New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady addressed the media Wednesday for the first time since the start of training camp last week.
Brady was asked about a number of issues, including why he chose to bulk up in the offseason, Rob Gronkowski's retirement and the ongoing discussion about his contract status.
Here's what he had to say:
- On the new players who joined the team this offseason: "There's a lot of turnover, you know every year you deal with the turnover. A lot of new guys trying to assimilate into what we've done here for a long time. It's really up to them to get up to speed, and everyone here has gotta help them get there. It's our responsibility to get everyone on the same page and doing the right thing."
- On practicing in the sweltering heat: "This is part of the challenge, whether it's like this in late July, August or whether it's freezing cold in December, January and February, you've gotta be able to deal with it. The elements are a factor. We're not basketball players, we're not hockey players. We deal with the elements."
- On his offseason weight gain: "I focused on a lot of things, I really did. Every year has its different challenges. I wanted to get a little bigger this year and put on a few more pounds and try to absorb the hits a little more. I worked pretty hard at that. It was good. I still realized when I got here I wanted to be a little more fluid. There's a difference between getting really dense and obviously getting more pliable."
- On the difficulty of leaving his family during football season: "The last couple years it's been really great for me to spend offseasons with them, and really fill up that bucket and give them the time and support and love they need. Because when I'm here doing my thing, my wife's gotta hold down the fort, and she has put a lot on hold over the years to support my dreams, and I feel like it's my responsibility as a husband to do the same for her. She's happy when I get back to football because she knows how happy I am. It was a great offseason, but now it's time for football and I think everyone in our family is prepared for that."
- On working out with suspended wide receiver Josh Gordon: "There weren't many opportunities. He was around and I needed someone to catch. I've always loved playing with him, and obviously I hope everything works out for him. I'm hoping for the best, certainly."
- On the impact of Rob Gronkowski's retirement on the offense: "He's a great player. To replace great players, it's not like you just pick another one off the tight end tree. Between the guys we have out here now, those guys are trying to do everything they can do. They're all new players, so we gotta figure out how to get them up to speed."
- On whether he thinks he's in a good place: "I've had such a great experience over a lot of years. I appreciate this team and the opportunity it gave me in 2000. I play for a great coach, Bill Belichick and Josh (McDaniels) and I have a great relationship. I love Mr. Kraft and his family. We've had incredible success, so hopefully we can keep it going."
- On being in the final year of his contract: "We're all day to day if you think about it. None of us are really promised anything. I'm trying to do the best I can do today and just let those things sort themselves out."
- On whether he deserves a contract extension: "I don't know. That's up for talk show debate. What do you guys think?"
- On whether his practice time might be limited going forward: "There's no schedule or anything like that. I just try to take it day by day and just get out and practice. That's what football players do."
Brady and the Patriots kick off their preseason schedule against the Detroit Lions on Aug. 8.
