FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Tom Brady rejected the notion that he was “liberated” when the Patriots traded backup Jimmy Garoppolo earlier this season.
The Patriots quarterback spoke on the "Kirk & Callahan Show" on WEEI radio on Tuesday morning and discussed last week’s ESPN story. Among the many things reported about Brady was that he was upbeat when Garoppolo was traded to the San Francisco 49ers.
Brady disputed that report along with many other things in the story.
“I think that is such a poor characterization," Brady said. "In 18 years I have never celebrated when someone has been traded, been cut. I would say that is disappointing to hear that someone would express that, or a writer would express that because it is so far from what my beliefs are about my teammates. I think I am very empathetic about other people’s experiences. I know those situations aren’t easy."
Brady said there was no basis to the report that he was upset about not being named the Patriot Player of the Week. He added that he shook his head at that part of the ESPN story. Among other things that painted Brady in a negative light was that Garoppolo tried to get treatment at the TB12 Center, but was locked out.
Brady said he had a great relationship with Garoppolo and loved working with the young quarterback.
“Again, it’s hard to even answer those questions," Brady said. "It is so far from any truth that I know, or any characterization of my relationship with my teammates. I have never denied anybody anything in regards to TB12. I have always found it very flattering when teammates go there. Again, I think this speaks to someone whether it is the writer himself, or whoever he spoke to, what agenda they might have in painting some type of picture.”
White ready to go
Prior to this season, James White never missed an NFL game due to injury. He was a healthy scratch for 13 games his rookie year and for two games in 2015. But over the last three seasons, White had played in 38 games in a row before an ankle injury kept him out of the last two games of the season.
For a relatively subdued person, White is itching to get back on the field.
“I’m like overly hyped and I’m a pretty even-keeled person,” White said. “But I want to go out there, do my job to the best of my ability and do whatever I can to help my team win.”
White has become an important part of the Patriots' passing game over the last three seasons. Last year, his 60 receptions were the most by a running back in the Bill Belichick era and third most in Patriots franchise history. In just 14 games this season, his 56 receptions were the fifth most by a back in Patriots history.
It looks like White will return to the field on Saturday night against the Tennessee Titans.
“It was definitely different,” White said of missing the last two games. “Felt weird. I mean, I guess it kind of came at a good time where I had a little extra time to kind of let it heal up. Now, just keep getting treatment on it and go out there and play fast and physical on Saturday.”
Setback for Mitchell?
Wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell was absent from Tuesday’s practice. The second-year player has spent the season on injured reserve with a knee injury. He returned to practice two weeks ago, during Week 17, but didn’t play against the New York Jets. Mitchell also practiced last week.
On Tuesday, Belichick was asked what he had seen from his young receiver over the last couple of weeks.
“We see him out there trying to get back into practice and do the things he’s asked to do,” Belichick said.
The team could get Chris Hogan (shoulder) back along with Rex Burkhead (knee).
The Patriots were also without Mike Gillislee (knee) on Tuesday. The running back missed the last two weeks of practice due to the knee injury he suffered against the Buffalo Bills in Week 16. Alan Branch (knee), Burkhead, Hogan, Eric Lee (ankle/finger), Kyle Van Noy (calf) and White (ankle) were listed as limited on the injury report.
Rich Garven, of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, contributed to this report.