Bill Belichick says pretty much nothing about Tom Brady

Bill Belichick spoke at Gillette Stadium during a press conference on Wednesday. Getty Images

By Henry McKenna @McKennAnalysis

July 29, 2015

2 minutes to read

Bill Belichick may as well have said the Patriots are on to training camp.

The Patriots’ head coach dodged questions about the NFL’s decision to uphold Tom Brady’s four-game suspension during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday.

“We start training camp today,’’ Belichick responded when asked if believed Brady’s statement that neither he or the team did anything in the Deflategate scandal. “We’ll get ready for the 2015 season starting today.’’

When pressed to address the team’s history of controversies, Belichick again deflected the query.

“You heard what Robert just said,’’ Belichick said. “It’s already been addressed. Maybe you ought to go back and look at your notes.’’

Before Belichick spoke Wednesday, Patriots owner Robert Kraft delivered a more strident statement.

“The decision handed down by the league yesterday, is unfathomable to me,’’ Kraft said, going on to express his support for Brady and to apologize to fans.

There would be no such declaration from the Patriots’ head coach, who kept his words focused on training camp and preparation for 2015 season.

“We’re going to continue to get the team ready for the 2015 season and that’s what we’re going to do,’’ he said when asked if he was surprised by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s decision to uphold the punishment for Brady.

When it came to on-field matters involving Brady, Belichick was also vague about which quarterback will get the most reps in training camp.

“We practice everybody in training camp,’’ Belichick said. “That’s what training camp is for. That’s the way we’ve always done it and that’s the way we’ll do it this year. It’s no different than any other position or any other year.’’

He would not directly address the development of second-year quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, the likely Week 1 starter, during spring camp.

“I think everybody learned a lot in the spring, he said when asked about Garoppolo. “I think the rookies learned a lot. I think the veterans learned a lot. It’s the start of a season. It’s a preparation for training camp. Now is when we really get to go out there and execute and work on it at a higher tempo and higher level. Not today, but eventually that will be coming once we’re able to practice in pads.’’