At the charity event yesterday supporting Boston Centers for Youth & Families, Brady addressed several of the issues. Brady will not require surgery to repair injuries to his ribs or thumb; he professed no urgency in extending his contract, which expires in a year; and he believes owners and players remain far apart in reaching a deal to salvage the 2011 season.
Yesterday, he paused his offseason plans to assist the community. Before the season, Brady and Glaceau smartwater, one of the companies he endorses, pledged to donate $5,000 to BCYF for each game in which he was not sacked. The six sack-less games produced a $30,000 check, which Brady presented yesterday.
Brady now will return to the job of ensuring the Patriots, at this time next year, will fill the position now occupied by the Indianapolis Colts. Brady watched the conference title games Sunday, and while doing so he spotted the championship hallmarks lacking from his team this season.
“You never want to rationalize a season, but in reality we did not deserve it,’’ Brady said. “We did not earn it. The teams that are in, they earned it. From what I watched yesterday, you can see why. They played well. They’re tough. They’re physical. They’re smart. They’re disciplined. I hope all the players on our team look at that and say, ‘OK, this is what we’ve got to measure ourselves by.’ ’’
By the end of the season, injuries had diminished Brady’s skills. He played through ribs that were either cracked or fractured and a broken finger on his right hand. But unlike last year, when he recovered from major surgeries, Brady’s offseason will not be defined by rehabilitation. Instead, he is confident he can allow the ailments to heal on their own.
