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Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Tom Brady says he saw Peyton Manning as ‘the enemy'—and used it to fuel his greatness
Images via Getty In the world of elite sports, rivalries aren't just about wins and losses—they're psychological battles that shape careers, reputations, and even relationships. That's exactly what Tom Brady reflected on in the latest edition of his 199 newsletter, published on Monday, July 21. The retired quarterback, now 47, offered a rare and brutally honest look into the mental armor he built during his 23-year NFL career—particularly when it came to his icy dynamic with fellow icon Peyton Manning. While fans saw two of the greatest quarterbacks of all time trading touchdowns and dueling in AFC Championship games, Brady reveals he was waging a personal war in his own head—one that kept him from making real friendships and pushed him toward historic greatness. How Tom Brady's rivalry with Peyton Manning became a mental weapon When Tom Brady entered the NFL in 2000 as the 199th overall pick, he didn't just arrive with a chip on his shoulder—he built entire rivalries out of perceived slights. One of those centered around Peyton Manning, who had been the No. 1 overall pick two years earlier in the 1998 NFL Draft. Manning was the golden boy from an SEC powerhouse. Brady was a sixth-rounder from Michigan. And in Brady's mind, that gap had to be closed. 'When I look back on my relationship with Peyton Manning,' Brady wrote in his July 21 newsletter, 'my respect, admiration, and appreciation for him as a competitor has grown with each passing year.' But during their playing days, things were very different. 'It was always there, don't misunderstand,' he added, 'but while we were competing against each other I couldn't let that get in the way of the fact that he was my enemy, that he didn't respect me, that he thought he was better than me because he was a #1 pick from an SEC school — or at least that's what I made myself believe.' That self-imposed storyline wasn't about bitterness—it was a tool. 'Convincing myself that those things were true created a sense of urgency within me to prove him wrong,' Brady said. 'And it provided the extra bit of energy and motivation necessary to lock in and focus and execute just that much more so that I could beat him more often than he beat me.' Tom Brady, who won seven Super Bowls across two franchises (six with the New England Patriots, one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), saw the strategy pay off. But it came at a cost. 'That's why the greats like Michael Jordan didn't have friends during the season,' he noted. 'Kobe Bryant wasn't collabing with anyone who wasn't in purple and gold. Tiger Woods didn't have friends on tour. Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens would throw at their moms if they were in another team's jersey. ' Brady admitted that his attitude created tension not just with Manning but with most opponents. 'For my part, I didn't have any real friends on any other teams when I played,' he wrote. 'I had the guys on my team and that was it.' Tom Brady and Peyton Manning's rivalry fueled NFL greatness—and left a lasting legacy Years after both legends walked away from the game, Brady says he's come to appreciate what that rivalry truly meant. 'I maybe didn't fully know it at the time, but I needed someone to look up to, who inspired me to be better,' he wrote. 'Now when I see him, the only thing I can say is thank you.' Tom Brady and Peyton Manning were never close on the field—but that distance may have been the very thing that elevated them both. Brady's grudge wasn't personal—it was purposeful. And in the end, it forged two of the greatest careers in NFL history. Because sometimes, what looks like resentment is really just reverence in disguise. Also Read: New Orleans Saints give Tyler Shough historic $10.8M deal as rookie QB battle heats up Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ravens Pro Bowler mentioned as Baltimore's biggest X-factor
This coming Baltimore Ravens season is about sealing the deal. You won't convince anyone of anything to the contrary. They hosted an AFC Championship two years ago, and they lost. That loss carried over into 2024. This past January, they sought redemption. Again, they were eliminated. This time, they were bounced during the Divisional Round. Many may not want to hear this because their main goal was to raise the Lombardi Trophy, leading them to view the past two seasons as failures. However, there is much to be excited about. This team has many achievements to be proud of, and this season is indeed about sealing the deal. They have positioned themselves well to accomplish that. ESPN names the Ravens' biggest X-factor ESPN recently released a ranking of the NFL's best rosters, using projected starting lineups to inform its creation. Lamar Jackson is named as Baltimore's biggest strength. There's no surprise there, right? The right guard position was labeled their biggest weakness, while Tyler Loop was the non-starter to know. That brings us to X-factors. