When Tom Bradymet the media this morning, the first question he faced was, "So, what's new?"
It was a rhetorical question, as word had already leaked that Brady's wife, Gisele Bundchen, had given birth late yesterday to the couple's first child together. After playfully dodging the issue at first – "Just a normal week," was Brady's initial response – he confirmed that he now has another son, though they haven't yet decided on a name for him.
A clearly sleep-deprived Brady then explained why he was at work so soon after the child's birth.
"Obviously, it's a wonderful experience in my life," Brady said. "I owe it to the guys in my locker room to be focused on what I need to do for this team. That's kind of where I'm at today, putting all those emotions aside and coming in here with a great sense of determination for what we have to do as a team.
"As a captain and a leader of this team, the last thing they need from me is not to be focused on the job at hand. There are plenty of things for me to be doing here this week. Oh yeah, oh yeah, it's really a normal week for me in that sense. I got a lot of work done on our home day (Tuesday) and I had stuff to do here yesterday. So … that's part of what we do."
As for his domestic situation, Brady said mother and child are both doing well, but declined to comment further on them at this point.
"Everyone's great," he said with a smile. "I didn't get much sleep, but … I think that's most of us around here this time of year."
Four Patriots sent home
The other talk of the town today was the reprimanding of four players – WR Randy Mossand LBs Adalius Thomas, Gary Guyton, and Derrick Burgess– who were late for this morning's 8 a.m. team meeting. The news was first reported by *The Providence Journal's *Shalise Manza-Young.
With the southern New England area being hit by a snowstorm in the early morning hours and during the rush-hour commute, many people found themselves running late for work, including, it seems, these four Patriots.
The first question head coach Bill Belichickfaced at this mid-day press conference was on this subject.
"Anything that happens with discipline stays between me and the players," he responded.
He was then asked if those players would participate in practice, but he refused to say one way or the other.
Brady was also asked about this subject, when the topic of leadership was broached. He was genuinely surprised that word had already leaked out to the media.
"Um … you guys find out everything these days," he said with a smile.
"That's coach's decision," he added.
Welcome to Foxborough
While four players were sent home, two new ones arrived for their first day of work as Patriots. The team has had one free roster spot on the practice squad since WR Terrence Nunnwas claimed by the Tampa Bay Bucs a few weeks ago. New England filled that spot, plus another, by signing free agent QB Jeff Roweand WR Darnell Jenkins.
To make those moves, The Patriots placed DB Bret Locketton injured reserve with a groin injury, thus ending his season, and elevating DL Titus Adamsfrom the practice squad.
Rowe, a 6-5, 221-pounder from the University of Nevada, was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2007 and spent the '08 season in Seattle. He was cut by the Seahawks at the end of training camp this year and has been working out at his home in Reno ever since, hoping for another NFL opportunity. He worked out for the Patriots last week before being signed this week. Jenkins, a University of Miami product, has bounced around the NFL for the past year.
Rowe arrived at Gillette Tuesday morning and has been scrambling to learn as much of the Patriots playbook as possible as quickly as possible.
"Big fan of the quarterback growing up," Rowe said of his new teammate, Brady, "so, I'm excited to be here."
Asked how he likes the New England weather, Rowe didn't hesitate.
"Love it," he laughed, "There's two feet of snow in Reno, so, it's better than that."
Wednesday locker room/practice notes
Brady and the four players who were reprimanded were not at practice this afternoon, along with RB Fred Taylor, and DLs Myron Pryorand Ty Warren. Whether Brady's absence was injury-related (he's dealing with a finger problem on his throwing hand as well as the usual right shoulder issue) or baby-related remains unclear.
Given the inclement weather, today's session took place inside the Dana-Farber Field House. The team wore shells and sweats for the workout.
