Tom Brady likes physical practices
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| Tom Brady and Darrelle Revis high five at Patriots practice July 31, 2014 (photo courtesy Patriots.com) |
Interesting day at NFL officiating clinic. Biggest point of emphasis for 2014..Illegal contact and defensive holding. More offense!
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) July 19, 2014
Last time the NFL had this as a major emphasis was 2004 and the number of illegal contact fouls went from 79 to 191.
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) July 19, 2014
So it looks like the NFL wants to help out the wide receivers and quarterbacks, but the Patriots are preparing as if there will be no point of emphasis. Tom E. Curran asked Tom Brady about the physical nature of the Patriots practice repetitions so far in camp.
“That’s just part of football, and I think the best defenses I’ve ever played against – they get their hands on you, and they don’t let you get into your route, and they disrupt the timing. Our corners, Kyle Arrington, and linebackers in coverage do a great job of that, too. But we’ve got to learn to be just as physical. We’ve got to learn to push off in the right way and get our leverage because that’s how it’s going to be when it matters.”
Despite the practice reps being disrupted, which according to Curran raises Brady’s ire, he is happy to know his defensive teammates are going to aggressive going forward as Brady said.
”But that same thing goes for the defensive backfield. If there is a way to gain leverage on a particular route then you’re going to use it. The veterans know how to do it better; they know right where the limit is.”
It is going to be different watching the Patriots defense jam receivers off the line instead of allowing short catches and being tackled immediately. Brady and the receivers working against Darrelle Revis and the secondary will strengthen two of the already strongest parts of the 2014 Patriots.
