2012 SI article: How Michigan & Brady made "Tom Brady"
This Sports Illustrated article by Michael Rosenberg from 2012 reminds me of the reasons I've been a fan of Tom Brady.
I thought others here might also be interested to take a look back a decade, at what had forged him and forecast what was yet to come.
https://vault.si.com/vault/2012/01/09/tom-brady-as-you-forgot-him
February 5th, 2023 at 10:09 AM ^
Rosenberg!
February 5th, 2023 at 3:06 PM ^
Shoulda checked with you first.
February 5th, 2023 at 10:12 AM ^
From
To
February 5th, 2023 at 10:16 AM ^
How do you like me now!
February 5th, 2023 at 12:39 PM ^
Ring sizes are getting a little crazy. I half expect there to be a whistle on some of these.
February 5th, 2023 at 3:33 PM ^
Nothing tells the Tom Brady story better than juxtaposing those 2 images!
Every time Michigan haterz (of which there are LEGION!) counter TB12's accomplishments with "you guys never wanted him anyway!" I say we had to learn to appreciate what everyone knows now - that dedication, persistence & drive will often overcome perceived natural advantages.
In that article it describes that Lloyd had to learn to appreciate accuracy - and cool under pressure. Stop fawning over the guy who looks the part, play the guy who gets it done!
As a Wolverine Niners fan, I had come to see the parallels between Brady & Montana by the time the '00 draft came - I banged the drum for them to draft Tommy to anyone who'd listen. But no - they drafted Giovanni Carmazzi, he of the 0 career NFL pass attempts!
Bet he looked much better in his underwear at the combine tho!
February 5th, 2023 at 4:43 PM ^
And some of us did like him at the time. It's not true, at all, that everyone wanted Henson to start over him. It was a big debate in the fanbase in the '99 offseason. And then, after Brady played well in the opener against ND, a lot of fans were convinced he needed to be the guy.
February 5th, 2023 at 10:41 PM ^
To this day, still think the ‘99 team wins the national championship if Brady pays full-time the entire year (and Henson comes in with special packages like JJ did last year).
February 5th, 2023 at 10:31 AM ^
Sometimes, being doubted is the best motivator. Had a few acquaintances back in the "old neighborhood" who summed it up pretty neatly (if profanely) with a competitive mantra: "fuck me? No, fuck you!. Watch this!".
Possibly a better way to state this to more polite friends and family might be: "success is the best revenge".
Regardless. Winning (re)solves everything. 👍
February 5th, 2023 at 11:29 AM ^
Drives me nuts when people say “oh, everything was handed to him or her” when I know how much they work their asses off!
February 5th, 2023 at 12:18 PM ^
And then pair that with lazy conversations about how lazy players are. . .
February 5th, 2023 at 10:37 AM ^
My big takeaway from the article:
Tom Brady owned all his decisions, Drew Henson coughed up his ownership to his dad, and acted like it.
This sounds like a harsh take on Drew, but what child doesn't look to his parents for direction. Let's just say Drew got inadequate direction from his dad.
February 5th, 2023 at 1:52 PM ^
At least Drew admitted it. But disappointed in Brady's father. Needs to have more respect for what Carr did.
Sugar Shane pulled the same crap, that they couldn't take a QB after him. Players who demand that we must avoid going forward.
February 5th, 2023 at 3:14 PM ^
If you’re gonna say that you’re the only one, you better not suck
February 5th, 2023 at 3:49 PM ^
No - he got $2 million from the Yankees! And played QB at Michigan! His Dad did ok by him.
Henson looked at virtually his entire 2000 offense heading off to the draft (all 5 OL were drafted i believe?) and he headed off to the guaranteed $ of the Yanks. But he didn't announce it until after crootin was over, so Michigan had no chance to sell his imminent departure to highly ranked QBs.
The problem then for Michigan was, as the article details, Lloyd hadn't taken a QB in the class before Henson, and in the '99 class they signed Navarre & I believe Mignery was also supposed to be a QB. Lloyd wouldn't sign another Blue Chip QB after Henson in '98 until Henne in '04.
Henson bailed on Michigan to do what he thought was best for himself. With his father's input maybe, but his timing SUCKED!
