Brady reaches 30 with unequaled success
The news isn’t as pleasant for opponents.
Three days after leaving his terrific 20s, the New England Patriots quarterback said Monday he planned to play as long as he can. He’s healthy, has a new trio of outstanding receivers and still loves football. Besides, backup quarterback Vinny Testaverde is much older.
“If Vinny can play ‘til he’s 43, I hope that I can play at least half of that, 37, 38,” Brady said. “I’ll play as long as I can. Everyone always says, ‘Don’t you want to retire? You’re going to get hurt.’
“I said, ‘You know what? There’s nothing more fun than this.’ “
How could Brady not enjoy being the only quarterback in NFL history to win three Super Bowls before his 28th birthday, winning his first at 24 and being named MVP of two of them?
His 12-2 playoff record ranks second only to Green Bay’s Bart Starr. His 82 wins in his six seasons as a starter are the most in Patriots history. And the quarterback now has new wideouts Randy Moss, Dante Stallworth and Wes Welker to help him continue in his success.
“I never would have imagined any of this stuff would have happened,” Brady said. “It’s been 30 great years.”
Rams forced indoors
Triple-digit temperatures have forced the Rams inside for daytime workouts in St. Louis.
“It’s the hottest spot in the country right now,” coach Scott Linehan said. “One of the precautions you take with extreme heat is to have an alternative plan.”
The National Weather Service predicted highs of 101, 101 and 100 degrees in the next three days in St. Louis, a minor dip to 99 on Friday and a high of 102 by Sunday.
Moon pleads guilty
Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon pleaded guilty in Redmond, Wash., to negligent driving and was sentenced to 40 hours of community service, a $350 fine and drug and alcohol awareness classes.
Moon was not charged with drunken driving because he tested below the legal limit for alcohol in the hours after his arrest for investigation of driving while intoxicated on April 6.
Quinn close to deal
Following substantive talks over the weekend, Brady Quinn and the Cleveland Browns are only $500,000 apart in guaranteed money for Quinn, one of only three first-round picks still holding out in contract disputes. The major sticking point in negotiations between the Browns and agent Tom Condon are escalator clauses based on playing time for Quinn. Quinn, meanwhile, missed his 11th day of camp.
T.O. gets MRI
Terrell Owens had an MRI on his stiff lower back. Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said the test was precautionary.
“We feel sure that he just has back spasms,” said Phillips.
Around the league
Former LSU wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City’s first-round draft pick, has agreed to terms on a five-year contract and reported to training camp. … Denver Broncos first-round draft pick Jarvis Moss injured his left knee during 1-on-1 pass-rush drills in Englewood, Colo., and was taken off the field for medical tests. There was no immediate word on the extent of the defensive end’s injury. … Pro Bowl wide receiver Donald Driver has received a contract extension from the Green Bay Packers, adding almost $11 million to his existing deal and locking him up through 2010. … Veteran defensive tackle Anthony McFarland may miss extensive playing time for the Indianapolis Colts after injuring his knee in training camp at Terre Haute, Ind. Coach Tony Dungy called the injury serious.