After a number of contradicting reports surfaced regarding the condition of Tom Brady’s recovery from knee injury, we had to ask who really knows what’s going on and who is just speculating?  According to the latest Brady update from Tom Curran over at NBCSports.com, his story on Brady’sd return being behind schedule is accurate and the efforts of one newspaper to get to the bottom of the mystery only served to confirm his original report.

Reading Peter King’s MMQB article at SportsIllustrated.com, I wasn’t surprised to find that King supported Curran’s report that Brady is behind schedule and may require another surgery possibly jeopardizing his 2009 season.  King went on to say he was hearing from other sources that Brady was on track with his rehab.Here’s a snipped from King’s MMQB piece:

I think there are two sides to the Tom Brady slow-knee-recovery story. Tom Curran’s well-researched piece on nbcsports.com Sunday implied Brady was behind schedule in his recovery and would probably need another surgery to feel right for the 2009 season. I have been told by those close to the story that Brady is actually ahead of schedule. We’ll find out which it is when the Patriots have to put the franchise tag on Matt Cassel come free-agency time in late February.

The tag would mean only that Cassel would be guaranteed at least $14.3 million on a one-year contract, and then the Patriots could either chose to keep Cassel as Brady insurance or try to make the best deal they could for the most compensation they could get for Cassel. If they hang onto Cassel — which I don’t expect to happen — then it’s a sign they don’t trust Brady’s rehab.

 
I’ve known Curran for a few years as we covered the Patriots beat.  I respect Tom’s reports and his opinion on the team.  If he’s saying that sources tell him Brady is behind schedule, you have to consider that those sources probably know what they’re talking about.
 
While the reports contradicting the NBC report state that Brady is on track with his recovery, no specific timeframe has been issued for a return.  Some reports speculate that Brady will be back for training camp, others are less specific.

What I was told by a league insider is you can’t believe everything you read, especially when it comes to rehab of an injury.  For now, until news comes out otherwise, the widely held understanding by those inside the loop is that Brady’s rehab is progressing, but the exact date of return is undetermined.
 
I’ve been one of those pessimists who have constantly told readers that Brady won’t be back before camp, and the recovery could well linger into the 2009 season. The recovery will have a direct impact on the team’s position with Matt Cassel. Readers over at Scout asked if the Pats will try to keep both. My response has been, Why wouldn’t they?  They’d have to be crazy not to try to find a way to keep both around until they know more about Brady’s timeframe for a return.
 
One thing to keep in mind is that Cassel is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.  Free agency starts in March, and the Patriots will have to make a decision on Cassel’s future well before they really know what’s the final outlook for Brady.  That leaves only one option — the Franchise tag.  Certainly Cassel’s agent wouldn’t allow him to sign a new deal in New England as a backup when so many teams are desperate for a starting quarterback.  And the Patriots aren’t about to let Cassel leave with uncertainty surrounding Brady.
 
So to Chris, Kim, Kevin and all the rest of our readers who want to know about Brady, you’re going to have to keep checking in on those reports of the progress in Brady’s  rehab.  It doesn’t appear that anyone has a definitive answer on his return at this time. I still expect we’ll see Matt Cassel remain a member of the Patriots after the start of free agency.  He may not agree to a deal, or even sign his Franchise tag offer sheet, but Cassel really won’t have any choice.  If the Patriots can find the cap room, and I’ve been told with the increase in the Cap this year they’re going to be able to find it if they need it, then Cassel isn’t going anywhere any time soon.

This whole rehab drama should make for more interesting debate as the Draft approaches.
 
Stay tuned as I’ll be working with a number of Scout insiders covering the Senior Bowl to bring you some scoops on what’s happening with draft prospects who fit the Patriots needs.