Brady Hopeful O'Brien Stays With Patriots
BOSTON (CBS) – With the rumors of Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien heading to Penn State swirling around, his current team is just trying to focus on the playoffs.
Head coach Bill Belichick would not comment about O'Brien's possible departure after New England's 49-21 win over the Bills, but quarterback Tom Brady made a point to sing O'Brien's praises.
"I don't know what's going to happen. I hope he's here for a long time and I told him that too," Brady said after the win.
After serving as quarterback's coach for two seasons, O'Brien took over as offensive coordinator before the 2011 season. In his fifth season in New England, he and Brady have worked together well and formed a relationship the QB cherishes.
"He's been a great coach and friend. We have a great relationship; probably a very unique relationship in that we communicate all the time," said Brady. "I always enjoy working with him and he's done an incredible job with this team and this offense. He expects nothing less than our best."
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If O'Brien is not getting the best, he is sure to let his offense know. He was seen on the sidelines ripping into the offense during Sunday's game. Earlier in the season, he and Brady were seen shouting at each other after the Pro Bowler threw an interception in the end zone against the Washington Redskins.
When Brady was seen yelling at his intended receiver, practice-squad player Tiquan Underwood, O'Brien put him in his place.
"I threw a pretty bad interception, so he wasn't happy about it," Brady said after the November 6 win. "And there was probably a long line of coaches and players that were pretty (upset) at me after that, but Billy got to me first. He let me have it; I deserved it."
USA Today reported Sunday Penn State was ready to hire O'Brien, and negotiating a contract was all that stood in their way of bringing him in to replace Joe Paterno.
The Patriots have a first-round bye, but be sure to tune in to a special playoff edition of Patriots GameDay Sunday January 8 at 11:30am on WBZ-TV.
