He didn't start out with the pedigree of a first round pick, but rather the 6th who was 4th on the depth chart..
One of the most telling stories was from Patriots Reign IIRC. Holley wrote about a scene in the weight room in preseason 2001. Brady was explaining defenses to some of the other players who were working out and one of the newer players, a FA signee asked who was that guy. When told it was the backup QB, he was stunned that the guy knew so much...and this was before Brady had ever started a game..
We have come to hate success in this country and try to chop it down whenever possible unfortunately.. Brady is the model of success that should be emulated not scorned...