Brady expects to be 'terrorized' by rush
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) is sacked by Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Paul Kruger during the first half of the AFC Championship. (Jan. 22, 2012) Credit: AP
INDIANAPOLIS -- Dwight Freeney's massive frame glared down from on high as the Patriots' team bus made its way through the streets of downtown Indianapolis.
Here in Colts country, Freeney's menacing stare looms large.
But not this week.
"We drove by Lucas Oil Stadium and you see Dwight Freeney's picture up there -- to come to Indy and not play him is a relief for me," said New England quarterback Tom Brady, who addressed the media Sunday in a charcoal gray suit and black tie. "He's terrorized me plenty of times."
So have the Patriots' next opponent.
"I'll be terrorized by some others," Brady added with a smile, referring to the dominant Giants pass rush he'll face Sunday in Super Bowl XLVI.
Starting with Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora, Brady rattled off the names of their interchangeable front four, a group that poses a much greater threat than Freeney, the Colts' seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end.
"It seems like whoever they put in there can get after the passer," the quarterback said of the Giants. "So it comes down to quick decision-making."
Later, he joked, "Certainly I'm not going to be able to run away from them."
But despite that challenge, Brady seemed somewhat more confident as the Patriots departed for Indianapolis Sunday afternoon. During their send-off at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., Brady told the crowd of fans: "We're going down there for one reason. We're going to give it our best and hopefully we'll have a lot more people at our party next weekend."
When asked during the news conference in Indianapolis for his motive behind the statement, he replied matter-of-factly: "Well, it was a pep rally. So we were excited."
For many players, postseason opportunities -- let alone Super Bowl appearances -- are few and far between. That's why Brady understands the importance of seizing the moment.
After losing to the Giants in Super Bowl XLII, the Patriots missed the playoffs in 2008, lost to the Ravens in an AFC wild-card game the following season, then lost to the Jets in the AFC divisional round.
And as a result of those missed opportunities, Brady said he "certainly" cherishes the here and now.
"I think for all the players, you don't know if this is your last time ever taking the field," he said. "It's a very physical sport and there's a lot of players who go out there one day and the next day, they don't have the opportunity to play again."
The three-time Super Bowl champ lamented his lost season in 2008, when he suffered a knee injury in the season opener and missed the rest of the year. During his recovery, Brady said he spoke "a few times" with Peyton Manning.
"I know how disappointed he is to miss his season," he said of the Colts' veteran quarterback, whose career is uncertain after three neck surgeries. "But if anybody'll get back, it'll be him."
