Tompa Bay: Tom Tom club

BusRaker

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 11, 2006
2,371
So he’s had a career throwing to maybe the best TE in NFL history, two excellent slot receivers, the back end of a HOF receiver, and his current crew which is stacked. But otherwise a pretty pedestrian crew.

Not sure what this chart would look like for Brees or Manning but this is pretty impressive.

Also Vrabel being that high is pretty crazy.
Randy Moss is a back end HOF'er?
 

yeahlunchbox

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 21, 2008
764
I was listening to Brady's podcast with Jim Gray and he played Tom the clip of Belichick talking about how if there's anyone that could play into his 50's it's probably Tom and Brady's reaction surprised me. He kinda gave an incredulous laugh and said something sarcastic to the tune of "always good to count on the encouragement of coach Belichick". Less diplomatic than I would expect. Couldn't read it in any way other than "huh, so now you think I can play at this age? Funny how that works". I'm a little surprised this hasn't gotten more play, sounds like perfect fodder for Boston radio.
That was all over Felger and Mazz yesterday when I was listening. They got a quick hook though, so who knows how long they actually talked about it.
 

E5 Yaz

Transcends message boarding
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 25, 2002
90,014
Oregon
You know, he might be right about this, but Alex Guerrero needs to STFU

"It was like Bill never really ... I think his emotions or feelings never evolved with age," Guerrero told the Boston Herald on Wednesday. "As Tom got into his late 30s or early 40s, I think Bill was still trying to treat him like that 20-year-old kid that he drafted. And all the players, I think, realized Tom was different. He's older, so he should be treated differently. And all the players, none of them would have cared that he was treated differently.
"I think that was such a Bill thing. He never evolved. So you can't treat someone who's in his 40s like they're 20. It doesn't work."

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32263024/new-england-patriots-coach-bill-belichick-never-evolved-tom-brady-aged-trainer-alex-guerrero-says
 

EvilEmpire

paying for his sins
Moderator
SoSH Member
Apr 9, 2007
17,178
Washington
I very much doubt BB treated Brady like he was 20 when he was 40. I'm sure Brady didn't get as much special treatment as he felt he deserved, but I think part of what makes BB successful is his steady, consistent approach when dealing with players and how he runs the team.
 

loshjott

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 30, 2004
14,943
Silver Spring, MD
You know, he might be right about this, but Alex Guerrero needs to STFU

"It was like Bill never really ... I think his emotions or feelings never evolved with age," Guerrero told the Boston Herald on Wednesday. "As Tom got into his late 30s or early 40s, I think Bill was still trying to treat him like that 20-year-old kid that he drafted. And all the players, I think, realized Tom was different. He's older, so he should be treated differently. And all the players, none of them would have cared that he was treated differently.
"I think that was such a Bill thing. He never evolved. So you can't treat someone who's in his 40s like they're 20. It doesn't work."

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32263024/new-england-patriots-coach-bill-belichick-never-evolved-tom-brady-aged-trainer-alex-guerrero-says
Why does he need to STFU?
 

E5 Yaz

Transcends message boarding
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 25, 2002
90,014
Oregon
Why does he need to STFU?
Because I think he's over his skis in these comments. He knows what the rest of the players on the team would have thought? He's qualified to psycho-analyze Belichick? He's a personal trainer who glommed onto a GOAT ... that qualifies him as an expert on pro football structural dynamics?
 

E5 Yaz

Transcends message boarding
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 25, 2002
90,014
Oregon
I think there's a pretty good possibility that re BB, Alex is Brady's proxy with knowledge and approval to talk on the matter.
Yes and no. Approval to comment? Sure. But I doubt he presented a script to Brady for approval before talking.
 

tims4wins

PN23's replacement
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
37,055
Hingham, MA
I very much doubt BB treated Brady like he was 20 when he was 40. I'm sure Brady didn't get as much special treatment as he felt he deserved, but I think part of what makes BB successful is his steady, consistent approach when dealing with players and how he runs the team.
Agree with this 100%
 

E5 Yaz

Transcends message boarding
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 25, 2002
90,014
Oregon
I very much doubt BB treated Brady like he was 20 when he was 40. I'm sure Brady didn't get as much special treatment as he felt he deserved, but I think part of what makes BB successful is his steady, consistent approach when dealing with players and how he runs the team.
Totally agree
 

