Patriots gridiron news: Tom Brady says team is ‘not a finished product’

Joining Kirk & Callahan on Monday, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady addressed the current state of the team heading into Week 6. 

The New England Patriots are 3-2 and are heading into a surprising AFC East showdown with the New York Jets on Sunday.

Following a 19-14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tom Brady took some time to address some of the team’s issue and why they haven’t completely looked like the defending Super Bowl champions.

During his weekly appearance on the Kirk & Callahan radio show, Brady admitted the team is still trying to figure out who they are.

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"“I think in general, we’re not a finished product right now,” Brady said, as transcribed by WEEI.  “We’re still trying to figure out what we are and what we’re good at and what we need to do consistently to score more points.  Any time you lose players that happens – like Gronk [Rob Gronkowski] the other night.  You have a plan and then all of a sudden he’s not available.  Things shift and you’re trying to still find ways to move the ball down the field and score points.  No matter who is out there the goal is still the same.  It may look a little different based on the sill set of the players that are out there.”"

While Tom Brady has been on top of his game, he went on to say the team is still making adjustments based on the injuries they have endured on a week to week basis.  With a lot of football left to play, the New England Patriots quarterback is confident they will figure it all out.  They have a very long history of doing so.

Speaking of injuries, the 40-year-old quarterback also addressed the amount of times he has been sacked and hit this season.  He admitted he is “not sure” of the problem.

If the team doesn’t figure it out quickly, Brady could take that one hit that will knock him out of a game and perhaps the rest of the season.

Brandin Cooks visits Fenway Park

With the Patriots off on Sunday, wide receiver Brandin Cooks was able to attend a baseball game at Fenway Park.

Cooks picked the right game as he watched the Boston Red Sox defeat the Houston Astros 10-3 in Game 3 of the American League Divisional Series.  It turns out it was the only game the team would win in the postseason and new Patriots receiver was glad to have witnessed it.

Related Story: Brandin Cooks draws praise from Bill Belichick

With Brandin Cooks signed at least through the 2018 season, it’s a sure bet he’ll get to attend more games at Fenway.  Let’s hope they also result in Red Sox victories.

Practice squad moves

According to Patriots.com Monday, the New England Patriots have made a few moves to the practice squad.

The team has announced the signing of DB Alex Carter and OL Cole Toner.  To make room for both players, the team has released QB Taylor Heinecke and OL Jason King from the practice squad.

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Carter is an intriguing signing since he was actually drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Stanford.  After missing his entire rookie season due to injury, the 22-year-old defensive back only appeared in one regular season game in 2016.  This could be a case of a player needing the right situation to excel.