Tom Brady News: Pro Sports Daily

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November 20

Boston Globe

"At this time last year, Tedy Bruschi was a leader on the Patriots defense. This week, in an indirect way, he may have sped the passing of those duties to linebacker Jerod Mayo, already a captain in his second season. Bruschi, now an ESPN analyst, criticized Bill Belichick's decision to go for it on fourth and 2 from his 28 in Sunday's game against the Colts because, he said, as a former defensive player, it would have "been enough to make my blood boil.'' Yesterday, Mayo further asserted himself as the team's defensive leader by offering the strongest rebuke yet by a Patriots player of the sentiment Bruschi championed."

Wes Welker's presence shapes what goes on

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November 20

Boston Herald

"When Wes Welker was a surprise scratch prior to facing the New York Jets in Week 2, it created pandemonium in the fantasy football world, as owners scrambled to replace one of their most productive receivers. In the real world, the void was even greater. The Patriots were left facing the blitz-happy, pressure-crazy Jets defense without one of their strongest antidotes, without quarterback Tom Brady's security blanket. When time grew short and the play grew hectic, Welker wasn't there to ease Brady's nerves. With rookie Julian Edelman filling in as the slot receiver, it wasn't the same. "We always miss Wes. He's one of the best players on our team, one of the best in the league," said ..."

Jets must punch New England Patriots in the mouth

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November 20

New York Daily News

"Oliver McCall once had an emotional breakdown in the middle of the ring during a fight against Lennox Lewis. His sobbing and tears threw Lewis off his game. Lewis went back to his corner and asked what he should do with a man who was crying uncontrollably in the midst of a boxing match. After thinking about whether McCall was trying to lure Lewis into a trap, Emanuel Steward, Lewis' trainer, gave Lewis some simple advice. "Hit him," he said. That is probably the advice Bill Belichick will give his Patriots when they meet the Jets in Foxborough on Sunday. Hit 'em. New England will be facing a reeling Jets team that is trying to sneak back into the AFC East race. The Jets will be ..."

Facing Patriots, Jets Know It's Now or Never Mind Playoffs

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November 20

New York Times

"The season is in a free fall and with New England next up on Sunday, urgency has replaced normalcy at Jets headquarters. Coaches wore extra stubble and vacant stares from lack of sleep. The team parted ways with a defensive assistant (Kerry Locklin) and a special teams veteran (Ahmad Carroll). Running back Thomas Jones addressed his teammates in a players-only meeting, the theme of his speech summarized in two words - last chance."

Brady: No tears from Bill

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November 19

New York Post

"Bill Belichick a crier? Don't think so, Tom Brady says. "I can't ever imagine Coach Belichick doing that in front of us," Brady said yesterday when asked about Cryin' Rex Ryan. "Every coach has a different style," Brady said, according to NESN.com. "It's an emotional game. I think we all put a lot into it every week. Physically, it's pretty demanding. Psychologically, in weeks like this, it's pretty demanding. So you try to convey a message. "Our coach always conveys a message: the truth. 'This is how I feel, this is the truth, this is what we need to do.' I think we always find a way to respond to that.""

Rex Ryan still confident

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November 19

Boston Herald

"New York Jets coach Rex Ryan said yesterday he couldn't question Bill Belichick's controversial decision Sunday to go for it on fourth-and-2 against the Colts. "He is the best coach in football . . . he has such confidence in his offense. It wasn't a lack of confidence in his defense, I just think he has such confidence in that offense, in Tom Brady, in (Kevin) Faulk," Ryan said. "How can you question a guy that's won three Super Bowls and has the record and success he's had? I'm definitely never going to question that." Does that mean he would have done the same? "If I would have made that decision and it wouldn't have worked, I'd be hanging from the Empire State Building," Ryan cracked ..."