Bleedred

Member
SoSH Member
Feb 21, 2001
9,963
Boston, MA
I think there's a pretty good possibility that re BB, Alex is Brady's proxy with inside knowledge and approval to talk on the matter.
I think they're both right. Guerrero is likely articulating how Brady felt and I think there is some real justification to the position that Brady earned being treated differently than the others, particularly after 6 SB victories, etc. It's also true that part of BB's success is his maniacal focus on what he deems is best for his football team, and if BB felt that treating TB12 just like he treated the other 51 is the way to success, then there is real justification in that approach.
 

bankshot1

Member
SoSH Member
Feb 12, 2003
24,651
where I was last at
Yes and no. Approval to comment? Sure. But I doubt he presented a script to Brady for approval before talking.
I've no idea how orchrestrated this is, but wouldn't at all be surprised if this latest round of Tom v BB, with Tom's dad and now Alex's perspective wasn't done with some thought and planning as to the message delivered with Tom's approval.
 

pappymojo

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 28, 2010
6,667
I tend to side with Belichick in this. Navigating the NFL salary rules seems difficult as he'll. Brady seemed frustrated in his final year due to the talent around him, but the Patriots did trade for Antonio Brown and his very sizeable contract. To me, that appears to have been a good faith effort to appease Brady and to give him a quality/expensive receiver.

The fact that that trade blew up in the Patriots face, is mostly on Antonio Brown, but Brady doesn't appear to hold a grudge in that respect. Edit: against Antonio Brown.

If Brady felt like Belichick didn't offer Brady enough money in that next contract negotiation, he (Brady) should at least acknowledge that they didn't have as much money to offer him because they had taken on Brown's contract in the year prior.
 

Big McCorkle

Member
SoSH Member
May 9, 2021
231
Absolutely. There are have been dozens of anecdotes from free agents and rookies over the years where BB being tough on TB exemplified that everyone was equally accountable.
Yeah, I remember seeing a lot of quotes like that. I also remember thinking that those sort of events were probably to some degree orchestrated or staged between Brady and Belichick, i.e. that Bill at some point(s) pulled Brady aside and told him that he was going to keep on riding him just the same as all the other players even though he'd earned some degree of special treatment, and Brady agreed to that and was like, "yeah, makes sense, good for the winning culture."

But anyone who thinks that Guerrero isn't acting in some fashion as Brady's mouthpiece here is huffing some copium, so it would seem that Bill really just do it, because of course Belichick would just go ahead and do it, and Brady took it like a professional even though it was rubbing him the wrong way internally.
 

Leather

given himself a skunk spot
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
28,451
I think they're both right. Guerrero is likely articulating how Brady felt and I think there is some real justification to the position that Brady earned being treated differently than the others, particularly after 6 SB victories, etc. It's also true that part of BB's success is his maniacal focus on what he deems is best for his football team, and if BB felt that treating TB12 just like he treated the other 51 is the way to success, then there is real justification in that approach.
But where is the line? Because Guerrero's statements read like one side of a closed-door negotiation saying to the press: "Sorry folks, but the other side just wasn't willing to meet us in the middle" without ever acknowledging where the "middle" is in their minds. It might be reasonable, it might not be, but without specifics I'm leaning toward: Brady wanted a lot more than we probably know about, and he doesn't want to disclose because it makes him less sympathetic.

Brady got to blow off some offseason workouts in his late 30s that he never would have been able to in his mid 20s, for instance, but Guerrero doesn' t mention that. He's deliberately vague. My guess is that Brady wanted more input on personnel decisions (and circumstantial evidence seems to suggest some personnel decisions were made at his behest, such as Josh Gordon), which BB refused to cede control over. Or it may have been an open-ended excuse from meetings, or extreme flexibility with practice schedules. Who knows. But until Brady comes out and says: "Here's what I wanted and they wouldn't give me, and that's why I was pissed off." I'm not giving him the benefit of the doubt. He's free to do that whenever he pleases; that he doesn't speaks volumes.
 

Mystic Merlin

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 21, 2007
46,767
Hartford, CT
The TB12 PR machine has hit a new gear ahead of the Bucs-Pats game and the pending Wickersham book. It’s not a coincidence his dad and Guerrero have spoken to two NE reporters in recent days, they could’ve easily ducked them. Hell, Guerrero even took time to distance Tom from his dad’s comments, which is not credible on its face but also further suggests some coordination/TB12 getting going on here.

