Schefter: Brady will play, but condition worse than people realize

[pats1]

Adam Schefter (Adam_Schefter) on Twitter

Tom Brady will play today -- but those ribs, and that finger, and that shoulder, and that knee, are a little worse than people realize.

 

[BelichickFan]

Wouldn't surprise me if he's worse off than we realize given some of his inconsistent (for him), play. And why he left a little early from the Saints' game.

Not sure about the knee reference, is that still an issue ? Hopefully this will encourage Bill to build up the OL a little, this offseason.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

They generally are this time of the year and that's why some of us have been blathering about upgrading the OL for a couple of years. Unfortunately 2007 masked a lot of growing concerns about cumulative damage despite sack stats. He gets pummeled post snap more than any QB I can recall. And he plays better hurt masking ridiculous injuries than any QB on the planet.

 

[Patspsycho]

how has the knee gotten worse??

 

[Rob0729]

Maybe Tom E Curran's report that Brady has cracked ribs is correct and what Schefter is alluding to.

 

[swheeler23]

Maybe Tom E Curran's report that Brady has cracked ribs is correct and what Schefter is alluding to.

Is it safe to play with cracked ribs?

 

[JSn]

Maybe we get an early lead, sub in Hoyer and ACTUALLY CLOSE OUT THE WIN?

 

[Xplicit]

That so called "cry baby" and "sally" who has his own rules is going to play with cracked ribs and about 4 other injuries. What a wuss!!!!

 

[Rob0729]

Is it safe to play with cracked ribs?

Cracked, yes with a flak jacket. A complete break, probably not. Players do play with broken ribs a bit. They can't be completely broken though.

 

[Patspsycho]

Again, how has the knee gotten "worse?" That has a far more serious ramification than any of the other injuries.

 

[CrazyDave]

I've heard that rib injuries are very painful. Disproportionately so.

 

[102 Pat]

Makes sense given how he didn't practice much this week. Still, he's a lot tougher than people give him credit for.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

Hopefully Sebastian Vollmer is back. That will certainly help to shore up the O line.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

They generally are this time of the year and that's why some of us have been blathering about upgrading the OL for a couple of years. Unfortunately 2007 masked a lot of growing concerns about cumulative damage despite sack stats. He gets pummeled post snap more than any QB I can recall. And he plays better hurt masking ridiculous injuries than any QB on the planet.

I agree and said so out here earlier this year, for which I was flamed pretty badly. I think it will eventually get to a point where observers will start to wonder how it will affect his longevity in the league. And, before the flames come, clearly he's not going to hang them up in the next year or two.

But, the Elways and Favres are the exception, not the rule, among elite QB's (Montana had a good but not great, by his standards, final season).

The average retirement age for an SB era HOF QB is 37.5; their average production falls off materially in their final two seasons (Elway and Favre exceptions already noted above). Three made it to their forties; Len Dawson and Sonny Jurgensen retired at 40, Warren Moon at 44, pulling the average up. Troy Aikman retired at 34, troubled by concerns about the impact of multiple concussions; Terry Bradshaw and Bob Griese retired at 35. Dan Fouts and Jim Kelly at 36.

So, Tommy wants to play until he's 40 and we all hope he does, if it's in the interests of his long term health. But at some point this constant battering will take its toll.

 

[BelichickFan]

I agree and said so out here earlier this year, for which I was flamed pretty badly. I think it will eventually get to a point where observers will start to wonder how it will affect his longevity in the league. And, before the flames come, clearly he's not going to hang them up in the next year or two.

As he ages, we clearly have two choices :

1) Sign Brady long term and beef up the OL.
2) Let him walk.

Like most, I dearly hope for #1 but if he's going to get his ass kicked and get old before his time then signing him through age 38 or so doesn't make sense.

 

[TheComeback]

I've heard that rib injuries are very painful. Disproportionately so.

My dad had broken ribs a few years ago, and it was extremely painful for him.

Hasselback played with broken rib this year and had a few good games. I'm sure they'll pump Tom full of cortisone or whatever it is.

 

[jbb9s]

Hopefully Sebastian Vollmer is back. That will certainly help to shore up the O line.

Rhody - only Neal is out. Sea Bass can't play there. Connolly has been filling in and presumably will today too. Light re-gained his starting LT job.

There is no position for Vollmer (head injury or not) to play at least on an every down role right now. I guess they don't think he can play RT to replace the worst lineman - Kaz.

dont shoot the messenger.

 

[jbb9s]

does anyone else think that it is possible Brady took a practice off to spend the time with his wife and newborn?

I also think his most important "practice" is in the film room at this point in the season. Although his mechanics have been sub-par, its not coming back in a day of practice.

 

[363839]

Wouldn't surprise me if he's worse off than we realize given some of his inconsistent (for him), play. And why he left a little early from the Saints' game.

Not sure about the knee reference, is that still an issue ? Hopefully this will encourage Bill to build up the OL a little, this offseason.

In fairness to BB, I have to say that he has been doing just that in the past drafts. In 2009 draft he got Vollmer. Although, he could still use a guard or 2 though.
Alright I just ate myself.

 

[Willie55]

Rhody - only Neal is out. Sea Bass can't play there. Connolly has been filling in and presumably will today too. Light re-gained his starting LT job.

There is no position for Vollmer (head injury or not) to play at least on an every down role right now. I guess they don't think he can play RT to replace the worst lineman - Kaz.

dont shoot the messenger.

Pull Kaczur. Nobody can do worse than he has. Either put Volmer over there, or make him the left tackle and put Light at right tackle. You can't keep Volmer out.