Tag: brady

Now Even Former Mets Players and Fans Are Mad at Tom Brady

By Mattes on June 6, 2019 • ( Leave a comment )

It has now become so commonplace for people outside of New England to hate on Tom Brady, that it’s almost not even worth mentioning anymore. With six championships, countless NFL records, and a face that could start wars, being constantly reviled by those who are far inferior is to be expected.

Typically, this type of stuff usually just rolls right off the legend’s back as he continues to defy logic, odds, and science by still dominating the world’s most physical sport well into his fourth decade.

But now apparently, we have former baseball players and their fans hating on Tom Brady, and it is just getting absolutely ridiculous.

Here’s the scoop: Recently, Brady’s company TEB Capital filed for a trademark on the nickname “Tom Terrific,” which is a name that countless cornball announcers have used when referring to Brady in conversation. (Personally, I’m a fan of “TFB” or “the G.O.A.T.” But I digress.) Apparently, this was also the nickname given to former Mets (and Reds and White Sox and Red Sox) pitcher, Tom Seaver, who is a sports legend in his own right. And though Seaver himself has yet to comment – probably because there are WAY more important things for him to worry about – former teammates and fans (and Boomer freakin’ Esiason, for some reason) have come out and lambasted Brady for trying to put a stranglehold on the title. Some fans/former players even organized a small gathering in protest! (NO, BUT REALLY THOUGH.) Brady then had to come out on Thursday and actually apologize for doing absolutely NOTHING wrong.

Couple things. One: shutup, Boomer Esiason. Seriously, that man has always been obnoxious. Just insufferable. Two: this caused people to gather and protest??!! Really??!! And three: while Seaver is undoubtedly one of the best pitchers to ever live, he is nowhere the legend that Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr is. Let’s look at the facts.

Tom Seaver has a very impressive 311 career wins, good for 18th all-time in the history of baseball. Brady? Yeah, he has more wins than anyone who’s ever stepped on an NFL field, playoffs included.

Seaver won a World Series title in 1969 with the Mets. Brady’s won six championships and counting.

Seaver won three Cy Young Awards, but Brady won three MVP awards.

Winner: Brady.

Seaver was one helluva player, but he’s no Brady.

Also, “Tom Terrific” was apparently a cartoon in the late 1950s, so Seaver may not even have the rightful claim to what seems to be such a precious title.

Regardless of who the masses try and say should be the true title-holder, the fact is that Brady moved to make a claim on the name before anyone else. Period. Once again, he proved that he is always 10 steps ahead of the next guy and does whatever is needed to get things done.

So while Brady did indeed come out and apologize, I’m actually going to take it back for him entirely. The reaction to what he did is absolutely absurd – as is the fact that I’m actually sitting here writing an article on it!

Haters always gonna hate, Tom. Shine on, you crazy, terrific diamond.

Brady Not Liking Being Called the GOAT is the Most Tom Brady Thing Ever

By Mattes on February 5, 2019 • ( Leave a comment )

As comes with the territory of being a Super Bowl champion, both Tom Brady and Julian Edelman, the game’s MVP, were in Disney World on Monday, parading around the Magic Kingdom in celebration after winning the big game the night before.

When it came time for Brady to sit down and do his obligatory interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America,” the 41-year-old said the following to Michael Strahan regarding how he feels about being labeled as “the G.O.A.T” (h/t CBS Sports):

“I don’t even like that. I don’t even like it — it makes me cringe. I guess I take compliments worse than — I wish you would say, ‘You’re trash, you’re too old, you’re too slow, you can’t get it done no more.’ And I’ll say, ‘Thank you very much, I’m gonna go prove you wrong.'”

OH COME AHHHHNN, TAAAHHHMMM. Can’t you just enjoy this for one freakin’ second??!!

We get it. You have the determination and work ethic of a coal miner in the 1800s. Your meticulous diet is enough to make even Richard Simmons blush. You’ve taken hundreds of hits – both on the field and off – over the past 20-plus years of football, and you STILL want to play for another 20 more. It amazes everyone how you are still so driven, on such a visceral level, by some incessant Napoleonic complex that comes from being a sixth-round draft choice almost 19 years ago. You’re also the only NFL player in history with six titles to his name. You’ve literally won more games than ANYONE else in the history of EVER. There will simply never be another Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. Period.

