Brady on contracts

[Rob0729]

Apparently, Brady addressed the issue with the media today. From Mike Reis' blog:

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady spent some of his 20-minute conversation with the media today fielding questions on his contract, which is set to expire after the 2010 season.

"Those contract things they always find a way to work themselves out one way or another, so I think the important part this time of the year is to focus on the most important priority, which is having a great season," said Brady. "I'm committed to that and I know my teammates are committed to that and hopefully if we all go out and play well we'll all be playing for a long time."

Brady was then asked if the Patriots approached him before the upcoming season and offered to talk about his contract if he'd have that same stance of only focusing on football.

"If somebody wants to pay you more money, [heck], I think we're all probably underpaid, don't you think?" said Brady. "We all wish we were paid more. That's not the reality. I'm focused on this year. I've thought about it. I just want to go out and have a great year. Believe me nothing is guaranteed. That's what I learned last year. You don't know whether you'll be out here next week or the following week, so I think the most important thing is to focus on this week and the more prepared you are for this week the less chance you'll have to play poorly or to have an injury. If we have goals to have a great season we're going to need to be on the field playing and getting better."

Brady was also asked about the big contracts signed by fellow quarterbacks Philip Rivers (San Diego) and Eli Manning (New York Giants).
"I think it's great. It's great," said Brady. "I think it's great for those players. They've worked hard to deserve those. Any time a guy gets a contract like that it's a pretty cool thing. I've had that experience a couple of times. It really shows the health of the league. It shows that the league has grown in places like London and into Mexico and Canada. It's a lot of coverage and a lot of people enjoy watching the game. The league is expanding and growing and hopefully I'm able to participate for as long as somebody else wants me."

Contract talk with Brady - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

 

[xmarkd400x]

More than anything else, Brady speaks to his teammates through these kind of press conferences. BB does the exact same thing. Everything Brady said is a piece of advice that can be given to a teammate.

 

[Gwedd]

More than anything else, Brady speaks to his teammates through these kind of press conferences. BB does the exact same thing. Everything Brady said is a piece of advice that can be given to a teammate.

Darned straight. Leadership by Example. That's how professionals comport themselves, and Coach and TB are both professionals. Think how much better this entire league would be if more players understood what #12 was saying?

 

[jefmblrd]

Class act.

 

[JSn]

Think how much better this entire league would be if more players understood what #12 was saying?

Yeah, but so much less entertaining. As long as those guys are around but on different teams, I dig it.

Brady's got to prove he's going stay excellent. We all "know" he will, but as far as jobs paying in the millions, he knows he's got have it coming back together before he has any way to set an asking price.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

"It really shows the health of the league. It shows that the league has grown in places like London and into Mexico and Canada. It's a lot of coverage and a lot of people enjoy watching the game. The league is expanding and growing and hopefully I'm able to participate for as long as somebody else wants me."

What TFB is saying is that the league is growing and has lots of revenue. All this in the context of a question about QB contracts. Cool pre-emptive move, Tommy Boy.

 

[Gwedd]

"It really shows the health of the league. It shows that the league has grown in places like London and into Mexico and Canada. It's a lot of coverage and a lot of people enjoy watching the game. The league is expanding and growing and hopefully I'm able to participate for as long as somebody else wants me."

What TFB is saying is that the league is growing and has lots of revenue. All this in the context of a question about QB contracts. Cool pre-emptive move, Tommy Boy.

Yes indeed.... it's all in now he says something without saying much. Those used to listening to politicians speak will understand what he's saying.

 

[JonVaughnTD]

LOL, does he really think he and other NFL players are underpaid?

 

[JSn]

LOL, does he really think he and other NFL players are underpaid?

He's either joking around or he means to say that EVERYONE feels they are underpaid for the job they do, you, me and him. Not that I think he'd trade...

 

[efin98]

He's either joking around or he means to say that EVERYONE feels they are underpaid for the job they do, you, me and him. Not that I think he'd trade...

I think he simply means we all feel underpaid...not just him or the players but everybody.

 

[Mogamedogz]

Read between the lines folks. Brady is looking to get paid. And I for one, don't blame him.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Read between the lines folks. Brady is looking to get paid. And I for one, don't blame him.

yes. see post #6

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Read between the lines. Brady wants to be paid fairly. He's no fool. But he doesn't measure value in $$$. He trusts they respect him and will continue to if he does his job. One thing he can't do, even as he sets an example, is sound like a management arm trying to shove their philosophy down his teamates throats. They've all got to make their own choices. He long ago made his decision. Just as BB did (another guy who walks the walk but doesn't talk about it a lot). This franchise is their legacy and these two are all about legacy. They both trust that Kraft won't try to abuse them for being team players. And why would he, that would be terribly short sighted.

 

[BradyFTW!]

So he's looking to get paid but he's focused on the season at hand and is confident that it will all get taken care of. Works for me- can't fault a guy for wanting to get fairly paid for what he does.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

There is one word in this interview (curiously not bolded in the otherwise insightful post #6) that gives me pause.

That word is "else."

I am not a "sky is falling" guy, but it's a testament to the volume of kool-aid collectively consumed here that this is not the word being discussed ad nauseum.

PFnV

 

[bbabin]

There is one word in this interview (curiously not bolded in the otherwise insightful post #6) that gives me pause.

That word is "else."

I am not a "sky is falling" guy, but it's a testament to the volume of kool-aid collectively consumed here that this is not the word being discussed ad nauseum.

PFnV

I initially took it as meaning "anyone else but me (Tom Brady)." And I still do...

 

[Rob0729]

Read between the lines folks. Brady is looking to get paid. And I for one, don't blame him.

Brady has said in the past he would rather not tarnish his legacy by demanding to be the highest paid player and/or go to another team. Brady will take less than market value to stay. He will still make $14-15 million a year, but he does not want to do to the Pats what Peyton's contract did to the Colts. The Colts didn't go into cap hell, but his contract restricts the Colts from resigning some players and making other moves.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

I initially took it as meaning "anyone else but me (Tom Brady)." And I still do...

Huh I see what you're saying, but I dunno. I don't think he's veiled-threatening here, I think he's thinking long term, not talking about right now. But like I said, hmmm.

"The league is expanding and growing and hopefully I'm able to participate for as long as somebody else wants me."