FOXBORO — The Tom Brady [stats] you almost always see has a long memory for losses. He pores over them, lying awake at night flogging himself for imperfections in games gone by.

“That’s definitely a part of my nature,” Brady said in a November interview with Westwood One radio.

He rehashes everything you can imagine. The Patriots [team stats] quarterback can’t help himself.
“I look at a game like the Super Bowl against the Giants that I wish I’d made more plays in that game,” Brady said then. “They’re tough to handle. The playoff losses are the ones that haunt you the most, because there’s a finality to the football season.”

Where was that Brady yesterday? Where was the player who thought endlessly about a humbling loss to the Jets to end the 2010 campaign, being proven mortal after an MVP season?

Not at Gillette Stadium.

Brady was asked how long it took him to get over seeing Rex Ryan and his hated Jets celebrate in his building?

“I don’t know,” said Brady, stoic. “I don’t remember.”
Are we to believe one of the most painful losses of his career isn’t on his mind?

“I haven’t thought about anything about last year or last week,” Brady said yesterday.

That was the Brady preparing his playoff march. Finished with a 13-3 regular season, finished with helping his team secure a No. 1 AFC seed heading into Saturday’s showdown with the Broncos, finished with a season that saw him throw just two interceptions in his last eight games.

And finished with looking back and lamenting. His eyes looked nowhere but forward.

Brady is 14-5 in the playoffs. The highlights were 10 straight wins and three Super Bowl titles. The lowlights were a crushing Super Bowl loss to the Giants and the losses following the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

Despite his propensity to reflect and take every defeat as a shock to the system, there was no looking back yesterday. Will his experience help or hurt?

“It’s a different team,” Brady said. “It really is. None of those games mean anything. That’s why we’re going to show up and play, because no one really knows the answer to those things. Yeah, experience is great when you win, and when you lose, it means nothing.”
The Patriots [team stats] had a bye last week, giving the team ample opportunity to rest and refocus. They were back at practice, including Brady, who sat out last week to heal his ailing left shoulder. Perhaps the reflection aided his focus and got all of his wallowing out of the way. He’s not alone.

Coach Bill Belichick, who studies everything to gain even a minuscule advantage, brushed off questions about past playoff losses.

“We have five days until Denver,” Belichick said. “That’s what we’re looking toward.”
The Patriots [team stats] had a bye last week, giving the team ample opportunity to rest and refocus. They were back at practice, including Brady, who sat out last week to heal his ailing left shoulder. Perhaps the reflection aided his focus and got all of his wallowing out of the way. He’s not alone.

Coach Bill Belichick, who studies everything to gain even a minuscule advantage, brushed off questions about past playoff losses.

“We have five days until Denver,” Belichick said. “That’s what we’re looking toward.”

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BEREA, Ohio -- Calmer and less combative than in his last press appearance three weeks ago, Browns President Mike Holmgren sought to ease frustrations with and inspire confidence in a football team that has lost 23 of 32 games under his watch.

After 75 minutes of mostly dodging questions about specific plans, Holmgren summed up the state of the organization in a few sentences.

"The fans here have been a little long-suffering," Holmgren said. "So, we are driven. We put pressure on ourselves to do the right things and get this thing turned in the right direction.

"I think the next couple years are very important in determining how this is going to go. I'm a little upset with our record, but I'm not discouraged. There's a lot of hope."

Holmgren was joined by General Manager Tom Heckert. They did more sidestepping than Browns quarterbacks in a month of Steelers games. They offered little clarity on the status of Colt McCoy and running back Peyton Hillis -- who entered 2011 as huge fan favorites and ended it with cloudy futures.

Holmgren praised McCoy for possessing "a lot of the intangibles," but backed up coach Pat Shurmur's previous statements that McCoy would have to compete next season with Seneca Wallace and someone else for the starting quarterback job. Holmgren said he's "not ready to anoint" McCoy as the franchise quarterback.

As for a new quarterback, Holmgren steered conversation away from Green Bay backup and potential free agent Matt Flynn. He said he wouldn't comment on players with existing teams. Flynn's name, though, opened a discussion on whether the Browns would pursue a young quarterback in free agency rather than in the draft.

Heckert said, "That's probably not the way we're going to do it. You never know. It's still early. There are a few guys in the league who have started and will be free agents. We're going to look at them and see how that goes. It's really early. We'll evaluate everybody. We do it every year. We'll study them all."
Holmgren defended the club's stance against building the team in free agency, although both he and Heckert said they would be "selective" in adding experienced players.

"We have a philosophy of how to build the team," Holmgren said. "Our record was poor, so the natural reaction is to just go crazy and spend millions of dollars. Now, if that was the right thing to do in our opinion, to build the foundation for the long term, we will do that. But that's not our philosophy on how to build this for the long term.

