Tom Brady feeling ‘fresh as lettuce’ as hits add up

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks to the media before a team practice. The Boston Globe

By Chris Greenberg

December 9, 2015

1 minute to read

Tom Brady is still ticking — and quipping — after taking a licking in recent weeks.

The Patriots’ quarterback has been on the receiving end of 31 hits over the last three weeks after taking just 42 over the first nine games of the 2015 season, according to The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin. That three-game stretch included consecutives defeats to the Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos as well as a narrow win over the Buffalo Bills.

“I feel good, fresh as lettuce,’’ Brady told reporters on Wedensday when asked how he’s holding up physically.

Playing behind an offensive line that has been reshuffled from week to week due to injuries, Brady is aiming to get the ball out of his hands quicker against the Houston Texans on Sunday night.

“Ideally you’d always like to get the ball out on time in the pass game,’’ Brady said. “I think whether it’s some things we’ve done schematically or the opposing team has done schematically against us has forced us to hold the ball a little bit longer. I wish we would just be able to stay in rhythm. Every offense I’m sure would love that. Judging by the results I need to get the ball out quicker. I’ve just got to find an open guy and try to get it to the guys that can actually do something with it because usually when it’s in my hands there’s nothing good happening — aside from the catch last week. I think we’ve just got to get it to the guys who can do something with it — the skill guys — that can ultimately get the ball in the end zone.’’