Schefter: Just based on the facts...Brady thinking/setting up to leave NE

bormio said:

The Pats gave Brady the contract they did because they are agnostic about Brady continuing to perform. If they do not win this year, with this defense, BB is going to question whether the offense with Brady can still win. The decision to part in that case would likely be mutual.

Click to expand...

I think agnostic is a great word. From the fans to Belichick to Brady, there’s a lack of certainty that everyone craves. The pundits just can’t handle it being an unsolvable puzzle because there is no current answer, and we’ll just need to see how things shake out.

SBLIII said:

I agree. This isn't just about what Brady wants.

Click to expand...

Nor should it be. Belichick has to (and does) care about the team first, not Brady first.

bormio said:

The Pats gave Brady the contract they did because they are agnostic about Brady continuing to perform. If they do not win this year, with this defense, BB is going to question whether the offense with Brady can still win. The decision to part in that case would likely be mutual.

Click to expand...

Agree. I recall there was a Curran article on this (who while morphing to the media dark side is still connected to Brady) in August. General summary - Brady wanted a multi-year contract assuring he could finish his career here. The Patriots dragged their heels saying they can’t commit long term to someone his age, they want to go year by year. Brady said fine, but if you’re going to do that, I need to be on fair footing - and thus the franchise restriction and the automatic voiding that creates a huge cap charge (effectively making the Patriots decide early in the offseason what they want to do, and not have things string out). He also said that Brady doesn’t want to leave but is preparing to do so if the Pats decide they want to move on or completely low ball him.

As a bills fan living in CT (although I don't really refer to Fairfield County as the CT I associate with... it technically "is" and this gives me greater reason to lop it off my map, having him in MA is preferrable. step brothers house selling?
http://thumbs.gfycat.com/TeemingYellowishAnnelid-size_restricted.gif

Hammer of Thor said:

Agree. I recall there was a Curran article on this (who while morphing to the media dark side is still connected to Brady) in August. General summary - Brady wanted a multi-year contract assuring he could finish his career here. The Patriots dragged their heels saying they can’t commit long term to someone his age, they want to go year by year. Brady said fine, but if you’re going to do that, I need to be on fair footing - and thus the franchise restriction and the automatic voiding that creates a huge cap charge (effectively making the Patriots decide early in the offseason what they want to do, and not have things string out). He also said that Brady doesn’t want to leave but is preparing to do so if the Pats decide they want to move on or completely low ball him.

Click to expand...

I think if Brady finishes the year on top of his game then hes the one with the leverage. There will be teams that will want him and they will drive the price up. There's a good chance the Pats will step up to the plate to keep him for one more superbowl run. He gives them the best chance for that. I think the Pats might agree

PatsWSB47 said:

I think if Brady finishes the year on top of his game then hes the one with the leverage. There will be teams that will want him and they will drive the price up. There's a good chance the Pats will step up to the plate to keep him for one more superbowl run. He gives them the best chance for that. I think the Pats might agree

Click to expand...

Mike Reiss also posted something at the time (who is as close to plugged in on the Patriots side as anyone) saying the whole arrangement was about trust on both sides. Brady was trusting the Patriots to keep their word - that if he performs well and still looks good, they’ll resign him for another year at a fair price (creating this whole dance again next year). And that the Patriots were trusting Tom’s word that he really does want to be here, and he won’t bolt for the highest dollar if he does play well enough to earn a big deal. Your scenario falls into the latter category. Let’s hope they’re all men of their word.

He is going to have to deal with the Merritt on the way to Gillette....

Lord help that man

How's Dre liking his 2014 purchase?
Brady has a place in NY
Brady gets a place in CT

I don't see the big deal honestly, it's not like an average football fan with a single residence selling their single residence.... this is one of the wealthiest football celebrities of all time who could probably have a very nice house in numerous states including Alpine NJ, CT, MA, and NY.

Billsfanonapatsforum said:

How's Dre liking his 2014 purchase?
Brady has a place in NY
Brady gets a place in CT

I don't see the big deal honestly, it's not like an average football fan with a single residence selling their single residence.... this is one of the wealthiest football celebrities of all time who could probably have a very nice house in numerous states including Alpine NJ, CT, MA, and NY.

Click to expand...

Except you don't put your primary home on the market unless you want to leave the area. Him buying a house in CT? No big deal. Him buying a house in CT and selling his current home? It makes you wonder...

Nice article by Michael Hurley.
Adam Schefter's Tom Brady Speculation Shows Forgetfulness Of Sports Media Cycle

Hammer of Thor said:

Mike Reiss also posted something at the time (who is as close to plugged in on the Patriots side as anyone) saying the whole arrangement was about trust on both sides. Brady was trusting the Patriots to keep their word - that if he performs well and still looks good, they’ll resign him for another year at a fair price (creating this whole dance again next year). And that the Patriots were trusting Tom’s word that he really does want to be here, and he won’t bolt for the highest dollar if he does play well enough to earn a big deal. Your scenario falls into the latter category. Let’s hope they’re all men of their word.

Click to expand...

I believe that this is what is really going on. If Brady is performing, the Patriots aren't letting him walk. If the Patriots want him, Brady isn't going anywhere. When one of those things changes, all bets are off.

Hammer of Thor said:

Nice article by Michael Hurley.
Adam Schefter's Tom Brady Speculation Shows Forgetfulness Of Sports Media Cycle

Click to expand...