And, I don’t know, maybe that’s why people can’t really say anything other than the fact that you’re the best that’s ever played. As much as people still want to hate you out of spite, at this point I don’t even think the most ardent Brady-haters out there would dare try to dispute that.

Look, I know this is just typical “athlete talk” and Brady would get eviscerated in the media if he instead responded to Strahan with a “YOU DAAAAAMN RIGHT, I AM.” But still.

So, come on, Tom. You’re not fooling anyone. You are the GREATEST OF ALL TIME. I know it. You know it. The world knows it.

But still, don’t lose that drive, though, old man. I wouldn’t mind another one or two before you ride off into the sunset.

Buy or Sell: Tom Brady’s Plans to “Not only Play Next Year, but Beyond That”

By Mattes on December 27, 2018 • ( 1 Comment )

As he does every week, Tom Brady spoke with his buddy Jim Gray of Westwood One on Monday – which also just so happened to be Christmas Eve – and gave Patriots fans what many of them may blindly believe to be the greatest gift they’ll receive this holiday season: his renewed commitment to playing for the long term.

When asked if he’d be playing next season, at the ripe age of 42, Brady said:

“I absolutely believe I will. I know I’ve talked about it for a long time: I have goals to not only play next year, but beyond that. I’m going to try to do it as best I possibly can. I’m going to give it everything I have, like I always have.”

In a vacuum, that quote sounds great. The winningest QB of all time saying that he’s not going anywhere, continuing to display the resolve of a lion refusing to give up his place as the alpha on the Serengeti? Talk about some much-needed motivation for a post-Christmas return to the office!

But, in reality, is what he said really a good thing?

Mattes! How could you??!! That’s Tom FUCKIN’ Brady! The G.O.A.T! The greatest thing to ever happen to the Pats, and possibly New England as a whole! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!

Look, I’m not denying any of those things. Brady is arguably the greatest athlete in Boston sports history, and for all that he’s done he does deserve the chance to at least try to play as long as he possibly can.

However, the Pats cannot continue to blindly place all of their confidence in Brady’s determination and bravado, completely ignoring the fact that this is man who has already far exceeded the shelf life of most NFL quarterbacks. Yes, what he’s done so far is pretty damn impressive, but let’s also not forget that Brady is indeed still a human being.

OK, mayyybeee, he’s a bit more special than most humans.

As they say, Father Time always wins, and I believe we’re finally starting to see the old man get his licks in on the legend. Sure, Brady’s 4,105 passing yards and 25 touchdowns this year are still Pro-Bowl-worthy marks, but his 11 interceptions are also the most he’s had since 2013 and are two higher than his career average (with one game still left to play).

Sure. Maybe the 11 picks aren’t all that alarming on paper, but you can’t tell me there haven’t been times this year where you haven’t looked at the T.V. going: “Really, Tommy? What the HELL was that throw?”

All I’m saying is that whether it’s due to his old age, a supposedly “minor” knee issue, or the fact that the offense is in a state of flux, Brady hasn’t looked as infallible or fluid as usual, even being just one year removed from an MVP season. And I’m sorry, but no matter how many tofu cakes he consumes or how many tomatoes he refuses to eat, he’s not going to recuperate like he used to.

So, what are you saying then, Mattes??!! Do you really think we should get rid of Brady?!

NO! Not right now at least. But if we go another offseason without so much as giving a thought to life after Brady, I’m going to be pretty heated. I’m not too upset about them passing on Lamar Jackson this year at the end of the first round, but after trading Jimmy Garoppolo, the team has nothing in terms of future QB prospects.

To be fair, not many teams are lucky enough to have a guy waiting in the wings once a legend decides – or is forced – to hang ’em up for good. But the smart teams DO at least make an effort. The Colts made the tough decision to tank and move on from Peyton Manning in order to nab Andrew Luck. The Packers picked Aaron Rodgers, knowing it would piss Brett Favre off, and while Rodgers had to wait three years to finally get his shot, the Packers barely skipped a beat. Hell, the 49ers even traded Joe Montana in favor of Steve Young, and I’d say that one worked out pretty well.

