Tom Brady visibly was frustrated with New England's young wide receivers during Thursday night's 13-10 win over the New York Jets. Following the game, the Patriots quarterback said he needs to work on his body language.
On Monday morning, Brady took the self-criticism to another level.
"I'm not making all the right plays, either," Brady told WEEI Radio, via the Boston Herald. "It's not like the rookie receivers are messing up all the time -- no, not at all. Look, I've been really able to count on those guys. They've done an incredible job. I think we've got to improve in all aspects of our offense, and that will hopefully remove some of the burden that is fallen on the receivers right now."
Patriots rookie receivers Aaron Dobson and Kenbrell Thompkins each have had a case of the drops, and they have found it's not easy working through growing pains on a team that's expected to contend for a Super Bowl. And Brady's words from Monday sound like an effort to boost their confidence.
"And the younger players are doing a great job," Brady continued. "They're working really hard. Their attitude is great. It's been fun to work with them. Hopefully it all pays off in November and December when if we can ever get to a point where we have a lot of our guys back and healthy and playing really well."
While Danny Amendolacould be out up to six weeks, there is a decent chance we could see tight end Rob Gronkowski on the field Sunday for the first time this season.
Even when, or if, both veterans are on the field, Brady knows he'll need Dobson and Thompkins to improve if the Patriots are to make a deep playoff run. Improving their confidence level with public proclamations is just the move the leader can make.
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