This should be a new year and a clean slate for Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who can put his injuries and rehabilitation in the past.
Brady had to deal with injury issues throughout his 2009 campaign. He was recovering from two torn ligaments in his left knee, a process that had to have had a hand in his fourth-quarter struggles.
And, as NESN.com reported in February, Brady suffered rib injuries on two separate occasions in 2009, first in an Aug. 28 preseason game against the Redskins and again Dec. 6 against Miami. Last week, ESPN.com confirmed Brady broke three ribs.
Brady also broke the index finger on his right hand after hitting it on a teammate's helmet while following through on a throw during a Dec. 4 practice.
Now, more than a year and a half removed from the devastating knee injury and seven months past the broken ribs and finger, Brady can concentrate on the football field without clouding his vision in the medical room.
The quarterback had an excellent set of spring practices, with nearly flawless precision during six of the seven sessions witnessed by the media. The extra time on the field during this spring and summer will obviously benefit Brady and the Patriots in 2010, as opposed to the limitations he faced in 2009. That’s also given him a chance to get a better rapport with wide receivers Julian Edelman, Brandon Tate, Torry Holt and Taylor Price.
Brady looks sharp, and it's reasonable to expect to see him back in prime form. That’s not to say he'll be putting up another 50 touchdown passes, but his health is markedly better this summer and it's already shown on the practice field.
