Brady To Play In Pre-Season

As the New England Patriots' training camp went under way last Thursday July 30, the media has been paying close attention to Tom Brady's left knee.

The Patriots' All-Pro quarterback suffered an MCL and ACL injury on his left knee in the very first game of the 2008 season against the Kansas City Chiefs. Brady suffered a blow to his left knee from Chiefs' safety Bernard Pollard during the first quarter of the NFL season.

Tom Brady has had a total of four surgeries on his left knee over the past year. Two of those have been to repair the MCL and ACL and the other two were to clean up the knee which had suffered an infection from the previous surgeries. So Brady had a very eventful and surgical year.

Brady met and spoke with the media after the first session of day one of training camp and talked about the under coming pre-season, the NFL season, and of course his left knee.

Brady did not play one pre-season game last year due to him recoverving from a right foot injury that he had suffered in the previous AFC Championship game against the San Diego Chargers.

The media questioned Brady if he would play in the pre-season, “Yeah, I think I’ll play,’’ Brady said. “Last year, it wasn’t like I wasn’t supposed to play. I would have loved to have played, but some circumstances came up where I couldn’t."

Brady also stressed the significance of playing in the pre-season, “I think it’s really important for a quarterback to be out there playing. If you’re the leader of the offense, you have to be out there leading in the preseason and the practices. I’m excited for those games, because I think we can make improvements in those games.’’

As the media kept on discussing Brady's knee, he got a little irritated and stated how his focus is on this season, “That was last season. This is this season. I don’t think about it. I think it’s been a great learning experience for me, and I’m using that as a positive. Hopefully, I can go out this year and be a great quarterback for this team.’’

I believe that Tom Brady will perform at a high level this year and be a "great quarterback" for the New England Patriots. They have added to their already tremendous receiving core with Joey Galloway, and they added a key veteran to their running game, Fred Taylor.

I'm expecting that Brady should win the Come-back Player of the Year Award while throwing over 35 touchdowns and leading New England to tops of the AFC East and the AFC.

What if Tom Brady isn't ready for '09?

THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY ME, TONY SANTORSA, ON BLEACHERREPORT.COM

As we all know, Tom Brady suffered a season ending injury which was sustained during the first game of the 2008 NFL season against the Kansas City Chiefs. Brady suffered an ACL and MCL tear on his left knee.

Brady has had some set-backs through his rehabilitation of his knee. His first set of surgeries (2) were on October 18 in Los Angeles and then he was thought to start to rehab his knee. But another set back came about, he had gotten an infection in his knee. So again, Brady had again two more surgeries on his left knee.

Patriots training camp for veterans is set to start in July 29, and reports about Brady say that his knee is fine. But if it isn't? What does New England do?

Well first, there is no Matt Cassel. So if Brady struggles in pre-season, Cassel won't be there to save the day. So that leaves it all on 24 year old Kevin O'Connell.

The Patriots front office supposley thinks very highly of O'Connell.

O'Connell was the 94th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and he is the highest QB to be picked by the Patriots since Drew Bledsoe.

O'Connell graduated from San Diego State where he put up solid numbers as a starter. O'Connell ranks first in career passing and rushing yards at SDSU. He was known to be a mobile QB that could also through. He is a pass first QB but if he has to, he will take off and make a play happen. He is an upgrade at running the ball from Cassel.

I believe that they Patriots do have faith in the youngster from San Diego State and that they believe that Brady will be at 100% health by the September 14th. If they hadn't believed any of that, then why would they have traded Cassel so earlier in the off-season?

Reports say that Brady will be fine for the season, and there is no doubt in my mind that Brady will come out of the gates running. He is a man on a mission to return to the Super Bowl and win a fourth ring.

But if he isn't ready or if Brady suffers another injury, I think that O'Connell will be able to take the reigns and at least keep the Patriots offense in sync. I think it's kind of hard to have a bad game while playing with Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Joey Galloway, Fred Taylor, Laurence Maroney, and a very solid offensive line.

It is still early and training camp hasn't even started. But it is expected that most clutch quarterback of all-time, Tom Brady, will be ready, and boy will he tear apart opposing team's defenses.

READ MORE OF MYARTICLES @ TONY SANTORSA @ BLEACHERREPORT.COM

Jacoby Ellsbury

Here's one of my articles that I have recently written on BleacherReport.com

About 2 years ago, Jacoby Ellsbury had become the first rookie to hit 2 doubles in the same inning of a World Series game, from that point on, fans, analysts, and scouts, expected a lot from this young speedy center fielder.

The 2008 season, everyone expected Jacoby to have a big break out season, that didn't really happen. Jacoby did struggle at times but did put up some decent numbers ( .280 9 HRs 47 RBIs and 50 SB). During the '08 campaign Jacoby proved that he could be a top center fielder by flashing some leather and making some unbelievable catches and players in the triangle at Fenway.