"So how are you going to build the team? Sometimes it's not the most popular thing to do. But I've got a lot of faith in [Heckert]. He's good at what he does. We have a good coach and a good coaching staff and good young players. We have a way we think will work. It's not necessarily the quick fix. I know that can be a frustration at times. We are not opposed to doing anything, but generally speaking we are going to stay the course."

That would leave the bulk of work in improving their 4-12 club in the coming draft. The Browns own three of the top 37 selections and have nine picks overall. They traded for Atlanta's first-round pick last year. That pick will be no higher than No. 21, depending on the Falcons' playoff fate. The Browns also have the No. 4 pick in the first round and fifth pick in the second round.
They sounded more inclined to selecting players with their two No. 1s rather than combining them in a trade for a quarterback.

"That's the reason we made the trade [last year] -- to get players," Heckert said. "I like [having so many early picks]. We obviously have to hit on them. But we always have to. We're sitting at [No. 4] right now. It's going to be tough to screw that one up."

To which Holmgren interjected, "Write that down."

As for Hillis, Holmgren and Heckert stayed consistent with Shurmur and flatly declined to say they wanted him back. When pressed later on Hillis, Holmgren asked that reporters "please respect our decision not to talk about that today."

With Montario Hardesty's injury history, running back has become an unforeseen area of need. Both men acknowledged the receiver situation needs significant upgrading, too.

"I think it's obvious we have to help our offense. I can't sit here and lie," Heckert said.

So why does Holmgren maintain it's not "business as usual"? And where are his reasons for hope? Holmgren made his case with the encouraging play of a young defense, the expectations that Shurmur will learn from an unusually rocky rookie season and Heckert's record as a draft evaluator.

"The way I'm looking at it, we had to have a huge turnover on the roster, new coaching staff, new system, and all the stuff that went on in the off-season," Holmgren said. "The difference is we're not going to say 'we're 4-12 again, let's blow everything up,' go sign somebody here without a team around him perhaps that can support him. The difference is we're going to stay the course, gonna do it a certain way.

"I have an owner who supports us to do it this way. The growing pains are difficult. I understand that. But I think our defense took a big step this year. We had trouble at times stopping the run. Other than that, we did a decent job against the run. Total defense, we were very competitive. Offensively, not so much. Special teams, I saw crazy things I haven't seen before in my life.

"We know what we have to fix. But we're not going to blow it up and start over. That's the difference."
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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Objects in the rear view mirror may appear closer than they are...

In the locker room Sunday, Josh Cribbs sounded like David Copperfield.

"We're going to turn these losses by four points into wins by 14," he said, stopping short of adding, "Abracadabra." This was the same guy who, when asked how big the gap was between the Ravens and Browns less than a month earlier, said, "It's a big gap."

This was the same guy who delivered the slogan of the season after the Cincinnati game when he said out of frustration, "We almost always almost win" and declared war on the moral victory.

So why the happy outlook? After six losses to end the season? Well, for one thing, Cribbs started getting more passes thrown his way. But why else? Because the Browns only were beaten badly once in that stretch?

Sorry. There has to be more reason for optimism than that. That's losers' talk.

Hopefully, Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert can communicate better reasons in Thursday's press conference, because close games are the nature of the NFL. They're not something to run up the flag pole and salute.

Holmgren pointed to The Nap and The Snap in his last press conference in trying to explain the poor record under rookie head coach Pat Shurmur. It didn't fly then. It still doesn't. The Browns lost six games by seven or fewer points in 2011. In a few of those, teams got ahead and protected their lead.

Just a year ago, Eric Mangini's Browns lost seven by less than a touchdown. They even managed to do it while making some magic happen in the very same season, with wins over New Orleans (30-17) and New England (34-14) followed by an OT loss to the Jets (26-20) that was every bit as unlucky as anything that's happened this season.

The Browns have reason to believe they've closed the gap defensively after two years of drafting on that side of the ball. So it figures they can improve offensively by turning attention there in this draft. But there are a lot more questions than draft picks to solve them. And this time next year, Holmgren will be going into Year 4.

Who's the quarterback, the feature running back, the playmaking wide receivers, the play caller? Does anyone in Berea feel a sense of urgency? Could they, you know, show it in free agency?

Maybe Randy Lerner bought the idea of a five-year plan, but it's a non-starter with people who've been invested emotionally and financially since 1999. People who've seen things turn around more quickly in other NFL cities. People who've seen a head coach's passion become contagious.
Since it's clear this flat-lining head coach is being afforded time to learn on the job and isn't going anywhere, it's incumbent on Holmgren and Heckert to give their customers a quick review of The Plan. What would really help is if they recognized the need to hit the accelerator on it. They clearly didn't care about winning this season. Their moves said as much, starting with Shurmur's hiring.

