KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Among the many rivalries rekindled with the Chiefs visiting the Patriots, defensive coordinator Bob Sutton has a long history against Patriots quarterback Tom Brady connecting back to this days with the New York Jets.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton (Photo courtesy Chiefs PR, Chiefs.com)
“You know as a coach, as a player, you really have to be at your best when you go into this,” Sutton said about facing Brady and the Patriots offense. “It’s going to be a fun night, a challenging night.”
Sutton spent 13 seasons in the AFC East facing Tom Brady, including three seasons as the Jets’ defensive coordinator. The Patriots drafted Brady during Sutton’s first year in New York.
He posted mixed results against Brady, not unlike most defensive coordinators. The Jets went 1-3 against Brady in the 2006-07 seasons. Brady missed most of the 2008 season, Sutton’s final year as coordinator, after sustaining a season-ending knee injury in the opener against the Chiefs.
Brady says the hallmarks of Sutton’s defenses center on good communication and strong technique.
“They’re very sound,” Brady said about Sutton’s defense. “It’s not like they’re trying to do things so unconventional that it gets them into problems. They’re really good at what they do.”
Sutton split two games against Brady in Kansas City. His defense walloped the Patriots in 2014, 41-14. Brady completed 14-of-23 passing for 159 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.
Brady posted the sixth-worst passer rating of his career in a 2007 game against the Jets. Brady completed just 14-of-27 passing for 140 yards and an interception. Yet the Patriots won 20-10 thanks to a woeful Jets offense.
Sutton said even at age 40, Brady continues playing at a high level despite turnover around him. Sutton doesn’t expect the loss of wide receiver Julian Edelman.
“He’s seen about everything you can see,” Sutton said. “So I don’t think there’s too many things that worry him.”
———-
Matt Derrick is the lead beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
———-
