The G.O.A.T. is in better shape that teammates half his age. He knows the playbook inside and out. Is he really obligated to attend OTAs (organized team activities) and forced to avoid or answer ‘nitwit’ questions from first string writers, who were no more than second string players in high school or consider playing slow pitch softball games or refereeing Pop Warner football as evidence of their qualifications. We’d venture that the last time some of them actually broke a sweat was bending over tying their oxfords.
Daily publications including the New York Post reported that Robert Kraft heard the concerns about Tom Brady’s absence from Patriots OTAs, and wanted to alleviate them. “I’ve been in communication with Tom,” Kraft told reporters at the NFL Spring League Meeting in Atlanta. “I think he’s very excited about the upcoming season. These are voluntary workouts. I heard he’s in great shape.” Kraft gave cover to Brady, who has spent OTAs training at his own TB12 Sports Therapy Center, instead of with the team. He also provided some cover to Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who refused to comment on the absences of Brady and Rob Gronkowski on Tuesday.
Brady is expected to be at Patriots minicamp on June 5, where attendance is mandatory. For now, though, Kraft doesn’t seem to have any problems with the 40-year-old star being away from the team. “I was thinking back to when he joined us, where he’s blessed to have three children now and he’s built a number of businesses and has certain responsibilities,” Kraft said. “I think it’s very hard for him to fulfill those during the season and the commitment that he has to football.”
In other words, Brady doesn’t have to live his life exclusively for the benefit of the New England Patriots fans or even his teammates this early in the preparation for football season. It’s baseball season for ‘cryin’ out loud’. Add to that the insufferably long playoffs of the NBA and NHL and the armchair quarterbacks have plenty to write about.
