FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady cut his Saturday news conference short when asked whether he had a reaction to those who have linked his personal trainer, Alex Guerrero, to wide receiver Julian Edelman‘s four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy.
“I have no comment. It is just ridiculous,” Brady said, when asked if he felt such a connection was fair because Edelman, in addition to others, trains with Guerrero. “I’m out. See you guys.”
Brady then picked up his helmet and ultimately walked to the team’s locker room, putting an abrupt end to his first remarks since reporting for training camp earlier in the week.
Brady, who had briefly addressed reporters during June’s mandatory minicamp, elaborated on several topics Saturday for about five minutes before the inquiry on Guerrero, who is also his close friend and business partner.
He touched on his excitement for a 19th NFL season, how thankful he was to have offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels back with the team, his offseason work to become a better player, and how he spent important time with his family this offseason as he balances his personal life and the game he loves.
One topic that he didn’t address, which might reflect his frustration with media coverage surrounding the team, was reports of tension surrounding the franchise.
Asked his thoughts on Patriots turmoil, Brady said, “I have no thoughts.”
Brady, 40, who stayed away from voluntary spring practices to be with his family, stressed how football remains a big part of his life.
“Football is very, very important to me. It always has been, and I love being out here with my teammates,” he said. “As you get older, you have different responsibilities, and I think that’s just part of life. Everyone’s got to deal with those responsibilities differently and what works for them. Football is a huge part of my life. I love being here with my teammates and playing, and hopefully we can have a great season.”
Brady called this time of year “exciting” while noting the sizable amount of work facing the team.
“Obviously, not a lot of things are perfect at this point,” he said.
He said he didn’t know if he was behind where he would normally be with his wide receivers had they practiced together in the spring, before saying, “We have a long time. We have a lot of work to do. We’ll do the best we can every day to get the work in when we can and try to go out there and have a great year.”
As for the approach of spending as much time with his family in the offseason so he could be at his best for the Patriots come training camp, Brady felt that he achieved that goal.
“Yeah. You know, there’s a lot of commitment and a lot of sacrifice from a lot of people that play the game,” he said. “Our families, they work just as hard just like every working family shares the burden at different times. It’s a full-time commitment for this team, and everyone’s got to do whatever it takes to help us win.
“So I feel good, ready and trying to improve like everyone else. It’s a daily process. Football’s a very humbling sport, and you never have it quite figured out. Every year, there’s different things, challenges, plays, schemes, opponents, conditions, situations, and it’s just about adapting to what you have and the situation. It’s never perfect. Hopefully there’s a lot more good than bad, but you just work it every day and try to do better each day.”
As for what he focused on football-wise in the offseason, Brady said he always stresses footwork and mechanics, while putting himself in the best position to stay healthy over the course of the season.
“That’s what it comes down to being a professional athlete. It’s being in good condition, being in good shape, making the right plays and reads, techniques, fundamentals for your position,” he said. “I spend a lot of time doing that, and that’s got to transfer over to the field.”
Of McDaniels’ return as offensive coordinator, which seemed unlikely after he had verbally accepted the Indianapolis Colts‘ head-coaching job before altering course, Brady relayed thankfulness.
“Josh and I have had a great relationship for 18 years, and he’s one of my best friends. I love working with him and we have a very special relationship that I cherish, and it’s kind of been that way for a long time,” Brady said. “I love him, I love his family, and we’re very close. When you work together with somebody for that long, you have a great rapport and relationship. I’m happy he’s on our team, happy he’s coaching me, and I want to go out there and do well by him.”
Source:ESPN
