What Bill O'Brien said about working with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick
This is not Bill O'Brien's first stint with the Patriots, but this time is a little different. While Bill Belichick is still the head coach, heading into his 49th season as an NFL coach, the Patriots have a new look to the offense that includes a new quarterback. The last time O'Brien was in New […]
This is not Bill O'Brien's first stint with the Patriots, but this time is a little different.
While Bill Belichick is still the head coach, heading into his 49th season as an NFL coach, the Patriots have a new look to the offense that includes a new quarterback.
The last time O'Brien was in New England, Tom Brady was at the helm, but now the retired quarterback will be on the sidelines during the first game of the season.
He will be honored at Gillette Stadium during halftime of Sunday's contest, and O'Brien shared some sentiments when speaking with the media on Tuesday.
“Tom meant a lot to all of our careers. Tom’s a great friend. I’ve been fortunate enough to stay in touch with Tom since I coached him and it’s just a really good friendship and a guy who you can always count on. Just a great guy," O'Brien said. "And everybody knows him as a great football player and everything that he did on the football field, what he did for this area and this organization, but he’s a tremendous friend and I’ve been able to lean on him at times over my career since I left coaching him and he’s just been a really good friend to me.”
O'Brien first started with the Patriots in 2007 as the offensive assistant before transitioning to wide receivers coach in 2008. From 2009 to 2010 he served as the quarterbacks coach, before becoming offensive coordinator in 2011.
While he noticed one change, he says things have remained the same for the most part since leaving.
“The building’s changed a little bit, but the guy who runs the football part of it has not changed a bit," O'Brien said. "He’s a guy that we all learn from every single day. I’m personally always impressed with his energy, his ability to work consistently, the hours, the consistent work ethic that he has day in and day out. I think it’s unmatched. And his ability to see the game, help us on offense, defense and special teams to put together a game plan.
"He’s a great team player and I’ve always enjoyed working for Bill, working with Bill and it’s basically very similar to the way it was when I was here before," O'Brien added. "It’s a great place to come to work everyday, it really is.”
It will be a big reunion on Sunday, with Brady returning to Gillette for the season opener, along with Ty Law saying that 'a lot of the guys are coming in” for the game on The Greg Hill Show (via WEEI's Mike Kadlick).
Bill Belichick ‘looking forward’ to seeing Tom Brady on Sunday at Patriots’ season opener
Bill Belichick and Tom Brady made history together.
Featured Image via Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
