Unexpected? Maybe. Effective nonetheless? Of course.
The cornerback, who called Gillette home from 2005 to 2008, took on his former team on Thursday, when the Patriots set off for Philadelphia. Hobbs' team came out on the short end of a 27-25 contest, and although he may have been disappointed, but there was one thing he was happy to see: Tom Brady back on the field.
And according to Hobbs, this isn't a Brady that appears hampered by the lingering effects of surgeries on his ACL and MCL. He looks just as good as new, and he looks ready to win again.
"He didn't look any different," Hobbs told the Boston Globe after Thursday's game. "He had the brace on, but he looked 100 percent to me."
The face of the franchise played for a little less than a half and completed 10 of 15 passes for 100 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
"I pretty much expected what I saw — accurate throws, taking calculated risks downfield," Hobbs said. "I expect to see him get better and better each week."
It certainly was a relief for Patriots Nation to see Brady back on the field, in uniform, eye black and all. It's an even bigger relief to know that he's the same old Brady he used to be, pre-Bernard Pollard — take it from a guy who's played with him and against him.
He knows best.
