Tom Brady critical of NFL’s quality of play, college football’s player development

In a recent interview on ESPN’s “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady shared his dissatisfaction with the current state of the NFL. Brady, 46, expressed concerns about the quality of play in today’s NFL, lamenting what he sees as a “lot of mediocrity” compared to the excellence he observed in the past.

The former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback criticized various aspects of the game, including coaching, player development, and rule changes aimed at protecting players from injury. Brady also took aim at the lack of fundamentals in college football, attributing it to frequent coaching changes and a lack of player development at the collegiate level.

Brady’s Critique

Brady expressed his opinion that coaching, player development, and game strategies have declined in quality. He also highlighted how rule changes have led to what he perceives as “bad habits” affecting the overall performance of the game. Brady specifically pointed out how offensive players have benefitted from rule changes that allow them to play “carefree,” while defensive players are left to protect themselves.

Commenting on the impact of rule changes, Brady mentioned legendary defensive players such as Ray Lewis, Ronnie Lott, and Rodney Harrison, noting that many of their impactful plays would now result in penalties under the current rules. He also criticized the lack of focus on fundamental skills and self-protection, which he believes has led to a decline in the overall quality of play.

Brady also addressed the state of college football, comparing the level of player preparation when he entered the NFL to the current situation. He expressed his belief that frequent coaching changes and a lack of emphasis on player development have led to a decline in the preparedness of college players for the professional level. Brady drew from his own experience at the University of Michigan, where he felt the college program provided a pro-like environment to prepare players for the next level.

Additional Context

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