‘Free Brady!’ Tom Brady given hero’s welcome in Patriots preseason opener
There were no league commissioners, independent investigators or courtroom sketch artists to sully Tom Brady on Thursday night.
Just a legion of adoring New England Patriots fans who greeted their hero with a rousing ovation in his first game since winning the Super Bowl after an incredible offseason marred by the deflate-gate.
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What started as a t-shirt was continued as a chant at Gilette Stadium in the team’s preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers: “Free Brady!
Brady made a surprise start in the game after it appeared he would not. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick typically adhere to a no-practice, no-play rule, and with Brady missing Tuesday’s session — he was busy battling with the NFL and Roger Goodell over his four-game suspension — it appeared unlikely he’d see the field against the Packers.
But out Brady came, hearing cheers every time his face appeared on the Jumbotron, and he actually played two full series before giving way to Jimmy Garoppolo, who could replace Brady as a starter the first quarter of the season if his suspension is upheld.
They cheered everything — what little — he did on Thurdsday. Here’s the ovation before his first offensive snap.
The Patriots’ defense stopped the Packers inside the 5-yard line on fourth down on the first drive of the game. So it put Brady in his first series, working behind a patchwork offensive line and without four receivers (including Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell), in a precarious spot.
But Brady dropped three steps on his first play and ripped a quick throw that went over the head of Josh Boyce’s head — perhaps a little nervous energy for Brady? He made a better throw to Boyce on third down, a tad high but a catchable ball that Boyce dropped.
On Brady’s second series, he hit on a quick slant to newcomer Brandon Gibson for a gain of 10 and a first down. It would be Brady’s first and only completion of the night. After misfiring to Michael Hoomanawanui, Brady finished his night 1-for-4 passing for 10 yards before taking a seat.
Normally, a one-completion first preseason game for Brady is not too newsworthy. But under these circumstances, with everything going around him now, it felt pretty big.
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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm
