Same old Brady
GOAT reflects on time with Pats amid quest for 7th title
Tom Brady established his identity as the greatest quarterback of all time by winning six Super Bowl rings during his two decades in New England.
He wouldn’t be where he is today without wearing a Patriots uniform, and being coached by Bill Belichick.
But in some ways — beyond the weather — Tampa must seem like nirvana for Brady compared to New England.
Brady and Rob Gronkowski have both talked about the fun they’re having playing football with the Buccaneers.
One of the issues that led to Brady finally cutting ties with the Patriots was feeling somewhat marginalized in his final seasons in New England. He felt his voice was no longer being heard, especially when it came to the offense.
In Tampa, coach Bruce Arians has apparently given him a freer reign, telling NBC Sports’ Peter King he’s provided Brady a freer working environment to thrive.
“I allow him to be himself. Like, New England didn’t allow him to coach. I allow him to coach,” Arians said. “I just sit back sometimes and watch.”
Asked Friday during a Zoom call about Arians’ remarks, and how important it was for him to have that kind of voice, Brady, not surprisingly, struck a diplomatic tone.
“It’s been fun just being here. I had a good time in New England, too. I’ve had a great 21 years. I’m very blessed and a lucky guy,” he said. “The fact I’m still playing football, for me, is a blessing, and I got a lot of great teammates that I played with over the years, and a great group this year. That’s the best part about football, all the relationships you have. And it’s been a fun year doing it.”
Brady won’t diminish his time in New England, or directly discuss his reasons for heading out in free agency.
Winning is also part of the fun equation, and he had that in New England.
With the Buccaneers headed to Green Bay for the NFC Championship game on Sunday, a step away from another Super Bowl appearance, the narrative hasn’t changed much. The winning has continued for Brady.
But it’s hard to ignore the role he’s played in the Bucs’ resurgence, with all the experience and leadership he’s provided.
Buccaneers players have spoken about following his lead, and gaining so much from having him as a teammate.
Brady knows what he brings to the table.
“I have a lot of experience playing. I like to try to convey a lot of different things I think could be successful,” Brady said, “whether it be a physical thing to a player, it could be a certain way I see something happening. I think we have a great communication, a great rapport with everyone. The only way to work through things are to communicate through them.
“It’s been a really fun process. We’ve put ourselves in a decent position. Now, we’ve got to capitalize on it.”
Brady has never been one to lose focus on the task at hand. He always talks about having laser-focus, and he has a bull’s-eye squarely on the Packers.
But now Brady’s stash of playmakers is somewhat diminished with the news Antonio Brown, who suffered a knee injury against the Saints, won’t be playing. He was officially listed out by Arians on Friday.
Even without Brown, Brady still has plenty of weapons left over. He threw 40 touchdown passes during the regular season to a star-studded cast. Brady, however, still acknowledged the loss of Brown.
“I think we’re going to have to find a way to win. It obviously sucks for Antonio. We all wish he could be out there with us. Other guys are going to have to step up and do the job,” he said. “We have a lot of confidence in the guys who haven’t been out there as much when AB’s been in there.
“It’s a great game to play in,” Brady added about the conference championship, where he’ll be making his 14th appearance. “You want everybody to play in this game. We’re going to have to figure out a way to win regardless.”
Brady and the Bucs have beaten Washington and New Orleans en route to having a date with the topseeded Packers.
Brady will be meeting Aaron Rodgers for the fourth time in his career. The GOAT said prior to signing with the Bucs, he thought playing in Tampa would be the best situation for him going forward. That has proven true. “I looked at just the whole situation. There was a lot of reasons to come here. Great coaching staff, a lot of really great players. Just wanting to come and compete,” he said. “I love working with my teammates. We’ve all worked really hard to get to this point. To play in a championship game is a great experience. I love being able to do that with this group of guys.”
He’s one step away from the Super Bowl. That much hasn’t changed.