In a surprise to no one, Bill has not commented on any of it, and I’m not holding my breath that he will. I don’t think any of this will age well for Tom, and much of it will probably be forgotten in 10 years anyways, so I understand why Bill isn’t commenting and likely will not comment. What would the point be? Make himself feel better?
 

jmcc5400

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 29, 2000
5,203
Because I think he's over his skis in these comments. He knows what the rest of the players on the team would have thought? He's qualified to psycho-analyze Belichick? He's a personal trainer who glommed onto a GOAT ... that qualifies him as an expert on pro football structural dynamics?
It's just a matter of time before the hot take machine questions Belichick's greatness because he had the greatest quarterback of all time for 18 years and *only* won 6 times before driving him out of town.

I love Tom and will be always be grateful for the ride he gave us. But he has "won" the divorce. A little disappointing that there still seems to be an axe to grind in public.
 

EvilEmpire

paying for his sins
Moderator
SoSH Member
Apr 9, 2007
17,178
Washington
But where is the line? Because Guerrero's statements read like one side of a closed-door negotiation saying to the press: "Sorry folks, but the other side just wasn't willing to meet us in the middle" without ever acknowledging where the "middle" is in their minds. It might be reasonable, it might not be, but without specifics I'm leaning toward: Brady wanted a lot more than we probably know about, and he doesn't want to disclose because it makes him less sympathetic.
I think this is probably true about Brady, but I also think it is likely that Guerrero was defining "treat Tom different" as also meaning "leave Guerrero alone". So I do think there is a big personal element in that interview related specifically to Guerrero and how he was (mis)treated by BB. He's a clown.
 

Silverdude2167

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 9, 2006
4,683
Amstredam
Brady and his "team" are slowly getting more annoying. There is nothing to win, but keep they keep talking like BB did a terrible job making what 8 AFFCG games in a row.
 

pappymojo

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 28, 2010
6,667
I think this is probably true about Brady, but I also think it is likely that Guerrero was defining "treat Tom different" as also meaning "leave Guerrero alone". So I do think there is a big personal element in that interview related specifically to Guerrero and how he was (mis)treated by BB. He's a clown.
I am not totally sure about this, though. There was a disagreement between Bill and Guerrero regarding how Gronk was training. I remember something about squats and Gronk's back in Gronk's final season.

Gronk looks smaller this season but he, also, seems to be less cumbersome/more effective. Looking from afar, I could see Belichick being a little inflexible with how he envisions training requirements. Belichick may very well have been wrong on that.
 

pappymojo

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 28, 2010
6,667
Brady and his "team" are slowly getting more annoying. There is nothing to win, but keep they keep talking like BB did a terrible job making what 8 AFFCG games in a row.
I agree with this. Tampa Bay had a lot more money to spend, and they had a core that was built based on much better draft opportunities.

2015 Draft picks
Tampa Bay: 1, 34, 61, 124, 162, 184, 231
New England: 32, 64, 97, 101, 111, 131, 166, 178, 202, 247, 253

2016
Tampa Bay: 11, 39, 59, 108, 148, 183, 197
New England: 60, 78, 91, 96, 113, 208, 214, 221, 225

2017
Tampa Bay: 19, 50, 84, 107, 162, 223
New England: 83, 85, 131, 211

2018
Tampa Bay: 12, 38, 53, 63, 94, 117, 144, 202
New England: 23, 31, 56, 143, 178, 210, 219, 243, 250

2019
Tampa Bay: 5, 39, 94, 99, 107, 145, 208, 215
New England: 32, 45, 77, 87, 101, 118, 133, 159, 163, 252

Some of the discussion seems to forget that New England was at a steep disadvantage due to their success with Brady.
 

FL4WL3SS

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2006
14,913
Andy Brickley's potty mouth
The obsession with the Patriots after leaving the team is pretty annoying. You decided to leave, move on. Instead we're getting a cadre of commercials and feedback from Brady and his team.

The commercial on Sunday with Tom and Gronk where they had the broken cell reception was terrible. It's been a year, let it go. We get it, you stuck it to Belichick, grow up.
 

Kliq

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 31, 2013
22,668
The obsession with the Patriots after leaving the team is pretty annoying. You decided to leave, move on. Instead we're getting a cadre of commercials and feedback from Brady and his team.

