Kraft: ‘Nothing to See Here’
Patriots owner Robert Kraft isn’t worried about Tom Brady skipping out on OTAs this year. Kraft according to NFL Network said: “These are voluntary workouts… I think he’s in great shape. I think he’s at an age where he’s blessed to have 3 children, has responsibilities. It’s hard to fulfill those during the season.” Also, Kraft confirmed Rob Gronkowski will be at minicamp in June.” On Brady’s relationship with Bill Belichick, Kraft said, “nothing has changed.” Overall, sportsbooks tend to agree. Many of them, including NetBet, still have the Patriots as the odds on favorite to win Super Bowl LIII.
Bill Belichick at Tuesday’s Press Conference
However, yesterday Bill Belichick said that he won’t talk about the players that aren’t participating in the OTAs. Belichicks quote on Monday was, “The guys who are here are improving, they’re working hard. Those are the guys we’re going to focus on.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHRZr4T4bR8
Brady’s Comments in 2013 on How the OTAs Are Important
Back in 2013, Tom Brady spoke about how the OTAs are important for preparation. Brady said, “[Bill Belichick] talks about, you think it’s just an OTA in the springtime and it’s not that important and all those things that probably could enter your mind. The truth is, this lays the foundation for the start of training camp and if you have a good training camp, it usually means a good start to the season. A good start to the season leads to good position entering the second half of the season. Everything ends up having some significance to it. You’re not just out here running plays and going through different things that aren’t going to mean anything.
We’re out here trying to get a lot of things accomplished. I think we have done that, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. It’s really never ending, especially when you play for Coach Belichick. Especially in practices when the offense goes against the defense because if the offense makes a play then the defense sucked and if the defense makes a play then the offense sucked so someone is really going to get yelled at on every play. There’s always lowlights when we come in on the next day.
Even if it was a great offensive play, he’s going to yell at someone on the defense. We’ve become a bit used to that now and that’s part of the learning process and also learning how to play for the Patriots and understand the criticism that you’re getting and hopefully use it constructively so you can improve as a player.”
Robert Kraft Is in the Middle
Kraft is sticking up for his player, while also trying to appease Belichick with granting Guerrero limited access to the stadium. Guerrero is not happy about it, which could also be the reason for Brady to not be going to the OTAs. Kraft is basically in the middle of this whole mess.