Hopefully, this one doesn’t come back to bite the Pats down the line.

The point is that a tough decision is going to have to be made soon. And, if we’re being entirely honest, it’s probably going to come down to the team forcing the player’s hand, because at this point I doubt Brady goes anywhere until he is literally physically unable to move.

But the Pats can’t wait that long. They can’t just sit around expecting 3-5 more years of greatness and then just, I don’t know, hope for the best? Because once Brady starts to slip, it’s likely going continue rapidly, as was the case with many before him. (And, like I said, I think we’re already starting to see it.) Or, even worse, as age and body ailments continue to mount, Brady is forced to suddenly retire, against his will and good intentions, leaving the Pats with absolutely ZILCH (and likely a very looooong rebuild).

And – I hope you’re sitting down for this one – if the opportunity comes along where a team is willing to part with a hefty amount of assets in order to bring in that one piece that will take them over the top, then the Pats shouldn’t hesitate to trade Brady.

I’m not saying to simply trade the guy for a first-round pick; he deserves better than that. And I’m not saying we should necessarily do it this offseason. But what if there’s a team out there that is willing to trade multiple draft picks and, say, a top-50 player who’s still in his mid-to-late 20s in order to acquire him? Bill & Co. would be foolish to not at least consider it.

Even outside of the QB position, the Pats have a dearth of young talent on the roster, and even with Brady right now, the Patriots are not the automatic AFC champions that they used to be. And continuing to place their full confidence on Brady’s lip-service and accolades alone could come back to bite the franchise in a big way once the TB12 era is all said and done.

So, I’m happy that still you love the game, Tommy, and I know that the day you’re no longer donning a Pats uniform will truly be one of the saddest of my life. But I’m also not ignorant, and it’s time for Pats Nation to take off those Brady-colored glasses and start looking toward the future.

Patriots Post-Bye Check In and Quick Look at the Rest of the Season

By Mattes on November 21, 2018 • ( Leave a comment )

So mayyyyybe I was a bit too quick to say the Pats locking up a top-two seed in the AFC was a “foregone conclusion” during my last game preview. While the division is still all but ours, that abomination against the Titans last week proved that the Pats maybe aren’t quite as formidable as we thought. Also, the AFC is a lot better this year than in years past; besides Kansas City (9-2), teams like the Chargers (7-3), Steelers (7-2-1), and Texans (7-3) could all challenge for a top seed as well.

Hopefully, Bill was able to rally the troops during the bye and use the extra time off to prepare for what lies ahead in 2018. There may also be no better time than now to assess what we’ve seen from the boys so far and try to highlight what to watch for over the team’s final six contests.

So, rather than do the typical 300s Patriots weekly preview, I’ll instead give you a super short Pats/Jets primer followed by a more in-depth look at some of the top storylines to follow for the last quarter-and-some-change of the 2018 season.

As always, here’s a look at where, when, and how to watch this week’s game along with the latest lines:

Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Kickoff: Sunday, Nov. 25, 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Odds (via Odds Shark): Patriots: -9.5 (spread) / Patriots: -415 (moneyline) / 46 (total)

I’d like to say this is as close to guaranteed win for the Pats as possible, but this team has severely underperformed at times this year, particularly on the road. Still, coming off a bye which was preceded by one of the team’s most pathetic losses in recent memory, I feel like Brady & Co. will come out guns blazing against a pretty lackluster Jets squad.

After starting out the year 3-3 – which included wins over the Lions, Broncos, and Colts – the Jets have now lost four straight. Their 18th-ranked defense only slightly makes up for their 29th-ranked offense, which, to be fair, has been decimated by injuries this season. For instance, rookie quarterback Sam Darnold is still questionable with a foot injury, which forced him to miss the team’s game against Buffalo before their Week 11 bye. Even if he plays, though, will we get the young hotshot who completed 60 percent of his passes and had a 9-to-7 TD-to-INT ratio through the first six games, or will he be more like the 47-percent blind newborn with the 2-to-7 TD-to-INT ratio over the past three? And if he doesn’t play at all? Then we get to face a 39-year-old Josh McCown, who posted an abysmal 35.8 passer rating against the Bills two weeks ago in his only action of the year.

