Two seasons ago, Rosevelt Colvin left the field at Gillette Stadium in the company of a trainer. A few minutes later, the press box public address system intoned: "Colvin has a shoulder injury and his return is questionable.''
Shoulder? After the game -- to which he didn't return -- Bill Belichick said it was a foot and gave no specifics. Told it been announced as a "shoulder,'' the Patriots coach replied: "OK, let's make it a shoulder and leave it at that.''
That's why nobody expects to learn anything from the Patriots about Tom Brady's throwing shoulder, bruised when he was ground into the turf in Washington Friday night by Albert Haynesworth.
As for Brady's shoulder injury Friday night, the most specific word we have on it is from Chad Ochocinco, of all people. He tweeted after late Friday that Brady had returned his call and said he was fine.
According to the Boston Globe, Belichick was his usual self Saturday when asked about it, noting that everyone has bumps and bruises. Asked if Brady would be listed on the injury report, he said: "Well, that's hard to say. We'll fill that report out when it comes. That's happened before."
That what we've gotten on Brady for seven years from Belichick -- Brady will be "probable'' with a shoulder injury on the final list before the regular-season opener against Buffalo. That's nothing new; he was "probable'' with a shoulder injury for seven years before his knee injury. Whenever Belichick was asked about it, he would reply: "His shoulder isn't 100 percent.''
No NFL quarterback's throwing shoulder is 100 percent. Or at least it's not what it was before he started throwing 450 passes a season and hundreds more in practice.
What is Brady's now?
We'll have to ask Chad.
New England Patriots Photos
in this photo taken on Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, Washington Redskins' Mike Sellers (45) is greeted by teammates after he carried the American flag, lower left, onto the field during player introductions prior to the start of a preseason NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Landover, Md. Sellers apologized for throwing the American flag to the ground during the pregame lineup introductions on Friday. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP
In this photo taken on Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, Washington Redskins' Mike Sellers carries the American flag onto the field during player introductions prior to the start of a preseason NFL football game against the New England Patriots, in Landover, Md. Sellers apologized on Saturday, Aug. 29, for throwing the American flag to the ground during the pregame lineup introductions on Friday. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP
LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Randy Moss #81 of the New England Patriots laughs with teammates while on the sideline during a preseason game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on August 28, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Randy Moss
Getty Images
LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Jason Campbell #17 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after a long completion during a preseason game against the New England Patriots at FedExField on August 28, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jason Campbell
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LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Fred Taylor #21 of the New England Patriots is tackled by DeAngelo Hall #23 of the Washington Redskins during a preseason game at FedExField on August 28, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Fred Taylor;DeAngelo Hall
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LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots watches the preseason game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on August 28, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bill Belichick
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Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn looks on from the sidelines during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP
LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Head coach Jim Zorn of the Washington Redskins watches the preseason game against the New England Patriots at FedExField on August 28, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jim Zorn
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LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Santana Moss #89 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after a first down during a preseason game against the New England Patriots at FedExField on August 28, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Santana Moss
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LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Marko Mitchell #84 of the Washington Redskins catches a touchdown in a preseason game against the New England Patriots at FedExField on August 28, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marko Mitchell
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
8-29-2009 @ 2:46PM
hmt60 said...
I feel bad for tom Brady an they should of gotten rid of Matt Cassell.If tom can't play we are screwd.
Reply
8-30-2009 @ 1:48AM
mickey said...
Cheatriots.
8-29-2009 @ 2:57PM
Murph said...
Tommy Terrific was moving his shoulder, doing circle stretches and other stretching movements after he came out of the ball game. With no pain on his face I think he was fine.
Reply
8-29-2009 @ 3:58PM
Paul said...
I did not see the hit (or the game) but does anyone else wonder if Haynesworth is the type of guy who wants to hurt people for the sake of hurting them? He stepped on someone's helmet-less head a few years back and he constantly putting the hurt on guys who are much smaller and it really isn't necessary in a preseason game; is it? Is this guy going to get away with this crap forever in the NFL. I know, it's football and it probably was a clean hit, but will some big SOB please knock the stuffing out this guy? He is just a really nasty player.
