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Peter King on M&M: ‘That’s the way Tom Brady is’ 02.26.13 at 1:28 pm ET
By
Peter King

Peter King

Sports Illustrated’s Peter King, who broke the news about Tom Brady‘s new contract Monday, joined Mut & Merloni on Tuesday to discuss the ramifications of the deal.

King said he thinks Patriots ownership initiated the discussions.

“I think it started with Bob Kraft, he and Jonathan talking, ‘It’s time to try to put a deal together to make sure that Tom Brady never leaves New England. And in addition to that, we need some cap relief.’ It was a good marriage for the Patriots, I thought,” King said.

“And Don Yee, Brady’s agent, I think deserves a lot of credit. You’ll hear a lot of agents, if you talk to them off the record, they’ll really be critical of this deal: ‘Yee got taken to the cleaners, Brady could have gotten a lot more money.’ Of course he could have. Everybody knows he could have. That’s not Brady’s goal. Brady’s goal is to walk into training camp every year — if you told Tom Brady right now that somebody would write him a check for 3 million more dollars this year or he could use that 3 million as part of a deal to go get Dwight Freeney, what would he rather have? He’ll take Freeney any day of the week, I guarantee you.

“Everybody says, ‘Oh, it isn’t really that way.’ It is that way. That’s the way Tom Brady is.”

There has been widespread speculation that part of Brady’s incentive in accepting a below-market deal was so that the team could afford to pay his friend, receiver Wes Welker.

“I don’t know if Tom has said anything to them about Welker. I wouldn’t be surprised, but I don’t know that it’s happened,” King said. “I think the Patriots are basically going to try to say to free agents, ‘Look at what Tom Brady did. If you want to be on board a team that’s going to have a chance to win the Super Bowl every year, you’re going to have to do the same.’

“I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they did it with Dwight Freeney or any of the other guys in free agency — if they want to go for a big franchise receiver, a Mike Wallace. I think that’s going to be an interesting thing to watch, whether any guys they sign take a little bit below their market value because Brady did it.”

With Brady locked up for three more years, the Patriots might consider dangling backup Ryan Mallett on the trade market.

“I don’t hear very much about that,” King said. “I asked some teams at the combine about Mallett, because I keep wondering about him, too. I didn’t sense much of a buzz. That doesn’t mean that one team doesn’t say, ‘I’ll give the Patriots a [fourth-rounder]; he’s better than what we have, or he can compete with our guys,’ and there are a very limited number of teams.

“One guy who might be interested in Ryan Mallett at the right price would be Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals. The reason is Arians wants a deep-thrower, and he wants a deep-thrower that he can develop in his own offense. … I think Arizona’s the most likely scenario, but clearly the Cardinals are looking at the rookie class, and I think they’re probably going to take one of those guys.”

The Ravens are expected to part ways with defensive back Ed Reed, and the Patriots appears poised to make an offer.

“Every time each guy opens his mouth, there’s a love affair between Bill Belichick and Ed Reed,” King said. “I’ve heard everybody say he could go to Indianapolis. I could be wrong, but I think it’s more likely he’d go to New England than Indianapolis. … I still think that New England’s more likely, and I don’t think that he’s going back to Baltimore.”

To hear the interview, go to the Mut & Merloni audio on demand page. For more Patriots news, visit the team page at weei.com/patriots.

Read More: Bob Kraft, Dwight Freney, Peter King, Ryan Mallett Print  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Truth

    oooh the great Brady helped the Pats.  He gets the money guranteed.  So if he flops in a few years he still gets the money people!!

  • Enough Said

    “Everybody says, ‘Oh, it isn’t really that way.’ It is that way. That’s the way Tom Brady is.”

  • Srogan12

    Great win/win move for pats and TB. I love the envy and hate coming from other fans now…

  • Pats4life

    So what if he does flop ? He is a patriot for life and if we are in the playoffs and challenging for a Super Bowl for the next 2 to 3 years its all worth it.

  • Tommy12

    It’s not your money, why do you care? Even as he declines he’ll still be a top 10 QB in the league in three years. I’ll take him till he’s 40. You don’t get guys like this on your teams too often, just enjoy it while you can.

  • Enough Said

    A “flop” for Tom Brady would be what exactly–25 TD’s, 14 INT’s, 3,000-3,500 yards passing? That’s about as badly as I ever expect his stats would ever get, and that’s still a good year for most quarterbacks lol… I still strongly believe the Pats could do what the Broncos did with Elway should the team stay healthy enough.  Only time will tell…

  • Fab4ever

    Who cares! Apparently this gets your panties in a bunch? He left what, 40 million on the table? Watch and see how many other athletes do that…it’s a very, very short list. Take another sip of that dead spin….

