Patriots first veteran OTA, Tom Brady attends

by MaPatsFan on May 26, 2009 5:11 PM EDT in News Comment 9 comments

The Season Can't Come Soon Enough For a Healthy Tom Brady

If you're paying attention, and I know this readership is, you know Tom Brady participated in the first of many Organized Team Activities today, as reported by Mike Reiss:

It's official. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady practiced with the team today.

As expected, Brady took part in the first day of the team's four-day organized team activity session that is taking place in Foxborough. Brady's participation was confirmed by Patriots spokesman Stacey James.

"He did participate," said James.

I think Stacey James went to the Belichick school of the understated. However, I do appreciate it because, frankly, I'm already sick of hearing about it. Mind you, I'm super happy Tom is back on the field, but I'm already dreading the endless analysis of his mobility. Thursday is the first day media will be allowed at the Patriots' OTA's and I'm pretty sure most of our Boston reporters will be fairly level headed about the whole "event". By most I mean Mike Reiss, Karen Guregian, and Shalise Manza Young. I'm quite sure other MSM outlets will be blanketing us with ridiculous speculation about Tom's performance on the field.

Let me be one of the first to predict NFL Network will have, during some segment, an orthopedic surgeon analyzing film of Brady's practice sessions and I'm pretty sure Marshall Faulk will be the "analyst" in charge of a most enlightening interview with said doctor:

MF - Dr. Glockenspiel, you've done an in depth analysis of Tom Brady and his "alleged" return. In your expert opinion, is Brady 100%?

Dr - Herr Brady appears to move as he did before, undt seems to have full range of motion. However, when he sets up for a...how you say...slant to Herr Welker, he appears to make a face.

MF - AH HAH!!! So he's not up to par, right?

Dr - I did not say that, Herr Faulk. I said he makes a face. It looks like he's concentrating.

MF - There has to be SOMETHING wrong!?!?

Dr - There is one thing...

MF - Yes!?!?

Dr - He runs like he's wearing leg irons.

MF - But he always ran like that! (Shouts off camera, "Cancel the check to this quack!")

Unlike the return of Peyton Manning last season, Brady appears to be in far better shape than his arch nemesis was. And the Patriots organization doesn't appear to be hiding anything as was the case with the Colts' organization. However, I do believe these situations are a bit different and this bodes well for us Patriots fans. The desire to conceal information in Manning's case was most likely due to his recovery and readiness being in question up until the last minute. While I'm still not convinced Brady's 100% until I see him in a live game situation, I do believe Brady was the man as soon as we traded Cassel. I don't care how much of a cap hit we were going to take; there's no way Belichick would risk the season if Brady wasn't up to snuff.

The amount of positive information coming from every direction can lead us to two distinct conclusions, a) it's a carefully orchestrated media campaign to keep us feeling "warm and fuzzy" or b) Tom really IS ready. Whatever the case may be, I'll be stoked to hear from our local reporters come Thursday's media access portion of OTA's. Until then, I'll turn the tube off when I hear Dr. Glockenspiel analyzing wonderboy's every movement.

I intend to simply enjoy watching Moss, Welker, Galloway, and Lewis catch passes from #12. Afterall, that's what opposing defenses will be watching ALL...SEASON...LONG.

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Comments

The offense should be interesting

Welker should pick up at least 113 catches underneath.
Galloway will do what Stallworth couldn’t – stretch the other side of the field from Moss.
Fred Taylor is better than LaMont Jordan.
We’ve got tight ends coming out of our ears.

The defensive side is more problematic; but if the secondary is improved, I think we’ll see more pass rush. It’s pretty easy to throw it when all your targets are open.

by SlotMachinePlayer on May 26, 2009 5:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely

Keep the faith!

by Marima on May 26, 2009 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Taylor vs. Jordan

I was a big Jordan fan simply because he seemed to “fit” that particular backfield. The way we’re structured now, Taylor will be a great addition. I think he’s really going to help Maroney given their early years are very similar.

Blogger at SBNation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit

by MaPatsFan on May 26, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wheatley worth watching

Terrence Wheatley will be interesting to watch this year as well. I know he didn’t play much last year, but in the one game he did play vs Indy he defended 2 passes. He wasn’t in for much more than two snaps before he got hurt, but he was playing very tight defense and was willing to make plays. He basically was shutting his man down.

We could use a shutdown corner.

by SlotMachinePlayer on May 26, 2009 5:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Butler

We could use a shutdown corner.

I’m hoping they allow Darius Butler to play with some abandon, take a few risks. CBs were too soft last year.

Blogger at SBNation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit

by MaPatsFan on May 26, 2009 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My favorite quote from the King piece

“You go down, they take you off the field, the ref blows the whistle, the 25-second clock starts, and they play the game without you,” Brady said. “You’re like, Wow. That’s really what it’s like. They play without you.”

I hear that.

As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead

by JohnHannahRules on May 26, 2009 6:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good

Everything looks like it’s coming along nicely. Whether Brady is back to his old self remains to be seen – and we cannot really know until the season starts – but so far all signs are positive. As fans, we couldn’t really ask for more.

by hythlodaeus on May 27, 2009 2:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think the pass rush will improve as well.

1. Thomas was hurt, Woods was hurt, I even read that Vrable was playing hurt, Crable never got started. I think they will be better, even though I will miss Vrabes. I think his production fell off because there wasn’t enough pressure on the other side.

2. The secondary was full of holes. Deltha got burned how many times against San Diego? Hobbs always gave a considerable cushion, but he was the brightest light. Wheatley started to look good and got injured. I think they will be better, and it will be a bit harder to get rid of the ball.

3. Guyton and Mayo will do a better job against tailbacks and tight ends than Bruschi did. Tedy has lost a step. I absolutely love that he is there to instruct the new guys, but his best days are over.

4. The offense will be quicker to start. Sure Cassel put up points and won close games, but alot of those were catch up in the second half. With Tommy Terrific, they will put up points fast, causing the opposing QB’s to have to drop back more to catch up.

QB’s having to drop back + covered receivers + TE and backs (the safety valves) covered = SACKS! (I like the math)

by SlotMachinePlayer on May 27, 2009 11:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Excellent points, SMP

I’m a HUGE fan of the pass rush. Pressure the QB and he’ll make bad decisions all day long, thus making everyone else’s job easier. That’s why I’m excited about Crable, Woods, and Thomas. I’m still a bit mystified we didn’t draft a pass rusher or pick one up in FA, but I’ll have to trust Bill and the staff. Besides, we can always pick someone up on the wire.

Blogger at SBNation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit

by MaPatsFan on May 27, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs