Brady, Patriots 'In Full Preparation Mode' Even At Minicamp
FOXBORO (CBS) - With the New England Patriots in the middle of their three-day minicamp at Gillette Stadium, quarterback Tom Brady took some time to address the media on Wednesday.
This may only be a minicamp, but Brady said the team is already focused as if the regular season were right around the corner.
"We're in full preparation mode. This is the point when things really start getting ramped up," Brady said. "We had our vacation, a lot of time off, and now it's time to really focus in on what we need to do. We're going to blink and the first game is going to be here. You have about five weeks, and everyone should use it really wisely and get in better shape, get in better football shape; have a better understanding of what we're doing so we can go out there when training camp starts and you can really get off to a great start."
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The Patriots have one more day of minicamp before taking a break before July's training camp. This week has been used to give players an idea of where they are physically, and what to expect for the upcoming season.
"We've done a lot of installation of stuff; there has been a lot of stuff thrown at the players. So mentally, there is probably more than our level of comfort," Brady acknowledged. "But it's nice for everyone to have heard things and cover everything so at least you've heard it when we come to training camp. The coaches really kept the pressure on us to see how much we're retaining from week to week. Guys have worked hard at it and it's been a lot of fun."
"I think it lets everyone know where they're at and what they need to do over the next five weeks," Brady said of the minicamp. "If you feel like you're not real comfortable with everything that we're doing, you have to put a lot time in your playbook. If you feel like your conditioning needs to be better, that's what you need to do. Your strength, that's what you need to do. Your speed, that's what you need to do. So you just can feel pretty comfortable based on how it looks out there, but no one is ready to play a game, I can tell you that."
"We have one more tomorrow and we have to finish strong," added Brady.
Brady said he is feeling good, and weighed in right where he should be -- or where his coach wants him -- at 228lbs.
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But even Brady, a two-time Super Bowl MVP and seven-time Pro Bowler, has a lot to do before getting to game shape.
"I have a long way to go. Nowhere near where I want to be or need to be," he said.
Regardless of how many more drills, practices and camps he needs to go through, Brady wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
"It's the best job in the world as far as I'm concerned. There is nothing I'd rather do," he said. "I probably have more fun than I ever have out there, because you don't take a day for granted. You get a chance to go out and play football and you look forward to those moments of competition. I don't enjoy boredom, so this certainly is not boring. I love coming out here every day and working with this team."
More From Brady:
On Ochocino Being Cut By Patriots:
"There is always a lot of player movement. I loved being with Chad; he's a good friend and a great competitor, and I enjoyed my chance with him and my opportunity to play with him. As a player, you just have to deal with what happens and be the best quarterback I can be."
On What Brandon Lloyd Will Bring To The Offense:
"He's got a unique skillset, so it will take some time to get used to the things he does really well. We haven't had anyone quite like him. Just to understand where he likes the ball placed, how he gets open. He's a very good player so we've got a lot of work ahead in training camp. We're going to have to use every single practice, every rep wisely, because he can be a big part of this offense if we use him really get up to speed."
On No Longer Having His Quarterback Coach Tom Martinez:
"I have to rely on what he's taught me over the years. I have a lot of stuff written down that we talked about and things I learned. I have a great understanding of mechanically what I need to do, it's just a matter of seeing it and being able to correct it. Hopefully you can correct it between series sometimes; you don't have the fortune of waiting until Monday to figure things out, sometimes you have to figure them out in the middle of the third quarter. That is something I have to rely on, everything he's taught me over the years."
