Tom Brady: Just Shut Up!

Let me begin bysaying that I am not a Tom Brady fan.  He is one of my least favoritefootball players of all time.  Yet, though I despise him I have grown torespect him over the last couple of years.

In a day and age in which we see professional athletes getting DUIs, variousfelonies and misdemeanors and having many other legal issues, you never see TomBrady involved in any of that.

He handles himselfwith a certain amount of style and grace usually only accomplished by interiordesigners and homosexuals.

He also has a unique ability to say just the right thing in interviews andpress conferences, but not this time. This time he gave me something to work with.

I feel that it is my responsibility as a Brady basher to "bash" himwhile he has given me a rare opportunity to do so.

Wednesday, on WEEI's The Big Show (a Boston radio show), Brady made commentsdirected toward the medias a whole and ESPN in particular casting blame for theescalation of the Spygate scandal.

Brady said "I wish people would try to study a game and focus their energyon trying to analyze the games better, rather than the stuff that's notimportant like this whole camera stuff. I think it's a way to really sellnewspapers. And all the ESPN stations, they've got to fill the air, too,"

First of all, Tom, it IS important.  It is so important that NFLCommissioner Roger Goodell, who actually seems to be on the New EnglandPatriots side in all of this, felt that it was necessary to fine Bill Belichickand the Patriots three quarters of a million dollars and take away their 2008first round draft pick.

Brady also said "I think it's just kind of the environment right now. Ithink that's the way guys make it. They say the craziest things.  That'swhat ESPN has become. ESPN, to me, is like MTV without the videos. They justhave highlights instead."

Here's the thing about that, Tom.  ESPN is a ratings driven station, justlike every other media outlet.  Their function is to tell news storiesthat people want to hear.  And if you think that the best team in the mostpopular sport in the nation being caught cheating is not what people want tohear about then in the words of ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd "Wow, you'redumb."

People DO want to hear that.  It was and still is the biggest story in theNFL!

I have news for you, Tom.  This situation was not caused by ESPN or therest of the media, it was caused by your coach and his blatant disregard for anNFL rule.

And don't think for a moment that anyone with a brain is buying the fact thathe misinterpreted the rule.  Any fool could read that rule and understandit, and Bill Belichick is no fool.

The Patriots violated the following rules:
1. Page 105 of the Game Operations manual says: "No video recordingdevices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches' booth, on thefield, or in the locker room during the game." It later says: "Allvideo shooting locations must be enclosed on all sides with a roofoverhead."

2. And, a memo from Ray Anderson, NFL head of football operations, to headcoaches and GMs on Sept. 6, 2006 said: "Video taping of any type,including but not limited to taping of an opponent’s offensive or defensivesignals, is prohibited on the sidelines, in the coaches’ booth, in the lockerroom, or at any other locations accessible to club staff members during thegame."

Tell me you don’t understand that, Tom. My two year old can understand that.

Tom Brady, you are making yourself look like an idiot.  Why don't you doyourself a favor and JUST SHUT UP!