Patriots gridiron news: Tom Brady ‘feels good’ heading into playoffs
As Tom Brady prepares to make another Super Bowl run, the New England Patriots quarterback says he “feels good” going into the playoffs.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady hasn’t looked so great towards the end of the 2017 NFL season. Part of that has been due to nagging injuries the 40-year-old quarterback has been battling most of the season.
The bumps and bruises, along with some off-field distractions (see the Alex Guerrero drama), has not stopped Brady from leading his team to a 13-3 record and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. No, he hasn’t been sharp, but this time of year tends to bring out the best in Tom Brady.
In his weekly appearance on WEEI’s Kirk & Callahan radio show Wednesday morning, Brady addressed his physically and mental health as the team sits back and awaits their AFC Divisional round opponents.
"“I feel good,” Brady said, via WEEI. “There’s some bump and bruises you always deal with over the course of these games. It’s a physical sport for everybody, so I am happy to be able to – like I’ve said before, in 2008 I missed the whole season with my knee and that was pretty tough mentally and physically. Anytime you end the season playing and playing all 16 weeks I think there’s a really positive feeling about that. I am happy to advance now where we don’t have to get any of those extra bumps and bruises before we advance to the next round. Hopefully by next Saturday night I am feeling as good as I have all year. That is what I am hoping.”"
If indeed Brady is feeling as good as ever, the New England Patriots will be very tough to beat. Despite the issues on the defensive side of the ball, it will be hard for any team to stop the Patriots’ offense if TB12 is on top of his game and clicking with his many offensive weapons.
Tom Brady went on to talk about Jimmy Garoppolo’s hot start in San Francisco and also the possibility of losing offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
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He’s back
As expected, linebacker Trevor Reilly has been re-signed to the team’s practice squad.
The veteran linebacker was released prior to Week 17 to make room for James Harrison. To make room for Reilly, the team has released wide receiver Bernard Reedy from practice squad.
Both moves are indicative of the team’s needs when it comes to depth. With Chris Hogan and Malcolm Mitchell possibly returning for the playoffs, the New England Patriots appear to be deep once again at the wide receiver position. The team, however, remains thin at linebacker.
Getting healthier
According to Patriots.com, the Patriots received some good news on the game field when practice resumed on Wednesday.
Defensive tackle Alan Branch and running back Rex Burkhead both returned to the practice field. Both players are integral parts to the team’s success on both sides of the field.
The teal also continued to receive good news on wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell. The second-year man out of Georgia continues to make progress after missing the entire regular season due to a knee injury. His possible return to the offense in the playoffs could help Tom Brady and company tremendously.
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On the flip side, defensive end Eric Lee and running back Mike Gillislee were not participants in Wednesday’s session.