Dan Koppen steady anchor

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November 19

Boston Herald

"There is no indecision with Dan Koppen's injury status this week. His knee is fine, and the Patriots center even played against the Colts Sunday night after being forced out of the previous week's game against the Dolphins. In preparation for a hyperactive, confusing Jets defense that is predicated on attacking the quarterback, having your Pro Bowl center in place is probably good news. Tom Brady knows. "Very important, very important," Brady said of his longtime center and one of his best friends. "He coordinates what the offensive line is doing, which really puts the running back in their assignment, and I understand what they're doing, so I can focus on my assignment. He really leads ..."

A night to choose sides

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November 15

Boston Globe

"You are a Tom Brady Guy or you are a Peyton Manning Guy. There is nothing in between. The Patriots play the Colts tonight in the marquee matchup of the NFL season. It's the league's annual sweeps spectacular; 33.8 million watched the 2007 game, which happens to be the only one of the last five won by the Patriots. Billions of words have been spilled regarding the history and relative strengths and weaknesses of the Pats and Ponies. But any way you carve it, this game comes down to Brady and Manning. They are the top two players in America's most popular sport. They are at the peaks of their respective careers. And they fight for the same prize every year."

Indanapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots: Time for annual meeting of legends

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November 14

Indianapolis Star

"New England quarterback Tom Brady clearly recalls his first meeting on a football field with Indianapolis Colts counterpart Peyton Manning . It was Sept. 30, 2001, in Foxborough, Mass. Manning was in his fourth NFL season and already a celebrated two-time Pro Bowl player. Brady had completed six NFL passes for a total of 52 yards. He was a sixth-round draft pick in his second season. He was making his first start.

"Peyton came over on our field and said, 'Hey, I'm Peyton Manning,' " Brady remembered. "I said, 'No (kidding).' " Brady and Manning will renew their acquaintance Sunday evening, when the Colts meet the Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium. It's ..."

Ben Watson lets play, not stats, do talking

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November 14

Boston Herald

"This week, Scouts Inc. rated the top 10 tight ends in the NFL. The Patriots' Benjamin Watson didn't make the list. He didn't even warrant an honorable mention nod. That hardly seems right. Although Watson has been plagued by inconsistent play and injuries during past years, his performance this season has been rock solid. Whether it's blocking or catching the football, Watson is off to one of his best starts. He's gone from a possible casualty on cutdown day before the season to a vital cog in the offense. He's made the type of highlight-reel catches that were expected while also serving as a commanding blocker. And not even an honorable mention? "I'm not going to let critics consume me," ..."

Jed Hoyer in Peyton's place

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November 14

Boston Herald

"If the Patriots defense is prepared for Colts quarterback Peyton Manning tomorrow, the unit may want to thank Brian Hoyer. The Pats backup QB has been playing the role of Manning for the scout team, a job Hoyer admitted was fairly fun. Along the way, he has impressed his teammates. "No one can really come in and mimic Peyton Manning, but he did do a good job of (trying) to do it," linebacker Adalius Thomas said yesterday. "(Manning) is so demonstrative, and you don't know what some of the things he's doing mean. But Hoyer did a good job." Coach Bill Belichick went out of his way to praise the undrafted free agent from Michigan State, saying he's done more than simply run the plays that ..."

Time for annual meeting of legends

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November 13

Indianapolis Star

"New England quarterback Tom Brady clearly recalls his first meeting on a football field with Indianapolis Colts counterpart Peyton Manning. It was Sept. 30, 2001, in Foxborough, Mass. Manning was in his fourth NFL season and already a celebrated two-time Pro Bowl player. Brady had completed six NFL passes for a total of 52 yards. He was a sixth-round draft pick in his second season. He was making his first start. "Peyton came over on our field and said, 'Hey, I'm Peyton Manning,' " Brady remembered. "I said, 'No (kidding).' " Brady and Manning will renew their acquaintance Sunday evening, when the Colts meet the Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium. It's another episode in the NFL's ..."

