Tom Brady made sure if the New England Patriots lost Super Bowl XLIX, it wasn’t going to be from a lack of preparation.
The legendary quarterback might be addicted to preparing, according to a fascinating story published Monday morning on The MMQB website. Peter King spoke at length with Brady and Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels about their incredible fourth-quarter comeback to shock the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl.
On multiple occasions, Brady outlines the studying he did leading into the big game.
“I watched a lot of tape — our game with them from two years ago three times, Dallas this year multiple times, their championship game against Green Bay three times,” Brady told King in a recent interview. “I’m always trying to match the perfect amount of physical preparation with the right mental preparation. And I’m 37, I’ve got to get a lot of rest. I am a person that relies on my sleep.”
Brady says all that studying helped the Patriots pick up patterns in the Seahawks’ coverage, which they took advantage of in the fourth quarter. That was especially evident on the first of the Patriots’ two scores when Brady found Danny Amendola in the back of the end zone.
“Tom learns from everything, and he doesn’t let it bother him. What happened next was Tom took advantage of (Seahawks safety Earl Thomas) not being quite as aggressive as he could have been,” McDaniels explained to King the night of the Super Bowl. “And Danny Amendola played the back of the end zone perfectly. Tommy knows, in the tight red area, you always have to err away from the defender.”
Brady had a simpler explanation for the score.
“Earl was indecisive, thank God.”
The Patriots, of course, scored the eventual game-winning touchdown on their next drive. The score not only gave Brady his fourth Super Bowl ring, but it also provided a little bit of retribution after he threw two costly interceptions earlier in the game.
“I haven’t thought about that yet — two touchdowns in that short a time against them. I felt good that we got the lead. I was THE reason we lost the lead,” Brady revealed to King. “I felt like my teammates can count on me. I felt satisfied I overcame those two interceptions. I never want to be the reason why we lose.”
That’s just a sampling of the entire story which is a must-read for Patriots fans.
Click here to read “The Super Bowl Story, According To Tom Brady” >>
Thumbnail photo via Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports Images
