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September 17, 2007

Brady makes statement, on and off the field

BY JIM DONALDSON
Journal Sports Writer

FOXBORO – Tom Brady was Tom Terrific last night.

Not only the field, where he completed 25 of 31 passes for 279 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Patriots’ 38-14 rout of the defending AFC West champion Chargers, but also at the podium in his post-game press conference, where he defended his embattled coach.

“We’re all lucky to play for him, because he’s the best -- no question,” Brady said of Bill Belichick, who on Friday was fined $500,000 by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
“I can’t imagine anyone being as disciplined as he is in getting us prepared to play.”

Despite a week filled with distractions, Brady and the Patriots obviously were prepared to play last night.

“Over the years,” he said, “[Belichick] always has done a great job of keeping us focused and tried to make sure that the most important thing that we’re doing in terms of preparation is what we’re taking care of.

“If handle your preparation, and your ethic, and your attitude, then you come out and try to play the best that you can.”

The Patriots couldn’t have played much better against the Chargers, offensively or defensively.

For the second week in a row, Brady made superb use of his dazzling array of offensive weapons, the most explosive of which is wide receiver Randy Moss, who racked up his second straight 100-plus-yard game, catching 8 passes for 105 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Clearly, opposing defenses need to concentrate on stopping Moss, who had 9 receptions against the Jets, for 183 yards and a touchdown.

But, if they do, that could create even more openings for Wes Welker, who last night had 8 catches for 91 yards, and big tight end Benjamin Watson, who included his second TD catch in as many games among his 5 receptions for 49 yards.

The Pats also can run the ball, as Laurence Maroney and Sammy Morris combined for 128 rushing yards on 25 carries.

Equally impressive last night was New England’s defensive effort.

San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson was all but unstoppable last season, setting NFL records for touchdowns (31, including 3 receiving) and points scored (186). He also threw three TD passes.

Last night, however, he rushed for just 43 yards on 18 attempts (2.4 per carry), caught 4 passes for only 15 yards, and failed to get into the end zone.

“I think this team did a nice job,” Brady said, “putting some distractions behind us and realizing that the most important thing is coming out and trying to win football games.

“You just focus on the task at hand. If we were to listen to everything that everybody said and then respond -- there’s just too many battles to fight. There’s only one battle I care about, and that’s playing football and performing well.

“We can control that. You just can’t go out and respond to what everybody says about you. There’s not enough hours in the day.”

“I know the truth,” said Brady, “and I know what I believe, and that’s all that’s really important. Everyone who’s been around here knows that and, hopefully, everyone who follows us realizes that. But, if you don’t then who really cares?

“I just don’t feel like I ever need to respond to what people say or think because they’re going to think that way, anyway. It’s just not something that’s worth the energy. We’re just going to go out and try to play the best that we can for the one statement we can make a week, which is when we play.”

Brady and the Patriots made an eloquent statement last night.

“We’re all lucky to play for (Belichick),” he said. “He’s the best coach, probably, in the history of the NFL.”

Posted by Jim Donaldson  at 1:12 AM | Permalink