Man in the Arena Discussion

[sb1]

What Edelman news?

His PED suspension years ago from taking whatever it was.

 

[RobertWeathers]

That's how I feel too. I am a big believer in holistic practices as I have been doing them in my own life for the past 25 years to deal with chronic pain. If you read the TB12 book there really isn't anything in there that is all that earth-shattering in terms of diet or fitness training. The only odd thing is that a football player is talking about stretch bands and resistance training which was never thought to be something viable for football because of the muscle mass needed to compete. So in that sense it's revolutionary for football players but really not for the general public. I have been practicing the diet stuff for over two decades.

I'm also a big believer in resistance bands/training. With that said I'm 50 and for 25 years spent 5-6 days in the gym with free weights and machines. I took about 10 years off from weight training but when my daughters started weight training for sports, I decided to give it a go again. Soon discovered my shoulders, elbows, knees and hips couldn't handle the weights anymore (I started out real easy, too.) . I can't say i'm super pliable but using bands still gives you a kick-ass workout and my joints don't hurt (as much).

I don't think players that need to build/maintain a high-volume of muscle mass can consistency use bands as a core component of their training but with what Tom is trying to accomplish (flexibility, less stress on tendons, muscles) he is 100% spot-on.

 

[Guts]

Main take away from this episode was that everyone saying that the relationship between Brady and the team was strained that year were correct. He ended it by saying that he felt he couldn't do it anymore after that season.

 

[Wax Frog]

Re: the thumb injury......Based on his injury I still have no idea how he was able to do what he did 4 days later.

The freaking bone broke the skin. Thats like Terminator stuff.

Whelp, that's Football Neo for ya!

 

[VrabelJr]

Pretty boring episode so I logged into my DropKickFlutie account and did some ****posting

only interesting part was Gronk talking about how much he was starting to not enjoy football. Sounds like they’re setting up for their departures in future episodes

 

[Guts]

Pretty boring episode so I logged into my DropKickFlutie account and did some ****posting

only interesting part was Gronk talking about how much he was starting to not enjoy football. Sounds like they’re setting up for their departures in future episodes

Next episode is the last Patriots Superbowl. So I'm interesting in seeing if he would talk about his departure from New England from something we haven't heard before.

 

[Boomer B]

I am one of the biggest Brady homers on the board but that snake oil salesman Guerrero is where I cut ties. AG actually used to appear in late night infomercials touting some sort of vitamins as a cure all for everything. I think he has even claimed he is a doctor in the past and got himself sued for it. The guy is a snake and while I've never viewed Brady as a genius by any means I always assumed he was smart enough to cut that conman lose at some point but if it hasn't happened by now I doubt it will.

Hard to argue against what AG has done with Brady. The guy is playing at an MVP level at 44. Whatever they are doing is clearly working.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Hard to argue against what AG has done with Brady. The guy is playing at an MVP level at 44. Whatever they are doing is clearly working.

I agree with this, and while I think Mac Jones needs to put in some muscle he would be wise to follow in Brady’s footsteps in how he takes care of himself, and prepares. What I’d have a problem with was Brady campaigning for other players to go with Guerrero over the Patriots training regimens. Specifically telling Edelman not to lift as much, and Edelman telling him that it was part of what he needed to do to take the pounding he was taking.

 

[Guts]

I agree with this, and while I think Mac Jones needs to put in some muscle he would be wise to follow in Brady’s footsteps in how he takes care of himself, and prepares. What I’d have a problem with was Brady campaigning for other players to go with Guerrero over the Patriots training regimens. Specifically telling Edelman not to lift as much, and Edelman telling him that it was part of what he needed to do to take the pounding he was taking.

Yeah everybody is different so here's hoping Jones finds something that works for his body and health.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Yeah everybody is different so here's hoping Jones finds something that works for his body and health.

I think Brady rewrote the blueprint for QB’s staying healthy by focusing on flexibility/pliability. He was right to see that the tighter you are the more likely you are to get hurt. Any QB who wants to stay healthy should use those aspects of his plan to heart. As far as the diet etc… it’s not as clear.

