Brady: league just mediocre
Though he largely avoided controversial comments during his legendary career, a retired Tom Brady isn’t afraid to make bold claims.
During a recent interview with ESPN, Brady unleashed a bold take about the current state of the league.
“I think there’s a lot of mediocrity in today’s NFL,” Brady said. “I don’t see the excellence that I saw in the past.”
Brady began by listing a few factors.
“I don’t think the coaching is as good as it was,” he said. “I don’t think the development of the young players is as good as it was. The rules have allowed a lot of bad habits to get into the actual performance of the game. I just think the product, in my opinion, is less than what it’s been.”
Considering Brady played quarterback — a position the NFL has tried to protect — Brady cited the diminished intimidation factor from defenders.
“I look at a lot of players like Ray Lewis and Rodney Harrison and Ronnie Lott, guys that impacted the game in a certain way,” he said. “Every hit they would have made would have been a penalty. You hear coaches complaining about their own player being tackled.”
Rodgers to return to practice?
Aaron Rodgers hopes to celebrate his 40th birthday by returning to practice.
The Jets quarterback continues to recover from a torn left Achilles’ tendon suffered four snaps into his debut with the team Sept. 11. But Rodgers confirmed Tuesday during his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” he has his sights set on getting back on the field in two weeks.
The four-time NFL MVP turns 40 Dec. 2, which Fox Sports reported over the weekend is a target date for Rodgers.
Colts waive ex-All-Pro LB Leonard
Indianapolis waived three-time All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard on Tuesday in a surprising move after the Colts played themselves back into the playoff race.
The decision to part ways with Leonard, the 2018 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, comes shortly after he complained publicly about his decreased playing time this season.
Browns QB Watson has surgery
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson had surgery in Los Angeles to repair a fracture in his right shoulder, an injury that ended his second season in Cleveland after just nine games.
Watson was dealing with a strained right rotator cuff when he suffered the break in his throwing shoulder against Baltimore on Nov. 12.
Steelers fire OC Canada
The Steelers fired embattled offensive coordinator Matt Canada, two-plus years into a tenure in which the team struggled to generate points and yards with regularity. Coach Mike Tomlin announced the move two days after the Steelers managed just 10 points in a dismal loss to Cleveland, saying in a statement that he appreciated Canada's “hard work and dedication.” . . . The Saints placed receiver Michael Thomas on injured reserve, meaning he'll miss at least the next four games . . . Ravens tight end Mark Andrews had surgery on his injured ankle, according to a person with knowledge of the operation. Andrews was injured in Thursday’s 34-20 victory over the Bengals.