Do We Stop Talking about that ESPN Article?

Photo: USA Today

(SOURCE)- A fifth Super Bowl triumph healed some of those wounds, but there's no guarantee that a sixth will fix the rest. Something has to change, that much everyone knows. Many Patriots players and staff believe that Brady is a good man who has a hard time saying no to Guerrero. They've noticed that he seems to be searching this year, as if reaching the pinnacle of his profession is as fleeting as it is rewarding, manifesting itself in outbursts like the one at McDaniels. Belichick seems to be grinding harder than ever, as if more than a sixth championship is at stake. Before the Patriots played the Steelers in December, he told players, "I brought you here for games like this."

I almost never write about sports because I don't think that it is really worth anything more than half of my attention. At the end of the day, I don't really care what happens in games anymore because it really just is a game.

With that being said, the team I care about the most is the Patriots. Needless to say, I was a little shocked to see that ESPN had this bombshell released the other day. The timing of it was a little odd, being as it is right before the Pats are going to suit up against the Titans. Everyone was quick to deny this report, even the organization itself, but I honestly don't think that we can dismiss all of it just yet.

I don't think Belichick, Kraft, or Brady are going anywhere in the next couple of years. I do think that this report holds some weight, though. How long have we been joking that Brady is a total psycho? Up until this point, it has totally worked in our favor and has brought us five championships since 2001. Brady just pulled out an MVP-caliber season at age 40 and shows little sign of slowing down (although he looked more like an old guy in December than he did all season). All of this "guru work" and all of the hours that Brady has put in on and off the field to keep himself in shape has molded him into caring about winning--and winning only. 

This is why I think that report about Jimmy G not being seen by the TB12 Therapy Center is absolutely true. Reports surfaced, starting in Jimmy's rookie year, that Brady was colder to him than he had been to any backup before--because he was the first real threat. People have been so quick to dismiss this part of the article, even the organization, when it is definitely not out of the realm of possibilities. Brady wants literally every single advantage that he can get, and if that involves keeping his backup out of a few starts while he is away...I don't know. I don't think that is too far fetched for someone who is in Brady's position.

The part of the article that talks about the trade of Garappolo to San Fran isn't that far fetched either. Do I think that Kraft made Belichick trade the possible quarterback of the future for that second round pick? Absolutely not. But, do I think that there were extra conversations between the Kraft and Belichick about what to do about the organization's QB situation based on prior conversations had between Brady and Kraft? Again, it's definitely not out of the question. I would go so far as to say this is exactly what I think happened.

If you are an owner and your QB, who has brought you so much success and value to your organization, asks to keep him around as long as he wants, what are you to say? Belichick may have a relatively cold-hearted way of dealing with his former star players, but not Kraft. Not when Brady has orchestrated the most successful run in modern sports history.

The section of the article that I just can't wrap my head around is the speculation of this being Belichick's last season as the head coach of the New England Patriots. Grow up. The Hooded One isn't leaving until Brady leaves, if at all. This was made clear when Garappolo was shipped out. Brady and Belichick have cemented their legacies together and this is not going to end on a sour note--at least not publicly. 

Adam Kaufman made a great point on Twitter. He wrote, "It's crazy to me if anyone out there ever thought Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick, and Tom Brady were all best friends. Ever see a picture of them together on Bill's boat? One of Tom's vacations? At Robert's house, without the trophies around? They're business partners..."

I couldn't agree with that more. I don't care if they like each other or love each other, and I don't think they care either. Those three men are all about results and will stop at nothing to be the faces of success. So far, so good. If Belichick doesn't award Brady "Patriot of the Week," maybe he is trying to get every last bit of fire out of his aging quarterback. It doesn't mean that the relationship is over and this is the last year of the greatest dynasty there ever was. 

The bottom line is this: we play the Titans on Saturday night and that is all that Brady, Belichick and Kraft are worried about. It is all that anyone in the whole Patriots organization is worried about. These players and team members have been trained so well to take the season one day at a time that I do think our big three had a nice laugh about this whole situation. It's added fuel for the fire. 

But then again--isn't it always?