Great debate: Manning's 2004 season, or Brady's '07

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November 13

Indianapolis Star

"Forget who's the better quarterback, Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. In all likelihood, each will go down as one of the top three or four in NFL history. Instead, let's talk about who had the better single season. Let's nitpick as the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots barrel toward Sunday night's clash in Lucas Oil Stadium. In 2004, the Colts' Manning eclipsed by one Dan Marino's record for touchdown passes that had stood for two decades, delivering 49. He also shattered Steve Young's record for passer rating (112.8), finishing with an unconscionable 121.1. In 2007, Brady one-upped Manning, passing for 50 touchdowns, but fell short in the ratings department (a humdrum 117.2). So, ..."

The real showdown? It's Manning vs. Belichick

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November 13

Indianapolis Star

"They sat there for hours, two football savants, sitting at a table near the pool at the Ihilani Hotel outside Honolulu before the 2007 Pro Bowl. Peyton Manning, just coming off his first Super Bowl, would move salt and pepper shakers to make a point. Bill Belichick, who was coaching the AFC team, would move ketchup and steak sauce bottles like chess pieces to counter. Around them, napkins were scribbled with X's and O's and the secret language the two men understand. It was like chess masters Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer getting together for a beer summit. "I'll bet you both of them had little tape recorders in their pockets," Colts linebacker Gary Brackett said. Jim Sorgi, the Colts' ..."

Free-wheeling Pats QB opens up on longevity, motivation, injuries and his love of the game

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November 13

Boston Herald

"Tom Brady knows where he wants to be 10 years from now. He wants to be where Brett Favre is today. Not in Minnesota, if he can help it, but in a huddle in Foxboro with all eyes trained on him, everyone awaiting his call, a 40-year-old man still ready to lead in the most demanding team sport on earth. It is what Brady has been doing all his life, or at least whenever people had the good sense to let him, which hasn't always been the case. Despite all the winning, despite all the rings in his jewelry box, despite all the trophies on the wall and in his life, that is what he remembers. It is what kept him going last year through the greatest trial of his athletic life and what pushes him into ..."

Brady, Manning two of a rare breed in annals of NFL

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November 13

Houston Chronicle

"Tom Brady or Peyton Manning? They are two of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. They are guaranteed of being unanimous first-ballot inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame five years after they retire. Who would you take for one big game? Who would you take for one season? The debate will rage until one retires. It's a privilege getting to watch Brady and Manning. We've watched them since Manning entered the NFL in 1998 and Brady became a starter in 2001. If you're a fan of the NFL, you want players like Brady, Manning and Brett Favre to go on forever because they've meant so much to the game. They've provided so many indelible moments that are etched in our memories. On Sunday ..."

Dungy praises successor

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November 13

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"The latest skirmish in what has been called the rivalry of the decade featuring the two best quarterbacks of the decade in the National Football League, New England and Tom Brady vs. Indianapolis and Peyton Manning, is to unfold Sunday night on NBC-TV. Former Colts coach Tony Dungy, who has been a spectacular addition this season to NBC's "Football Night in America" studio show, talked earlier this week about his successor in Indianapolis, Beloit native Jim Caldwell. Despite a new defensive coordinator, a new special teams coach and a first-year NFL coach in Caldwell, one thing has not changed at Lucas Oil Stadium. Winning. Caldwell, 54, who spent seven years on Dungy's Colts staff, is the ..."

Patriots' Brady is back to normal

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November 12

Indianapolis Star

"Tom Brady is back, picking up where he left off after missing virtually all of 2008 with a devastating knee injury. Once again, the New England Patriots quarterback is pocket poise personified, the director of one of the NFL's elite offenses, the co-star with Indianapolis Colts counterpart Peyton Manning in Sunday night's prime-time showdown at Lucas Oil Stadium. "Looks like the same guy to me . . . moving around in the pocket, not taking a lot of hits," Colts linebacker Gary Brackett said Wednesday afternoon. Patriots coach Bill Belichick insisted Brady has "really been back from Day 1. He really hasn't missed anything all year . . . and hasn't had any limitations." That Brady has ..."

