Drew Bledsoe radio interview

[IcyPatriot]

Bledsoe had a ton of talent but was extremely thick headed. Drew was not a system guy and perhaps not even a team guy. Belichick knew from his attitude that Brady would be a system and team guy ... and he was right. Bledsoe butted heads with Parcells and Belichick ... this always seems to get lost in the equation.

 

[Deus Irae]

And here we go again.....

 

[Patjew]

And here we go again.....

I predict that within 10 posts someone will be accused of "hating" Bledsoe, while someone else will be labeled a "Bledsoe apologist".

I'm a hating apologist.

 

[Ryan]

Kind of cool to hear Drew talk again. It seems like he completely disappeared after that benching in '06. Still one of my all time favorite players.

 

[Deus Irae]

I predict that within 10 posts someone will be accused of "hating" Bledsoe, while someone else will be labeled a "Bledsoe apologist".

I'm a hating apologist.

It's sad that people can be so bitter towards the second best QB the franchise has ever had. I predict that I'll be using the new Firefox addon to ignore this thread before I get sucked into saying more on the topic.

 

[ScottieC]

Audio link to Drew Bledsoe interview on KTAR in Phoenix on 7/16/09

Link to transcript of above interview

Drew, It's Tom Brady, dude.

Tom Freakin' Brady! It's almost the equivalent (if not that same) as saying you got replaced by a young Joe Montana, that would happen to 99% of the league, it's not just you....it's ok dude, let it go!!

 

[MoLewisrocks]

It's sad that people can be so bitter towards the second best QB the franchise has ever had. I predict that I'll be using the new Firefox addon to ignore this thread before I get sucked into saying more on the topic.

It's sadder still that some people their personal binky's are above reproach. Drew is what he is, a 30 something year old vintner who once passed for 44,000 largely empty yards playing the bulk of his career with 2 HOF HC's. Guys like Milloy, Law, Bruschi found a way to make those associations work for them, even if only for a time. Drew said in this interview that the most significant thing he took away from working with each of these cuddly characters was the ability to develop a thick skin. I don't think that was the only thing on Drew that proved to have thickened in the process.

I'm not bitter about Drew, just a realist. The bitter people seem to be those who remain unable to grasp what Drew really was in his time here.

 

[signbabybrady]

It's sadder still that some people their personal binky's are above reproach. Drew is what he is, a 30 something year old vintner who once passed for 44,000 largely empty yards playing the bulk of his career with 2 HOF HC's. Guys like Milloy, Law, Bruschi found a way to make those associations work for them, even if only for a time. Drew said in this interview that the most significant thing he took away from working with each of these cuddly characters was the ability to develop a thick skin. I don't think that was the only thing on Drew that proved to have thickened in the process.

I'm not bitter about Drew, just a realist. The bitter people seem to be those who remain unable to grasp what Drew really was in his time here.

See I dont look at as dont make fun of my binky Drew....Because from my standpoint it is a no brainer that Brady is better and what happened in 01 was a blessing to Patsfans.....But What I dont get is why do people now 8 years later still feel the need to bash Drew....We all know his short comings but he was the Franchise for years and deserves any Patsfans respect end of story.


Why is it always going to be Drew Vs. Brady? if it always goes down like that than Brady wins everytime.

But we all show respect for Grogan and Babe even though they were half the QB Brady is.

 

[xmarkd400x]

I feel like this has been re-hashed a lot.

In Cleveland, BB saw an aging star in Bernie Kosar, and cut him. While it was the correct decision from a talent standpoint, the fans killed him for it. Lesson learned: even if he isn't your best option, you DO NOT cut the incumbent fan favorite.

In New England, BB had almost the exact same scenario. Bledsoe wasn't up to snuff, BB knew it, but couldn't do anything about it or he would be KILLED. Imagine what would happen if a new coach came in and cut Bledsoe? Yeah f'n right.

BB waited for the appropriate opportunity to put Brady in, and put him in. He always wanted to get rid of Bledsoe, he just couldn't until the injury.

 

[jmt57]

I find it kind of funny that even after all this time Bledsoe is not calling Brady by name, but is still referring to him as the "kid", "that other guy" and "that Brady guy", even if it is done in a tongue-in-cheek manner.

For those that didn't listen to the full interview, this is what Bledsoe is doing now: Doubleback

On a side note, I don't know that I would characterize Bledsoe as being all class and taking the high road when Belichick decided to stick with Brady as the starting quarterback; as I recall from his facial expressions and tone of his voice he was visibly upset with the decision. Granted he didn't go into a ballistic rant the way some other players would have, or (as far as I know) try to divide the locker room, but then again he didn't need to; Ron Borges did that for him.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

It's sad that people can be so bitter towards the second best QB the franchise has ever had. I predict that I'll be using the new Firefox addon to ignore this thread before I get sucked into saying more on the topic.

