Trying To Get Better

So, lately I came across a couple of references to the fact Rob Gronkowski wasn't coming off rehab for the first time in several years. He felt great. It was only shorts and shells but Gronk absolutely dominated mini-camp. Could this be Gronkowski's best year ever – better than his 2011 season of 90 catches, 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns? (17!) Let's say he had an Elvis Year, 20% better than those career numbers: 108 catches, 1,592 yards and 20 touchdowns. (20!)

Those are crazy numbers but somehow they're not crazy when we're talking about a healthy, 26-year old, Star Lord of tight ends Rob Gronkowski. Remember, even in his slow to get started, 15-game 2014 season Gronkowski put up an 82 catch, 1,124 yards, 12 TD stat line.

He's at the very peak of his inimitable powers.

He's ready to smash and dash.

The Big Gronkowski.

Like every other player in the NFL, Rob Gronkowski is just trying to get better. Thinking about Gronk having a career year made me wonder if Brandon LaFell might reach for his ceiling in his second year in the Patriots system. As I contemplated Julian Edelman once again hitting the century mark in receptions. At this point I had to ask myself, would it actually be possible for everyone who's trying to get better to actually get better?

Probably not. First of all, the linebackers and defensive backs on opposing defenses are all trying to get better, too. Even if everyone did get better, it would be a zero sum game.

Still, sports is defined by numbers and off-season is all about hopes and dreams. So, what if all of the Patriots pass catchers simply match their career bests? What would that look like?

Caveats: I'm using Travaris Cadet's career best as a projection for the 3rd down back. He may not win that job (it could be James White) and his numbers fall well short of Shane Vereen's career best (52/447/3). You can quibble with Scott Chandler's numbers as I chose his 2012 numbers (higher average yards per catch, more TDs) over his 2013 numbers (more catches, yards; fewer TDs). I also included Brandon Gibson's numbers for the 4th wide receiver though he may not even make the roster and perhaps I should've used Aaron Dobson's rookie numbers instead (37/519/4). Whatever. We're just making this shit up, after all…

Player	Catches	Yards	TD
Gronk	90	1327	17
Chandler	43	571	6
Jules	105	1056	6
JoJo	74	953	7
Amendola	85	689	3
Gibson	51	691	5
Cadet	38	296	1
Totals	486	5583	45

In case you were thinking those numbers are insane, you are correct. To confirm our diagnosis, let's look at Tom Brady's three best seasons…

Season	Completions	Yards	TD
Brady 07	398	4806	50
Brady 10	324	3900	36
Brady 11	401	5235	39

For further context, the single season record for completions is 468 (D. Brees), for passing yards is 5,477 (P. Manning) and passing touchdowns is 55 (P. Manning).

Okay, the projected totals aren't that far off from the single season records for completions and yards so it isn't completely out of the question in the abstract. I just can't imagine New England going that pass wacky on offense. If anything, I would think the Patriots will place more of an emphasis on the running game in 2015 for a number of reasons; to take advantage of defenses built to stop the pass, to minimize the hits Tom Brady takes and to take advantage of play action out of the "12" personnel grouping. If anything, I'd expect the Patriots to look more like 2010 than 2014 as they try to become the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowls since they did it in 2003-04…

Year	Pass	Rush	%Rush
2014	609	438	41.83%
2013	628	470	42.81%
2012	641	523	44.93%
2011	612	438	41.71%
2010	507	454	47.24%

If anyone has a career-year in 2015, I think it's most likely to be LeGarrette Blount.

Would I mind being wrong about that? He is my wife's favorite player but it's not a deal-breaker.

Would I mind seeing Tom Brady shatter every one of the NFL's single season passing record?

Sorry. I think I blacked out for just a moment there.

Yeah. I'd be totally cool with that.