It’s been an up-and-down year for the rookie, but Darnold definitely has some talent and could finally make the Jets respectable again in due time.

The point is, the Jets have been a bit of an enigma this year – at times pretty good but mostly mediocre to downright awful – and while each side of the ball is sprinkled with bits of talent, there’s no particular player or strength they possess that scares me. Sony Michel should have a nice bounce-back effort against their 21st-ranked run D, and Brady can have fun going against their middle-of-the-pack passing defense. Road divisional games are always a bit of a grind, so it’ll be a lot closer than people think, but I think the Pats pull this one out 24-17.

I’m expecting a nice “remember me?” effort from Sony this week in Jersey.

But what about the bigger picture? What have we learned so far from this 7-3 Patriots squad, and what can we expect for the rest of 2018?

Well, after this week’s trip the Meadowlands, the Pats have what should be a pretty favorable schedule the rest of the way. There will be just two road games left, one in Miami and the other being quite possibly the biggest game of the year in Pittsburgh in mid-December. Otherwise, there’s a tough home game against the Vikings to get through, but then the season ends with home bouts with the Bills and Jets. At least the Pats won’t have to go through the ringer to end the season.

But as we all know, anything can happen and there are many different factors that will determine how the Pats will look come January. For now, here’s a rundown of what to keep your eye on the rest of the way:

Tom vs. Time

No, I’m not talking about Brady’s little Facebook series; I’m talking about the real-life, long-term grind that we may finally be starting to see have an effect on our 41-year-old hero. Let me just start by saying that until I see the man fall off a cliff entirely, I will never doubt him. I AM NOT BOLDLY PREDICTING BRADY’S DEMISE HERE. I’m simply saying that he looked OLD against the Titans last Sunday – like Larry King old – even outside of that debacle of a Philly Special they tried to have him run. (On that play, he literally looked like the all-too-ambitious great uncle who tries to go out for a pass against the youngsters in the family Thanksgiving game, only to trip all over himself, fall, and break a hip off the side of the deck. Yeah, it truly looked that bad.) He’s also completed less than 60 percent of his passes over the past three games with just one touchdown. Brady could also come out and go gangbusters for the rest of the year and prove, once again, why he’s the G.O.A.T… but Father Time has to come out on top eventually, right?

Gronk vs. His Body

Gronk, love ya, bud. Mean it. But I think it’s time to hang up the cleats before you’re forced to spend the rest of your life in a freakin’ Hoveround. This man is just four months older than I am and has already had more back surgeries and lingering body ailments than a retired steel worker. This year, he’s already missed three games, which are the 11th, 12th, and 13th regular-season games he’s missed due to injury over the past three years alone. Since playing in all 16 games as a rookie and second-year player, Gronk has been healthy for an average of only 11.6 games per season otherwise. And even when he’s been on the field this year, he hasn’t been anything special; besides a seven-catch, 123-yard performance in Week 1, Gronk is averaging about four catches and 50 yards a game. He could be back this week against the Jets, but who knows how long that will last? Truthfully, we could see the end of Gronk before we see the end of Brady.

Burkhead is Back!

Sexy Rexy is back on the field, folks! On November 8, Burkhead returned to practice and is eligible to play once again as early as next week (December 2) at home against Minnesota. While I do not expect him to provide me with full vindication after naming him as my prediction for the team’s offensive MVP this season, he will still be a much-welcomed addition to an extremely thin stable of backs. This is still Sony Michel’s and James White’s backfield for the most part, but don’t be surprised if Burkhead has a few big games himself toward the end of the year. Welcome back, No. 34!

Will Gordon Finish Strong?