February 5th, 2023 at 10:45 AM ^
Ohhhhh - a Michael Rosenberg link... Tsk tsk tsk...
Blue Vet, you're about to be negged by a very vocal group of MGoBlogger's who remember the guy that broke Stretchgate and have, ahem, harsh feelings for him. He's been kinda shadow-banned here for a while, along with general Freep links. Good luck to you.
(Personally, I will not downvote a Tom Brady link.)
February 5th, 2023 at 11:12 AM ^
Suit yourself. I won't easily forget a Michigan Daily alum promoting himself -- and lying -- at the expense of his alma mater.
February 5th, 2023 at 11:46 AM ^
Drew Sharp says hi.
February 5th, 2023 at 1:44 PM ^
He also says, "Boy, they weren't kidding - it really IS hot down here."
February 5th, 2023 at 11:40 AM ^
who remember the guy that broke Stretchgate and have, ahem, harsh feelings for him
And rightfully so. Let's not go all in on being revisionist historians and act like the Freep hasn't earned it.
Fuck that guy.
And fuck Drew Sharp too.
Being critical and intellectually honest of something is one thing. The Freep's tabloid reporting and sensationalism is quite another.
February 6th, 2023 at 8:10 AM ^
Never too late to write a "review" of his book along with others. Easy and fun and every bit as helpful as his reporting to the University. Therapeutic.
February 5th, 2023 at 1:07 PM ^
Yeah. We always face choices in life. Rarely is anything absolute.
So on one hand: an insightful look at how Michigan & Brady's determination forged the great player we claim as one of our own. On the other hand: that writer.
On balance, I don't regret my choice and I'll live with the consequences.
Go Blue. Beat THE.
February 5th, 2023 at 1:54 PM ^
Well, Rosenberg been shown to be right about RR. Wasn't fit for Michigan. But he still shouldn't have done that.
February 5th, 2023 at 2:07 PM ^
You're a good example of a valuable response.
Expressing disagreement and explaining why is part of a healthy conversation.
February 5th, 2023 at 5:21 PM ^
iirc one of the worst things about stretchgate was interviewing incoming freshman and quoting them about how hard they were pushed as if they had any type of barometer/experience for the effort required to make it at the college level. Parts of the story were deliberately written out of context.
February 5th, 2023 at 8:31 PM ^
Parts of the story were deliberately written out of context.
Nailed it.
February 5th, 2023 at 11:05 AM ^
Read this one, it isn't by an enemy of the people.
February 5th, 2023 at 11:15 AM ^
Yeah, we all like Brady, but you’re dredging up an 11 year old article by Rosenberg? I refuse to give that asshole a click.
February 5th, 2023 at 11:17 AM ^
Cade should have stayed, and competed. Even if didn't see field, it's have elevated him, stewing to be better.
February 5th, 2023 at 12:38 PM ^
I respect Cade's decision. It isn't 1999. NIL wasn't a factor then. Cade isn't Tom. J.J. isn't Drew. Harbaugh isn't Carr.
Cade has a Michigan degree. We can claim him as ours. He can claim us as his. Time to let him go. He can elevate himself at Iowa and see the field. I wish him well.
February 5th, 2023 at 1:53 PM ^
He led Michigan to a championship! Definitely ours, all but any games against Iowa.
February 5th, 2023 at 12:20 PM ^
Thankfully the portal didn't exist in 1997.
February 5th, 2023 at 1:55 PM ^
Yeah that is it. Immediate playing time. Might bite Cade in ass. Because in 1997 he'd have likely stayed.
February 5th, 2023 at 12:34 PM ^
I hate to see anyone pout and quit, but Cade and the Hawkeyes' offense are a perfect fit.
February 5th, 2023 at 3:18 PM ^
This article egregiously stretched out too long. I don't sanction this form of expose'.
February 6th, 2023 at 8:57 AM ^
I never understood Carr’s thinking regarding Brady and Drew. Brady always played consistently better than Drew. Drew to me was more athletic but want as accurate as Tom.
But it all worked out Drew never did anything in baseball or football and obviously we all know what Brady accomplished as being the the 🐐
February 6th, 2023 at 9:00 AM ^
Bill Bonds says cheers 🍻 to Brady.