This was a good one. Hurley is becoming one of my favorite local coverage guys. His leftovers are hilarious and insightful and it doesn't feel like he's putting too much spin on things. And occasionally he'll call out the media for their BS.

TommyBrady12 said:

Except you don't put your primary home on the market unless you want to leave the area. Him buying a house in CT? No big deal. Him buying a house in CT and selling his current home? It makes you wonder...

Click to expand...

Even as a bills fan, it's inconsequential.... private jet between New Haven Tweed or Danbury and Boston is nothing and TB12 could probably do that everyday for several years and have less impact to his networth. Who's to say he doesn't purchase a smaller house in the area? It's like having a pull out coach for you and I.

This story is so NEXT year. I won't give it a wit of my attention unless or until it becomes either fact or fiction. Is it going to change the narrative of the Browns game? I don't think so.

It's been 20 years, folks. The Pats AND Brady understand that this has to be a year to year function. So why are we so unnerved by the fact that both sides are doing EXACTLY what is in the best interests of each other? Wake me up when there is something interesting to talk about.

BTW- Brady isn't going anywhere. Where's the market for a guy that is gong to cost you $35MM/yr or more. Who is going to demand total control of the offense, a la Peyton and be your defacto OC. Let's face it, he's not going to play in any system that does't use the language that he's been using for the last 20 years. And will like only commit to 2 years because he WILL be 43 for god's sake.

Easy to say places like Tennessee, because of his friendship with Vrabel, or the Niner because the Bay Area connection. But face it. Does Vrabel want to stall the building of HIS franchise for a one or tw0 year transition. Why would the undefeated Niners want to ditch JG for that year or two with Brady. And where else would Tommy want to go, Jacksonville?????? Right, Gisselle would just LOVE it there.

Let's face it. Its a nice story for Volin and his ilk. They can trot it out every time they have no other ideas to talk about. (which in Volin's case is just about every day). Come March there will be drama. The region will hold their collective breath, and in the end Tom will either retire or be back here next season,.

Hammer of Thor said:

Mike Reiss also posted something at the time (who is as close to plugged in on the Patriots side as anyone) saying the whole arrangement was about trust on both sides. Brady was trusting the Patriots to keep their word - that if he performs well and still looks good, they’ll resign him for another year at a fair price (creating this whole dance again next year). And that the Patriots were trusting Tom’s word that he really does want to be here, and he won’t bolt for the highest dollar if he does play well enough to earn a big deal. Your scenario falls into the latter category. Let’s hope they’re all men of their word.

Click to expand...

Sounds straight forward and fair for both sides. This is an unusual situation where we have a GOAT QB still playing like a top 5 QB at 42. It’s reasonable for the Pats to want to take it year by year especially given the circumstances with Peyton suddenly dropping off the cliff, but I have no reason to believe either side won’t honor their word next year.

Billsfanonapatsforum said:

Even as a bills fan, it's inconsequential.... private jet between New Haven Tweed or Danbury and Boston is nothing and TB12 could probably do that everyday for several years and have less impact to his networth. Who's to say he doesn't purchase a smaller house in the area? It's like having a pull out coach for you and I.

Click to expand...

Do you really see Brady taking a private jet to work EVERY day for a few years? The home in CT is obviously for his post-patriot days, not for commuting. Whether that's next year or the 2 years down the road remains to be seen. This just a personal opinion, but I think he goes for 1 more SB win and then calls it quits, whether that's this year or next. Even Brady is backing down on his comments about playing until he's 45.

I really would be shocked to see Brady on another team. I know legends like Joe Montana & Peyton Manning ended their careers on other teams, but Steve Young & Andrew Luck were the reasons for that. I like Jarrett Stidham, but it may be a while before A) Brady sucks & B) Stidham can be considered a really good prospect.

If Brady wins the SB one more time, I think he just retires on the spot. He seems to be talking about "the end" a lot more than usual.

Hammer of Thor said:

Mike Reiss also posted something at the time (who is as close to plugged in on the Patriots side as anyone) saying the whole arrangement was about trust on both sides. Brady was trusting the Patriots to keep their word - that if he performs well and still looks good, they’ll resign him for another year at a fair price (creating this whole dance again next year). And that the Patriots were trusting Tom’s word that he really does want to be here, and he won’t bolt for the highest dollar if he does play well enough to earn a big deal. Your scenario falls into the latter category. Let’s hope they’re all men of their word.

Click to expand...

Here it is:
Tom Brady's extension reflects his priorities, rare trust with Patriots

I thought he had one last thing to prove. Playing until he was 45 at a championship level, which would mean 3 more years. I couldn’t imagine Tom with any other team, it’s like he was born to be the NE QB. What other team would he go to? Who knows if he would be the same guy at 43 in a different system for the first time in his career.

scott99 said:

I really would be shocked to see Brady on another team. I know legends like Joe Montana & Peyton Manning ended their careers on other teams, but Steve Young & Andrew Luck were the reasons for that. I like Jarrett Stidham, but it may be a while before A) Brady sucks & B) Stidham can be considered a really good prospect.

If Brady wins the SB one more time, I think he just retires on the spot. He seems to be talking about "the end" a lot more than usual.

Click to expand...

Bill could keep coaching until he reaches a joe paterno type age. Or he could just be the GM and hire a coach to take his place. I don’t think he would put the franchise in a position where they wouldn’t be playing at a high level. Stidham has the potential to be great but he’s still learning.