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The Only Way Tom Brady's Presence In Carolina Could 'Hurt' The Patriots

By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston

BOSTON (CBS) -- Does Tom Brady really "need" his preseason game reps, or does he just want them? More importantly, does it matter?

Brady certainly does not seem like a happy camper about how his training camp and preseason has gone for the Patriots. Bill Belichick is doing what he can to prioritize getting backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo ready for Week 1 at the Arizona Cardinals as Brady prepares to sit out the first four games due to suspension, which does not appear to sit well with No. 12, who openly lobbied for more playing time in his Tuesday press conference.

It would behoove the Patriots to give Brady the start and some real playing time Friday night in the "dress rehearsal" game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, if only for his own happiness and comfort. If you don't think it's 'best for the team' to do that, then I ask you: were you saying the same thing after Week 4 of the 2014 season, when Brady looked angry and uncomfortable before turning it around a week later?

Like it or not, keeping Brady happy should also be a priority - to an extent. If that means he needs to get his one preseason start in (and make no mistake, if he's playing he's starting) and play a couple of series behind the starting offensive line and facing a legit defense at real game speed, so be it.

However ... the key words there are "to an extent." While the Patriots' usage of their three quarterbacks Friday night (barring injury) ultimately won't make a big difference in the Patriots' Super Bowl hopes, there's only one way you could possibly argue that Brady's presence on the field would "hurt" the team: if Brady plays too much.

It is commonplace in the dress rehearsal game for the starters to play the entire first half, often well into the third quarter, before calling in the reserves. As important as it may be for Brady's psyche to get in some preseason snaps - the only time he missed the entire preseason was 2008 when he tore his ACL in Week 1, which has to be in the back of his mind - it's also important to give that same level of action to Garoppolo. Jimmy G. has never started a regular season game and can use all the real game action he can get before taking that first snap against Arizona.

That's not to say that if Brady played all the way through the first half with the starters that Garoppolo's growth as a quarterback would be permanently stunted. But it would certainly go against what Belichick has repeatedly declared is the "priority" of the team at the quarterback position. If the team really is dedicated to getting Garoppolo ready for the season - ahead of making sure Brady is happy and gets his reps - then he will get a good chunk of the first-half playing time.

It's important for the long-term outlook of the team that both Garoppolo is as ready as possible for the regular season and that Brady feels as comfortable as possible heading into his suspension. Starting Brady Friday night would not hurt Garoppolo or the team - but playing him for too long could. The way the Patriots deploy Brady and Garoppolo Friday night will reveal what the team's first priority really is.

Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

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