Since Week 4, when Josh Gordon made his Pats debut against Miami, he has hauled in a total of 26 receptions for 477 yards and two scores. Over the past five games alone, he’s averaged over four catches and 79 yards on about 10 targets per game. That’s a pretty solid return on a fifth-round pick; I don’t care who it’s in regard to. But with Josh Gordon comes “those other risks,” the off-field shenanigans that have bogged him down his entire career. So far, he’s handled himself very well in New England, but when the heat is on and he starts facing the pressure that comes with being a part of a winning team for once, will he stay the course? I’ve seen nothing that gives me any indication he won’t, but keep those fingers crossed, Pats Nation; we still have a long way to go with Flash Gordon.

A Young and Improving Secondary

I know these storylines have been pretty offense-heavy so far, but there’s really not a whole lot to sift through on the defensive side of the ball. I will say that I’ll be keeping my eye on the secondary, though; while Stephon Gilmore and Jason McCourty have the top-two corner spots on lock, there’s an interesting mix of young talent behind them battling for position, especially with second-rounder Duke Dawson coming off I.R. a few weeks ago and looking ready to make his debut. Other rookies like Keion Crossen and J.C. Jackson, the latter of whom has already made some big plays this year, bear watching as well. Recently signed former Raiders safety Obi Melifonwu is a raw, talented and still very young piece the team is taking a flyer on, too.

Again, a lot can still happen before January, so be sure to keep checking in with The 300s for all your Patriots news and notes on the march to Ring No. 6.

Dede Westbrook Thinks Blake Bortles Can Be as Good as Tom Brady…No Really, Though

By Mattes on September 26, 2018 • ( Leave a comment )

In a recent interview with Bleacher Report’s Tyler Dunne, Jacksonville Jaguars second-year wide receiver Dede Westbrook flat-out said he thinks Blake Bortles can easily be as good as Tom Brady.

He then doubled and tripled down on the statement after being asked to confirm his belief twice by what I assume to have been a completely dumbfounded Dunne:

Out of the hallway and into the locker room, second-year receiver Dede Westbrook doesn’t complain about the passer with the Tim Tebow-ugly throwing motion. Like Hackett, Westbrook would benefit from a more prototypical quarterback, and yet there isn’t a drop of gloom in his voice. When told that most outsiders look at Bortles, then Tom Brady, and conclude the Jaguars will never get over the hump, Westbrook is visibly irritated.

“I don’t think that’s a thing,” Westbrook says. “Tom Brady’s great, but he’s been playing football for a really, really, really long time. Who’s to say Blake won’t be that person when he puts that many years in?”

You think Bortles can reach that point? “Most definitely. Most definitely.”

Wait, Dede. A Brady point? “Facts. Most definitely.”‘

Look I know Bortles definitely got the upper hand 10 days ago when the two teams squared off down in Jacksonville. But can we please stop with this crap?

Quotes like these are honestly the reason why I can’t even listen to post-game pressers anymore. While there are certainly those out there who aren’t afraid to speak their mind, for better or worse, 90 percent of athletes always just end up spewing out empty, cliche bullshit that means absolutely nothing and basically comes out of their mouth by rote.

No matter how great a certain player performs in a game, it’s always about “the guys around him.” If a team plays poorly, they just need to “prepare better at practice next week” and “give 110 percent effort in the next game.” If an athlete is taken out of the game too soon, it was simply the “coach’s decision” and they always seem to “understand.”

Look, I get that quips like that are meant to make the athlete look like a team player and not stir the pot. There have also been plenty of times where an athlete is a bit too authentic, and it can cause a firestorm.

But don’t outright lie like this for no reason.

“Facts??!!” THREE separate “most definitelys??!!”

You don’t really believe that, Dede. YOU DON’T. Nobody can seriously be that ignorant. As the once great – and BRUTALLY honest and outspoken – Chad Ochocinco once said:

Again, it’s not even about the fact that such statements are complete blasphemy and downright disrespectful to the G.O.A.T; it’s about the fact that you think we’re all that dumb, Dede. Sure, I agree that Bortles maybe catches too much flak sometimes – I even said as much in my Pats/Jags game preview – but there are also times when your quarterback plays like a blind nun. He will never come close to even sniffing Brady’s talent or level of success – not now, not in the future, not even in an alternate universe.