 

[amfootball]

I'm also a big believer in resistance bands/training. With that said I'm 50 and for 25 years spent 5-6 days in the gym with free weights and machines. I took about 10 years off from weight training but when my daughters started weight training for sports, I decided to give it a go again. Soon discovered my shoulders, elbows, knees and hips couldn't handle the weights anymore (I started out real easy, too.) . I can't say i'm super pliable but using bands still gives you a kick-ass workout and my joints don't hurt (as much).

I don't think players that need to build/maintain a high-volume of muscle mass can consistency use bands as a core component of their training but with what Tom is trying to accomplish (flexibility, less stress on tendons, muscles) he is 100% spot-on.

I am glad to hear you found the right combination. I used to do a lot of weights too (I am 47) and can't anymore. I very much enjoy the resistance training and feel good after as well.

In terms of Brady, I do think he is a genetic freak. I mean I do think Alex has helped him for sure but when you look at his frame and also how long his arm and legs are, he has the perfect physical disposition for football in a lot of ways. Then when you combine that with how he plays QB, avoiding sacks and staying in the pocket where the rules protect him, you have a powerful combination. I would imagine he spends the most time on his right arm ensuring his shoulder and elbow are feeling the best and then his legs to ensure he has the drive from his hips which creates the velocity helping his arm to do less work on every throw.

I am interested to see if Rodgers will make the same commitment. He is 38 and playing great. It will be a shame if he leaves LaFleur system because it is perfectly suited for an aging QB. It is just you never know mentally where the guy is. I mean he could retire after this season or play another few years. I think he has a chance to maybe get into his 40s playing at a decent level but he is the only one I see on the horizon. Wilson already looks cooked because of his style of play and all the other guys are really young so too early to tell.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I am glad to hear you found the right combination. I used to do a lot of weights too (I am 47) and can't anymore. I very much enjoy the resistance training and feel good after as well.

In terms of Brady, I do think he is a genetic freak. I mean I do think Alex has helped him for sure but when you look at his frame and also how long his arm and legs are, he has the perfect physical disposition for football in a lot of ways. Then when you combine that with how he plays QB, avoiding sacks and staying in the pocket where the rules protect him, you have a powerful combination. I would imagine he spends the most time on his right arm ensuring his shoulder and elbow are feeling the best and then his legs to ensure he has the drive from his hips which creates the velocity helping his arm to do less work on every throw.

I am interested to see if Rodgers will make the same commitment. He is 38 and playing great. It will be a shame if he leaves LaFleur system because it is perfectly suited for an aging QB. It is just you never know mentally where the guy is. I mean he could retire after this season or play another few years. I think he has a chance to maybe get into his 40s playing at a decent level but he is the only one I see on the horizon. Wilson already looks cooked because of his style of play and all the other guys are really young so too early to tell.

I agree completely. I can't say I share the same level of belief in holistic medicine and other techniques TB12 has incorporated in his life but fundamentally as you know when you get older, TB12 is religious about 4 things which I completely agree with.

1. Go easy on booze if at all.
2. Avoid processed carbs, white sugars and high-fat/low nutrition foods.
3. Exercise and stretch.
4. Get a good nights sleep.

Do those 4 things and life is cream cheese. -Coach Bobby Finstock

If Rodgers does these 4 things and avoids the big hits he'll play till hes 40 no question.

Wilson has already taken a pounding. Might be too late for him.

 

[203Pat]

Hard to argue against what AG has done with Brady. The guy is playing at an MVP level at 44. Whatever they are doing is clearly working.

I think a large part of "The TB12 Method" is the fact that Brady is a maniacal perfectionist who just outworks everyone else. Yes I am sure being pliably, eating right, and building lean muscle is a part of his sustained excellence but I think there are probably 5,000 other nutritionists out there who could do for him what AG does without the slimy grifter aspect of it all.

 

[Tottie]

I think a large part of "The TB12 Method" is the fact that Brady is a maniacal perfectionist who just outworks everyone else. Yes I am sure being pliably, eating right, and building lean muscle is a part of his sustained excellence but I think there are probably 5,000 other nutritionists out there who could do for him what AG does without the slimy grifter aspect of it all.

Pretty much this I think. People can learn from what TB has done but just do what works for them on their own. The rest is just ridiculous life altering lifestyle and dedication that can't be sold or replicated.

