New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has watched every one of Tom Brady’s passes in the NFL — probably more than once. The coach also has an impressive memory, with the ability to recite coverages and fine details from the Patriots and their opponents’ play-calls from 2001.
As Belichick reflected upon Brady’s career during the NFL100 All-Time List for NFL Network, the coach was fairly quick to respond to a question about Brady’s signature play. The coach had two.
“There are a lot of them,” Belichick said on NFL Network. “One of the great early ones, I think, was the AFC Championship Game against Pittsburgh to (Deion) Branch on the post. Tom drew (Troy) Polamalu down, Deion got behind him and Tom put it over the top for a touchdown. That kind of got us started in that game.
That connection between Brady and Branch in the 2004 AFC title game went for 60 yards and a touchdown. It put the Patriots up 10-0 in the first quarter and New England went on to win 41-27.
“I could list a thousand of them,” Belichick said. “Certainly the seam pass to (Rob) Gronkowski in the most recent Super Bowl, a great touch throw. There’s a thousand of those, too. That was a special play.”
Brady connected with Gronk for 29 yards, the longest play of the game. The big play put the Patriots on the 2-yard line and set up a rushing touchdown for Sony Michel on the following play. It was the only touchdown of the game.