Brady, Manning are best of their era

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November 12

Boston Globe

"On Sept. 30, 2001, Peyton Manning took the Foxboro Stadium field hours before the Colts played the Patriots. He wanted to get a feel for his throws and for the turf, as he does before every game. He glanced across the field and noticed a callow quarterback whom he had never met. Manning ambled across the 50-yard line and approached Tom Brady. Manning was in his fourth season, Brady his second. Manning was already a star. Brady was about to make his first NFL start. Manning extended his palm and said, "Hey. Peyton Manning.''"

Moss torches Miami Dolphins, pads Hall of Fame credentials

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November 9

Miami Herald

"Gillette Stadium sat quieter than shaving cream on cheeks. The Miami Dolphins had taken 10:09 to buffalo their way into a 17-16 third-quarter lead against the Patriots. What oddsmakers rated as a Patriots runaway slowly had turned toward a possible second consecutive Dolphins win in the New England suburbs. That's when Randy Moss exploded another reminder of why he'll be a throw-the-name-out Hall of Fame selection when he retires from being the most combustible receiver of his generation. On the third play of the Patriots' next possession, Moss took a 10-yard crossing route, turned upfield, stiff-armed rookie cornerback Vontae Davis, then galloped down the left sideline for a 71-yard ..."

Dolphins come up short against Patriots on the road

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November 9

Miami Herald

"As soon as Sunday's game ended, Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss sought out Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis so he could deliver a few final words to a rookie who had just spent four gritty quarters defending him. ``I'm heading out of this league soon,'' the veteran told Davis. ``And you're coming into it. You're going to be a good player. Just keep working.'' In a way, it was the ultimate compliment -- a testament to the effort and toughness displayed by Miami's first-round pick during a 27-17 loss Sunday. But it also was a symbolic reminder -- one that holds firm for Miami's entire squad -- of the current order of rank in the AFC East: The Dolphins are clawing their way toward ..."

Defense takes hit: Sparano says lack of QB pressure led to loss

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November 9

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"One pat of the football from Tom Brady is reasonable. Two pats before the elite of NFL quarterbacks throws is pressing it. Three pats of the ball from Brady, who repeatedly challenged a young Dolphins secondary that features two rookie cornerbacks, is just unacceptable. At least that's Tony Sparano's stance, which explains why the Dolphins coach chastised his defense for giving Brady too much time in the pocket following Sunday's 27-17 loss to the Patriots, then boldly stated: "However you want to write it, you write it." Here's how a humbled Joey Porter would write it following his one hit, zero tackle outing: The defense got in Brady's face at times, but not nearly enough. "We could have ..."

'Randy Moss was damn near unstoppable out there'

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November 9

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"The Patriots proved they are probably the best team in the AFC East by beating the reigning champs. The Dolphins knew they had to come up to Foxborough and play a very clean, almost perfect game to leave Gillette Stadium with a victory, and they didn't do that. The start of the game was very encouraging. Vontae Davis' interception was spectacular. The offense catches a break on the instant replay call that brings a possible fumble returned for a touchdown back, and the Dolphins score a 52-yard field goal on that drive. It was a nice start to the game for the Dolphins. Then Tom Brady and company went to work, and truth be told, they are a terrific offense. Randy Moss was damn near ..."

Dolphins can work hard, scheme and score, but what they need is a receiver

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November 9

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Man, they worked for those seven points. They really worked. It started with the coaches deciding a few weeks back to install an option offense. That took guts. Some players' jaws dropped when told. Then, last week, you should've heard the assistants argue with coach Tony Sparano about using the option against New England. He wasn't for it initially. "They won,'' Sparano said after New England's 27-17 victory. Then came the drive itself to start Sunday's second half. Three players were quarterbacks. The Wildcat, the option and conventional formations were used. The offense huffed, puffed and meticulously worked 66 yards in 16 plays in a 10-minute masterpiece. No penalties. Only one play of ..."

