The good news is it is not too late. The bad news is the window is closing. Sure the team could make Brady play out the final year (and assume the risk of injury) and the franchise him assuming the next CBA allows it. But franchising him will not preclude another team from signing Brady to an exorbitant contract and giving NE two first round choices. What would it be like for NE then?
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Apparently you've never heard of the exclusive tag, the one that for a few dollars more precludes any team talking to your franchise tagged player, the same one the Colts used on Manning back in 2004 when his rookie deal had run out without an extension, and on Freeney when his did without one likewise...
Tom's always been extended a year or two early, but at a discount that is partially tied to actually being extended early. Had the owners not opted out of the CBA in 2008 he likely would have been extended in 2008 or 2009. His 2005 deal was structured in a way that would have facilitated that under the existing rules because his deal wasn't backloaded. His present deal however makes it difficult to construct a contract that both pays him enough and doesn't potentially hamstring the team heading into an unknown CBA period. Particularly when they have to get Wilfork and Mankins inked simultaneously.
Kraft tells me there is nothing to fret about. He seems to have the inside track on these things, as opposed to Michael Silver. He said Wilfork wasn't going anywhere...he says Mankins isn't going anywhere...and he says Brady isn't going anywhere. He predicts when guys will show up and voila...they show. I think Kraft is the most connected insider we have and we might as well trust him until proven otherwise...
Silver's piece was crafted to garner him attention. Just like piece that Curren penned about Brady's knee last season. Silver admits he doesn't think Brady is going anywhere. His use of the work disconnect therefore is disingenuous at best. The disconnect is between Brady and Silver. He's here now for like 3 weeks straight. Then he goes back to LA. Guess what...they all clear out the end of June, even the coaches. They get a month off before TC opens...
This is Brady's franchise as much as it is Kraft's or Belichick's. All three are all about legacy. If you listen to the way Tom talks about Bill it's pretty clear he's not interested in playing for some HC who can only aspire to ever approach Bill's level any more than he's interested in screwing around with his own legacy.
Tom used to spend time in California visiting family or traveling with his folks or girlfriend even before the kids came along. Of course his family also all acquired residences in the Boston area - his Dad opened a branch of his business here a couple of years ago. His sisters all live here now. His off season residence was in NY when he and Bridget were together so she could work in her craft. He's attracted to strong women with careers of their own. How quickly/conveniently we forget. Gisele can run her modeling and business ventures out of anywhere. The only reason he's spending a little more off season time in LA these days is named Jack. Should Jack's mother land a role in a movie or series filming on the east coast, where she's originally from and where her own family still resides (in East Longmeadow), that would change Brady's off season and potentially in season logistical dynamic too... Originally when they split Bridget (understandably)preferred to have the bulk of a continent's worth of seperation between herself and Gisele so she took the left coast. She is apparently over that need for seperation space now.
Building that mansion in California means nothing more than shifting investments strategically (again, Jack) and investing wisely in the process. Just as he did in NY and Boston and as Gisele did in NY. They've sold 3 NY residences in the last year and the Back Bay condo has been on the market since last fall because in addition to building in LA they intend to purchase a double digit millions kid friendly home in this area (if they haven't already in Kraft's neighborhood in Brookline...).
The last time Tom signed an extension they agreed on the broad parameters (years and dollars) long before any of us had an inkling a deal was in the works. That deal hit a snag however over structure of the contract and as a result there was mass hysteria for about a month before they got it hammered out. They will get another deal done when the timing is right for both sides. Sure Tom would like that to be yesterday, who wouldn't. Silver tries to intimate that because Tom is now a union rep (assistant to be more specific...) things will be different. Absolutely, that totally jives with his we're all overpaid rhetoric from just a few weeks ago...
Logic is boring. Better to fan a little tempest in a teapot.
