Tom Brady Back At Practice

Added on Jan 19, 2012 by Jack Thurman in

NFL

Tom Brady missed practice on Wednesday with what was described as a ‘sore shoulder’ but more likely just a day of rest. He was back at work on Thursday and looking to downplay any concern that he’ll be less than 100% when the Pats face the Baltimore Ravens this weekend.

Brady–who has been a frequent mention on NFL injury reports though has missed precious little playing time in recent years–said that head coach Bill Belichick felt it wise for his quarterback to have some more recuperative time this week:

“It’s not the first practice I’ve missed over the years. Coming off a game on Saturday or Sunday, you’re just doing everything you can to be prepared. When Coach [Bill Belichick] feels it’s best to do other things to get yourself ready, that’s what you do. You can still use all that time very wisely. You’re not lounging around taking naps or anything like that. You’re just putting in extra work and make sure you’re getting prepared.”

“When I miss a practice, you know, you just try to do other things to get yourself ready to go. So, catch up on your film work, get some extra treatment and so forth. It’s just a matter of being as prepared as we can for Sunday. I’ll certainly be as prepared as I possibly can be.”

A similar situation happened before the game against the Denver Broncos–Brady appeared on NFL injury reports but went on to rip the Broncos in historic fashion:

“I just missed practice, that’s all. Not much more than that, really. We’re facing a great team, great challenges — certainly the best team we’ve faced all year. Everyone needs to be at full strength, though. It’s going to be a very physical, tough, hard-nosed game. We need everyone at full strength.”

With the NFC’s two top contenders–Green Bay and New Orleans–the victims of early upsets the Patriots are now the Super Bowl betting favorite at sportsbooks in Nevada and offshore. The dramatic turn of events last weekend sets up a number of interesting scenarios including a potential rematch of the Patriots’ shocking loss to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl at the end of their undefeated season.