Brady rallies Patriots

JOSEPH ADDAI had just run through the New England Patriots’ team picture, the RCA Dome was delirious and the Indianapolis Colts had both momentum and the lead.

At half-time New England trudged to its locker room, and soon enough there was Tom Brady in the middle of it, demanding everyone’s attention, commanding everyone’s respect. The Patriots’ season had been a joy ride for eight weeks, so this hadn’t been needed, the team leader leading after the team had been punched in the mouth.

But this was what the old guys expected and the new guys had been seeking. There was Brady, giving a short, forceful speech, reminding everyone of the slogan of the week against these Colts.