The commercial on Sunday with Tom and Gronk where they had the broken cell reception was terrible. It's been a year, let it go. We get it, you stuck it to Belichick, grow up.
That commercial is hilarious.

The guy spent 20 years with the team and won six Super Bowls. He will be asked about them in every interview for the rest of his life.
 

loshjott

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 30, 2004
14,943
Silver Spring, MD
Because I think he's over his skis in these comments. He knows what the rest of the players on the team would have thought? He's qualified to psycho-analyze Belichick? He's a personal trainer who glommed onto a GOAT ... that qualifies him as an expert on pro football structural dynamics?
Guerrero can say what he wants. He's not part of the organization. As long as he's not libeling someone, who cares? BB surely doesn't.
 

Ralphwiggum

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2012
9,824
Needham, MA
Brady can do whatever he wants and I'll always be a fan but I have to admit I don't really understand this latest stuff. He's still tearing up the league at age 44 and won another SB after leaving town. The Pats were 7-9 last year and are unlikely to be a SB contender this year. You won, Tom, let it go.
 

Bergs

funky and cold
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2005
21,613
The obsession with the Patriots after leaving the team is pretty annoying. You decided to leave, move on. Instead we're getting a cadre of commercials and feedback from Brady and his team.
The obsession with Tom Brady after he left the team is pretty annoying. He decided to move on, move on.

The commercial on Sunday with Tom and Gronk where they had the broken cell reception was terrible. It's been a year, let it go. We get it, you stuck it to Belichick, grow up.
That ad has been out for at least a month, and it is hilarious.
 

Marciano490

Urological Expert
SoSH Member
Nov 4, 2007
62,312
Brady can do whatever he wants and I'll always be a fan but I have to admit I don't really understand this latest stuff. He's still tearing up the league at age 44 and won another SB after leaving town. The Pats were 7-9 last year and are unlikely to be a SB contender this year. You won, Tom, let it go.
I mean, it’s part of what made him great. How many SBs had he won before he teared up in an interview about being drafted in the 6th? Dude grew up handsome, talented and wealthy. His ability to find slights and adversity is Jordanian, and it’s probably no coincidence that both are the GOATs and both can’t turn it off. Ever. Jordan took shots at his HS basketball coach - at his HoF induction speech.
 

rodderick

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 24, 2009
12,751
Belo Horizonte - Brazil
Brady can do whatever he wants and I'll always be a fan but I have to admit I don't really understand this latest stuff. He's still tearing up the league at age 44 and won another SB after leaving town. The Pats were 7-9 last year and are unlikely to be a SB contender this year. You won, Tom, let it go.
Yeah, I don't get it either. Brady seems to be a guy that craves vindication. Just let the results speak for themselves, we all get it. I'm starting to buy the whole "preemptive PR before Wickersham's book" theory simply because otherwise what's the point?

The Tom Sr. thing I get, he has a relationship with Curran, the Pats game is coming up, it kinda helps everybody really. Generates clicks, puts Tom's version out there without him having to say it, creates hype for the game. But now Guerrero too? Meh.
 

bankshot1

Member
SoSH Member
Feb 12, 2003
24,651
where I was last at
Speaking from some experience, this drama reminds me of a messy divorce. BB wanted his next trophy wife, flirted in the open with the live-in nanny, was made to get rid of the nanny, and then balked at renewing vows and told Brady to move out. IMO Tom wanted to play out his career in Foxboro, but BB had other ideas. So even with a successful second relationship TB is still pissed and is still carrying some baggage he has yet to unload. This upcoming game (and soon to be published book) is probably triggering some unresolved BS.

But its the kids that are caught in the middle.
 

Ralphwiggum

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2012
9,824
Needham, MA
I mean, it’s part of what made him great. How many SBs had he won before he teared up in an interview about being drafted in the 6th? Dude grew up handsome, talented and wealthy. His ability to find slights and adversity is Jordanian, and it’s probably no coincidence that both are the GOATs and both can’t turn it off. Ever. Jordan took shots at his HS basketball coach - at his HoF induction speech.
Yeah I get it but this doesn't appear to be in response to any particular slight, unless like @rodderick notes there is something in the Wickersham book that pissed him off. I guess we'll see.
 