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley earned himself a mention. "Left tackle Ronnie Stanley. This is all about his health. Stanley didn't miss a game last season, which helped earn him a well-deserved contract, but that doesn't mean the injury risks all went away. When Stanley and Jackson are on the field, the Ravens' offense is awfully hard to beat." Those were the words of Seth Walder. He was one of the contributors to this one. It seems intriguing that no role players or young defenders were mentioned as X-factors or possible breakout stars. Perhaps that angle has been worked enough. Stanley is a two-time Pro Bowler and a former 2019 First-Team All-Pro. Baltimore is loaded. Stanley has fought his way back from past injury concerns. If he can enjoy another healthy run in 2025 (and if this team can figure out their problems along the offensive front), the Ravens may finally achieve the redemption they have been seeking. This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens Pro Bowler mentioned as Baltimore's biggest X-factor
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ravens Pro Bowler mentioned as Baltimore's biggest X-factor
This coming Baltimore Ravens season is about sealing the deal. You won't convince anyone of anything to the contrary. They hosted an AFC Championship two years ago, and they lost. That loss carried over into 2024. This past January, they sought redemption. Again, they were eliminated. This time, they were bounced during the Divisional Round. Many may not want to hear this because their main goal was to raise the Lombardi Trophy, leading them to view the past two seasons as failures. However, there is much to be excited about. This team has many achievements to be proud of, and this season is indeed about sealing the deal. They have positioned themselves well to accomplish that. ESPN names the Ravens' biggest X-factor ESPN recently released a ranking of the NFL's best rosters, using projected starting lineups to inform its creation. Lamar Jackson is named as Baltimore's biggest strength. There's no surprise there, right? The right guard position was labeled their biggest weakness, while Tyler Loop was the non-starter to know. That brings us to X-factors. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley earned himself a mention. "Left tackle Ronnie Stanley. This is all about his health. Stanley didn't miss a game last season, which helped earn him a well-deserved contract, but that doesn't mean the injury risks all went away. When Stanley and Jackson are on the field, the Ravens' offense is awfully hard to beat." Those were the words of Seth Walder. He was one of the contributors to this one. It seems intriguing that no role players or young defenders were mentioned as X-factors or possible breakout stars. Perhaps that angle has been worked enough. Stanley is a two-time Pro Bowler and a former 2019 First-Team All-Pro. Baltimore is loaded. Stanley has fought his way back from past injury concerns. If he can enjoy another healthy run in 2025 (and if this team can figure out their problems along the offensive front), the Ravens may finally achieve the redemption they have been seeking.
Boston Globe
4 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Smart moves? No drama? What has happened to the New York Jets?
The Patriots, with the addition of Mike Vrabel and big splashes in free agency, are a popular pick to make a big leap in 2025, finish second in the AFC East, and make a run at the playoffs. But the Jets, tied with the NHL's Buffalo Sabres for the longest playoff drought in the major North American pro sports (14 seasons), are another team with a first-year coach who could make a big improvement. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up It starts with Glenn, who spent the last four years as the Lions' defensive coordinator. He's the latest in a line of first-time head coaches for the Jets, including Robert Saleh (2021-24), Todd Bowles (2015-18), Rex Ryan (2009-14), and Eric Mangini (2006-08). But Glenn has a few attributes that could help him avoid the pratfalls that usually come with coaching for the Jets. Advertisement Glenn is the rare coach with deep Jets ties. A former cornerback, Glenn was the team's first-round pick in 1994, helped turn around the Jets from 1-15 to the AFC Championship game, and learned at the foot of Bill Parcells . Few people have experienced a turnaround with the Jets, but Glenn is one. Related : Advertisement Many of Glenn's beliefs and philosophies come from Parcells. Glenn was terrible for the New York tabloids this spring, saying little of consequence that would garner a splashy headline on the back pages. 'I'm a huge believer in just moving in silence,' Glenn recently told the Jets' website. 