What used to be Brady and Belichick is now Brady versus Belichick. Need I say more?
Bill Belichick was New England’s head coach when Tom Brady was selected in the 2000 NFL Draft, notoriously as the 199th pick in the 6th Round. That was 21 years ago, and Belichick is still the head coach. Tom Brady? After a long career in Foxborough, Brady moved on. He’s now in his second year in Tampa Bay.
Courtesy: Jackson Progress-Argus
Of course, nobody knew back then just how good Brady would be–and how he and Belichick would make history together. When Brady joined the Pats, the team had a solid quarterback in the person of Drew Bledsoe. But when Bledsoe went down to injury, Brady got the call, then the starting job, and Bledsoe shuffled off to Buffalo.
Brady spent two decades with the Patriots, and, during his tenure, he took the Patriots to 17 playoff appearances and got six Super Bowl wins. And Brady already has another ring on his finger, this time as TB12 in TB.
For years, fans and analysts figured a time would come when an heir apparent would surface in New England. Many folks thought Jimmy Garoppolo would be the guy, but it didn’t turn out that way. Jimmy plays for the 49ers.
If there was a succession plan, it wasn’t evident during Brady’s time in New England. The reality show known as the Pats ended abruptly when Brady migrated to Florida’s Gulf Coast. The Pats have struggled at QB since, and they are still finding their way. Stidham didn’t work out, and neither did Cam Newton. Mac Jones may or may not be the answer.
What we know for sure is that on this Sunday, at least, Jones will be in the role that Brady occupied for so many years. And, for his part, Brady will look across the field at Belichick.
The scene is set on a very big stage, Sunday Night Football, with a national audience watching. The game will be played in Foxborough, too. So the big question is how Brady will be received at what amounts to his homecoming. Will he be welcomed, booed, or both? I bet that Pats fans will respond graciously…until the opening kick. Then, as always, the competitive spirit will prevail. Winning is what matters.
Whether or not you are a Pats fan or a Bucs fan–and even if you aren’t a pro football fan–Sunday’s event is a human interest story. What used to be Brady and Belichick is now Brady versus Belichick. Need I say more?