Tom Brady on mark with latest 300

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November 9

Boston Herald

"The records tumbled like dice in a Las Vegas casino yesterday at Gillette Stadium. The hero du jour was quarterback Tom Brady, whose businesslike effort guided the Patriots to a 27-17 victory over the Dolphins. Brady set a franchise record by registering his 27th career 300-yard passing effort, surpassing the mark of 26 that he shared with Drew Bledsoe. For good measure, Brady's 332 passing yards represented his third consecutive 300-yard game, marking just the second time in his career in which he turned the trick. Brady had three straight in October of 2007 against Dallas (388 yards), Miami (354) and Washington (306). "I thought we did enough to win, made some plays when we needed to," ..."

Brady officially rules out influence

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November 7

Boston Globe

"The Ravens expressed the feeling after losing to the Patriots a month ago. Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter seconded it. And now, Tom Brady's refuting it. On a Thursday appearance on the NFL Network, Porter told host Rich Eisen he believes Brady "gets his own rules.'' That's not the way the Patriots quarterback sees it."

Players don't bite on Joey Porter

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November 7

Boston Herald

"Some of the Patriots haven't heard Joey Porter's incendiary comments. Others just shrug it off like they did when the Jets flapped their gums during Week 2. Porter, the Dolphins linebacker, may be boosting the reputation of the AFC East as a trash-talking division, but veteran Patriots linebacker Junior Seau had a response to that. "Leave us out of that," Seau said. "We're not going to join that crew." Porter went on the NFL Network's "Around the League" and essentially said quarterback Tom Brady works from his own set of rules."

Dolphins look to continue strong play against Tom Brady

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November 6

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Against the rest of the NFL, he is Tom Brady. Dashing figure of impending doom, King of New England, winner of three Super Bowl rings and nearly a fourth, orchestrator of the Patriots' quick-strike offense, author of countless fourth-quarter comebacks, and, lest we forget, husband of a Brazilian supermodel. In 14 career outings against the Dolphins, however, this same acclaimed quarterback has more often resembled Peter Brady. You know, of sitcom rerun infamy. Bumbling figure of self-inflicted doom, loser of football games that should have been won, thrower of interceptions that could have been avoided, teller of jokes that inevitably fall flat. All right, that last part can't be verified, ..."

Patriots are getting a healthy dose of Brady

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November 5

Boston Globe

"Maybe you're skeptical that the 1,033 yards and 94 points the Patriots have posted over their last two games are a simple byproduct of playing teams that are a combined 1-13. Maybe you're not sure that Tom Brady is all the way back. Maybe you shouldn't worry about it. "I would say that the Patriots I've seen the last couple weeks is the real Patriots offense,'' Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said. "What I mean by that is, I'm sure, like anybody else, time makes you a little bit better and makes you a little bit sharper. Those guys are pretty sharp right now.''"

Despite routs, doubts linger over Tom Brady

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November 5

Boston Herald

"The bye week allowed for a step back. In the long-range view, it showed a Patriots offense in two distinct forms. Over the first five games, Tom Brady led an inconsistent attack that limped to a 3-2 record. Seeing the former league MVP, who was still recovering from major knee surgery, miss an open receiver was not rare. Then Brady went retro, taking observers back to that MVP year of 2007 with 1,033 yards of offense and 94 points in the next two games against woeful opponents. Will the real Patriots offense please stand up? Will the Dolphins see the unit that often features Brady's brethren hugging in the end zone or the one whose lowlights are miscommunications and miscues? Coach Bill ..."

