Tom Brady: 5 Biggest Questions About the New England Patriots QB's Workouts

During the current NFL lockout, many NFL players are gathering on their own to work out, so they are prepared in case there is a season.

The members of the New England Patriots gathered recently for workouts, led by All-Pro quarterback Tom Brady. It is no surprise that Brady has gathered the players, since he is the most prominent leader on the field and the face of the franchise.

Here are the five biggest questions surrounding the Tom Brady-led workouts.

Do the Workouts Help or Hurt?

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots carries the ball in the first half against the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

On the surface it would seem that the workouts are always a plus. The team gathers together and they get to work alongside one another for the first time, as they get ready for the season.

But it may not help everyone.

Many players have their own offseason workout plans, and this type of workout disrupts the offseason for some players. The perfect example is wide receiver Julian Edelman.

Edelman usually spends his offseason working out in Los Angeles and changing his routine by going to New England could disrupt his preparation.

Who Gains the Most from Workouts?

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew

The rookies are the ones that gain the most from attending these workouts. Many of them have yet to even meet their teammates, until this workout.

Rookies Nate Solder, Ras-I Dowling, Shane Vereen and Ryan Mallett all attended this workout.

These players needed this workout to get a feel for what they should be doing as professional football players. It gave them a chance to not only meet other players but also to get much-needed advice and a first glimpse at the plays that will be used during the season.

Can Injured Players Benefit from Workouts?

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Aaron Hernandez #85 and Alge Crumpler #82 of the New England Patriots celebrate Crumpler's catch during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rog

The short answer is no. Injured players show up to these types of workouts as sign of solidarity. They won’t have any doctors or trainers at the workouts and will not be able to participate.

It’s a good thing to show support for your team, but for injured players, this is a waste of time.

Is This a PR Move for Brady?

Tom Brady has had somewhat of an image problem of late. He spends most his time in California and so far his offseason has been spent on water slides and dancing the night away. It’s normal for plenty of people to spend their summer vacationing at Disney, but it could make it look like Brady is not focusing on football.

This workout is planned for many reasons, and one of them could very well be to repair Brady’s image.

Will the Workouts Make the Patriots a Better Team Next Year?

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GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 03: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on during Super Bowl XLII against the New York Giants on February 3, 2008 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Giants defeated the Patriots

Not likely. It will help in some areas but will not do anything to make the Patriots a better team.

It will help with the rookies, as mentioned, and it may raise morale but that is the extent of things. The practices are watered down and they do not have access to the normal facilities and all of the perks that come with it.

This is a good move by the team and its players, but in the long run it will not have any major benefits for the team.

James Brown is a B/R Featured Columnist. Feel free to contact James at [e-mail].