FOXBORO – The past three days have been the first three that Tom Brady’s practiced with his 2019 teammates.
After 18 seasons in the league, Brady last year decided to steer clear of Gillette Stadium and voluntary OTAs to spend more time with his family and off-field ventures.
It caused a kerfuffle because A) Brady’s OTA attendance had always been celebrated as proof he was the same guy he was when he came into the league and B) things were sideways between Brady and Bill Belichick throughout 2017.
In the end, Brady and Belichick shelved their respective irritations and the team — despite a slow start — still won the Super Bowl.
End of chatter about opting out of the voluntary stuff? No. With a bunch of skill position turnover since the season ended and a first-round pick spent on wideout N’Keal Harry, Brady’s absence is still — in media parlance — worth talking about.
So we talked about it Thursday during Tom Brady’s 12-minute session with the media.
“I have a family at home and they get some of my time and energy and my wife is a very ambitious woman and she travels a lot so just trying to divide some responsibilities at home,” Brady explained. “She supports me a lot, my family supports me a lot. My kids aren’t getting any younger so just trying to spend the time with them when I can and get the other things done that I need to get done and be ready to go when it’s time to go.”
Brady was asked if he felt as if he had to “make up” for not being there. Brady at first looked perplexed as if he was being asked to make amends. It was explained the question related to making up for lost time.
New England Patriots
“We’re trying to get ready individually and collectively,” he said. “Everybody has different things they have to do. I think our coaches do a great job of preparing our guys. Individually, guys are coming out here and trying to get better and I’m doing the same thing. When we come together like this it gives us a chance to see where we’re all at.”
There’s more OTAs next week and where Brady will be at for that one is where he’s been for the past 20 or so. Elsewhere.
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