Brady Has Job Down Pat

Tom Brady made Coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots look very good.

Brady justified Belichick’s decision to stick with him over a healthy Drew Bledsoe, throwing a career-high four touchdown passes as the Patriots beat the New Orleans Saints, 34-17, Sunday.

Brady, a sixth-round pick in the 2000 draft, has avoided fueling any controversy with his friend Bledsoe, a nine-year veteran who has played in three Pro Bowls and has a $103-million contract.

“Any team is lucky to have him,” Brady said. “I’ve got to go out and worry about preparing myself.”

Brady is 6-3 as a starter since Bledsoe was hurt when he was hit by Mo Lewis of the New York Jets. And Brady is 1-0 since Belichick made him the starter for the rest of the season barring “unforeseen circumstances.”

Bledsoe was upset when he learned of Belichick’s decision early last week but said Sunday, “It’s not about who plays or who doesn’t play. It’s about who wins, and I’ll do what I can to help this team.”

During the game, Bledsoe talked with Brady on the sideline. Late in the fourth quarter, they exchanged smiles. But Brady’s performance solidified his job security before next Sunday’s game in New Jersey against the New York Jets, who are tied with Miami for the AFC East lead at 7-3. The Patriots are 6-5.

“Tom started last week against St. Louis, this week against New Orleans, and he’s probably going to start next week against the Jets,” Belichick said. “That’s the way it was. That’s the way it’s going to be. I think it’s pretty clear-cut.”

Brady completed 19 of 27 passes for 258 yards with no interceptions. Antowain Smith caught one scoring pass and rushed 24 times for 111 yards, the third time in four games in which he ran for at least 100.

“It’s a good win for us because everybody played well,” Brady said.

“We’re right where we want to be. We’re in the thick of it and I like our chances.”

The Saints (5-5) trailed, 20-0, at halftime.

“We got off to a slow start,” New Orleans wide receiver Willie Jackson said. “Usually we are capable of coming back from that.”

They did in a 34-31 win over St. Louis, rallying from a 24-6 deficit and handing the Rams their only loss. The Patriots lost to the Rams 24-17 a week ago.

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The Kid Is All Right

New England Patriot rookie quarterback Tom Brady, right, is 6-3 as a starter since Drew Bledsoe, left, was severely injured in a 10-3 loss to the New York Jets on Sept. 23. When New England Coach Bill Belichick named Brady the starter over the now healthy Bledsoe last week, more than a few eyebrows were raised. A look at how each quarterback has fared over his last nine starts.

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Att. Comp. Yards Comp.% TD Int. QB Rating W-L Brady 292 192 2,081 65.8% 20 7 99.4 6-3 Bledsoe 323 189 1,993 58.5% 9 6 78.1 3-6

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Roy Jurgens