MoLewisrocks

Some comments from Grogan as well as Rich Gannon and former backup Jim Miller on whether they think Brady can realistically expect to play until 40, and why.

Tom Brady remains the key to the New England Patriots' long-term future - ESPN Boston

PatsFanSince74

It's the great unknown...and unknowable. Even Reiss punts, concluding that, for this decade as for the last, Brady's presence will be "shaping the direction of the Patriots more than any other." Reiss doesn't say what that direction will be nor how Brady will shape it; and, rightly so, as he cannot know.

For me, the bottom line is simple. If you ask me whether I'd rather place a bet on an unknown and unknowable Patriots' future between 2011 and 1015 or so with or without Tom Brady, I'd have to answer, "I'll put my money on Brady."

Will he end up like Elway, winning Super Bowls at the ages of 37 & 38, or like Favre, playing lights out at 40? Or will he end up like Bradshaw and Aikman, retired at 35 and 34 respectively? Or will he follow the middle course of most HOF QB's who play until their mid/late 30's with a gradual diminishing of their skills?

I don't know and neither does anyone else. But, like Reiss', my money's riding on Number 12, come what may.

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upstater1

Aikman would have kept playing but he suffered concussions, and that's what did Steve Young in to. Joe Montana played until he was 38.

IcyPatriot

Brady's new house is being built in Brentwood, California.
Not far from where Tom's 1st son Jack lives.
Giselle does not come across to me as a new England type of woman.

Tom may play until he's 40 but it won't be here in New England people.

I think at some point he will want a new challenge ... nothing personal against us IMO.

How many draft picks can we get for Tom ...

That's all I have to say for now ... my 2 cents ... I'm bored.

tuckeverlasting

i don't think so. i think he'll be the good soldier and remain loyal to the team that drafted him #199 and gave him his first break. if we trade him, that's different. but i think he stays as long as we want him.

just my $.02

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john clayton is super chicken and doug gottlieb is a thief .

MoLewisrocks

Tom and Gisele are also shopping for a kid friendly home in this area. And Tom just reiterated recently Boston is his home. It's also Jack's maternal grandparents home, so it's not like he and Bridget don't spend time here, too. Rich people have multiple residences. Gisele and Tom sold their holdings in the Big Apple recently, probably because the JETS drafted Sanchez...although she still has one in Costa Rica. I don't think he plans to play there, either. Tom's parents also now maintain homes in California and Boston, where his dad also has an office, and at least 2 of his sisters have lived here now for years. If Tom eventually returns to live primarily in California it will be to play more golf, not more football.

alamo

One key to how long Tom plays and for which team is: What does Bill do? Based upon the typical longevity of top coaches, we should be more worried about Belichick retiring than Brady. If Bill retires after next year all bets are off, but I don't see Brady leaving in a year.

Otherwise we don't really need to worry about Brady for years. He'lll be back with the Pats and if he wants big guaranteed money (as he will) he won't be signing for 2-3 years, it will be 4-6. So he's likely here for a while, barring concussions or other problems which convince him to hang it up early.

PatsFanSince74

Absolutely on Aikman and Young. The average retirement age for SB Era QB's in the HOF is 37.5, so Montana was right on that. Montana made the Pro Bowl one year before he retired, sharing starting duties with Dave Krieg in a season when the Chiefs made it to the Conference championship. But only Elway and Favre have played full seasons at the highest level past their mid thirties.

As I said in my OP, I don't know which profile Brady will fit, but I'd take my chances with him over any alternative any day for the next six or so seasons.

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It is what it is. It wasn't what it wasn't.

PatsFanSince74

i don't think loyalty will be the biggest factor. i think (reasonable, not top) money and what he perceives as the best chance to go out a winner will be the main factors. as long as belichick is here and as long as the krafts own this team, i think that bodes well for Brady being in Foxboro until he retires.

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It is what it is. It wasn't what it wasn't.

ctpatsfan77

BB's most recent extension apparently runs through 2013. He wouldn't have extended it that far if he seriously saw himself wanting to retire by then.

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"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots

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