The Tom Brady rumor thread

[jah]

I'm surprisingly calm for a former redhead about the Brady situation. I see 75% odds he'll re-sign with the Pats. Inshallah.
And if not, it is what it is.

Pretty much this. I don't know if 75% is the probability I'd choose, but the situation has dragged for so long that I've thought my way through all the outcomes, and for the most part, processed them in advance. In a few weeks he'll either be here or gone, and the Patriots will continue their season regardless.

 

[WinstonSmith]

There are multiple examples and plenty of articles about this. I’m not sure what the debate is?

Tom Brady trolls fans on Instagram about his future

Tom Brady creates more buzz by 'liking' post about Philip Rivers leaving Chargers

Tom Brady sent NFL fans into a frenzy with a wildly cryptic tweet

I'll admit to not closely following Tom's every like on social media, but the examples that you listed hardly qualify to make up the first half of a Snickers commercial.

Perhaps liking the tweet about Philip Rivers was showing support for a fellow warrior going into free agency.
Perrhaps being silent when asked a question about where he will play next is just not answering a question that he currently can't answer.
Perhaps a tweet promoting a superbowl ad is a tweet promoting a Superbowl ad.

Sure he's guilty of the misdemeanor social crime of having a little fun with the situation, but I dunno, labeling him with the felonious social crime tag of diva seems a bit of a stretch...

 

[Joey007]

They've got money, and draft capital, to make moves.

• They've got Okung and Pouncey to build around on the OL.
  
• They've got $50m in cap right now, and not a lot of defensive talent that needs to be brought back at a cost. They can use that money for the QB, RB, TE, and OL positions.
• They've also got candidates for cap hit lowering extensions (i.e. Bosa, Ingram).
• They pick 6th, meaning they can invest in a top OL prospect, if they choose.

It’s not like teams like Vegas and Indy are short on cap space either though.

Their O-lines are already established. They can go spend their money elsewhere (granted Indy has to re up Costanzo) The Chargers will be throwing a lot of pieces together quickly.

 

[Tony2046]

Brady is certainly a bit more of a diva than he used to be. I don’t think that’s really debatable. As Kontra suggests, a big part of that has been driven by media attention, and a big part of that probably just comes from winning so much.

I don’t think any of us care as long as he stays, but if this is how he leaves, I can understand why some may feel how it could’ve been handled a bit differently.

I'm not seeing anything in the same light as you and others are. To me he's just having fun with his fans in a light hearted goofy way.

Damned if he does and damned if he doesn't I guess.

 

[Deus Irae]

It’s not like teams like Vegas and Indy are short on cap space either though.

That's true. But that's not relevant to the question of what the chargers could do.

How will they do that? Rely on a bunch of rookie draft picks? That’s a risky proposition.

There’s only so much FA OL talent to go around. Thuney would help, but even then they’d still have multiple holes on that line.

Their O-lines are already established. They can go spend their money elsewhere (granted Indy has to re up Costanzo) The Chargers will be throwing a lot of pieces together quickly.

1. Vegas needs receivers and a much better defense.
   
2. The Colts look as if they'd be an excellent talent fit, but they are reportedly looking at Rivers, who's already familiar with the system.

I'm not saying that the Chargers are Brady's "go to" location, or anything like that. I just responded to your post about the team's bad OL. I'm just saying that, given the team's draft position and cap situation, it's something that can be dealt with. The Chargers mostly need to retain their own players and add a couple of OL, though they'll probably also need to find a RB who can be a functional replacement for Gordon, and they have the tools to do that.

 

[supafly]

I'm not seeing anything in the same light as you and others are. To me he's just having fun with his fans in a light hearted goofy way.

Your statement will ring true if he stays.

 

[aluminum seats]

Pretty much this. I don't know if 75% is the probability I'd choose, but the situation has dragged for so long that I've thought my way through all the outcomes, and for the most part, processed them in advance. In a few weeks he'll either be here or gone, and the Patriots will continue their season regardless.

Yep. I said this in one of the earliest threads, that I just wasn’t gonna pay attention to any of it and wait to see where he landed. It’s amazing how much nonsense you can skip.