Marciano490

Urological Expert
SoSH Member
Nov 4, 2007
62,312
Yeah I get it but this doesn't appear to be in response to any particular slight, unless like @rodderick notes there is something in the Wickersham book that pissed him off. I guess we'll see.
Right, and my point is Tom probably has a preternatural (and perhaps unhealthy) ability to find slights in thin air. Like he could very well wake up at 6 AM to work out and decide to get pissed about some meaningless event from 15 years ago, because that's what gets him going. I don't think there's any rationality behind it.
 

Bergs

funky and cold
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2005
21,613
Speaking from some experience, this drama reminds me of a messy divorce. BB wanted his next trophy wife, flirted in the open with the live-in nanny, was made to get rid of the nanny, and then balked at renewing vows and told Brady to move out. IMO Tom wanted to play out his career in Foxboro, but BB had other ideas. So even with a successful second relationship TB is still pissed and is still carrying some baggage he has yet to unload. This upcoming game (and soon to be published book) is probably triggering some unresolved BS.

But its the kids that are caught in the middle.
I hear this metaphor a lot, and I think its pretty accurate for a lot of people.

For me personally, a more apt metaphor is a coworker who becomes a great friend over the years who then moves on due to a better opportunity combined with a dispute with management. Dude's still a good friend, and it doesn't bother me that he bitches a bit about my employer, because I don't share his dispute. Pretty damned easy to not have a problem with anyone in this story.

That's where I'm at with TB12 and the Pats, which is why I can be a rabid Pats fan who doesn't give a shit about Tampa Bay, but still enjoys watching TB12 perform at a high level.
 

rodderick

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 24, 2009
12,751
Belo Horizonte - Brazil
All I know is that the next two weeks or so will be insufferable with narratives, hot takes and people talking out of the side of their mouths. I was so excited for Week 4 before the season and now I just want it over with.
 

Hoya81

Member
SoSH Member
Feb 3, 2010
8,457
I am not totally sure about this, though. There was a disagreement between Bill and Guerrero regarding how Gronk was training. I remember something about squats and Gronk's back in Gronk's final season.

Gronk looks smaller this season but he, also, seems to be less cumbersome/more effective. Looking from afar, I could see Belichick being a little inflexible with how he envisions training requirements. Belichick may very well have been wrong on that.
I think the Guerrero situation is one where BB deferred to TB. I don't think Guerrero would have gotten within 100 miles of the team if he wasn't TB's guy.
 

joe dokes

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
30,236
I've no idea how orchrestrated this is, but wouldn't at all be surprised if this latest round of Tom v BB, with Tom's dad and now Alex's perspective wasn't done with some thought and planning as to the message delivered with Tom's approval.
FWIW--Guerrero contradicted (or at least wasn't totally on board with) some of Brady Sr.'s comments.
 

reggiecleveland

sublime
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Mar 5, 2004
27,957
Saskatoon Canada
Brady and his "team" are slowly getting more annoying. There is nothing to win, but keep they keep talking like BB did a terrible job making what 8 AFFCG games in a row.
Word
Sadly what makes many competitors great makes historical, discussions of the past reveal the worst side of them. Paul Pierce was able to beat Lebron, because unlike others the Truth thought he was better than LBJ. But, to repeat it out loud today looks insanely egotistical. Brady remaining angry after 6 SB's about being drafted 199th made him able to win a 7th, but it also probably makes him to some degree paranoid. Brady has been motivated by his departure from the Pats, and real and imagined slights. Remember Shaq actually invented a lie about David Robinson, that he himself believed for years. Part of what makes Brady tick is that he has something to prove, and has been disrespected. That, despite everything, Bellichick, was not on board with him playing until age 45+ will be a bone of contention he is unlikely to let go ever let go.
 

rodderick

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 24, 2009
12,751
Belo Horizonte - Brazil
Word
Sadly what makes many competitors great makes historical, discussions of the past reveal the worst side of them. Paul Pierce was able to beat Lebron, because unlike others the Truth thought he was better than LBJ. But, to repeat it out loud today looks insanely egotistical. Brady remaining angry after 6 SB's about being drafted 199th made him able to win a 7th, but it also probably makes him to some degree paranoid. Brady has been motivated by his departure from the Pats, and real and imagined slights. Remember Shaq actually invented a lie about David Robinson, that he himself believed for years. Part of what makes Brady tick is that he has something to prove, and has been disrespected. That, despite everything, Bellichick, was not on board with him playing until age 45+ will be a bone of contention he is unlikely to let go ever let go.
To be fair, I think we can say with some certainty Bill doubted Tom's ability to be productive at like 38, nevermind 45.
 

