Tom Brady's teammate on Buccaneers star missing practice before loss to Steelers
Tom Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers are not having the best of times. Much was expected of the franchise this season considering Brady's performances last season and the strength of their roster. However, the Buccaneers are 3-3 and coming off an embarrassing 20-18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Much has been made, therefore, of Brady's whereabouts in the week leading up to the game. He missed Saturday's walk-through practice, with his absence tied to him attending New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft's wedding on Friday night.
Fans were quick to criticize Tom Brady for apparently not taking the game seriously, but his teammate Vita Vea banished any notion that the quarterback's absence created friction in the locker room.
Vea appeared on the Richard Sherman podcast and addressed the issue.
“A guy of that caliber, you know, you trust him to be able to handle his Ps and Qs on and off the field," he said. "So I think that was the reason why no one really, you know, took any fault to that."
Is Tom Brady getting special treatment from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
The fact that Vita Vea had to come out and defend Tom Brady stems from the quarterback appearing to blame others during the loss to Pittsburgh last week and in games prior. He lashed out at his offensive line for not doing their jobs as the Tampa offense struggled during Sunday's loss.
Tom Brady with some words to his offensive line. https://t.co/qBqjD7vfKg
Head coach Todd Bowles had to intervene when the topic came up. He made it clear that Brady works as hard as the rest of the team and does not receive any special treatment.
“(Tom) works as hard as anybody," he said. "Special treatment – there have been a few guys that have missed meetings and some practices for some special thing – that just doesn’t get publicized because they’re not him. It just kind of comes with the territory. You don’t worry about it too much.”
Tom Brady was given an extended pre-season break, a luxury others on the team were not afforded. Additionally, he is given the option of taking every Wednesday off for personal reasons or as a rest day. Most veterans receive some form of a rest day, but a high-profile player like Brady naturally garners more attention.
The questions will continue to mount for as long as the Buccaneers fail to get going. Losing two games on the trot has exposed them and their quarterback to questions from all sides. The best way they can silence their critics is by performing on the field.