  • Dave

    Brady already has more money than he will ever need, but I applaud his contract decision: most egocentric athletes would go for the most they could get, regardless of the team.  They live in a fantasy world, but Brady has always seemed to be more down to earth. 

  • Shennessey

    Not many athletes wife’s make 40 million a year. this was great, but lets not make this guy out to be some saint because of the money. He did it for one reason it gives him a chance to be surrounded by a better team. Brady’s grandchildren will never have to worry about money. It cracks me up when i hear talk about money and athletes, these guys make way too much money and the society of this country is totally out of wrack when it comes to sports and entertainment. Teacher’s, cops, fireman, these are the people that should be making much more money then they are. Not millions of dollars because you can throw a football, or dunk a basketball. And lets not forget 40 million a year because you were lucky enough to be born beautiful. Pats suck anyway so who cares

  • Huffy

    He left crap on the table, he had 3 more years, no-one pays a 38 yer old qb 20 million. What a phony

  • San Diego Dreamer

    We, Pat Fans, love Brady and are happy that he will retire a Patriot. To the rest of you, I understand your envy, he’s not your quarterback.  But we here will remain adult like…..Na, na, na, na, na. 

  • ih8sno

    I had a dream I was Tom Brady once. Then I woke up next to some naked 300lb fatty and realized it wasn’t football we were playing last night!   o_0

  • Rumplestiltskin

    I agree that teachers, Cops, Etc… do more for the country overall but the only way they get a raise is if the gov takes less out of our checks and gives it to them without taking it themselves.  At least these athletes are paid from funds we have a say in.   If you do not like it, do not support it.  Try that with taxes.

  • Rumplestiltskin

    Sorry – meant to say “takes more out of our checks…”

  • Uncle Buck

    Not many trolls are as ridiculous as you.  Get a grip.

  • Uncle Buck

    Just step into the line with the rest of the jealous haters.

  • Rob_karen109

    Ok wacky thought,
    Trade Mallet to the Browns 2nd round pick, 38 I believe 70 3d, sign Tebow, as a backup QB./slash.
    Tight end. EVEN HE HAS TO KNOW BY NOW, HE’S NOT A STARTING NFL QB….
    He could learn some mechanics, for 2-3 years under the best QB on the planet… And maybe then
    Someone would take a chance with him, lets face it a back up QB on this roster is a waste of a spot.
    A versatility is a skill set found up and down on it.

  • Theghostoftito
  • Ty

    It’s not worth even replying to someone who says the Pats suck. He’s just trying to get a rise out of people (most likely to bring some level of amusement/excitement to an otherwise boring, sedentary life).

  • he wants to be the best ever

    I think he also wants to do everything he can to ensure they he goes down as the best or 1 of the 2 best qbs of all time…..i think his legacy matters to him and the only way to do that is by winning.

  • Johnny’s long lost dad

    Johnny Spies Gays (to the real johnny), no comment(s)?  Why you surprise me young man.

  • http://twitter.com/actiontoyxpress ATX

    Uh check your facts dipshit. Ever heard of Peyton Manning? Dree Brees? Both mid 30′s. Both make more than Brady. 

  • Charlie

    Thanks Tom.
    Hope this helps to keep Welker.
    Been a Pats fan since the beginning.
    Remember the bad old days and am enjoying this…every bit!

  • Kc2997

    I was thinking that as well. 
    He’s got these last few years that
    could put him over top of any
    quarterback of all time,
    I say it’s a very smart move on his part.
    Period

  • Anonymous

    You’re a mental midget

  • Anonymous

    so says Terrell Suggs ???

  • mikepatriot

    ok, Brady is wrapped up. I  have altered my view slightly on improvements to the offense being a need.Being the saavy football analyst i am, i warned on this board that poor corner play would be our undoing and i’ve been proven right. I have to also put the emphasis on need for a wide out. I’m no longer convinced that Gronk and or Hernandez are going to be the game changers in playoffs and superbowls. They can’t stay HEALTHY at the same time! This is a HUGE problem going forward. Previously, i advocated for a power running back like corey dillon to make a difference, but the new emphasis should be on a tall (6’3 to 6’5) wide out with leaping ability ala Moss and Burress with great hands and good speed. The teams like Ravens and san fran who are there at the end are sable to stymy our offense because we don’t have this added dimension. OLn the other side of ythe ball, i hope Brady’s contract has opened up cap $$$ for the shutdown corner i have been screaming for. Talib, while good, is not a shutdown corner. we need a shutdown corner if available, on at least one side of the field. some (analysts) will say we need safety help more importantly and i have heard some say that we need TWO good corners. Obviously there are players for positions you’d like to have and those you need above all else. Here is my top three, to either develop or pick up as a f/a; in order of importance- Corner,wideout, sackmaster.

  • Anonymous

    insane Troll

  • Anonymous

    insane Troll

  • Anonymous

    King of the TROLLS

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