My NFL Forums | NFL Forums & Blogs

After missing entire 2008 season, Tom Brady weighs in on NFL future

Tom Brady is a few pounds heavier and wearing a knee brace he would rather do without. The Patriots quarterback also is back on the field with a new outlook on his career.

Meeting with the media for the first time since suffering a devastating knee injury in last year's season opener, Brady said Thursday he is still rusty but has moved on from the injury with a new appreciation for football. "The reality is in this sport, you really never know. ...Any day could be your last day in football," Brady said after Patriots practice yesterday in Foxborough. "You come out and it's a very physical game and I think you're just grateful for having a chance to compete in practice and be on a team and having a great job. I don't think about the end too often."

"(But) when you sit on the sidelines for an entire year, you realize how much you love it," Brady added. "Not that you need that to happen to be grateful to play, but you experience things in a much different way and a way that I never experienced as an athlete. I love being out here."

Brady tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee on Sept.7 when Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard ran into him on a tackle. Brady said he felt bad for himself for a night before moving on. He underwent surgery on the knee on Oct.6 and later experienced post-surgical complications, namely an infection that he downplayed yesterday. It usually takes anywhere between eight to 12 months to recover from such an injury, but Brady said he does not feel limited at all.

"I feel as good as I could possibly feel," said Brady, who made no promises or predictions about whether he will be ready for the season opener on Sept.14 against Buffalo. "I don't think about it. It doesn't bother me doing anything. It's feeling really good and it's about as good as I can say. I'm real happy with where I'm at."

Besides rehabbing his knee, Brady spent his time away from the game getting married to supermodel Gisele Bundchen while also seeing his 21-month-old son Jack. Now he is ready to get back to throwing TD passes to Randy Moss, Wes Welker and new addition Joey Galloway.

"There's been great things happening in my life for a long time and certainly this year was no different," Brady said. "It's a great part of my life and so is work. I'm excited for all those things coming together. I think I'm a happier person when I'm working."

BY Ohm Youngmisuk
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER