Brady's Absence from Voluntary Workouts Causing a Stir

Tom Brady's noticeable absence from offseason voluntary workouts has sparked more than a few conversations on sports radio throughout New England over the past week. But according to reports out of southern California, there's really no reason to worry.

While one article has Brady throwing a football around at USC's complex, another shows Tom throwing punches in a California boxing gym. It's clear whether in the ring or on the field, Brady's thinking about staying active, staying in shape, and staying on his toes.

Many worry that because Brady isn't at the stadium in Foxboro, like Jerod Mayo (who has reportedly moved in full time within a mile of the team's home stadium), that maybe he's not as interested in football as he once was.  Since suffering a knee injury in the 2008 opener, in fact, rumors have consistently circulated around New England that maybe Brady wouldn't come back. Or that maybe when he did, he wouldn't really be that interested in playing anymore.  

Who could blame someone for buying into such rumors? After all, he has a super model at home along with three super bowl rings. With little left to accomplish between the lines, and a dream life awaiting him along the beaches in beautiful southern California, one could hardly blame the man if he just decided to retire.

What these reports show, however, is that Tom Brady is just as interested and competitive as he's ever been. He's just as hungry as the first day he saw Robert Kraft, after being selected 199th overall in the draft and told him "I'm gonna be the best decision you ever made." 

Brady isn't the kind of guy that can quit, I don't think. He pushed through injury after injury last year, fighting off busted ribs, fingers, and pains throughout most of his body in the interest of helping his team win. He pushed hard to come back after what to some could have been a career-ending injury.

I understand how disheartening it is that being in New England, most of these California guys can't wait to get back home and away from the snow once the season's over. That's really a whole different conversation, and trust me I'm going to write an article about the lack of hometown loyalty in sports. But, again, that's for a different discussion.  

The fact is, despite the fact that the closest fans of Brady's don't see it, despite the fact he's not as close to the community in the offseason as a fan would like, he's doing what he needs to do to lead our favorite team back to the top of the league.