Patriots gridiron news: Tom Brady is as locked in as ever

After skipping OTAs this past spring, many believe Tom Brady is behind schedule, but New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels says otherwise.

There has been a different Tom Brady roaming in the shadows of Gillette Stadium over the past few months. A Tom Brady who has put himself and his family ahead of the team for the first time in 18 seasons.  A Tom Brady who New England Patriots aren’t used to, but a Tom Brady just as motivated as he has ever been.

Perhaps the change we have all seen has to do with the drama involving his partner in success Bill Belichick and his partner in business and health Alex Guerrero.  Perhaps it has to do with throwing for over 500 yards in Super Bowl LII in a losing effort.  Or perhaps, the man is just tired entering his 19^th season in the NFL.

While it is obvious it is a combination of all the above, the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback and reigning NFL MVP is still at the top of his game.

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In the upcoming 2018 NFL season he will have to be because his receiving group is starting to rival that of the 2006 team in which a man named Reche Caldwell was his No. 1 receiving option.

Yes, he will have the best tight end in the game catching passes in Rob Gronkowski.  But, he has a group of receivers he has to work into the system.  If Phillip Dorsett, Cordarrelle Patterson and either Riley McCarron or Braxton Berrios are going to make any major impact, it will be due to their chemistry with Brady.  That’s why his skipping OTAs and not appearing to put in the work he normally does was a major concern entering training camp and preseason.

Is Tom Brady behind schedule?

It’s hard to say that a 41-year-old quarterback playing the game like the 29-year-old version of himself could ever be behind.  New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels knows Brady’s routine better than anyone and when asked if his star quarterback’s rhythm is behind where it typically would be, he deferred the possibility.

"“No, not that I see. There’s guys that miss time, whether it’s the spring, summer, or during the season for a number of reasons, injury, rehab, what have you. That’s just part of our year,” McDaniels said in a conference call with the media Wednesday. “Sometimes we have everybody, most of the times, we don’t. For whatever those reasons are, we try to control the things we can control. We try to teach and coach our group and put them out there together and build some chemistry. I think from every day he’s been here, whether it be the mini-camp or training camp, that’s what he’s done.”"

While Brady himself has admitted he isn’t satisfied in his performance in the two preseason games he played, McDaniels still sees a quarterback looking to improve his game.  That eagerness to get better is still there.  With that eagerness comes a hunger to be successful.  Furthermore, there is a commitment that McDaniels went on to express was never in doubt.

"“I’ve seen a tremendous desire to improve at the little things like I always have, staying after, going out early, whether it be at practice, or in the film room with guys,” McDaniels said.  “That’s what I see.”"

Who will Tom Brady target the most this season?

With Julian Edelman serving a four-game suspension to start the 2018 NFL season, the obvious answer if Rob Gronkowski.  But, someone else will have to step up, which leads to Chris Hogan.

If he stays healthy, Hogan really has an opportunity to have a career year in New England.  Not only will he be the receiver with the most experience in the offense with Edelman out, he has developed a trust and chemistry with Brady.

As long as the New England Patriots offense simmer down on the deep ball attempts, both Brady and Hogan should be able to develop an effective rhythm.

The next obvious option is Phillip Dorsett who has impressed at times during training camp and the preseason.  Tom Brady will look his way more than ever, so the opportunity won’t be lacking.

If not Hogan or Dorsett, there is a possibility it will be someone not currently on the team.  With trade rumors beginning to swirl, a player like Golden Tate can join the team and become a primary target of Tom Brady.  As we’ve grown use to with this team, anything is possible when it comes to roster moves and players simply stepping up.