While the tone of the interview was more or less positive in nature, Tom Brady questioned the Patriots’ mental toughness last year during a recent interview with WEEI.
From the Boston Globe:
“Coach always used the [phrase] ‘mentally tough’ to us, and I always agree with him. When the going got tough, we didn’t get going. We weren’t a mentally tough team last year.
“I think that’s been a big point of emphasis for Coach this offseason. Hopefully, we’ve found ways to address it.’’
Brady also insinuated that the team lacked leadership.
“All of us, we need to do a better job of leadership,’’ he said. “And I was one of the leaders last year, and obviously I sucked at doing that.
“So I’ve got to do a better job at that, I’ve got to do a better job of playing quarterback. And that’s what I’m prepared to do.
Again, the interview was positive in nature so I don’t want to spin this into a story about how Brady ripped the Patriots. Plus, what he said was true – on a whole, the Pats played flat last year. Their effort against the Ravens in the playoffs was pitiful and it served as a reminder that they’re not the same team as they used to be. Opponents aren’t going to fear them anymore either.
The Pats have gotten by throughout the years thanks to a solid core of veterans and great game plans. But as those veterans have aged, younger players haven’t stepped up to help the team overcome its weaknesses. The Patriots have never had the most talented overall team (save for their 18-1 squad), but you could be rest assured that they would always be prepared and had the mental fortitude to beat you in crunch time. If they’ve lost that, then the Patriots will be in rebuilding mode sooner rather than later.
Photo from fOTOGLIF
