Tom Brady is going to miss the first four games of the upcoming NFL season, but the ramifications of the Deflategate suspension on the quarterback’s season could last well beyond that time.
As a part of the four-game ban, Brady will be unable to, “Engage in any team football-related activities or discussions with teammates, even if away from the club facility” during those four weeks. He will essentially be on a football island by himself until Week 5. An NFL spokesperson confirmed with the Boston Herald that means Brady can’t even invite teammates over for a backyard game of catch with his teammates:
For instance, can his good buddy Julian Edelman help keep him sharp by heading over to Brady’s house after practice to catch a few passes?
After consulting with Brian McCarthy, the NFL’s Vice President of Communications, the answer is no. Edelman, Danny Amendola, Rob Gronkowski and any other Patriots pass catcher are not allowed go to Brady’s backyard, or non-Gillette Stadium field of choice, and throw the ball around with the suspended quarterback. Even that’s a no-no.
Brady can’t “engage in any team football-related activities or discussions with teammates, even if away from the club facility.” Playing catch is among the prohibitions, according to a set of parameters provided by McCarthy.
If he wants to stay sharp during his month off, Brady will only be able to work on his improving his own game. He will not be able to work on routes and timing with his favorite targets Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, and Danny Amendola. He will not be able to discuss strategy with head coach Bill Belichick, scheme for Week 5’s matchup against the Cleveland Browns with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, or even break down game film provided by New England.
Despite all this, former Patriot running back Kevin Faulk is confident Brady will be able to stay prepared. He might even call up a few of his favorite targets that have long since retired from the NFL.
“I’m pretty sure he has that lined up already. That’s the type of guy he is, that’s the type of competitor he is,” former teammate Kevin Faulk, another of Brady’s former go-to-guys, told the Herald Thursday when asked who he thought might be contacted. “He’s going to try and find someone that still has a little something in the tank that can work him, as much as he can work them. He’ll want to throw to someone who’s pretty familiar with the offense.”
As for the game film issue, Faulk was similarly certain his former quarterback would find some loophole in the rules — even if it means buying DirecTV’s Sunday NFL Ticket package.
“First and foremost, he’s going to watch every practice and every game that’s played,” said Faulk, who served a league-imposed one-game suspension during his 13-year career. “That’s how he’s going to keep on top of everything. Somehow, within the rules, he’s going to watch film.”
This upcoming season will be Brady’s 17th in the NFL, all with the Patriots and Belichick, so if there is any quarterback who figures to stay game ready through a four-game suspension, it is him.
