Patriots Blog: Brady Expects Tough Test From Raiders Defense
FOXBORO (CBS) -- Tom Brady talked to the media today as the Patriots get ready for the Oakland Raiders. Here's some of what the quarterback had to say
Tom said that despite the Raiders' 0-2 start, they have a lot of good players -- guys who have won a lot of games and a very experienced group.
"I think we're going to get their best shot. It's a very good defense," Brady said. "They're hungry for the ball. They're always trying to strip at it. They've got some playmakers in the secondary – very experienced secondary. [They have] a really good front, active front that gets into the pocket. So, we've got to do a good job all around. It's got to be a great execution."
The penalties have been a problem. Tom admitted they have not done a good job and they just have to be more disciplined because they will lose games.
"A fast way to get you beat is penalties or turnovers, and we haven't done a very good job the first week with turnovers or penalties, and last week it was penalties," Brady said. "We're going to need to do a much better job."
The quarterback said that all 11 guys on offense need to be on the same page. No protection, then no deep play. If they get the protection and he doesn't make a good throw, no play. He believes they have to get it all done in practice.
As for locking in on Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski, Brady admitted he has to do better in the passing game.
"I've got to do a better job finding the other guys because it's a lot of good routes, they're big targets, guys are working really hard to get open," Brady said. "So hopefully it shows up this week in our pass game. We're going to work hard this week to see if we can all be on the same page more often."
Back to the Raiders, Oakland's defensive backfield ranks second in the league in pass defense.
"They've got great coverage guys – one of the most experienced secondaries in the league with Tarell Brown, [Chimdi] Chekwa, Carlos Rogers as the three primary [defensive backs] and then Charles Woodson and [Tyvon] Branch as the safeties," Brady said. "Those guys have a lot of experience. Teams have done a good job running the ball against their defense, but we're going to need to do both. We've got to be able to stay balanced. "
Tom has been around Charles Woodson since college. They were both at Michigan together and he considers him a great friend. Brady feels Woodson looks as good as he ever has and still one of the more dangerous players in the game. But do they ever discuss the infamous Tuck Rule Game from the 2001 playoffs?
"I don't think we've ever talked about that, but I remember it very well, and I'm sure he does, too," Brady said. "He was making plays back then, and he's still making plays the same way"
He says the offense is still working toward becoming a great on. It starts in practice but they have to practice better. "
"I don't think we're ready for the Super Bowl this week," Brady said. "I think we've got a lot of work to go, and certainly playing against Oakland gives us some big challenges because they have a great pass defense, and we have to understand where their strengths are and hopefully go out and execute better than we have the first two weeks."
And as for that fire and intensity that shines through on Sundays?
"It's an emotional game, and I think that level of intensity that I feel is … I've always felt that on game day," Brady said. "We get one chance a week to go out there and play well, and we work really hard year-round for one game a week, 16 weeks a year to have an opportunity to go out there and be at our best. So whatever is happening over the course of the week, you've got to prepare yourself to be at your best for that moment. That really peak performance needs to happen at that time. Whatever you need to do to get to that point, that's what the goal is."
Follow Levan Reid on Twitter @LevanReid.
