Tom Brady answers a question about UofM
From the Freep, I'll post it here so no one else has to go to their site.
One of the toughest parts about being a former Michigan football player these days must be everybody asking for an opinion about what has gone wrong at the ol' alma mater.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady got the question during his weekly appearance on Boston's WEEI radio network Monday morning.
"It's bad," Brady told hosts John Dennis and Gerry Callahan. "Every time I talk to a former teammate of mine, guys who go up to the game, they have no explanation. We've had two pretty rough years.
"Coach Lloyd Carr was a great coach for that school. It's ugly now, especially watching Ohio State beat us like they did, listening to all those jerks."
December 22nd, 2009 at 3:53 PM ^
Is there more of this article that got cut off?
December 22nd, 2009 at 3:56 PM ^
I'll admit (egad) that I read the original article. I think that's all there is to it.
Tom's remarks suggest that he's not a big-picture thinker with appropriate attention to detail. Is he aware that Lloyd was still driving when the '07 squad lost to Appy State and Oregon? (Seriously -- I think some of the Burgundy Blues are already hazy on that point.)
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:06 PM ^
Is this really newsworthy?
Take Tom Brady out and insert any Michigan football fan....
"It's bad"
"We've had two pretty rough years"
"Carr WAS a great coach"
"It sucks listening to jerks."
I'm not complaining that Tom didn't go more into depth with his answer. I'm just confused as to why his response is worth printing.
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:21 PM ^
Yes, I obviously made some assumptions there. But the tone (as much as it can be felt through a Freep article) sounds a lot like "That hillbilly has @#$%ed things up" to me. Why else would he mention Lloyd?
Seriously, does he really know what has gone on in Ann Arbor? Did he see all of last year's draft picks and all the projected ones this year (and next)?
It's a mixed bag, of course. RichRod deserves some of the blame. As well, Brady is as much a "Michigan Man" (whatever that is) as anyone else and he's entitled to pop off.
December 22nd, 2009 at 7:00 PM ^
I guarantee you that the majority of us mgobloggers know more about the current state of our football program than most former players. trust me.
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:11 PM ^
A. that is all of it that pertains to Michigan
B. Because its Tom freaking Brady!
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:15 PM ^
Those quotes were the extent of anything he said about Michigan. It was a quick offhand comment at the end of a 24 minute casual radio interview addressing the New England-Buffalo game.
http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2009/1…
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:22 PM ^
Neg me if you want, but I'm not totally surprised by Brady's response. I have had a sense for some time that Brady is not a super alum like Woodson, Desmond, and other guys who constantly come back and talk up the school. I have no proof of this, but it seems that there is some resentment or anger with how he was treated her - probably stemming from Carr's handling of the Henson situation (I was at UM then, and I remember hearing various rumors that Brady was pretty unhappy with all the Henson love and having his position challenged by the guy). I'm sure he is proud of UM and enjoyed his time there, but I don't remember him ever showing up at games on the sidelines are wearing his UM gear in interviews or really talking up the program. I hate to say it, but Brady sounded a bit like the bandwagon fans that we hear from all the time, the ones who are used to winning and are amazed that the transition from one coaching philosophy to another, with depleted rosters and questionable talent, didn't result in a "down" year of 6-6 and then back to 9-10 wins.
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:43 PM ^
I remember him on the sidelines of one of the Rose Bowls against USC (I think the first one). Irrelevant, but I also remember Jeter being at one of them, too.
December 22nd, 2009 at 5:03 PM ^
I am pretty sure Brady came back to Ann Arbor and attended a football game the year after the Pats won Superbowl XXXVI. If I remember right, he was introduced to the crowd before the game, walked across the field and under the M banner, and got a standing O.
December 22nd, 2009 at 5:04 PM ^
That's been pretty much my take on Brady since he's been in the NFL. Never said anything much negative or positive about Michigan, but I always figured he was unhappy with the whole Henson thing, and justifiably so.