Petagine in a Bottle

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 13, 2021
11,921
FWIW, the Brady / Gronk T-Mobile ad aired in the Super Bowl, it’s been out for like nine months.

As a Pats fan, it’s annoying that Brady (and Gronk and Brown) have found the fountain of youth and are dominating, but I don’t see the benefit in Brady’s camp doing any talking. His performance stands for itself. If there is a winner in this, it’s clearly him and not Belichick.

If all this is just to try to take down Belichick, it’s unfortunate and doesn’t make him look great, IMO.

feels like we are the children of a couple who told us the divorce was a mutual decision but it suddenly doesn’t feel like it. Just don’t ask me who I love more or want to live with.
 

jose melendez

Earl of Acie
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Oct 23, 2003
30,970
Geneva, Switzerland
Tom can say and do whatever he feels like.

That said, doubling down on his association with Guerrero is a poor choice. Guerrero is a flim flam artist and BB was right to ban him. If anything ever brings TB down, it will be this relationship.
 

patinorange

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 27, 2006
30,660
6 miles from Angel Stadium
Tom can say and do whatever he feels like.

That said, doubling down on his association with Guerrero is a poor choice. Guerrero is a flim flam artist and BB was right to ban him. If anything ever brings TB down, it will be this relationship.
I love Tom the athlete and the greatest of all time. The last 10 years or so he got a little wacky with the Guerrero crap and things like concussion water. Total BS and I was with Bill on this issue.
If he was undermining the training staff, not good.
I wish he was still with us but we are on to Mac.
 

rodderick

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 24, 2009
12,751
Belo Horizonte - Brazil
I love Tom the athlete and the greatest of all time. The last 10 years or so he got a little wacky with the Guerrero crap and things like concussion water. Total BS and I was with Bill on this issue.
If he was undermining the training staff, not good.
I wish he was still with us but we are on to Mac.
I think we have to separate a bit the concussion water/hydration prevents sunburns type of bullshit from the other stuff he does. When Tom says his shoulder used to hurt all the time when he was 27 and then he started seeing Guerrero and he didn't feel pain anymore I can't just discard that, it's very likely true that Guerrero's methods have worked for him and played a part in him being able to play at this level at 44. Now, the thing I don't like is the pressure it puts on the locker room, especially younger guys, to adopt his training since he's very evangelical about it. I've read a lot of Bucs players are working out following TB12 now and while I don't think that's an issue per se, it's completely understandable if a HC wouldn't want that hanging over the team.
 

kartvelo

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Aug 12, 2003
10,461
At home
Word
Sadly what makes many competitors great makes historical, discussions of the past reveal the worst side of them. Paul Pierce was able to beat Lebron, because unlike others the Truth thought he was better than LBJ. But, to repeat it out loud today looks insanely egotistical. Brady remaining angry after 6 SB's about being drafted 199th made him able to win a 7th, but it also probably makes him to some degree paranoid. Brady has been motivated by his departure from the Pats, and real and imagined slights. Remember Shaq actually invented a lie about David Robinson, that he himself believed for years. Part of what makes Brady tick is that he has something to prove, and has been disrespected. That, despite everything, Bellichick, was not on board with him playing until age 45+ will be a bone of contention he is unlikely to let go ever let go.
TB took less pay for a long time so the teams around him could be made better because he likes to win, but the teams around him weren't really good enough any more, it didn't look like they would be for a while, his window is closing, and BB wouldn't give him enough money to make staying worthwhile when he had the chance go to a stronger supporting cast RIGHT NOW - AND get more money. So he left.
 

Mystic Merlin

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 21, 2007
46,767
Hartford, CT
TB took less pay for a long time so the teams around him could be made better because he likes to win, but the teams around him weren't really good enough any more, it didn't look like they would be for a while, his window is closing, and BB wouldn't give him enough money to make staying worthwhile when he had the chance go to a stronger supporting cast RIGHT NOW - AND get more money. So he left.

This isn’t as straightforward as you suggest. They agreed to include a provision in August 2019 whereby his contract voided after that league year so they couldn’t franchise tag him.