Change in Brady's Injury Status, Rumors Why Fernando Bryant Was Cut...

Today marked the first time in years that Tom "Uno Dos" Brady wasn't listed on the Patriots injury report. That's right, while his foot injury was getting worse by the day according to many media outlets, going from a bruise, to a bone bruise, to a broken foot, it's now all better according to the Pats. As for the mysterious shoulder injury that has made Brady 'Probable' for every game since 2002, that's allegedly all better now as well.

The Patriots have long been fans of injury report shenanigans and today's report might signify the end of them. Regardless, it's good to know that Brady is fully healthy. Of course, he was supposed to be fully healthy for the Super Bowl as well but it didn't quite look like it during the game.

Here's another interesting tidbit courtest of Pro Football Weekly:

Lest people think the NFL is all about talent, the Patriots’ release of presumed starting CB Fernando Bryant was all about one thing: his lack of toughness. The clincher was Bryant getting steamrolled by Giants TE Darcy Johnson in the preseason finale, when he barely even tried to make the tackle on a first-quarter touchdown. Although Bryant was one of the most gifted players in the Patriots’ patchwork CB stable, coach Bill Belichick showed by cutting Bryant that he is far more comfortable going in with players who aren’t afraid to stick their helmets in a pile. The irony in all this is that Belichick’s cornerbacks are typically undersized, as the coach believes the soft zone coverage he typically employs can mask physical shortcomings of his cover men. One such player who personifies the undersized-but-tough mantra is rookie Terrence Wheatley, who is penciled in to start opposite incumbent Ellis Hobbs.

Well there you go. I have no doubt about Belichick's willingness to let a player go if they aren't going to play like he wants them to, even at a position where the Pats aren't exactly stacked. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. This is the first time I can remember where we don't know who the opening day starter at LCB will be.