Not sure what the intent of the OP is here...seems like kind of an anti-M deal. Not much context other than "it was great with Carr and now it is bad". Somehow I doubt that was the overall tenor of the comment.
December 22nd, 2009 at 5:50 PM ^
I've seen Brady multiple times after Pats games with Michigan gear on.
December 22nd, 2009 at 7:45 PM ^
I'm sure you are right, but I guess I just don't remember it. I do remember Woodson given millions to the UM hospital, Desmond pumping up Blue on gameday, etc. I'm not trying to criticize Brady, but just something I noticed.
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:38 PM ^
Sorry if I am missing something, but Brady is just telling it like it is. I do not see him bashing the program, but rather stating, we are going through a tough transition in AA.
He doesn't need to explain to the announcers that the "talent" level is low in AA, and that is the reason Mich is struggling. Bottom line, Mich is struggling to produce good to great results.
Just because a former player is not always drinking blue koolaid and states that is seems a little strange to see Mich struggle so much(and is upset about it), doesn't mean he is not supportive
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:46 PM ^
Agreed. It's a morning show. He probably just woke up. And they were kind of just joking about it. I don't buy that he's sort of resentful about Carr and Michigan, since he actually praised Carr. It seems like most of Carr's former players make a point to mention him in interviews like this, probably because he took so much criticism towards the end that some MSM talk like he was forced out. It's more about loyalty to Lloyd than making a statement about Rich Rod.
December 22nd, 2009 at 5:26 PM ^
I've been listening to Brady for many years on WEEI. You could not find a bigger supporter of Michigan. Most of the pro athletes will say little or nothing about their college teams during an interview. Not Tom -- you should have heard him blast Sparty and the timekeepers after a certain game that probably shouldn't be remembered. He backs Michigan and calls out the other teams all the time.
Tom's statements were offhand remarks to a question in the course of a larger interview. I don't think we should read too much into this. He's only voicing the reality that the past two years have been difficult. Does he have to hear ragtime from OSU and MSU players on the Pats? You betcha. Does he hate to hear it? Absolutely.
December 22nd, 2009 at 5:43 PM ^
I agree... Tom Brady is a huge and open Michigan fan. I remember him lobbying for us, in a post game press conference, to go to the National Championship game in 2006 for a rematch. He is a proud Michigan man and no less of a 'Michigan man' than Woodson, Desmond, or anyone else.
December 22nd, 2009 at 6:15 PM ^
bronxblue (from above) said that brady has never been a "michigan man" and then was upvoted 4(FOUR!) whole Mgopoints! who am i supposed to believe?
December 22nd, 2009 at 5:49 PM ^
My take on Brady is he's pretty focused on the Patriots, specifically the offense; his comments for the national media reflect that focus.
December 22nd, 2009 at 6:35 PM ^
I think that's just Tom being Tom. He's super reclusive, in my opinion. People want him to be a Michigan cheerleader because of his obvious success, but I don't think he's the type to get vocal about it. He may wear Michigan gear or whatever, but he won't go to the press and pump up RichRod.
And that's not him dissing Michigan, it's just how he is.
December 22nd, 2009 at 6:42 PM ^
Anyone with a fistful of Super Bowl rings has a right to say anything they want, IMO. And it gets printed because said former Michigan player has said fistful of Super Bowl rings.
December 22nd, 2009 at 7:51 PM ^
id surmise that more than a few former michigan players wear michigan garb -- case in point, right after the cap one bowl, i saw desmond in a grocery store (here in south florida) with his twin boys, who were decked out in michigan sweatsuits, and he was wearing a michigan polo shirt... ive also heard that henne was seen sporting a michigan baseball cap at a mall down here...
December 23rd, 2009 at 1:06 PM ^
He's too busy shtupping actresses and models to care or worry about U of M! :P
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:52 PM ^
He also told the MNF viewing audience that he was rooting for Michigan and not Notre Dame even though his former coach (Fat Charlie) had been handed the head coaching position at ND.
December 25th, 2009 at 9:39 PM ^
"How crappy is Michigan now?"
"Pretty bad, and it's going to get worse."