Reply
8-29-2009 @ 5:34PM
HEADHAWG said...
first of all every other player is smaller than Haynesworth.second,after the clean hit he offered Brady a hand up,thirdly the guy he cleated was a Cowboy.And lastly,for 100 mil dollars,we better see him "get away with "alot more of that.Some people might even call it playing good defense.HTTR
8-30-2009 @ 7:22AM
tmann321 said...
To play that position you have to be Nasty. It was a clean hit, just unfortunate for Brady.
8-29-2009 @ 4:07PM
HEADHAWG said...
6'6" 340 falls right on your shoulder and you are fine?That either makes you one tough s.o.b.,or full of crap.God knows 85 never spouts anything but the straight up. Why would Brady even be chatting with chad.Brady probably has a cracked collar bone and you all are in big trouble.HTTR
Reply
8-29-2009 @ 4:35PM
brian said...
if your gonna make ignorant comments about haynesworth without even watching the hit dony waste your time. he was doing his job breaking up a play. it was a clean hit no flag was thrown tommy should have gotten outta the way
Reply
8-29-2009 @ 7:32PM
kathi said...
Brady will be fine!!!!!!!!
Reply
8-29-2009 @ 8:23PM
ferdry said...
BIG DEAL THE GREAT TOM CRUM CAKE BRDY IS HURTING AGAIN ARE THEY GOING TO STOP THE SEASON AND WAIT ON HIM THIS YEAR SO THE POOR BABY CAN PLAY IT HAPPENS GET OVER IT AND WHY IS IT WHEN SOME STIFF NONE MOBILE PASSER GETS HIT ITS ALWAYS DIRTY BUT WHEN SOME ONE WHO RUNS OR MOVES AROUND AND GIVES THEIR TEAM A BETTER SHOT AT WINNING GETS HIT IT"OH HE BETTER STAY IN THE POCKET MORE OR HE WON'T LAST LONG DOING THAT" GIVE ME A BREAK THE GUY IS TRY TO DO WHAT HES PAID TO DO AND THAT IS WIN POOR TOM I GOT A BOO BOO BRADY BREAKS A NAIL AND OMG SOMEBODY CALL THE DIRTY HIT POLICE GROW UP MAN ITE FOOTBALL NO ONE CRIED WHEN THEY JUST HAD THAT LEATHER THING ON THEIR HEAD LOL
Reply
8-29-2009 @ 9:21PM
rcementhead said...
brady is the best ever. hes fine and your teams will suffer for it. pats are the best ever.
Reply
8-30-2009 @ 9:31AM
rbearfield said...
your name is very apt, except it should say stupid-cementhead.
8-29-2009 @ 9:21PM
rcementhead said...
ps we rule
Reply
8-29-2009 @ 10:06PM
grea8scotts said...
All the Randy Moss and Tom Brady fantasy football owners are screwed. HaHa!
Reply
8-29-2009 @ 10:43PM
hjbraeseke said...
THIS DOLFAN SAYS..... WHO CARES? DID THE SPORTS PRESS IN NEW ENGLAND F FORGET TO MENTION HIS NAME MORE THAN ONCE ON ANY GIVEN DAY???? B A R F
Reply
8-29-2009 @ 11:48PM
Murph said...
Hey Dollfan are you ready to get back in the basement where you belong? Go home and play with your blow up Marino and Shula Dolls and remember the glory days of the wonder lisp and MR Overrated
8-29-2009 @ 11:59PM
mrkeneed said...
Doesn't matter, Redskins will suck again this year!
Reply
8-30-2009 @ 12:08AM
Eddie said...
brady thinks he is all that. He is a jerk
Reply
8-30-2009 @ 11:10AM
me said...
How can you say that ? Do you know Tom Brady personally that you can make a statement like that ? Or are you just another hater with his head up his rear ? Tom Brady is the type of guy that if you saw him on the street and asked for his autograph he would smile and give it to you.
8-30-2009 @ 12:25AM
smithdelivery320 said...
new england is the team to beat in the divison that they are in. i dont think that they will be in the super bowl as long is the steelers stay healthy. but there is stiil a lot of teams in the afc that can make a run for it.
Reply