The Jags may end up ultimately winning a Super Bowl within the next couple of years, or at least get pretty damn close once again, and I’m not saying Bortles is incapable of getting a ring. But let’s not forget that guys like Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson have rings, too. If the Jags win anything, it’ll be because of their defense, not Blake Bortles.

Am I overreacting a bit here? Maybe. In the grand scheme of things, do Westbrook’s comments mean a damn thing? Probably not. I just couldn’t let this one slip by and thought it might give The 300s clan a good chuckle. Happy Hump Day!

An Ode To The GOAT On His 40th Birthday

By Joey Ballgame on August 3, 2017 • ( Leave a comment )

I’ll admit it: I was a Bledsoe guy. Drafted 1st overall in 1993, as I became a conscious human being, the rocket-armed Washingtonian was the prototype of a QB1 and the guy I was sure would lead us to a Super Bowl Championship, getting us to the big dance once in 1996.

So, needless to say, when Mo Lewis, contracted by the football gods, landed the shot heard ’round the universe in 2001 and caused a near-death (seriously) Bledsoe to hand the reigns over to a young back up out of Michigan, I was none too pleased. More specifically I figured we were fucked. My guy was out and our season was over.

Well I was wrong. I’ll take that one. That’s on me. That backup, chosen in the sixth round the year before Bledsoe went down, was Tom Brady, and all he has done is rack up 5 Super Bowls, 4 Super Bowl MVPs, 12 Pro Bowl appearances, 2 MVPs, and 2 Offensive Player Of The Year Awards. He now also is both the winningest QB overall and winningest QB for a single team (208 wins). This is further astounding when factoring in the bust of a 2002 season when Brady was getting used to life as an official starting QB and that his 2008 season was ended half a quarter in. Oh and a quick side note: Did I mention he’s handsome as fuck and married to a kajillionaire Brazilian super model who seems like she’s a down ass PIC as well?

Now reread all the accomplishments I listed above, personal and professional. Take a glimpse into the California-sized chip taken out of #12’s shoulder in April 2000 and you’ll see a list of accolades and achievements that transcends modern football’s standards for longevity and consistency, especially when you consider those MVPs, etc. would probably be double in number if the media that voted on them didn’t quietly hate Brady for ruining their “Peyton Manning: America’s Golden Boy” narrative they had pre-written 20 years worth of stories for in 1998.

Reread all that Tom Brady has done, all that he has earned through skill and grit, patience and perseverance, and then think of this: He did all that before he turned 40. Every last thing listed above happened before Brady reached his 5th decade. That changes today. Today, he turns 40 – coming off his fifth Super Bowl win but seemingly as competitive and driven to win as ever. He has a restocked arsenal with which to work, as Brandin Cooks, Mike Gillislee, and Dwayne Allen have been added to his toolbox. He works with a guru of sorts with whom he monitors every last work out down to the smallest of motions and every last meal down to the tiniest of morsels. Make no mistake about it, Tom Brady isn’t still here to just win, or even to be considered the GOAT, a title which, although earned, he has stated he is uncomfortable with. No, He is still coming for complete and total domination. He wants no corners of the map unconquered and no prisoners taken. He wants it all.

So Happy 40th Birthday to Thomas Edward Patrick Brady, the guy who replaced my guy, the 7th QB taken in 2000, destined to ride pine while Bledsoe played for another 5 years, at least.. For 16 years we’ve watched you prove you belong, then that you are great, then excellent. The only gift we can give now is to end the ever-changing perceptions of what we are observing and simply state – you are the Greatest of All Time.

Now can someone give him a fucking high-5.

A Lot of Good Things Have Happened on April 16

By Big Z on April 16, 2017 • ( Leave a comment )

brady_tom_draft_card_630

We can’t go without mentioning that today is the 17th anniversary of the Patriots drafting Tom Brady. Only two other players drafted in 2000 remain active in the NFL – kicker Sebastian Janikowski and punter Shane Lechler.

The day Tom Brady was drafted was also Bill Belichick’s 48th birthday. That means BB turns 65 today.

And let’s not forget the great pizza toss of 2007. Here is the full “Here comes the pizza” incident a decade later.

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