How's Brady's Shoulder? Don't Expect an Answer From Belichick

Two seasons ago, Rosevelt Colvin left the field at Gillette Stadium in the company of a trainer.

A few minutes later, the press box public address system intoned: "Colvin has a shoulder injury and his return is questionable.''

Shoulder? After the game -- to which he didn't return -- Bill Belichick said it was a foot and gave no specifics. Told it been announced as a "shoulder,'' the Patriots coach replied: "OK, let's make it a shoulder and leave it at that.''

That's why nobody expects to learn anything from the Patriots about Tom Brady's throwing shoulder, bruised when he was ground into the turf in Washington Friday night by Albert Haynesworth.

All NFL coaches are secretive about injuries, but Belichick is almost totally silent -- he has yet to acknowledge that Rodney Harrison tore his ACL and Matt Light broke his leg in a game in Pittsburgh in 2005. Nor has he acknowledged that Brady tore his ACL in the opening game of last season, although he somehow managed to acknowledge that his QB missed the entire season with a knee injury.

As for Brady's shoulder injury Friday night, the most specific word we have on it is from Chad Ochocinco, of all people. He tweeted after late Friday that Brady had returned his call and said he was fine.

According to the Boston Globe, Belichick was his usual self Saturday when asked about it, noting that everyone has bumps and bruises. Asked if Brady would be listed on the injury report, he said: "Well, that's hard to say. We'll fill that report out when it comes. That's happened before."

That what we've gotten on Brady for seven years from Belichick -- Brady will be "probable'' with a shoulder injury on the final list before the regular-season opener against Buffalo. That's nothing new; he was "probable'' with a shoulder injury for seven years before his knee injury. Whenever Belichick was asked about it, he would reply: "His shoulder isn't 100 percent.''

No NFL quarterback's throwing shoulder is 100 percent. Or at least it's not what it was before he started throwing 450 passes a season and hundreds more in practice.

What is Brady's now?

We'll have to ask Chad.

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New England Patriots Photos

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a touchdown to Randy Moss #81 (not pictured) in the first quarter of a preseason game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on August 28, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tom Brady

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New England Patriots Photos

in this photo taken on Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, Washington Redskins' Mike Sellers (45) is greeted by teammates after he carried the American flag, lower left, onto the field during player introductions prior to the start of a preseason NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Landover, Md. Sellers apologized for throwing the American flag to the ground during the pregame lineup introductions on Friday. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

In this photo taken on Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, Washington Redskins' Mike Sellers carries the American flag onto the field during player introductions prior to the start of a preseason NFL football game against the New England Patriots, in Landover, Md. Sellers apologized on Saturday, Aug. 29, for throwing the American flag to the ground during the pregame lineup introductions on Friday. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Randy Moss #81 of the New England Patriots laughs with teammates while on the sideline during a preseason game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on August 28, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Randy Moss

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LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Jason Campbell #17 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after a long completion during a preseason game against the New England Patriots at FedExField on August 28, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jason Campbell

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LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Fred Taylor #21 of the New England Patriots is tackled by DeAngelo Hall #23 of the Washington Redskins during a preseason game at FedExField on August 28, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Fred Taylor;DeAngelo Hall

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LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots watches the preseason game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on August 28, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bill Belichick

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Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn looks on from the sidelines during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Head coach Jim Zorn of the Washington Redskins watches the preseason game against the New England Patriots at FedExField on August 28, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jim Zorn

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LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Santana Moss #89 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after a first down during a preseason game against the New England Patriots at FedExField on August 28, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Santana Moss

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LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Marko Mitchell #84 of the Washington Redskins catches a touchdown in a preseason game against the New England Patriots at FedExField on August 28, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marko Mitchell

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