For the second straight season, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady skipped the team’s offseason voluntary workouts to give more time to his family. Many fans were saying that Brady should join the team’s voluntary workouts to develop camaraderie and rapport with several new Patriots, including rookie wide receiver N’Keal Harry, the team’s No. 32 selection in the 2019 NFL Draft. However, retired Patriots safety Rodney Harrison believes that Brady will emerge as a better player in the 2019 season despite missing the team’s voluntary organized team activities (OTAs).
Harrison: Brady needs more time with family
In an interview with “Quick Slants the Podcast”, hosted by Tom Curran of NBC Sports, Harrison said he has no problems with Brady not working out with the team, saying the veteran quarterback who has shown a high level of commitment to the team needs a break and needs to spend more time with his family. “Tom Brady can’t be who Tom Brady is if he’s not at peace with himself,” said Harrison, who won two Super Bowl rings with New England during his stint from 2003 to 2008 and is scheduled to be enshrined into the Patriots Hall of Fame.
According to Harrison, Brady will emerge as a better player come training camp in July after giving more time with his family.
Also, Harrison said that with Brady’s high level of commitment and work ethic, he will ensure that he’s in top shape before training camp. “And if you put your time in as a veteran player at home, you’ll feel much better about yourself doing that,” said Harrison. The retired safety has a point because the Patriots won their sixth Super Bowl trophy despite Brady missing the team’s voluntary OTAs.
Edelman’s trust in Brady pays off
In a column, Curran narrated how veteran wide receiver Julian Edelman went from football purgatory to an elite player. According to Curran, Edelman was devastated when he wasn’t anointed as Wes Welker’s replacement in 2013, with the Patriots opting to give Danny Amendola a huge deal. With the move, Edelman decided to make a free-agent visit with the New York Giants, but the team offered just a one-year deal worth $800,000.
The market looked bleak for Edelman, who was then the Patriots’ backup receiver and special teamer for four injury-riddled seasons.
Brady then approached Edelman and repeatedly told him “just trust me, Jules. Trust me. Stay. I’ll make it work.” After that, Edelman emerged as a three-time Super Bowl champion and a Super Bowl MVP trophy after recording 10 catches for 141 yards in their 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII. Edelman’s persistence paid dividends after the Patriots signed him to a two-year contract extension worth $18 million, with $12 million in guaranteed money. With the new deal, Edelman will receive a significant increase from his $2 million salary for the 2019 season, and most importantly, will ensure that his career will end with the Patriots.