Pats tackle cancer; rested Brady returns to town

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November 3

Boston Globe

"Former Patriot Joe Andruzzi was surrounded by his Pats pals in Foxborough last night for the second annual New England Celebrities Tackle Cancer Gala, which benefited the Joe Andruzzi Foundation. The guest list for the event included Tom Brady, who was back in town after a weekend in South Beach with his wife, Gisele Bundchen, and teammates Stephen Neal, Dan Koppen, Matt Light, and Jarvis Green. The party was held at Christina's on Route 1. Speaking of Brady, he talked about more than just football when he was on WEEI yesterday morning. The Pats QB called his recent Florida vacation a honeymoon, of sorts, saying that they watched the Jets-Dolphins game and relaxed with friends. The famous ..."

Brady feeling good

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October 31

Boston Globe

"Put aside the knee injury that destoryed his 2008 season, all of the surgery, all of the rehab. Tom Brady turned 32 this summer, the point of his athletic life when aches and pains tend to linger a little longer and matter a little more. With his performance this month, when he earned the AFC Offensive Player of the Month award, Brady further proved his knee has reached a point that will allow to perform at his typically elite level. The attention has been on his knee, and not his age. That also could have tempered his season. It has not. Brady, speaking on tonight's "Patriots All Access" show, said he feels great physically. Most interestingly, he said his arm has never felt better, and ..."

Offense answers call

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October 27

Boston Herald

"The time for taunting has long passed. Even if he wanted to, Patriots coach Bill Belichick doesn't have ammunition anymore. Quarterback Tom Brady and the offense have gone from zero plays longer than 40 yards before Week 6 to four plays of at least that length during the past two games. Brady's 54-yard touchdown pass to Sam Aiken was the latest example, helping seal a 35-7 rout of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium Sunday. Brady now has three 40-plus yard passes, and Laurence Maroney has a 45-yard run. After Belichick's good-natured ribbing and constant reminders of the lack of explosive plays, they got the message. Perhaps the coach will use the bye week to conjure up another ..."

Trip all work for Patriots

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October 22

Boston Herald

"With potential distractions looming as the Patriots head to London for this Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, Bill Belichick had relatively simple advice for his team. "(Tuesday) we spent a good half hour, 45 minutes going over that, making sure we look to the right when we cross the road (and) not the left, some of the real important things," Belichick said. While Belichick delivered the line with a smile, he is aware that playing a game in a foreign country offers unusual challenges. "We'll touch on some of that when we get there," the Patriots coach said. "Those are all things that we're taking into consideration and they are time consuming and they are distractions. . . . There are ..."

Tom Brady, Patriots in Catch-22

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October 22

Boston Herald

"By the time Tom Brady steps on the Wembley Stadium grass, he plans to have nothing but confidence in his receivers. Against the 0-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers in London, Brady will have Randy Moss and Wes Welker, two household names about whom the Patriots quarterback has no doubts. "Not much to worry about with them," Brady said. But after that, it gets interesting. If the formation calls for a third or fourth receiver, the Patriots (4-2) have nothing but questions. With the release of veteran Joey Galloway and rookie Julian Edelman breaking his arm, neither Brady nor coach Bill Belichick has said who will see action. What is known is that rookies Brandon Tate and Terrence Nunn are options to ..."

Tom Brady's all business

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October 21

Boston Herald

columnist Karen Guregian

"Members of the British media got a chance to grill Tom Brady [stats] during a conference call yesterday afternoon and were surprisingly tame. They kept to the basics. There were no Gisele Bundchen questions, no baby questions. They stuck to football and the Patriots' looming trip to London to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The Brits wanted to know why Brady fell in love with the game, and if he took time to find out about his Irish roots. Brady, of course, spoke of growing up in California and being a Joe Montana fan. Of more interest to the media across the pond, Brady said his family had descended from Country Cork. "My father is 100 percent Irish. We took a trip over there ..."