In the meantime, they can't talk about being close one minute when it fits their agenda and roll their eyes the next at everyone's lack of understanding and patience.

Realistically, you'd settle for the Peyton you already have...

If ESPN "speculation" that the Browns would probably be interested in Peyton Manning if he were available can pass as news, then here's something else for you.

First, let me say I am not reporting this. Let's be clear about that. This isn't a report or even a rumor. I'm just putting it out there.

If, say, Adrian Peterson were healthy and available, I would expect the Browns to have some interest in pursuing him.

Yes, even if that means making room by cutting Chris Ogbonnaya.

SPINOFFS

So it takes three years for a QB to play "fast" in the West Coast system. Wow. That's unfortunate. All I know is it takes about two series for a defense to play fast enough to stop the Browns version of the WCO in its tracks...

I hope Shurmur was just stating a fact and not hoping to excite the fan base when he said he's looking forward to seeing a healthy Montario Hardesty next season...

Something about the news that Urban Meyer banned the use of Twitter didn't seem right. Maybe it was the fact that a OSU player used Twitter to announce it. Turns out Meyer didn't ban Twitter, we learned via Twitter...

I haven't been that confused since boxer Leon Spinks told me he stopped drinking and smoking to get in shape for a return to the ring -- while smoking a cigarette and sipping a Scotch...

The Big Ten went 4-6 in bowl games. Michigan State and Michigan had to win overtime games for that to happen, Michigan while being out-gained, 377-184, by Virginia Tech. No wonder Meyer thinks he can coach in this conference without burning out...

Three of the last six Super Bowl winners qualified for the playoffs as wild cards. Don't get any ideas, Lions and Bengals...
Spin's Playoff Power Rankings: 1. New Orleans. 2. Green Bay. 3. New England. 4. Baltimore. 5. New York Giants. 6. Pittsburgh. 7. San Francisco 8. Everybody else ...

It's shocking that Dallas owner Jerry Jones sees nothing wrong with keeping GM Jerry Jones in place and feels Jerry Jones is doing a whale of a job. The Cowboys have had six coaches and one GM in the past 15 seasons. And, if you insist on nitpicking Jerry Jones' stellar record, one playoff win...

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

Argentine soccer coach Carlos Bianchi and actor/comedian Larry David -- Bill S
david-mug-ap.jpgView full sizeAP fileThis guy plays nearly everything for laughs, even if he doesn't crack a smile.

YOU SAID IT

(The Expanded Mid-Week Edition)

"Bud:

"Should I be concerned that my 8-year-old son does not dream of one day playing in the TaxSlayer.com Bowl?" -- Lance, Middleburg Heights

No. You can't expect the younger generation to have the same attachments to tradition that we have.

"Bud:

"My personal thanks to the Browns for giving us a stress-free playoff season again this year." -- Mike, Euclid

They do what they can.

"Bud:

"Do you almost always almost win the Pulitzer?" -- Chas K

I've been coming within talent, inspiration and hard work of winning one for years.

"Bud:

"Seneca Wallace said he deserves a shot at being the starting QB for Cleveland next year. Do you think he meant for the Gladiators?" -- Angelo, Cleveland

As long as they don't expect him to mentor a young quarterback.

"Bud:

"I heard Ben Roethlisberger was upset Browns fans cheered when Rashard Mendenhall was injured Sunday. Good thing he wasn't at my house when I learned he ran his motorcycle into that truck a few years ago." -- Jim, Shaker Heights

First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.

"Bud:

"Will you be leaving the PD for 'Radio Free Holmgren?'" -- Joe S

Repeat winners do not get extra playoff tickets.

"Hey Bud:

"I see that LeBron got engaged this past weekend. Do you think he'll keep his last name or change it to Wade?" -- Bob H, Medina

Repeat winners also do not get invited to the wedding.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio — Left tackle Joe Thomas' goal of helping the Browns to a Super Bowl will have to wait, but he's been hitting his individual goals during his first five seasons.

Thomas was voted a first-team Associated Press NFL All-Pro for the third straight season by a panel of 50 media members Friday. He received 19 votes. The Philadelphia Eagles' Jason Peters, the other first-team tackle, received 27.

Thomas was the only Browns player named to the team and one of two to receive votes. Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson received two votes.

The honor came less than two weeks after Thomas was voted to his fifth straight Pro Bowl -- the first Browns player since running back Jim Brown to make it in each of his first five seasons.

One of Thomas' greatest sources of pride has been playing every offensive snap since being drafted No. 3 overall by the Browns in 2007.

He's started 80 straight games and hasn't missed a down.

Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson and Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen were the leading All-Pro vote-getters, each just one vote shy of being a unanimous pick.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers made the team for the first time, easily beating Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints, 471/2 to 21/2.

One rookie made the squad: Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson was selected as the kick returner.

Another cornerback, Darrelle Revis of the New York Jets, was behind Johnson and Allen with 48 votes. Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs got 47.

One oddity: Both first-team guards, Carl Nicks and Jahri Evans, were from the Saints. That hasn't happened since 1953, with the Detroit Lions' Lou Creekmur and Dick Stanfel.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' Maurkice Pouncey was the center.

The running backs were the Jacksonville Jaguars' Maurice Jones-Drew, the Philadelphia Eagles' LeSean McCoy and Ravens fullback Vonta Leach.

Record-setter Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots was the tight end. Teammate Wes Welker was the other receiver.

Joining Allen on the defensive line were end Jason Pierre-Paul of the New York Giants, and tackles Haloti Ngata of the Ravens and Justin Smith of the San Francisco 49ers.

The linebackers were Suggs and the Dallas Cowboys' DeMarcus Ware on the outside, Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman of the 49ers and Derrick Johnson of the Chiefs on the inside. Bowman and Johnson tied with 16 votes.

Revis and Charles Woodson of the Packers were the cornerbacks, with Troy Polamalu of the Steelers and Eric Weddle of the Chargers at safety.

Both kickers were 49ers: place-kicker David Akers and punter Andy Lee. San Francisco led the All-Pro Team with five players. Baltimore was next with three.
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The Bears are competing with three other NFL teams for a new general manager.

But multiple NFL sources said it’s not much of a competition.

In interviews with more than 10 scouts and personnel executives, the Bears’ vacancy is viewed as one of the most appealing, if not the most appealing.

That’s high praise, given the merits of each.

The Oakland Raiders might be turning a new leaf after the passing of longtime owner Al Davis. The
Indianapolis Colts own the No. 1
pick and have one of the league’s boldest owners. The St. Louis Rams feature quarterback Sam Bradford, defensive end Chris Long and the No. 2 pick.

So why the interest in the Bears?

◆ There’s the history. George
Halas. Nine NFL championships. The most enshrinees in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

◆ There’s the market size. With no team in Los Angeles, Chicago is the NFL’s second-largest market.

◆ There’s the quarterback. Jay Cutler was viewed by several of those interviewed as a huge asset.

◆ There’s the reputation. The McCaskeys aren’t perceived as meddlesome owners, and they watched GM Jerry Angelo run the franchise as he saw fit.

On Thursday, the Bears officially requested permission from the Baltimore Ravens to speak with player personnel director Eric DeCosta about their GM position. As reported by the Sun-Times on Wednesday night, DeCosta would “strongly consider” the Bears as an option, according to a league source.

Even persuading DeCosta to
interview would be a feat, since he long has resisted overtures from other clubs and remained loyal to the Ravens. If he wanted, DeCosta could have been a GM six or more years ago, given his and, of course, the team’s reputation of consistently drafting well.

The Bears are expected to seek permission to speak with more candidates soon, and those on the radar are believed to include Les Snead of the Atlanta Falcons and Lake Dawson of the Tennessee
Titans. A league source said Reggie McKenzie of the Green Bay Packers, who also was thought to be under consideration for the Bears’ opening, is working on a contract to become the GM of the Raiders.

Other candidates that also might be in play are George Paton of the Minnesota Vikings, Doug Whaley of the Buffalo Bills, Steve Keim of the Arizona Cardinals and ­Morocco Brown of the Washington Redskins. Brown and Paton worked with the Bears earlier in their scouting careers.

There are, of course, concerns.

Will the Bears be open to change their old-fashioned reputation? Will they be willing to use salary-cap space?

The McCaskeys have a reputation for being frugal. But several of the sources said they didn’t think a competitive compensation ­package would be a concern. And, as it ­relates to the owners, two noted that the family seems more than fair in giving their top employees a fair chance to make strides. ­Angelo, of course, was the GM for 11 years.

When asked about ­salary Tuesday, Bears president Ted Phillips stressed that the Bears would do what was necessary to get their man.

As for coach Lovie Smith, multiple sources downplayed any concern about inheriting him. Smith is respected in his role, and he doesn’t have a reputation for venturing outside of it. In addition, Smith is under contract through 2013, which means a new GM ­essentially would decide the coach’s fate after the 2012 season.

A head coach rarely enters the final season of his deal without his status clearly laid out.

Besides, on a veteran roster
capable of making a postseason push immediately, Smith would serve as a key component of continuity, as the new GM blends his way onto the team.

There’s expected to be activity Friday. But with many of the candidates on playoff teams, the weekend might quiet down before activity resumes Monday.
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