Earth to Patriots: This is Tom Brady
It seems that when you’re a part of the New England Patriots, it doesn’t matter how valuable you are to the team. Whether you’re a third-string special teams guy, the water boy, or Tom Brady, you are nothing more than the property of the organization. At least that’s the impression the Patriots management is rubbing off on everyone.
The Patriots training camp opens on July 29th and they have a little situation on their hands that needs to be resolved the right way. Future Hall of Fame quarterback (QB) Tom Brady is heading into the final year of his contract and would be one of the most treasured free agents in history in the next offseason if the Patriots don’t resign him.
Of course, there is the option of placing the franchise tag on Brady if a new deal can’t be worked out. The same goes for Peyton Manning this season.
There seems to be growing discontent between Brady and the organization based on how contract talks have gone thus far. Brady has made very limited appearances at Foxborough during the offseason and it is appearing more and more likely that a new contract will not be reached.
Some might argue that Brady has already peaked in his career, but try to find a team around the league that wouldn’t want a QB like Tom Brady.
Yes, some may question his injury issues. Brady missed the whole 2008 season with a torn ACL, however, he came back strong in 2009. After a couple of shaky starts, Brady finished the 2009 season with 4,398 yards, 28 touchdowns and a 96.2 rating. Some still said it wasn’t Brady’s best season but that’s because he has set the bar so high in his amazing career. Don’t think you won’t find teams that wouldn’t be happy with those stats from their quarterback.
In the past, the New England Patriots have had their problems resigning star players. They had major negotiation issues with players like Assante Samuel, Ty Law and Vince Wilfork. They simply cannot treat a player like Brady with any disregard, especialy since he brought the team all three of their Super Bowl titles.
Brady will be 33 years-old heading into the 2010 season and you have to believe he has another two or three good seasons left in him, unless he follows in Brett Favre’s footsteps.
The Patriots have not won the Super Bowl in five seasons, which doesn’t seem like a long time for most teams, but when you win three in four seasons, five years seems like a very long time.
New England did have a historic 16-0 season in 2007, in large part because it was Brady’s career year. Brady threw a record 50 touchdown passes that year and nearly won a fourth Super Bowl. The Pats went 18-0 before losing their only game of the season in the game that matters most, the Super Bowl. New England was upset 17-14 by the New York Giants.
Last season, many questioned whether the Patriots dynasty was officially done following a blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens in their first playoff game. Perhaps it is, but the Patriots best hope of keeping their competitive hopes alive is by keeping Brady. Who else is there after him? The Patriots already traded his backup Matt Cassel last year and cannot really go anywhere else at QB.
If there was a player that needs to be resigned, it is Tom Brady. The Patriots have to buckle down and get this settled to prove that their valuables are regarded as more than a piece of meat by the franchise.
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