EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — It was unclear until Thursday evening whether Tom Brady would see the field in the New England Patriots’ preseason finale. And if he did, it surely would be no more than a cameo, maybe a possession or two before handing the reins over to Jacoby Brissett.
Umm, yeah. About that.
After playing just four series over the Patriots’ first three exhibition tilts, Brady remained under center for the entire first half against the New York Giants, logging 39 total snaps in the final game before his four-game Deflategate suspension begins.
“I’m happy I was able to play as much as I did,” Brady said after the game, which the Patriots lost 17-9. “Coach (Bill Belichick) and I talked about it, and it was a good opportunity to get out there and play. I hadn’t played much in the preseason, so (it was nice) just to get out there and feel some game action.”
Playing against a Giants defense mostly made up of second-stringers, Brady shook off a 1-for-6 start that included an interception to finish 16 of 26 for 166 yards and a touchdown. He threw the ball 19 times in the first quarter alone — and ran it once, rumbling 10 yards for a first down before finding Keshawn Martin in the end zone two plays later.
Belichick substituted liberally along the offensive line during the latter part of Brady’s outing, disregarding the potential risk of having a group of reserves protect his franchise quarterback.
“You can’t take insurance out on players,” Belichick said. “If you play football, you play football. I don’t know how you get better at playing football without playing football.”
The Patriots managed just six points with Brady in the game but had three drives cut short by turnovers, including a red-zone fumble by running back D.J. Foster. Tight end Martellus Bennett also coughed the ball up earlier in the half, and Brady threw his first pick of the preseason on New England’s fourth offensive snap.
Wide receiver Aaron Dobson deserved partial blame for the interception, as he did little to prevent cornerback Trevin Wade from undercutting his route. Dobson, who is fighting for a roster spot as New England’s fifth receiver, did redeem himself later in the game, however. He elevated to make an acrobatic catch on a 38-yard completion, Brady’s longest of the night.
“We did a decent job of moving the ball and then turned the ball over too many times,” Brady said. “… A bit frustrating, but hopefully all the guys can learn from it, and we’ve got to do a lot better job next week.”
Jimmy Garoppolo, who’s expected to start Weeks 1 through 4 while Brady serves his ban, was given the night off. Brissett played the final two quarters, going 13-for-21 for 152 yards with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. The third-round draft pick also ran the ball twice for 16 yards and was sacked three times.
Thumbnail photo via Ed Mulholland/USA TODAY Sports Images