No need to worry, Tom Brady still has it all

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October 19

Boston Herald

"Any more concerns about the quarterback? After a week of angst about what's wrong with Tom Brady and his offense, the quarterback needed just 15 minutes to play better than any other had in NFL history. Admittedly, this was against a team that not only is terrible but also laid down like Old Yeller in front of the fireplace. However, not even that could take away from Brady's record-setting five touchdown passes in the second quarter of a snow-encrusted 59-0 pummeling of the Tennessee Titans or Houston Oilers or whomever Jeff Fisher's team thought it was yesterday. What it wasn't was an NFL team, but that's not Brady's fault. In fact, in this game nothing was except for the embarrassment ..."

Patriots offense erupts in historic blowout

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October 19

Boston Herald

"Tom Brady spent most of the second half wrapped in a parka, hands in his pockets, trying to stay warm as the snow fell around him. The Patriots quarterback had turned in a record-setting day amid adverse conditions, helping embarrass the woeful Tennessee Titans. Yet each time he glanced at the Gillette Stadium scoreboard yesterday and read the 59-0 score, there was no shock. He did not admit awe that his team had set a franchise record for both points and yards. "I don't think it shakes anybody up when you go out there and do that," said Brady, who had a passer rating of 152.8. "That just shows that when we go out and execute, we're going to score points." On the heels of a tough loss to ..."

Brady is no Tom Terrific

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October 16

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Just how bad has it been for Tom Brady this year? The NFL's 2007 Most Valuable Player missed all but one quarter last season after surgery on his left knee. It shows. Sunday, in a loss at Denver, Brady launched a long pass to Randy Moss that was too long. He threw a short pass and hit an open Wes Welker - in the foot. When he tried to stage a go-ahead drive in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter, he lost a fumble when he was sacked. The Patriots lost to the Broncos, 20-17, in overtime. Brady hasn't been terrible, he just hasn't been Tom Brady. And with the team 3-2, he's getting roasted. "Everyone counts on me to perform at a certain level," Brady said. "You really feel, in a way, ..."

Sharp-eyed observations

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October 16

Boston Globe

"There was plenty to dissect from the Patriots' offensive performance against Denver Sunday. But when the passes are off-target, quarterback Tom Brady said, the results cannot affect his confidence. Brady leads the NFL in pass attempts (207) and is second in completions (127), but the results have not always led to big plays or touchdowns (six). The miscues seem to point to a unit that is out of synch. "You've got to be the one to ultimately go out there and perform better,'' Brady said. "Everyone counts on me to perform at a certain level. I count on them to do their job. When you're not doing it, it's very frustrating when you really feel in a way that you're letting your teammates down. ..."

Tom Brady, he's only human

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October 16

Boston Herald

columnist Ron Borges

"Shakespeare figured it out more than 400 years ago so what's taken Tom Brady and his followers so long? The world's greatest playwright was no fan of football but he understood the human condition. If Patriots fans did, they would have saved a lot of money on blood pressure medicine by now. In "The Merchant of Venice," Shakespeare's villain, Shylock, goes on trial, defending his actions at one point by insisting he's just a man, like all men. "If you prick us, do we not bleed?" he says, knowing the truth is indeed so. Difficult as it has been for many to grasp, same is true for Brady, whose predictable struggles have caused ardent fans to forget if you prick him he bleeds, too, and if you ..."

Tom Brady bullish for big-play revival

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October 15

Boston Herald

"Tom Brady is longing for the long ball. So is Patriots coach Bill Belichick. Both want to see a return of the big play to the Pats' offense. During Sunday's loss to Denver, Brady missed a wide open Randy Moss with a deep throw to the end zone. He says that has to change. "We haven't hit them this year," Brady said. "Coach (Belichick) hammered into us today we haven't had a pass over 40 yards yet this year in five games. It's something that I got to do a better job of. There's only one way to do it, and that's to go out there and work on it. You've got to hit them, that's why you play quarterback." Brady indicated there was no problem hitting them in practice. It was just a matter of better ..."

