Tom Brady, quarterback, New York Jets? According to a recent report, it would have happened back in 2000 if one veteran team scout got his way.
A source who was in the draft room with the Jets the year Brady was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round tells the New York Daily News that Jesse Kay, a well-respected Jets scout, wanted to draft Brady so badly that he “nearly stood on a table shouting his name.” He was overruled by then-general manager Bill Parcells.
Even though the Jets had already invested the 18th overall pick on (Chad) Pennington, the first quarterback they had taken in the first round since Ken O’Brien in 1983, the source said Kaye loved Brady, who had thrown for 369 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-34 overtime victory over Alabama in the Orange Bowl in the final game of his college career, but was unable to persuade Parcells — despite the scout’s deep conviction that Brady was going to be an excellent player — to take him.
When the Jets turned in their card in the sixth round with the 179th pick, they took North Carolina State defensive back Tony Scott. Twenty picks later, using a supplemental sixth-round draft choice, the Patriots selected Brady.
We must all remember that there was an element of luck involved with Brady’s ascension into stardom with the Patriots. Had it not been for an injury to Drew Bledsoe, who knows how long it would have taken Brady to earn a starting role (if he earned one at all).
It’s more painful that the Jets used their 18th overall pick on Chad Pennington, although the former NFL quarterback did struggle with a series of shoulder injuries. Parcells, of course, claims he doesn’t remember being lobbied to draft Brady.
The truth of the matter is every NFL franchise has several stories like this. Many of the league’s best players were overlooked by multiple teams. Why was Aaron Rodgers taken 24th overall in the same draft that Alex Smith was the first overall pick? Why did Brett Favre slip into the second round then get traded? There are no fortune tellers in sports. If there were, it wouldn’t be any fun.
