New England Patriots: Tom Brady still has jitters entering 18th NFL season

Entering his 18^th NFL season, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady still feels a high intensity of nerves on opening night.

The NFL season is upon us and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is as excited and nervous as a rookie playing his first game.

The five-time Super Bowl champion admitted after practice on Monday that he still gets the jitters when the season begins for real.  That shows just how intense and anxious the 40-year-old quarterback is to bring another Super Bowl championship to New England.

"“There will definitely be nerves and being anxious, but that’s part of football,” Brady said, via ESPN.  “Once you get out there and get going, those things calm down.”"

Thursday night’s primetime kickoff against the Kansas City Chiefs will be a night the team unveils their fifth Super Bowl banner at Gillette Stadium.  It will also be a night the New England Patriots see just what kind of team they have.

Following an offseason in which they added players such as Brandin Cooks, Stephon Gilmore and running backs Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead, Brady and the defending champs are preparing for another season with high expectations.

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The two-time NFL MVP knows opening week is something the entire team is looking forwards to, especially going up against an NFL team the caliber of the Kansas City Chiefs.

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"“It’s great that we’re here.  I think all the players look forward to this weekend,” he continued.  “It’s a long offseason, it’s a lot of preparation, and it’s for this game.  When the schedule comes out, this first game is the only one you’re really looking at in preparation.  Everything is building for this week.  It goes for both sides.  I’m sure they’re looking forward to it too.  I’m excited for this year and see if all the work we put in could amount to something.  It’s going to be a fun week.”"

Facing off against another AFC power

The Patriots should have their hands full with the Chiefs.  Even without Julian Edelman, Tom Brady and the Patriots should have a potent offense, but they are facing a tough Kansas City defense.  Pass rushers like Justin Houston said the only way to knock Brady off his game is to hit him and keep the pressure consistent.

"“To hit him,” Houston said, via NFL.com.  “Because the ball comes out so fast, he’s a smart guy.  My main thing is the defense, don’t lose confidence in what you got going on because he’s going to make plays – it’s Tom Brady.  Just got to stay together through four quarters.”"

Jitters and all, Brady will come out firing.  Hopefully, the offensive line and offensive playmakers around him will be ready and prepared for the challenge.

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With 17 seasons of NFL experience, the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback will probably look forward to that first hit to officially start the season.