TAMPA, Fla. _ Tom Brady knows it will be a challenge leading the Bucs to the end zone and victories, much less the playoffs or a Super Bowl.
But first, he could use some directions to work.
And once he arrives at the AdventHealth Training Center, would someone please direct him to the quarterback meeting room so he can learn the new offense?
Brady, 43, outlined the challenge of switching teams after 20 seasons in New England, a task made more difficult by the coronavirus pandemic that erased the offseason workout program and Organized Team Activities, as well as preseason games.
"You're trying to learn a bunch of different things, and you're trying to not only learn an offense but learn your way to work," Brady said during a conference call Thursday. "Or learn guys' names. I didn't even know where the quarterback room was or the full team meeting room was. You get in here, and your brain is trying to figure out a lot of different things.
"Every day that goes by, it's getting a little bit better. I am glad we're not playing a game this Sunday. I'm glad we have time to prepare. It's been a good week or so meeting here, and I think every day I'm trying to take advantage of an opportunity to improve myself so I can be the best quarterback for this team that this team really deserves. These guys are working really hard, and I want to come in here and do a great job with them."
It's easy to underestimate what Brady is attempting to accomplish in Tampa Bay.
In addition to the physical demands of maintaining his level of play at an age when most players are retired, Brady has had to learn the terminology of a new playbook under Bucs coach Bruce Arians, something he hasn't done since his rookie year in New England.
Although Brady organized workouts with more than a dozen players at Berkeley Preparatory School in the spring and summer, the coronavirus prevented him from spending more time with coaches installing the offensive scheme. The transition has challenged him mentally and physically.
"It's been different having the opportunity over this time to move and then for example, study my playbook. I mean, I really haven't had to do that in 19 years," Brady said. "You forget, man, that's really tough. All the different terminologies and going back a very long time in my career to really have to put the mental energy in it like I did. I have to work at it pretty hard physically, still. I put a lot of time and energy into making sure I'm feeling good in order to perform at my best. But mentally, I think that's been the thing that's obviously had its challenges.
"I think you couple that with obviously the coronavirus situation, and it became even more difficult. So I think conversations we probably would've had in April we're having now. I think that part can be challenging, too. The only thing you can do is you adjust to the situation the best way you can. Put as much time and energy now as we can in it, and I think the reality is the clock is ticking on everybody. We're going to have to work as hard as we can and not waste any minutes of any day trying to get used to one another. Embrace the challenge and see it as an opportunity to see what we can become."
The Bucs have spent a week in strength and conditioning training, but Brady said he's anxious to start going against a defense in a full-squad practice, which won't happen for a couple weeks.
"Guys are working really hard to get to know one another," Brady said. "Again, we haven't had any practices yet, because football and throwing the ball around or a workout or something like that is a lot different than real football and being in the huddle and getting to know people that way and know who you can really count on. I think you just have to do what you can with what we're all dealing with, try to make the most of it and try to understand the clock is ticking on all of us and we've got a lot of work to do in a very short amount of time."
The Bucs begin the regular season at New Orleans Sept. 13.
