New England Patriots Links 8/26/09 - Brady Not Concerned About Contract

Erik Scalavino Tedy Bruschi predicts playmaking from the LBs this season.

There are several new and young players trying to work their way into the lineup at linebacker. That means 14-year veteran Tedy Bruschi has been relegated to more of a secondary role at that position. He was asked about that fact in the locker room before Tuesday’s practice, and whether or not it feels odd to him after having started most of his career in New England.

"I’ve been with every unit in my career," he pointed out. "I mean, maybe it’d be different if I came in as a number one overall pick and that’s what I’d been my entire career. But I came in having to work my way in. So, I know what it’s like, whether you play every down, or just first and second down, or you play special teams … I know what all those roles are like, and I’m used to them, and that helps."

"We’re making progress from week to week. Right now, it’s not September or October, so, you can’t tell too much, but for the four weeks we’ve had in training camp, I think the fans can look forward to seeing linebackers making a lot of plays."

Shalise Manza Young New QB contracts could mean a windfall for Tom Brady.

At his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Brady expressed happiness for Eli Manning and Rivers for their contracts.

"I think it's great. It's great for those players," he said. "They've worked hard to deserve those. Any time a guy gets a contract, it's a pretty cool thing. I've had that experience a couple times. It really shows the health of the league."

(At this point one wonders if that last sentence is a subtle swipe at some owners' contention that the league is in financial trouble.)

"Those contract things always work themselves out one way or another. So I think the important thing this time of year is to focus on the most important priority, which is having a great season," Brady continued. "I'm committed to that and I know my teammates are committed to that. Hopefully, if we all go out and play well, we'll all be playing for a long time."

TEAM TIDBITS

• Patriots trade OL Russ Hochstein to Denver, signed 3rd round draft pick Tyrone McKenzie, and released S Tank Williams.
• Tom Brady Tuesday Press Conference.  Transcript plus 17.36 min. video.
• Ask PFW: Backs and 'backers plus more, in this week's mailbag.
• Patriots Today: Brady checks in, Hochstein on the move and more.  (10.25 min. video)
• Scott Barboza Patriots alumni return 'home' to Fenway Park and tour the facility where they used to play.
  

LOCAL LINKS

• Karen Guregian picks through Brady's words to see what he might be thinking about his next contract.
• Mark Farinella says everyone's worried about Vince Wilfork's contract but we should be concerned with Brady's.
• Christopher Price believes it when Brady says he's not worried about his contract.
• Chris Gasper says Brady wants to be a money quarterback -- on the field.
• Mike Reiss notes humble LB Gary Guyton never wants to forget where he came from.
• Mike Reiss details the Russ Hochstein trade, the Tyrone McKenzie deal and the Mark LeVoir contract.
• Ron Borges notes Tom Brady's need for more live reps to completely get his timing back for the regular season.
• Jeff Howe sees the Patriots' O-Line as consistent, cohesive and close.  They have a trust that can't be forced.
• Karen Guregian reports CB Shawn Springs is impressed and invigorated by the work ethic of his teammates.
• Shalise Manza Young Patriots Journal: Bruschi prepared for any role; LB Paris Lenon returned to practice; Crable's absence not due to injury.
• Karen Guregian Patriots Notebook: Bruschi feels good; Hochstein traded; OT Mark LeVoir gets contract extended; CB Darius Butler feels he's starting to play better; Rookies get hosed once more in practice.
• Jim Donaldson wonders why NFL betting isn't allowed, since gambling is already prevalent.
• Joe Zarbano catches what Washington Redskins' DE Andre Carter is saying about Tom Brady.  He wants to "mess with him."
• Jeff Howe looks at the milestones Brady can reach if he remains healthy in 2009.

With 3,554 yards this season, he can become the 30th quarterback in NFL history to accumulate 30,000 career passing yards. With three touchdown passes, he'll become the 27th player to throw 200 in a career. With 199 completions, he'll become the 28th player to record 2,500 in a career. And if Brady can win 13 games for the fourth time in his career, he'd become the 11th quarterback with 100 career victories.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Jason La Canfora (NFL.com) Prediction time: Picking first and last place teams in each division.  Patriots first of course.
• Peter King (SI) MMQB Mailbag; Ten rookies who've impressed - including WR Julian Edelman; Cowboys video fallout. 
• Tim Graham (ESPN) T.O. missing third pre-season game isn't going over well with Bills fans.
• Peter Schrager (FOX Sports) NFL pressure cooker the true test of young QBs.
• Don Banks (SI) Preseason Week 2: Winners and losers.  Pats not mentioned after dudsville of a Bengals game.