Cardinals “Don’t Want Any Excuses” From Brady-Less Pats

If the 2016 NFL season started tomorrow, the first Sunday Night Football fixture would feature Jimmy Garoppolo starting for the New England Patriots while Tom Brady watched from home. But the season doesn’t start tomorrow, and until it does we’ll be subjected to “will he-won’t he” reports regarding the status of Brady’s appeal. New England’s opponent, the Arizona Cardinals, aren’t looking for any cheap wins.

“I’m a competitor and he’s one of the best to ever do it. It would be awesome to play against him,” claimed linebacker Deone Bucannon. Bucannon wrecked havoc on opposing offenses last year upon entering the front seven from his original place in the secondary. “I want them at their best because we’re definitely going to be at our best.”

“I don’t want any excuses,” added Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin. “The level we’re at right now as an organization…when we’re playing another team we want them to be at full capacity too.”

The comments added to the general sentiment expressed in a non-official poll taken by the Arizona Republic, in which the majority of Cardinals players and coaches voted in favor of Brady playing on opening weekend.

Of course, it’s very easy to beat your chest and claim you’re the best four months out from meaningful football. One might even call it a sign of insecurity to so boastfully demand to play a team at their best, instead of voicing your pleasure at the odds being tipped in your favor. One such voice of reason came from Larry Fitzgerald, who knows what Brady – particularly a blood lusted, me-against-the-world Brady – is capable of.

“I think that’s a pretty easy question to answer,” he opined. “I love Tom, that’s my man. But if he doesn’t play, I wouldn’t shed any tears. I’d love to see him back the next week, though.”

Wise words from a man who knows he’s in the twilight of his career, and that every win counts if he is to finally to earn that elusive ring. Fitzgerald came within one game of a second Super Bowl appearance last season, but was stalled by an offensive implosion against the Panthers. This year, he’s happy to take every win he can, starting with week 1.