SORE SUBJECT
WHEN TB12’S BODY COACH CAME UP IN HIS FIRST MEDIA SESSION OF CAMP … BRADY BOLTED!
FOXBORO — Tom Brady didn’t walk out on Jim Gray at the Milken Institute during that May interview. He didn’t take a powder on Oprah Winfrey during that backyard chat last month.
It was different story with Brady and the New England media behind Gillette Stadium.
Holding his first press briefing of training camp yesterday, he was nearly six minutes in when one question got under his skin.
Specifically, he was asked his reaction to people connecting Julian Edelman’s failed drug test to Brady’s friend and so-called body coach Alex Guerrero. Did Brady think it was fair to link Guerrero to Edelman, who has also worked with the trainer at TB12?
“I have no comment,” said Brady, who was clearly irritated by the question. “That’s ridiculous. I’m out.”
And off he went, fleeing that scene. Before that, the session was polite, the questions non-controversial for the most part, and the responses not especially stuffed with ground-breaking news.
But that doesn’t mean Brady’s answers weren’t interesting, or didn’t have parts that raised an eyebrow beyond watching the GOAT’s hasty exit.
Case in point: The Patriots quarterback, who for the first time in a long time, decided to skip all the voluntary workouts, was asked if he felt he was behind where he normally is with his receivers.
“I don’t know. Yeah, I don’t know,” Brady answered. “We have a long time. We have a lot of work to do. We’re going to do the best we can every day to get the work in when we can.” He doesn’t know?
It sounds like an odd answer, but he’s probably right. He won’t know if he can make up for lost time until the season starts. If he’s still trying to get on the same page with the new guys Jordan Matthews, Cordarrelle Patterson, Sony Michel and Riley McCarron, and some of the second-year players like Phillip Dorsett, Kenny Britt and Jacob Hollister, he’ll know his absence from OTAs made a difference.
With receivers Danny Amendola and Brandin Cooks playing elsewhere, and Julian Edelman suspended the first four games, Brady does have to step it up and find some chemistry and trust with some different people.
If the offense starts slow and the team starts poorly, he’s set himself up for a fair share of criticism thanks to the different approach he took, choosing instead to spend more time with his family.
The critics already have been out, poking fun of Brady and his time in Monaco and Costa Rica, given reports of him showing signs of rust during Friday’s session.
Asked if being away benefitted him in terms of his focus and readiness for camp, Brady prefaced his answer by saying football has always been “very, very important” to him.
“As you get older you have different responsibilities, and I think that’s just part of life,” he said. “Everyone’s got to deal with those responsibilities differently and what works for them. Football is a huge part of my life. I love being here with my teammates and playing, and hopefully we can have a great season.”
Of course, there was a question about the alleged turmoil between himself and head coach Bill Belichick. His thoughts?
“I have no thoughts,” he shot back.
That answer was so Belichickian. It’s like he plucked it right out of the playbook. While there might be some friction between the two, it’s obvious Brady has learned a few things from the Hoodie.
The quarterback was also at his evasive best — another Belichick trait — when asked if he played a role in Josh McDaniels staying in New England. My sources tell me that was the case. Brady, however, wouldn’t take the bait.
“Josh and I have had a great relationship for 18 years. He’s one of my best friends. I love working with him,” he said. “We’ve had a very special relationship that I cherish. It’s been that way a long time . . . I’m happy he’s on our team, I’m happy he’s coaching me, I want to go out there and do well by him.”
Then, there’s his connection with Edelman. Brady has had to sit four games before. He knows the ropes thanks to his Deflategate suspension. He claimed he hadn’t given his pal any advice.
“For all of us, we’re just at a certain point and you’re building to try to be the best you can be for this season. Everyone’s going to have a different situation and different role,” said Brady. “Whether you’re not out there for one reason or another, I mean, we’ve just got to adapt and adjust and try to do the best we can. The more good players we have out there, the better it is, the more productive it is for all of us. Everyone’s working on something different. Everyone’s got a little different situation, a little different role, and how we adapt to those situations and roles will determine how well we do.”
At the first mention of Guerrero’s name, Brady adapted by bolting. With the former having his privileges revoked by Belichick last season, it’s a sore subject to say the least.