Bledsoe spouts off like this every year. He acts like he got a raw deal because he didn't get the QB job handed back to him, ignoring the fact that the team was completely turned around with Brady at QB. He comes off both selfish and ignorant when discussing this issue.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Drew, It's Tom Brady, dude.

Tom Freakin' Brady! It's almost the equivalent (if not that same) as saying you got replaced by a young Joe Montana, that would happen to 99% of the league, it's not just you....it's ok dude, let it go!!

But not quite the same thing as saying you got replace by Tony Romo and clearly not the samething as saying you got replace by the next rising star of the UFL JP Losman.

 

[Patjew]

I appreciate all that Drew did and was (which really was alot), and I'm glad that Brady got the job in 2001 because even then he was a much better QB. I don't think those two things need to be mutually exclusive.

 

[signbabybrady]

I appreciate all that Drew did and was (which really was alot), and I'm glad that Brady got the job in 2001 because even then he was a much better QB. I don't think those two things need to be mutually exclusive.

exactly.......Those who wanted to see Drew on the bench way back when and would have perferred Bishop to Drew need to give it up he is retired he wont be throwing for the Pats again so give it up. Let us that want to give him respect give it to him and you should just keep your opinions out of it.


I wasn't a big fan of Chris Canty but I don't call him out anymore and haven't since the 90s

 

[Raymond]

I appreciate all that Drew did and was (which really was alot), and I'm glad that Brady got the job in 2001 because even then he was a much better QB. I don't think those two things need to be mutually exclusive.

As usual. Pat is nail, head, hammer.

 

[patfanken]

Bledsoe had a ton of talent but was extremely thick headed. Drew was not a system guy and perhaps not even a team guy. Belichick knew from his attitude that Brady would be a system and team guy ... and he was right. Bledsoe butted heads with Parcells and Belichick ... this always seems to get lost in the equation.

I don't think that is really fair. Bledsoe was a QB who for his ENTIRE career never had the same OC three years running, and during his time with the Pats pre BB, he had at least 3 completely DIFFERENT offensive systems. We forget that Brady, and Manning for that matter, have had the luxury of being in the same offensive system for their ENTIRE careers. Never underestimate that value to their production.

Now if you want to criticize Bledsoe's off season dedication, or his downfield vision, then that would be fair. Weiss' offensives system of short passes, short drops, and quick decisions was not condusive to Bledsoe's skill set. It was completely different from the offenses he'd been running for 8 years. OF course he'd be reluctant to give up the familiar and comfortable, for the strange and different. Any of us would.

Drew Bledsoe was the 2nd best QB ever to play for the Pats. He was productive, and tough. He helped turn this team from being a laughing stock for the bulk of the 60's 70's and 80's into the consistent winners that we've been since Kraft took over the team over FIFTEEN years ago. Too many people forget that the Pats were a pretty good team for most of the 90's incurring only 2 losing seasons. I think people should remember that even though Tom Brady is a better QB than Drew Bledsoe, Bledsoe has a place in Pats history....and a nice one to boot.

 

[PYPER]

WOW!!!

I'm a bit shocked to read some of the nonsensical comments in this thread. No player "deserves" to be handed anything. They all have a very well paying job to do and that job is to do whatever is needed to help the team win football games. They aren't owed anything outside of the monetary compensation negotiated in their contracts. Likewise, the coach has the same responsibility to do what is best for the team. Undoubtedly, when the injury first occurred, BB was looking forward to getting Bledsoe back and reinserting him in the offense. However, after seeing "the kid" play, he realized that the offense ran a lot smoother and that the "best interests of the team" were better served by sticking with Brady. End of story.

You have to remember that our Oline was very mediocre. Those guys simply couldn't block long enough to support a deep passing game. Brady's quick decision making and comfortability with the short passing game made a much better fit for the offense. Throw in the fact that he was still very much a young kid who was getting better and better each week and the choice was an easy one for Belichick to make.

 

[Bartmac36]

I've always respected Drew for helping turn the franchise around, and I can see where he was coming from...I sense feelings of both respect for Tom and sadness to what he feels was betrayal by the team...no matter how you look at it though, it was the best decision ever made in NE (keeping Brady in that is)...

 

[Fencer]

Bledsoe was a real jerk in a couple of things:

A. Leaking his claims that BB lied to Will McDonough
B. Being obviously unhappy at the Super Bowl and then skipping the parade

But it's all forgivable. He was ready to play when needed and he helped in meetings/practices as well. All apparent deficiencies he had in those regards -- and they're minor -- seem to relate to his talent, not his willingness to contribute.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

exactly.......Those who wanted to see Drew on the bench way back when and would have perferred Bishop to Drew need to give it up he is retired he wont be throwing for the Pats again so give it up. Let us that want to give him respect give it to him and you should just keep your opinions out of it.


I wasn't a big fan of Chris Canty but I don't call him out anymore and haven't since the 90s

Got it, from now on whenever discussing Bledsoe only nice things may be said about him or peoples feelings will get hurt. Is that it?