FOXBORO, Mass. — The speculated breach between former teammates Tom Brady and Darrelle Revis? It doesn’t exist, according to the New England Patriots quarterback.
The New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta wrote Thursday that Revis’ comments this offseason about Deflategate caused a “rift” in the cornerback’s relationship with Brady. A five-second video posted to NFL.com titled “Patriots Tom Brady blows by Jets Darrelle Revis during postgame handshake” apparently confirmed Mehta’s belief. In reality, Brady didn’t exactly blow by Revis. He shook his hand as he ran off the field.
Brady was queried point-blank about the column Thursday at Gillette Stadium.
“Has your opinion of him changed at all from him being here to now based on anything that happened this offseason?” a reported asked Brady during his press conference.
“No. Nah,” Brady said.
Brady also had some excessively kind words for the New York Jets cornerback, who helped New England win Super Bowl XLIX in his lone season with the Patriots.
“It was great having him as a teammate,” Brady said. “He brings a lot to the defense he plays on. …Â We played him a bunch of times when he played for the Jets and then Tampa. We played him here, back to the Jets. Basically, we’ve played against him every year in some form or fashion. He’s just a great player. I think he does a lot of things really well, and it’s fun to watch him play.
“I think he has a very unique style. He certainly locks his guy down. I think that’s pretty impressive, to do it as many years as he has. It’s not a simple scheme for a guy like that, because it puts a lot of pressure on those corners. It’s like having two offensive tackles that you don’t ever give help to. Whoever they go up against, they go up against. It’s pretty impressive to see what he’s accomplished this year, what he’s accomplished every year. He’s a great player.”
Perhaps Brady was offended by Revis’ comments, but he’s choosing to publicly take the high road, which is typical for the quarterback. Regardless, the extent of Brady and Revis’ relationship shouldn’t be judged by a five-second video clip. The two will have a second chance to meet after Sunday’s matchup between the Patriots and Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Thumbnail photo via David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports Images
