Did the Patriots already fumble Tom Brady’s return?
On Tuesday’s edition of Zolak & Bertrand, we dove into whether the Patriots already fumbled Tom Brady’s return to Gillette Stadium.
FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 10: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter of the 2015 AFC Divisional Playoffs game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
This is a weird week for the Patriots…
Marc Bertand: The Patriots could have an odd week and here’s why I say that. They’re getting ready for a game that they will likely lose. Likely, not mpossible. Won’t be a shocker if they win, it will be surprising. It will be an upset if they win their game this week, their home opener at Gillette Stadium in year three of a first round draft pick. Again, tough task, though. NFC defending champion team that was in the Super Bowl. Couple of plays away from being Super Bowl champions a year ago. They’re going to play a game that they’re likely going to lose and they’re going to do it with the backdrop of Tom Brady coming back to town. So that everyone can say thank you to him. Thanks, Tom. Thanks for the memories.
Scott Zolak: Thanks to Tom.
Marc Bertand: That could be kind of weird. No? Isn’t that kind of weird? Mac Jones is about to start the year that will determine, we think in part whether or not he gets his fifth year option picked up. This team is about to start a year with a lot of expectations put on them by their own owner. And the coach being sort of in a position of facing more criticism now than ever before.
Scott Zolak: This is not like you’re retiring Ray Lewis and he’s going to get a statue or number and Ray was one of the greatest players to play the game or Deion Sanders. You’re retiring the greatest, or you’re bringing back to celebrate… I don’t know if they’re retiring anything. I assume they’re going to retire his number. You’re bringinh back the greatest to ever play and you’re four years removed from him playing here where he went on to play well elsewhere and you’re still trying to decide is the guy that you’ve replaced him with good enough to continue to be playing. Like that’s the only big distraction I see in it. If you’re another player, that’s great, we’re bringing back a former old player. We’ve got to still do our thing. Concentrate and all that. The pressures on Mac Jones.
Marc Bertand: Did they pick the wrong week to do this? That’s one of my questions.
Scott Zolak: I asked this multiple times and I thought and was told that earlier in the year get it over with. Early in the year, get it over with, because things could change mid-season. Regardless of how the team’s doing.
Marc Bertand: Worried about what Brady going back and playing for someone? Is that what that was about?
Scott Zolak: No I didn’t hear that.
Marc Bertand: Oh, okay. I didn’t know what you meant by that. Like, get it over with and get it out of the way in case he decides he wants to go play for you know…
Scott Zolak: It’s one, the excitement of the new year. We’re fired up because of football. We didn’t even mention Brady until just there. Fans are gonna be fired up. Fans are going to be excited for it. It’s a 4:25 national game. You’re on a big stage. This is big. Feels like it’s a big time. What are you gonna do Week 7 against the Colts or Week 8against Cleveland. I don’t know like, what’s the perfect spot? What is the perfect spot to do it? What if the team’s record by then is not very good, right?
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 13: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots runs through the tunnel before the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Listen to the full segment!
