New England Patriots: Tom Brady Already Stirring Up Controversy

Even though the start of the NFL season is approximately three-and-a-half months away, that did not stop Tom Brady from stating how he truly feels about the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets.

In an interview with WEEI, a sports radio show in Boston, Brady added a new element to one of football’s biggest rivalries, by stating that he did not respect the Jets. While Brady did not directly mention the Jets, can you think of any other teams in the NFL that have four letters and just so happen to be green? 

That is how Brady referred to the Jets, and it should come as no surprise that he didn’t specifically mention their name because, after all, his own coach repeatedly refused to mention the name of his one time prodigy, Eric Mangini.

In a rivalry that has been marred by the "Spygate" scandal, this only proves to be the latest twist in the ongoing feud between the Patriots and Jets.

If I was Eric Mangini, Brady’s statement would be posted all over the locker room, to serve as a reminder in more ways than one. 

First, Brady’s statement shows the attitude of an organization, which is proving to be more childish by the day. Between the "Spygate" scandal and Belichick walking off the field during the Super Bowl, it shows that the Patriots' organization simply lacks class. In addition, if I could win a dollar for every time Brady threw a fit and complained about getting hit, I might be as rich as he is.  This leads into my second point as to why Brady should’ve just kept his mouth shut.

Brady is not used to hitting the turf too often—getting sacked only twenty-one times in 2007. Why then would Brady choose to anger a team that only managed to sack him once in two games? Add the fact that the Jets can’t stand him into the equation, and you have a recipe for disaster.

That’s why Mangini should use Brady’s comments not only as a means for motivation, but also as a way to show his players that they need to do a better job at knocking Brady around. By going out and adding key defensive players like Calvin Pace, Kris Jenkins, and Vernon Gholston, putting more pressure on Brady is exactly what the Jets have in mind.  

Maybe Tom Brady should’ve thought a bit more before opening his mouth, and adding fire to a rivalry that was already burning.