April 28, 2011

MVP Profile: Tom Brady, 2007

Quarterback, New England Patriots



Age: 30
8th season in pro football & with Patriots
College: Michigan
Height: 6’4” Weight: 225

Prelude:
A lightly-regarded sixth-round draft choice by New England in 2000, Brady got his chance when starting QB Drew Bledsoe was injured in the second game of the ’01 season. With the young quarterback showing surprising poise and leadership ability, the team surged in the second half and ended up with a stunning win over the St. Louis Rams in the Super Bowl. Brady was selected to the Pro Bowl, as he also would be in 2004 and ‘05. The Patriots won two more championships over the next three seasons, and he led the NFL with 28 TD passes in 2002. Brady also led the league with 4110 yards passing in 2005.

2007 Season Summary
Appeared and started in all 16 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing
Attempts – 578 [2]
Most attempts, game – 54 vs. Philadelphia 11/25
Completions – 398 [2]
Most completions, game – 34 vs. Philadelphia 11/25
Yards – 4806 [1]
Most yards, game – 399 vs. Pittsburgh 12/9
Completion percentage – 68.9 [1]
Yards per attempt – 8.3 [1]
TD passes – 50 [1]
Most TD passes, game – 6 at Miami 10/21
Interceptions – 8
Most interceptions, game – 2 at Indianapolis 11/4, vs. Miami 12/23
Passer rating – 117.2 [1]
300-yard passing games – 8
200-yard passing games – 15

Rushing
Attempts – 37
Most attempts, game - 5 (for 14 yds.) at Indianapolis 11/4
Yards – 98
Most yards, game – 16 yards (on 3 carries) vs. Philadelphia 11/25
Yards per attempt – 2.6
TDs – 2

Scoring
TDs – 2
Points - 12

Postseason: 3 G
Pass attempts – 109
Most attempts, game - 48 vs. NY Giants, Super Bowl
Pass completions – 77
Most completions, game - 29 vs. NY Giants, Super Bowl
Passing yardage – 737
Most yards, game - 266 vs. NY Giants, Super Bowl
TD passes – 6
Most TD passes, game - 3 vs. Jacksonville, AFC Divisional playoff
Interceptions – 3
Most interceptions, game - 3 vs. San Diego, AFC Championship

Rushing attempts – 4
Most rushing attempts, game – 2 (for 1 yd.) vs. Jacksonville, AFC Divisional playoff, (for -2 yds.) vs. San Diego, AFC Championship
Rushing yards – -1
Most rushing yards, game - 1 vs. Jacksonville, AFC Divisional playoff
Average gain rushing – -0.3
Rushing TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:
NFL MVP: AP, PFWA, NEA, Bert Bell Award, Sporting News
NFL Offensive Player of the Year: AP
1st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Sporting News
Pro Bowl

Patriots went 16-0 to win the AFC East and complete the first undefeated regular season in the NFL since 1972. The team also paced the NFL in points (589), touchdowns (75), total yards (6580), and passing yards (4731). Won Divisional playoff over Jacksonville Jaguars (31-20) and AFC Championship over San Diego Chargers (21-12). Lost Super Bowl to New York Giants (17-14).

Aftermath:
Brady’s 2008 season ended prematurely due to a knee injury in the opening game. He came back to throw for 4398 yards and 28 TDs in 2009 and had another MVP season in 2010, in which he led the NFL in passing (111.0 rating) and TD passes (36). Brady was selected to the Pro Bowl in both 2009 and ’10.

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself).

[Updated 2/15/14]