'There doesn't need to be a big hoopla of what we're doing. We just want to go about our business and coach these players and try to create an atmosphere for them that's totally different than what they've been used to.' Discarding Aaron Rodgers after two disappointing seasons, and replacing him with Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor , should minimize most of the Jets' drama. Neither quarterback is the long-term answer, but neither will create headaches, either. But the Jets under Glenn and Mougey are off to a solid start. The biggest move was getting both of their star players signed before training camp begins. Cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson each had two years left on their rookie contracts, but this offseason became eligible for their first extensions. Related : The Jets of the last 10 years would have let Gardner and Wilson play out their rookie contracts, letting anxiety and negativity fester. Or owner Woody Johnson's son would have recommended trading one of them based on their Madden rankings. And Rodgers would have blasted Jets management on McAfee's show. Instead, the Jets quietly took care of their homegrown players and eliminated all distractions heading into camp. Gardner Advertisement 'The Jets are going to go into this thing where two of their top players are under contract, everybody's feeling good and happy and paid, and now you get to focus on what's really important, the game of football,' Woody said. 'That's what smart franchises do.' Smart? The Jets, the team whose 56-108 record the last 10 years is second worst in the NFL? Yet take the name away, and it's easy to like what they are building. In addition to locking up Gardner and Wilson, the Jets have made heavy investments in the offensive line, with three recent first-round picks and one second-rounder. The Jets also have a deep stable of running backs, an athletic scrambler in Fields, and a talented defense. The Jets ranked 32nd in rushing attempts last year with Rodgers calling the shots, but probably will be a rush-first attack in 2025. 'The Jets definitely got talent on their roster on both sides of the ball,' Woody said. 'This is the Jets' formula: They are going to look to establish the run, be physical, run the football, play-action, play good defense, and play smart. That's going to be the Jets' calling card this year.' It looks good on paper — certainly a more coherent plan than what the Jets have trotted out the last several years. But the Jets still have two major questions. One is Fields, who has a 14-30 record in four seasons with the Bears and Steelers. Fields has struggled from the pocket and last year averaged just 110 passing yards per game before getting benched. Advertisement The other question is Glenn, and whether he can stave off the dysfunction that swallowed up many good coaches before him in Florham Park. But expectations are low for the Jets, and Glenn seems happy to build his program quietly and without drama. 'When you've been as inept as the Jets have been for quite some time, it's kind of like turning around the Titanic,' Woody said. 'But if there's a guy that's able to do it, it's Aaron Glenn, because he understands the organization. He uniquely understands what he's walking into.' The Jets locked up cornerback Sauce Gardner with a four-year, $120 million extension. Steve Luciano/Associated Press ADDITION BY SUBTRACTION Howell's departure good sign for union Unsolicited advice to the leadership at the NFL Players Association, following Lloyd Howell's In June 2023, the NFLPA made a surprise announcement that Howell, an executive from Booz Allen Hamilton, a global technology and consulting firm, with no NFL experience, would succeed DeMaurice Smith as executive director. It came after NFLPA leaders changed the union's bylaws the year before to allow them to conduct the process in secrecy — not just to the public and media, but to Related : Then-president JC Tretter said the changes in bylaws were made to prevent 'the media' from influencing decisions. But Howell's selection looked a lot like a quid pro quo for Tretter, who remained in a newly created position of 'chief strategy officer' after his tenure ended in 2024. Advertisement The result was a disaster, and predictable. A month after Howell was hired, players were surprised to learn that Booz Allen Hamilton paid $377 million to the federal government to settle a lawsuit for overcharging during a period when Howell was chief financial officer. And a tidal wave of information came out about Howell over the last two weeks from ESPN. Players were unaware that Howell and the union agreed to conceal The momentum against Howell became too much, and he stepped aside after two years on the job. The NFL collective bargaining agreement doesn't expire until the spring of 2031, so there shouldn't be urgency to hire a new executive director without first doing a thorough search. Names to consider are former NFLPA president Domonique Foxworth , former Patriot and longtime NFLPA executive Don Davis , former Colts receiver and US Representative Anthony Gonzalez , and Miami-based attorney Brad Sohn . The lesson from the Howell experience is that transparency — with the players as well as the public — is the route to the best result. Let's see if the NFLPA learned it. Advertisement Late Thursday night, NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell tenured his immediate resignation of duties, stepping away after two years in charge of the players' union. Sean Gardner/Getty ETC. Belichick outburst did him no favors Bill Belichick may have thought he was helping himself by issuing a lengthy statement to Robert Kraft . But Belichick's latest outburst did him no favors. Boy, did he come across as sensitive and petty. Related : Kraft, appearing on Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski's podcast, said he took a 'big risk' in hiring Belichick in 2000, 'and we did OK,' he boasted. This should have been an easy one for Belichick to let go. Kraft has used that line dozens if not hundreds of times over the years. It's part of his shtick. His phrasing was innocuous and hardly worthy of a full-throated response. Belichick's long retort came off as extremely thin-skinned. The relationship between these two must be worse than ever. Belichick took some undeserved shots from Kraft in Related : But Belichick is the one rewriting history. Belichick says he is the one who 'took a big risk' by taking the Patriots' job? Belichick wasn't exactly in high demand after going 36-44 with the Browns, and he lost out on the Raiders job to Jon Gruden . Kraft, though, did take a risk in trading a first-round pick for a sub-.500 coach with a dull demeanor at the podium. Another questionable claim: Belichick in 2000 took over a Patriots franchise that had 'dismantled' their 1996 Super Bowl team and 'became one of the worst in the AFC'? They went 10-6, 9-7, and 8-8 in three years under Pete Carroll , and only bottomed out at 5-11 after Belichick took over. Belichick in 2000 also inherited several players from the 1996 team, including Drew Bledsoe , Troy Brown , Terry Glenn , Tedy Bruschi , Ty Law , Lawyer Milloy , Willie McGinest , Ted Johnson , and Adam Vinatieri . And while Van Natta, not Belichick, wrote that the Patriots ranked 31st out of 32 teams in spending since 1994, that stat has Belichick's fingerprints all over it. It also warrants a fact check since the Panthers and Jaguars didn't exist until 1995, the Ravens until 1996, the Browns didn't play from 1996-98, and the Texans didn't exist until 2002. Unfortunately, accurate cash spending data from the last 30 years is difficult to find. Belichick spent 25 years ignoring the noise, staying above the fray, and cultivating an image as a cunning, unflappable genius. A rapid transformation into the sensitive, media-hungry Belichick in the last six months is a surprising turn that is damaging his legacy. By the rule of law The NFL recently finalized its 2025 Official Playing Rules, reflecting all the changes that the owners voted on at their meetings in March and May (no, the Tush Push was not banned). There was plenty of ink about the few notable changes: Kickoff touchbacks now will be moved to the 35; both teams now will get a possession in overtime in the regular season (but the clock is a hard 10 minutes); and instant replay officials in the booth or New York can tell the referee to pick up a penalty flag for fouls such as hits to the head, tripping, and horse collar if there is obvious video evidence revealing a mistake. Two rules that got little to no ink: ⋅ The catch rule was again clarified, as 'tuck the ball away and turn upfield' is now written explicitly as a common football move adequate for a catch. ⋅ Officials are instructed to whistle a play dead when a quarterback simulates dropping to his knee behind 'or beyond' the line of scrimmage. A league office source said 'or beyond' was just added to make the rule more precise and consistent, but it does seem like the NFL is attempting to stamp out the fake slide that Patrick Mahomes and others have weaponized. Bridgewater's support won't go away Teddy Bridgewater is a hero for the kids of Miami Northwestern High, an inner-city school where most students don't come from much. Bridgewater returned to his alma mater last year to coach the football team, leading the Bulls to the Class 3A title and spending thousands of his own dollars on his players for Uber rides, meals, and recovery services. But Bridgewater's generosity ran afoul of the state high school association's rules on improper benefits, and Bridgewater said he has been suspended by the school district after self-reporting the information. The rules are there for a reason, but this is a case where sane minds should come together to find a way for Bridgewater to continue to support the players. Regardless, Bridgewater, 32, said he's not abandoning the program. 