brady said during a recent minicamp. "I'm grateful to have that chance and to be out here. I can't wait to get out and start playing games."
Brady will have some obstacles to overcome, and it's not going to be easy to forget the knee injury. Remember, Brady was hurt after following through on a throw when Chiefs' safety Bernard Pollard fell into his leg.
That's similar to what happened to Palmer in the playoffs against Pittsburgh when Kimo Von Oelhoffen injured Palmer's knee. He offered some advice to Brady.
"You've got to get over the mental obstacle of stepping into your throw when someone's coming at you," Palmer said in the Sporting News. "I was throwing off my back foot for a while after I came back. It took me a while before I could get over that feeling.
"I would just tell him to be prepared for the mental obstacles when he gets back on the practice field -- and the game field. You have to get over being uneasy about people being down around your feet and get over feeling like you need to step out of the way to protect yourself."
One problem for Brady this year could be taking too many sacks. He has to rediscover his pocket awareness and regain his movement under pressure. There's also the fear of holding the ball too long, which could lead to rushed throws or going down at the first sign of trouble.
Palmer went from 19 sacks to 36 the year after the injury. McNabb's sack total also jumped from 21 to 44, including a 12-sack game against the Giants in 2007.
Brady, who was sacked 21 times in 2007, isn't worried about getting hurt again, but he is aware of the hurdles he will have to overcome. The good thing is he's moved past the injury.
"I've never really focused on it," Brady said. "I think I felt bad for myself that night and then I think I moved on after that. Since then it's about trying to get better."
We expect Brady to get better, especially after hearing all the reports about his comeback this offseason in New England. He's worth drafting as a No. 1 Fantasy option again with a pick beginning in Round 2.
The recovery from the torn ACL is a concern, but Brady should rebound just fine like Palmer, McNabb and Rivers. They have shown that quarterbacks can bounce back quickly from what was once considered a career-threatening injury.
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