Tom Brady doesn't seem to be pleased the Patriots released Ben Watson.
The tight end was informed Monday that New England was letting him go after he served a four-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy, and Brady said he already was missing him.
“Pretty tough. Pretty tough," Brady said during his weekly news conference of Watson's release. "I’ve played with a lot of guys over the years, and Ben’s a great player. He’s been a great player for this team, for other teams. He’s had an incredible career, and hopefully he can keep playing. I know he was looking forward to playing.
"I miss him. (His locker) was right next to me. And for as great of a player he was, he was 10 times a better person. Just the highest integrity. I can’t say enough good things about Ben, what he’s meant to me and my family and our team. We’re going to miss him.”
The Patriots' surprising decision didn't seem to sit well with Brady. Watson was a veteran presence who was expected to fill the role of Rob Gronkowski, who retired last season after spending his whole career in New England.
Now Brady has to rely on free agency acquisition Matt LaCosse and second-year player Ryan Izzo at the position, which has proven to be an adjustment.
“Those guys, they’re competing hard," Brady said of LaCosse and Izzo. "I think they’re trying. Matt hasn’t been out there as much as we all would have wanted — certainly what he would have wanted. Ryan’s done quite a few things for us. We’re just trying to get out there and utilize the reps we can in practice, talk about things, communicate through the things that come up in practice so that we can execute when we get into the game.”
LaCosse and Izzo played their best game Sunday in a 33-7 win over the Redskins, but the Patriots' normally secure tight end spot now has become a weak link this year. Watson's return from suspension was expected to pad that group, but coach Bill Belichick's decision to let the 38-year-old go has left the offense a little more exposed.
“I mean, I’m the quarterback, so I don’t make those decisions," Brady said of working with Izzo and LaCosse. "Whoever’s out there, that’s who I’ve got to play with. So, yeah.”