Ravens' John Harbaugh continues complaints, questions officiating in loss to Patriots, Tom Brady

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October 13

USA Today

"The Ravens' dissatisfaction with the officiating in Sunday's 27-21 loss at New England continued on Monday when coach John Harbaugh considered if Patriots QB Tom Brady gets more favorable calls than his opponents. "I sure hope not," Harbaugh told reporters, via the AP, when asked if Brady's superstar status affects offcials' decision-making. "I'd like to think it's not engrained in their subconscious in some way. If it is, I would like to think they're professional enough to not take it that way. That would be very important that it's not the case." Ravens LBs Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs blasted the officials on Sunday after Baltimore was flagged for roughing-the-passer penalties on two ..."

Stats don't lie: Tom Brady's been off

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October 13

Boston Herald

"Five games into the Tom Brady comeback tour from reconstructive left knee surgery, and we're still waiting for the real quarterback to emerge. He's still not quite right, and by extension, nor is the Patriots offense. Brady's numbers alone make you pause because they're so pedestrian. Entering last night, there were 18 quarterbacks in the league with a better passer rating than Brady's 85.9. Even the Redskins' Jason Campbell and Cowboys' Tony Romo ranked higher. Ouch. For comparison's sake, after five games in his record-setting 2007 season, Brady's rating was a sparkling 128.7. Here are some other numbers entering last night that help give Brady's performance this season some perspective: ..."

Broncos down Patriots in OT

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October 12

Denver Post

"As often happens when Bill Belichick coaches against one of his former assistants, the showdown between teacher and student got heated. Only Belichick was an innocent nonbystander on the opposite sideline, nowhere near the tongue-lashing and glare Broncos coach Josh McDaniels gave his special-teams assistant, Mike Priefer. "I deserved it," Priefer said. "It was a field position game and those were costly mistakes. I should have coached them better. But that's OK. We'll learn from it and keep getting better.""

Broncos pen in Tom Brady

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October 12

Boston Herald

"The Denver Broncos defense had corralled Carson Palmer and shut down Tony Romo. But Tom Brady was supposed to be a different story, what with the Patriots star sporting three Super Bowl rings and a rebuilt knee. But after having his way with the Broncos in the first half, Brady and the Pats went nowhere. "In the second half, not scoring any points, that's a tough way to end the day," said Brady, who finished the 20-17 overtime loss 19-of-33 passing for 215 yards, with a critical fourth-quarter sack-fumble that derailed hopes of victory. "Everybody's frustrated. We made too many bad plays. We just have to get on the same page and get back to work." That was evident on what might have been a ..."

Brady is unapologetic about roughing calls

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October 8

Boston Globe

"Tom Brady conceded that the Patriots were "fortunate'' to get a pair of roughing-the-passer penalties that extended touchdown drives last Sunday in their win over Baltimore, but the quarterback wasn't about to apologize for the flags, which Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and coach John Harbaugh have insinuated were the result of special treatment for Brady. "I want the penalty call,'' said Brady. "I want 15 yards. I don't care whether they hit me or not, that's an advantage for our offense.'' He added with a grin, "I go hug the ref before the game, ask about his kids and stuff like that. I'm trying to get him on our side.''"

Tom Brady takes any advantage

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October 8

Boston Herald

"Tom Brady made no apologies yesterday for playing up the two roughing the passer calls he received during Sunday's win against the Ravens. The Patriots quarterback will do just about anything to gain an advantage for his team. "I want the penalty call. I want 15 yards. I don't care whether they hit me or not. That's an advantage for our offense," Brady said. "I go hug the ref before the game, ask about his kids and stuff like that. I'm trying to get him on our side." That was just one of several revelations made by Brady during his weekly chat with the media. In answering another question about the so-called Brady Rule, and roughing the passer calls in general, Brady admitted he might have ..."