'And if it comes down to it, I will volunteer from the bleachers like I used to in 2018 and 2019 when no one had a problem,' he wrote on social media. Bridgewater's generosity to his alma mater ran afoul of the state high school association's rules on improper benefits, and Bridgewater said he has been suspended by the school district after self-reporting the information. Seth Wenig/Associated Press Extra points Shemar Stewart , the No. 17 overall pick, is working out at Texas A&M as he continues to haggle with the Bengals over contract language concerning his guarantees. The inference is that he is considering holding out the entire season and reentering the draft in 2026, but Stewart would be costing himself millions of dollars plus eight months of bad publicity. Stewart can't be fined for skipping camp because he is unsigned, but he would be smart to get it resolved during training camp … The Commanders under new owner Josh Harris keep making slam-dunk moves to connect with their once-dormant fan base, from retiring the jersey numbers of franchise legends Darrell Green and Art Monk to unveiling 1980s-era throwback uniforms to attempting to return the team to the site of RFK Stadium. It's amazing that Dan Snyder could never figure any of this out over 25 years … If Terry McLaurin , Trey Hendrickson or anyone else under contract doesn't report on time to training camp, the CBA mandates that teams fine them $50,000 for every day they skip. That's why the 49ers' Jauan Jennings , who wants a raise from $7.5 million, already said he won't be holding out. The 'hold in' is the popular tactic today … Vikings receiver Jordan Addison and Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice face suspensions to start the season after having their legal cases adjudicated. Addison pleaded to a lesser charge in a DUI case, and Rice was sentenced to 30 days in jail for a high-speed hit-and-run in Dallas … The Chargers have eight uniform combinations for 2025, and look fantastic in all of them. The navy blue is the best … Former Saints tight end Jimmy Graham recently won a title with a different team, rowing 584 nautical miles across the Arctic Ocean to complete the Arctic Challenge in 15 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes, a record for a team of four. Ben Volin can be reached at
Boston Globe
6 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Bill Belichick responds to Robert Kraft's ‘big risk' comments, says he was ‘warned' about Patriots
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'And we did OK,' Kraft added, a joking reference to the unprecedented six Super Bowl wins and 17 division titles. (The actual date of the Belichick trade fell in Jan. 2000, not 1999). Advertisement On Wednesday, 'As I told Robert multiple times through the years, I took a big risk by taking the New England Patriots head coaching job,' Belichick told Van Natta Jr. 'I already had an opportunity to be the head coach of the New York Jets, but the ownership situation was unstable.' Advertisement Belichick claimed that he had been cautioned about taking the Patriots' head coaching role in early 2000 by other coaches. 'I had been warned by multiple previous Patriots coaches, as well as other members of other NFL organizations and the media, that the New England job was going to come with many internal obstacles,' said Belichick. 'I made it clear that we would have to change the way the team was managed to regain the previously attained success.' In his first season, Belichick's Patriots went 5-11. But in 2001, thanks also to the unforeseen rise of Tom Brady, New England made an unexpected run to (and won) the Super Bowl. After that, the Patriots went almost two decades without a losing season. Belichick finished an astounding 266-121 (.687) in the regular season as the team's head coach, and engineered nine Super Bowl appearances. 'I appreciated Robert giving me the opportunity to make those changes and build a program that was consistent with my vision for a championship team,' Belichick noted. Belichick went 36-44 (.450) during his Browns tenure, which had been his only other NFL head coaching role prior to the Patriots. And Kraft's memory of the criticism that the move elicited is Still, Belichick helped direct the Patriots' defense in a Super Bowl run under Bill Parcells in the 1996 season, and had gone on to help Parcells turn the Jets around prior to leaving New York. 'The Jets were a solid team after three years of rebuilding under Bill Parcells, which included an AFC Championship Game appearance in [January] 1999,' Belichick added in his response to ESPN. 'Meanwhile, the Patriots Organization had dismantled their 1996 AFC Championship team and became one of the worst in the AFC. It didn't help that they were $10 million over the cap heading into my first season as Head Coach in 2000.' Advertisement Yet Belichick sought an escape from New York, with Kraft eventually paying the price that Parcells (then working as Jets general manager) demanded. The trade has since been regarded as As for what he specifically thinks Kraft meant by calling his hiring a 'big risk,' Belichick responded to Van Natta Jr. with characteristic economy. 'You'll have to ask Robert.' Hayden Bird can be reached at