 

[Steve85]

Yep. I said this in one of the earliest threads, that I just wasn’t gonna pay attention to any of it and wait to see where he landed. It’s amazing how much nonsense you can skip.

Well done. I, on the other hand, have followed everything and all you've basically missed is just an up and down roller coaster that can change in an hour.

 

[Tony2046]

Your statement will ring true if he stays.

Regardless imo. Him staying or going depends on both he and BB getting a deal done.

 

[Joey007]

That's true. But that's not relevant to the question of what the chargers could do.

1. Vegas needs receivers and a much better defense.
   
2. The Colts look as if they'd be an excellent talent fit, but they are reportedly looking at Rivers, who's already familiar with the system.

I'm not saying that the Chargers are Brady's "go to" location, or anything like that. I just responded to your post about the team's bad OL. I'm just saying that, given the team's draft position and cap situation, it's something that can be dealt with. The Chargers mostly need to retain their own players and add a couple of OL, though they'll probably also need to find a RB who can be a functional replacement for Gordon, and they have the tools to do that.

Don’t sleep on the fact that the Raiders have a very good TE option in Darren Waller. Chargers have Henry as a FA, who has been unreliable as is.

I’m sure Brady would love to have an upper tier option at that position again.

Raiders do have Williams and Renfrow at WR. Great young RB in Jacobs as well. If they can just find a WR1, that offense looks set. They have two 1st round drafts picks as well FWIW.


I guess it’s not that the Chargers are entirely unfeasable. They have great elements on that roster. I’m just saying they have some concerning flaws at a couple of positions that would be very important factors for Tom.

 

[Deus Irae]

Don’t sleep on the fact that the Raiders have a very good TE option in Darren Waller. Chargers have Henry as a FA, who has been unreliable as is.

I’m sure Brady would love to have an upper tier option at that position again.

Raiders do have Williams and Renfrow at WR. Great young RB in Jacobs as well. If they can just find a WR1, that offense looks set. They have two 1st round drafts picks as well FWIW.


I guess it’s not that the Chargers are entirely unfeasable. They have great elements on that roster. I’m just saying they have some concerning flaws at a couple of positions that would be very important factors for Tom.

I absolutely agree with the thought that there are options that are better than the Chargers. I'd probably put the Titans, Cowboys and Colts at the top of the "best fit of teams either without their QB or reportedly looking at upgrading the position" list.

 

[supafly]

Sure he's guilty of the misdemeanor social crime of having a little fun with the situation, but I dunno, labeling him with the felonious social crime tag of diva seems a bit of a stretch...

I stated that some of his actions over the past couple of years (back to back years of retirement talk, the not-so-great look in Tom vs. Time, the toying with loyal fans and creating some drama) have made him “a bit more of a diva than he used to be.”

What I should have said was that he was getting closer to the line of becoming a diva. I agree with you that he should not have that label as of yet.

 

[Deus Irae]

I stated that some of his actions over the past couple of years (back to back years of retirement talk, the not-so-great look in Tom vs. Time, the toying with loyal fans and creating some drama) have made him “a bit more of a diva than he used to be.”

What I should have said was that he was getting closer to the line of becoming a diva. I agree with you that he should not have that label as of yet.

But the Tom v. Time argument doesn't make any sense. People were loving that, and fawning all over it, until BB screwed the pooch in the SB, and the final episode reflected perfectly reasonable and understandable depressing thoughts at the results.

Showing disappointment and disillusionment after a bitter loss is not diva behavior. It's human behavior.

 

[supafly]

But the Tom v. Time argument doesn't make any sense. People were loving that, and fawning all over it, until BB screwed the pooch in the SB, and the final episode reflected perfectly reasonable and understandable depressing thoughts at the results.

Showing disappointment and disillusionment after a bitter loss is not diva behavior. It's human behavior.

I think the timing of it came off as a bit arrogant, particularly since the final episode was withheld when they didn’t complete the story by winning a championship. It also screamed for attention to begin with. If someone like Manning or Favre had done that, we’d be making fun of them. Weekly episodes on FaceBook Live. Lol.

Taking it one step further, it also suggested a rift between BB and Brady, since he made sure to include parts where he had to sneak around to have sessions with Guerrero. I just don’t think that it was the greatest look for someone who had been known for being private and humble, that’s all. As someone else mentioned, he just doesn’t come off that great with the whole social media thing. He kind of swung and missed with all of that, and continues to do so.

