Tom Brady has a big week ahead of him.
Brady spoke to the media for the last time on Saturday before the team departs for Atlanta tomorrow after their send-off rally at Gillette Stadium.
As he prepares for his ninth Super Bowl, Brady praised his teammates and reflected on his relationship with them.
When asked about his offensive line, Brady didn't hold back the plaudits, but also emphasized what we all knew: that their biggest challenge is ahead of them. They'll need to have a stellar game against an absurdly talented Rams defensive line.
"We haven't had that many sacks this year, I think they've done such a great job protecting...The run game, I think, speaks for itself, and that was just an incredible effort last week. And we're going to need it again, because, obviously, this group is exceptional at that position... We're all going to be challenged, and we need those guys to play a great game."
Brady gave the line a shout out earlier this week on Instagram with a post that featured his clean jersey. The line has certainly played well in the playoffs, allowing no sacks while facing premier pass rushers Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram, Justin Houston, and Dee Ford. All this while paving the way for Sony Michel & Co. to rush for more than 300 yards and eight touchdowns in two games.
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Brady was asked about the relationship he has with receiver Julian Edelman, his longtime teammate and friend.
"I trust him so much. We put in so many hours together in the meeting room, in the film room...He's always kind of been like my little brother, in a good way. He knows how much I love him. What he's done with his career has been incredible."
Listening to any one of Edelman's "Mic'd Up" segments, it's obvious that the two have a very close relationship, and are driven to succeed by each other.
Brady and Edelman have been close since they became teammates in 2011, but that's more than a decade after Brady arrived in New England. Brady made light of just how long he's been there and how well he knows the coaches.
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"I was joking with Dante [Scarnecchia] and Ivan [Fears], I've been with them longer than I've been with my parents."
Brady has certainly been here a long time, but if he has anything to say about it, he won't be gone for a while yet.
The next time he takes the podium? It'll be in Atlanta, prepping for the Rams and a chance at a sixth championship.
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