Now that the 2009 season for the Sox is well past the mid-point, Jacoby has proved to be a reliable offensive threat, not only an amazing fielder. Jacoby has stolen a total of 40 bases, 10 shy of his total in '08. Jacoby is currently batting .297 with 5 homers, 29 RBIs, and 47 runs scored.

Jacoby, along with Bay and J.D. Drew have become one of the best defensive and offensive outfields in the bigs. It is a very difficult task to hit a gaping shot, or even a double against these 3 guys. They all have pretty solid arms and great range.

Jacoby has compiled some pretty big achievements too, he stole home plate in a very crucial game against the Yankees on April 26th, that's how impressive his blazing speed is.

Jacoby's career post season stats are also pretty solid too (.263 11 RBIs 10 R and 5 SB in 19 games).

For the up-coming seasons I myself, and many other Red Sox fans and analysts will expect a lot out of this young soon-to-be super star. Seeing Ellsbury, Pedroia, Youkilis, and their young pitching staff which includes, Bard, Masterson, Buchholz, Bowden, and Delcarmen, I expect some future World Series rings on all of these players.

Jed's Back and Such

I'm sorry guys, but I just don't like Lowrie. Sure he's a decent ball player but I sure hope he isn't the Sox future at short.

This season to me, will not decide if Jed will stick around for the long term or not due to the AWESOME SUCCESS from Nick Green.

Gee, I love Nick Green, but I mean who doesn't. The dude makes next to nothing but he has been flashing leather all year, he even has a walk-off homer under his belt.

Well Lowrie returned to action yesterday afternoon against the Jays and went 1-4, and that sole hit was a homer, not too shabby. Although, Boston lost the game...Thanks Penny!

Brady Penny is for sale, who wants him? Philly? Nah not anymore thanks to Pedro coming to the city of Brotherly love. I sure hope that we can add a decent bat to this line-up because we can't just rely on Jay Bay and Big Papi...

Rasheed in Green!

Who loves it? Who loves being able to go to Celt games and being able to see Rasheed's bald spot! Who loves it? I sure do.

My friends and I have been discussing how we need to all get Wallace jerseys and shave the very top of our head and a wear a head band and go to the Garden...easy way to get on TV.

I remember a few weeks ago I saw a fan holding up a Dennis Eckersley poster, but he was throwing a piece of cheese...Hmmm funny. "He threw him a high piece of cheese there". Nice job filling in for the RemDawg Eck.

But anyways, who is pumped to see the Celts this year? They're going to be nasty with the Big 3 PLUS Rasheed Wallace. I'm sorry Shaq, but you came to the wrong Beast of the East because the C's are gonna take it to ya this year.

Too bad for Cleveland huh? LeBron's last year in Cleveland and they probably won't win a Championship. The LeBron James and Cleveland Caviler marriage is soon to be over!

As you all can tell, I am pumped for this up-coming season. I can't get enough of playing NBA 2k8, and by the way, the Garden is now TD Garden, I like it...what about you guys?

Clay Buchholz

How much longer do you think the Sox will have Buchholz on their roster? I'm not really sure. I think that he pitched great last night against the Jays, but wait, aren't the Red Sox interested in Toronto's Ace Roy Halladay? Yes they are! Hmmm interesting, maybe the Red Sox were shopping Buchholz for J.P. Ricciardi last night! Who knows.

I believe the Sox are going to be giving their big 3 (Beckett, Lester, and Wake) a few long rests inbetween starts to save their arms for September and October.

If the Red Sox are in the Halladay Sweepstakes, I really hope they don't give up much. But, in Theo I trust. I don't think he will give up too much talent for 1.5 years of Roy Halladay.

Although...I would trade Buchholz, Bard, Lars Anderson, and a player to be named later for the Cy Young Award winner. If any trade that was proposed to me that included Bowden and Buchholz together, I would reject it immediately.

Buccholz and Bowden are the teams top 2 prospects for starters, I wouldn't lose both of them in one trade, even if it was for Roy Halladay.

I really hope to see Theo have a smart trading season, maybe moving a few parts like Penny, Delcarmen, Saito, and Jeff Bailey around to acquire some good role/bench players.

If Halladay does come our way, or even Adam Dunn or any other All-Star caliaber player, I hope the price is right and Theo doesn't give up our whole farm system.

WELCOME

This here is my very first blog.

First I'd like to introduce myself to you, my name is Tony Santorsa. I am going to be a Senior at Londonderry High School in NH. I play football for the Londonderry Lancers.

I am a Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins, Celtics, BC, and Mets fan. I watch almost every Sox game and watch ever single Pats game.

I enjoy writing for a local paper here in NH, I also enjoy writing about major New England sports on bleacherreport.com