New book shows Brady pondering divorce from coach, opting to stay
New book says Brady is tired of Belichick: ‘If Tom could, I think he would divorce him’
There have been several well-sourced reports of a rift between the New England Patriots’ coach, Bill Belichick, and their quarterback, Tom Brady. But a new book, by long-time Pats insider Ian O’Connor, sheds more glaring light on the subject than we’ve seen before. Belichick: The Making of the Greatest Football Coach of All Time portrays Brady becoming so weary of the autocracy that in March he almost left it. Belichick’s efforts to impede Alex Guerrero, Brady’s personal trainer and business partner, were, O’Connor says, “the last straw.” The book compares Brady’s relationship to his boss as being “married to a grouchy person who gets under your skin and never compliments you. . . . After a while, you want to divorce him.” But that won’t happen because Belichick has given Brady what he wanted: traded his competition, Jimmy Garoppolo, so he could fulfill his dream of playing into the mid-40s and with high probability of adding a sixth Super Bowl.
Between the Lines: Brady is planning to enter politics – U.S. Senate being a good place to start – when he finally does retire from football. O’Connor writes that Brady will not risk “turning an adoring New England public into an angry mob.” Indeed, it would be a horrible way to end two careers at one time.
Antonio Brown goes AWOL in Pittsburgh, tweets about a trade, sides with Le’Veon, creates rift
Antonio Brown, All-Pro receiver of the Pittsburgh Steelers known for acrobatic catches and an incandescent smile, has become a source of trouble. Last week he tweeted. “Trade me,” and Monday he was a no-show for practice. While some Steelers players have spoken out against Le’Veon Bell for what they see as a selfish contractual holdout, Brown expressed support for the running back. That brought criticism for causing a locker room fissure. Another recent incident was embarrassing to Brown. He threatened violence against a journalist for writing an unflattering profile of him. And in Sunday’s loss to Kansas City, Brown was seen screaming at his offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner. Team in turmoil?
Dear Antonio: You ‘re fortunate that pro football has high high tolerance for diva receivers, since so many are in the Hall of Fame. Even so, you’re in danger of ruining your brand by your impulsive and self-indulgent behavior.
Hue Jackson didn’t know his kicker was missing field goals with a groin injury
When Zane Gonzalez missed two field goals and two extra points in a 3-point loss to New Orleans on Sunday, the Cleveland Browns released him, to nobody’s surprise. But there’s a complication: He was impaired by an underreported, however sensitive, groin injury. NFL rules required the Browns to assign Gonzalez to Injury Reserve rather than release him outright. He has the right to receive his full salary, as a blue-collar laborer would receive following a workplace accident. NFL rules also require the clubs to disclose to reporters all injuries that could affect a player’s performance. The Browns failed to list Gonzalez on injury reports. After the oversight was reported by multiple news outlets, head coach Hue Jackson insisted, “I did not know . . . Nobody from our medical staff reported to me that Zane was hurt.”
Between the Lines: This points, once again, to the perpetual dysfunction that is almost the trademark of the Cleveland Browns. Why wouldn’t the team’s trainer inform the head coach of a significant injury?
Vontai Davis started for Bills Sunday and retired at halftime
Vontae Davis, cornerback of the Buffalo Bills, started Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. But with his team trailing 28-6 at halftime, Davis left the team. Before the third quarter began he informed the team that he would not be returning to the field. After the game, which Buffalo lost 31-20, Davis released a statement saying he decided to retire at 30 because of concerns about his future health. “It’s more important for me and my family to walk away healthy than to willfully face the warrior mentality and limp away too late.” The timing did not go over well with some of the Bills. Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander called it “completely disrespectful to the team.” Safety Micah Hyde said. “Whatever the situation was, I don’t agree with it.”
Dear Vontae: You don’t think you owed your employer two-weeks notice?
Desperate for a deep threat, Patriots take a chance on addiction-plagued Josh Gordon
Josh Gordon is one of the most physically gifted wide receivers to play in the NFL. He’s unusually large for the position — 6-3, 225 pounds – and is also one of the fastest players in the league. New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick sees Gordon as the deep receiver his team has lacked since the departure last offseason of Brandin Cooks, to the Los Angeles Rams. So Belichick agreed to give the Browns a 5th-round draft choice in 2019 if he’s active for at least 10 games. Gordon has $690,000 remaining on his contract for this season. Afterward he becomes a restricted free agent, with the Patriots retaining control. ESPN reported that at least eight teams contacted the Browns about acquiring Gordon even though he has a record of substance abuse and low attendance for games. He’s played in only 11 regular-season NFL games since 2014.
Between the Lines: Belichick has had hits and misses with his rehabilitation projects. He inspired Hall of Fame performance from Randy Moss who had fallen into disrepute.
