First look at Brady

According to ESPN, QB Tom Brady will make his 2008 preseason debut Sunday night against Tampa Bay. And not a moment too soon.

I'm a little tired of people out there worrying about the Patriots' quarterback situation. After the dismal performance by Matt Cassel and the underwhelming work by Matt Gutierrez, people were saying the Pats need a quarterback in case Brady gets hurt.

Brady getting hurt? Come on, if we were to believe the weekly injury report, then Ton Brady hasn't had a healthy day ever since he became the team's starter. Every week Brady is listed as probable with an unknown shoulder injury. Yet week after week he's in the starting lineup directing the offense and making the right throws on target. Brady started 110 consecutive regular season games. Add the playoff games (16 if my memory serves me correctly) and that's 126 consecutive starts by Brady.

It's as if he's not getting the credit he deserves for his toughness. OK, so Brady's weekly bum shoulder is head coach Bill Belichick's way of mocking the NFL injury report. But never do I remember Brady being on the injury report for anything else, even though we know he's had legitimate injuries. Just think back to before Super Bowl XLII and that picture of Brady in New York wearing a protective boot on his foot. Of course Brady played in the Super Bowl.

That was an ankle injury. He also played through a knee injury and a sports hernia. But that's only what we know about.

I know injuries can happen to anyone at anytime. But having Brady on the team gives me peace of mind. I trust he will be under center for every first offensive snap of every regular season and playoff game. If he doesn't play the whole game, it's because the Pats are blowing out the opponent so there's no need to put Brady at further risk. Does New England need a quality back-up? Of course. But I expect the back-up to be a well paid spectator for most of the season.

Brady-watching on Sunday night won't be long. My gut tells me Brady will be on the field for about a quarter or two scoring drives, whichever comes first, but no more than the first half. But it won't be complete if other first teamers aren't on the field with Brady. I hope the O-line from last year will be together, though I'm not optimistic. No matter the blockers, I want to see Sammy Morris run behind that line. I also want to see record-setting WRs Randy Moss (NFL-record 23 TDs) and Wes Welker (team record 112 receptions) take the field with Brady. On defense, a return to action by LB Mike Vrabel is welcomed. And let's see new addition S John Lynch get his feet wet.