sunnier days
Brady feeling good down in Tampa
One hundred and forty days. That’s how long Tom Brady has been something other than a New England Patriot in the NFL. One hundred and forty days. That’s been the extent of Brady’s Tampa Bay Buc- caneers existence thus far.
And there’s so much more to come. Unsure how Patriots fans will stomach the fact during a Thursday afternoon video session with the media, No. 12 looked happy, healthy, refreshed and pleased by his new life outside of the place he called home for two decades. Maybe they wish him the best no matter what. Maybe they’ve moved on to Cam Newton, Jarrett Stidham or whoever is under center for the Patriots this season. Or maybe, they’re still bitter about him wearing another uniform to finish his career, whether blaming Bill Belichick or Brady himself. While it remains to be seen just how good the GOAT will be with his new team, primed with a stacked offensive cast, he still talks a good game. “Everybody sees football a little bit different. It’s about how we all see it together, and how we can all be on the same page as we move adorned forward,” in the black said TB12 Brady, hat, who and gray was Buccaneers hoodie for the season. “Ultimately my goal is to go out there and do what I’ve always done — be the best I can possibly be for the team. I’ve tried to catch passes in my career, I’ve tried to make blocks. I’ve had a few runs, but I’m not very good at any of those. I think my best ability is reading defenses, and throwing the football.”
Indeed, that’s what has made him the best to ever play the position. Mentally, there’s still no one quite like Brady. He picks most teams apart with his brain, knowing what the defense is going to do, before the ball is snapped.
With Brady turning 43 a few days ago, the biggest question with him moving forward is whether or not he can still do the job physically. Even though he defied the odds in New England, Belichick no longer wanted to rely on a quarterback whose physical shelf life should have already expired. Even Brady has those questions. But he’s more than satisfied with the answer. “Mentally I feel like I have all the ability,” he said. “I’ve seen every defense. There’s no play I haven’t run. There’s no defense I haven’t seen. It’s just physically, are you still able to execute your job? And, I’m very fortunate to still be able to do that.”
A source tells the Herald Brady is doing well outside of his comfort zone in New England. While it’s been an adjustment, it’s all coming together.
While Brady talked a bit about the adjustment, and having to learn a new playbook after 19 years, it sounds like his background with Belichick just may have prepared him for the moment. Many of the things he uttered during his sixquestion, eight-minute session with the media was familiar. Answering a question about dealing with a pandemic, Brady’s words had an “it is, what it is,” feel.
“The only thing you can do is adjust to the situation, adapt the best way you can, put as much time and energy now as we can into it,” he said. “I think the reality is, the clock is ticking on everybody. We’re going to have to work as hard as we can, and not waste any minutes trying to get used to one another. Embrace the challenge, and see it as an opportunity to see what we can become.”
Asked about players buying in, and wanting to win with him, Brady effectively dodged the question. He preached hard work.
“All those things are to be determined for all of us as we move forward, and the type of buy-in and really, what you put into it, is what you get out of it,” said Brady. “You’ve got to work hard every day to bring your best emotional energy to be at your best physically to learn to know what to do to be at your best.”
The expectations have certainly grown in Tampa. Instead of being a perennial loser, the Buccaneers are now championship driven with Brady at the controls. The players are becoming believers with each day that goes by, and each interaction with Brady. And, the Bucs aren’t dealing with nearly as many players opting out (one) as the Patriots (eight).
As it stands, Brady has one familiar face, Rob Gronkowski, at his side. According to a source, Gronk is also happy with the change of scenery and is in good shape to tackle the season. And as Brady said Thursday, “I know what he can do.”
He’s learning more about the great cast around him, which includes wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, tight ends Cameron Brate, O.J. Howard, and Gronk, and running backs Ronald Jones and LeSean McCoy.
“The guys are working really hard. It’s been fun getting to know the receiver position,” he said. “It’s really up to everybody to go out there and earn their role. I’ve always believed you get out of it, what you put into it. A lot of guys are working really hard. They’re working hard because this is their career. And they want to do a great job regardless of who the quarterback (is).”
Little by little, Brady is turning the page on his past, and accepting Tampa as his new home, and new team.
He said he’s still learning the names of players, and where the quarterback and meeting rooms are located. He’s trying to wrap his brain around his new surroundings.
Twenty years in one place, with the same head coach, doesn’t just disappear overnight.
“Every day that goes by, it’s getting a little better. I’m glad we’re not playing a game this Sunday. I’m glad we have time to prepare,” he said. “It’s been a good week or so being in here, and every day, I’m trying to take advantage of the opportunity to improve myself so I can be the best quarterback for this team, that this team really deserves.”
A hundred forty days and counting.