Image via Complex Original
Pretty boy, softy, overrated product of a good team, call him what you want, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has been a superstar in the NFL for 10 years now. Despite being drafted No. 199 out of the University of Michigan in 2000, Brady has proven himself an elite performer, leading the Patriots to three Super Bowl rings, an undefeated regular season in '07 and the most prolific offense to ever hit the gridiron.
Of course, when you're that good for that long (and you do stuff like this), you're gonna get some hate. And yes, we know that Brady is one of the most durable players in the NFL (he has played in all 16 games in eight of the past ten seasons). If he puts up another 36 TD/4 interception performance, we might even start to throw around words like "G.O.A.T." when we talk about him. But we'll still enjoy seeing dude get trucked. And for that, we've got this list of 10 Vicious Hits on Tom Brady.
Fat Albert Brings a Sack Lunch
Date: August 28, 2009
Final Score: Patriots 27 Redskins 24
We don't know what would be worse: Having Albert Haynesworth stomp your head or having his 6'6", 350-pound frame slam on top of you. This is a prime example of why the preseason is not necessary.
Bills Trample Brady
Date: September 7, 2003
Final Score: Bills 31 Patriots 0
Take it all the way back to 2003 to the last time the Buffalo Bills beat the Patriots. A young Tom Brady couldn't score a single point for the Pats in this one and was still being welcomed into the NFL with friendly shoves like this.
Tyrell Suggs Doesn't Like UGGs
Date: October 4, 2009
Final Score: Ravens 21 Patriots 27
Before this play, the Patriots hadn't fumbled for 600 snaps and had not lost a fumble for seven games. As the script usually goes, the announcers mention an impressive streak and the next play it goes down the drain.
Strahan's Final Sack
Date: February 3, 2008
Final Score: Giants 17 Patriots 14
The lineman couldn't even blink before Michael Strahan ripped around the corner to charge Brady. This might not be the most neck-breaking hit, but Strahan made it count as he threw the QB to the ground like a ragdoll, leaving him lying in pain.
Tom's Arm Plays Twister
Date: January 16, 2011
Final Score: Jets 28 Patriots 21
Aside from the Colts, is there a team that hates the Patriots more than the Jets? This play was a Jets fan's wet dream as Brady's arm gets up close and personal with Calvin Pace's helmet causing an ugly-looking fumble. Although the Patriots had nearly 10 minutes more time of possession in last season's AFC divisional playoff, Mark Sanchez's three-touchdown performance led the Jets to victory.
Wake Up, Tom!
Date: October 4, 2010
Final Score: Patriots 41 Dolphins 14
Now in his third year, the Dolphins'Cameron Wake has become one of the most underrated pass rushers in the league. Wake ranked third in the league last year with 14 sacks, making him somebody all linemen and quarterbacks must pay attention to. Although the Pats blasted Miami in this game, Wake made sure to tag Brady for a six-yard loss.
Bishop Packs on the Pounds
Date: December 19, 2010
Final Score: Packers 27 Patriots 31
This year Desmond Bishop is known for forgetting his identification and being refused at the White House entrance. Last year Bishop made a name for himself by wreaking havoc in opponents' backfields. The Packers almost won this game behind backup QB Matt Flynn but fell just short.
The Tuck Rule is Reborn
Date: January 19, 2002
Final Score: Raiders 13 Patriots 16
The Raiders were set. With 1:43 remaining in the fourth quarter of the AFC divisional playoff game, Brady's old Michigan teammate Charles Woodson shot around the Pat's O-line, hitting him from the back and forcing what seemed to be a game-saving fumble. Think again. Despite an obvious pump by Brady, the Walt Coleman reviewed the play and cited what is today known as the "Tuck Rule." The Pats tied the game up and went on to win in OT.
Rule 3, Section 21, Article 2, Note 2 of the NFL Official Rules:
"When a player is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional forward movement of his hand starts a forward pass, even if the player loses possession of the ball as he is attempting to tuck it back toward his body. Also, if the player has tucked the ball into his body and then loses possession, it is a fumble."
Let Tom Brady Hit the Floor
Date: February 3, 2008
Final Score: Giants 17 Patriots 14
After possibly the greatest catch in the history of the Super Bowl by David Tyree, rookie Jay Alford put the nail in the coffin in a massive upset by the Giants.
Bernard Pollard Becomes a Household Name
Date: September 7, 2008
Final Score: Chiefs 10 Patriots 17
Up until this play, Tom Brady hadn't missed a single start since becoming the starter for New England. At the time, his 110 consecutive starts were the third-most among active NFL quarterbacks. Bernard Pollard ended that quickly by landing his weight on the side of Brady's leg, tearing the ACL and putting the star QB on the sideline for the rest of the year. Coincidentally, backup QB Matt Cassel went on to prove himself a worthy player that year and later signed with none other than the Chiefs. We smell a conspiracy.