 

[203Pat]

Pretty much this I think. People can learn from what TB has done but just do what works for them on their own. The rest is just ridiculous life altering lifestyle and dedication that can't be sold or replicated.

Overall I think the Man in the Arena series has been pretty cut, copy, paste, type stuff without a lot of new information/content for most Patriots fans but I do think some of Brady's comments about what he did during the four game suspension definitely make you think the sacrifices to be great. He mentioned getting to take a vacation with his wife, take his son to his (and Brady's first) college game as a spectator and I believe one of the sisters mentioned they had their first full family gathering/holiday in years. That part of the series reminded me of the scene from The Last Dance where Michael Jordan was sitting in a hotel room with just the camera crew talking about how this is the side that people don't see and discussing how all the work and all the fame wear you down and it takes a major toll. Both Jordan and Brady possess that drive to be great and it takes precedence over everything else. Family, friends, vacations, holidays, down time. All that is but on the back burner in order to be great and I think that is the biggest part of the TB12 method and what makes Brady more successful than everyone else.

 

[jam757]

I've watched the whole series and have enjoyed the hell out of it. However, that said, the last 2 were not my favorites. There was too much family time and not enough football for the comeback win. The last one was ok but again probably too much on Gurerro and not enough in depth on the Super Bowl itself. It's a solid series but I do wish he'd focus more on critique of actual games, that's what I find fascinating. I also was very surprised he chose to include the bit about Gronk getting constantly held and no calls. I mean we all know that to be true but just seems weird and a bit cheesie to advertise it in this format. I'd actually not be surprised if the NFL issues him a fine. The thing I took away most from this one was how pissed off he was about the Gurerro sideline banning and how sick of the Belichick regime he and Gronk were at this point.

 

[Boomer B]

Overall I think the Man in the Arena series has been pretty cut, copy, paste, type stuff without a lot of new information/content for most Patriots fans but I do think some of Brady's comments about what he did during the four game suspension definitely make you think the sacrifices to be great. He mentioned getting to take a vacation with his wife, take his son to his (and Brady's first) college game as a spectator and I believe one of the sisters mentioned they had their first full family gathering/holiday in years. That part of the series reminded me of the scene from The Last Dance where Michael Jordan was sitting in a hotel room with just the camera crew talking about how this is the side that people don't see and discussing how all the work and all the fame wear you down and it takes a major toll. Both Jordan and Brady possess that drive to be great and it takes precedence over everything else. Family, friends, vacations, holidays, down time. All that is but on the back burner in order to be great and I think that is the biggest part of the TB12 method and what makes Brady more successful than everyone else.

Kinda my take as well. I think this series would have benefited if he had done it a few years into retirement. Step away from the game and the people involved and be totally open, like what The Last Dance is. That being said it is compelling and we do get nuggets of info straight from the horses mouth. The thing about the last episode that we somewhat knew but was driven home by Gronk and Brady was how much of a grind that 2017 had been. They weren't having fun and there was a strain between them and the team (Belichick). Every day getting asked about his relationship with Bill, AG and Bill, where he was getting treatment, so on and so on....must have been taxing on him. Gronk clearly wasn't in a good spot either.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I think this series would have benefited if he had done it a few years into retirement.

My sentiments exactly. I prob would have watched once he retired or approaching HoF induction.

 

[borg]

I've watched the whole series and have enjoyed the hell out of it. However, that said, the last 2 were not my favorites. There was too much family time and not enough football for the comeback win. The last one was ok but again probably too much on Gurerro and not enough in depth on the Super Bowl itself. It's a solid series but I do wish he'd focus more on critique of actual games, that's what I find fascinating. I also was very surprised he chose to include the bit about Gronk getting constantly held and no calls. I mean we all know that to be true but just seems weird and a bit cheesie to advertise it in this format. I'd actually not be surprised if the NFL issues him a fine. The thing I took away most from this one was how pissed off he was about the Gurerro sideline banning and how sick of the Belichick regime he and Gronk were at this point.

It was ridiculous Bill didn't relinquish full control of the Patriots medical department to Dr. Guerrero, a glute certified graduate of the Guadalajara Massage Institute and Day Spa.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

I could do without Strahan

Should have left him in space