The idea of Tom Brady eventually heading to the broadcast booth is interesting, but while thinking about it a little further, it’s probably going to be a little tougher than he thinks.
To be successful in an analyst role during an NFL telecast, it’s all about helping an NFL fan understand certain situations. It’s all about helping people understand the “how” and “why” during games, with people relying on analysts to point out the good and the bad, essentially expanding on the nuances of the game that might have otherwise gone unnoticed.
Often, whatever bad that occurs often stems from a poor decision. That requires calling out a player or a coach for a potentially costly mistake, and it’s probably safe to say, for Brady, that might be a little tough for him.
After all, Brady is one of the most personable and genuine players in the game. He’s someone who got along well with everyone, with players often speaking fondly of him after having played with him.
Not that it’s much of a surprise. It’s fairly well-documented that during his time in New England, Brady was someone who got along with his teammates and went out of his way to talk to players in the locker room from the top to the bottom of the roster.
That started from his early days. After Brady came in as a sixth-round pick, his practice habits stood out as did his personality, with the former Michigan standout developing relationships with his fellow practice squad players and even starters.
When he became a starter himself in his second season, those relationships didn’t change. Guys actually talked about that with reporters, with reports coming out about the fact the well-liked Brady instantly had the support of guys in the locker room who rallied around him.
With former quarterback Drew Bledsoe, there were some players who never really spoke to him, largely due to the fact they felt Bledsoe didn’t quite have the same approachable demeanor. With Brady, he didn’t care who they were, he went out of his way to keep up with each and every one of them.
That went a long way when it came to how quickly the locker room tightened that season and how it ultimately turned into a championship run. They were all in it together, with Brady there to lead the way.
Needless to say, he’s a good guy but he’s someone who doesn’t enjoy people not liking him. That may be something that could make this future endeavor a little difficult.
Criticizing a coach or a player on the national stage isn’t going to be easy, especially since much of what Brady says will likely end up in the headlines during the early part of when he eventually takes on the role. We live in an age where context isn’t always included and one thing he says will potentially be a headline, which could make the job a little tougher than he thought.
One of the biggest advantages he’s likely going to have is the same trait Tony Romo brought with him, and that’s the ability to recognize tendencies and share them. Brady’s seen the most difficult schemes thrown at him during his more than two decades in the game and from a higher vantage point will probably see them a little easier.
Romo impressed many by seeing something and calling it before it happened. Brady will likely do the same, potentially more often. It’s that type of insight that people are going to be looking for, which could allow him to really set himself apart if he shares his knowledge and his experiences.
But as an analyst, he’s got to be able to speak his mind and be honest about what he sees. The obvious question is simply whether or not he’ll be comfortable doing so, which could utlimately decide how long he does this.
Brady has hinted in the past that he hasn’t always been able to tell people what he’s really thinking. Whether or not that changes down the road may decide whether or not he’s able to fulfill the 10-year commitment given to him by Fox.
Everyone knows he’s a nice guy. But for him to succeed at the next level, that may be a trait he’ll have to set aside when his football career does eventually come to a close.
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