 

[JayNM]

Would we be surprised if the Patriots simply follow their MO* with Brady?

I still think that he stays, but only marginally. It's quite frankly the best decision for both if they want their best chances at winning the SB next year (cap space discussion not included).


* letting some star FAs test the market and then decide if they will cover it

 

[Kontradiction]

I think it was you, yourself, who may have said that it’s obvious that Brady is trolling his fans. One can argue that there’s certainly some attention seeking behavior in that action which seems to be different than the Tom Brady we’ve known for 20 years.

He was with the Hulu thing, but that was more of your standard marketing M.O. I don’t judge him by trying to expand his empire because I realize what he’s doing. His career is almost over and he’s trying to diversify his earnings. I’ll never begrudge a man, woman, or tranny for trying to earn more for his family’s future... and that’s especially so for the QB of my favorite football team who won 6 Lombardis for the squad. Everything else he’s doing, from an online and marketing persona standpoint, are the same things Edelman does and has done since he’s been in New England. I don’t see people piling on Edelman for that the way they have Brady. That’s why I think the ridiculous social media/TB12 complaints are, deep down, just based on his age and the fact that people are wanting to move on.

If you feel that way (the colloquial you... not you personally), just say that. Complaining about his social media activity is utterly ridiculous.

 

[Tony2046]

I think the timing of it came off as a bit arrogant, particularly since the final episode was withheld when they didn’t complete the story by winning a championship. It also screamed for attention to begin with. If someone like Manning or Favre had done that, we’d be making fun of them. Weekly episodes on FaceBook Live. Lol.

Taking it one step further, it also suggested a rift between BB and Brady, since he made sure to include parts where he had to sneak around to have sessions with Guerrero. I just don’t think that it was the greatest look for someone who had been known for being private and humble, that’s all. As someone else mentioned, he just doesn’t come off that great with the whole social media thing. He kind of swung and missed with all of that, and continues to do so.

He was relatively quiet until deflategate. After being tossed under the bus by the NFL and Bobby's wet noodled defense, Brady spoke up.

I guess at some point he decided F' it, I'm going to have fun with this and the fans.

Anyway I only see it as him enjoying his last few years with Patriot fans. Not at their expense as you seem to think rather with them.

" Roger that" was awesome.

" Boom shakalaka"

" Don't call me Tommy"

All good stuff.

TB Times was strange but fun.

I don't understand the negativity at all. Maybe it's being taken too seriously or literally. I don't know.

 

[Joey007]

I absolutely agree with the thought that there are options that are better than the Chargers. I'd probably put the Titans, Cowboys and Colts at the top of the "best fit of teams either without their QB or reportedly looking at upgrading the position" list.

Anywhere with a great O-line and quality coaching is what I would think Brady would see as most important. Most potential suitors do fit that mold.

 

[Deus Irae]

I think the timing of it came off as a bit arrogant, particularly since the final episode was withheld when they didn’t complete the story by winning a championship. It also screamed for attention to begin with. If someone like Manning or Favre had done that, we’d be making fun of them. Weekly episodes on FaceBook Live. Lol.

But that's all nonsense. You're confusing what a bunch of fans perceive from a position of themselves already being butthurt, with what actually happened. Brady had already been working the social media for years.

OF COURSE the ending was not what was originally planned. The team lost the Super Bowl, and they lost it in no small part because the team's head coach went full ******. Do you think Tom v. Time was still going to end with a final episode showing time winning the SB and talking about how his hard work helped him to win another title, and with no introspection because of the negative consequences?

And the timing? What the hell was wrong with the timing?

 

[fair catch fryar]

I'm not seeing anything in the same light as you and others are. To me he's just having fun with his fans in a light hearted goofy way.

Damned if he does and damned if he doesn't I guess.

I refuse to even listen to the regional or national media these days. Everyday it's some place new other than the Patriots. Now that azzhat Shaughnessy is taking it to another whole level because he has become irrelevant n Boston sports and needs the attention. I really hope Brady stays, but if he chooses to go elsewhere it will be because of all parties involved, not just him.