There is “The Patriots Way” and there is the Tom Brady Effect.
Chris Hogan played with the Jets in 2020, but he knows what happened in the dressing room of the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers because he experienced the same thing during his three years as Brady’s teammate with the Patriots.
“The people around you – coaches, players, the team – want to do better for Tom,” Hogan told The Post. “I am very happy for him. What better way to solidify how good a defender you are than to go to a different team and win a Super Bowl in your first year. “
Hogan, 32, is a free NFL agent who is entering the Premier Lacrosse League draft because he wants to try his luck as a professional athlete in two sports before Father Time catches up. Aging does not apply to 43-year-old Brady.
“I was impressed with what he was able to do this year, going to a new team during a [pandemic-restricted] times like this and to create that culture there and bring your winning attitude, ”said Hogan. “He’s just different. I knew when I had the opportunity to play with him. I saw something the other day asking if he was going to play until he was 50. He didn’t say no. “
Brady’s continued success may be a bitter pill in New England, but Hogan expects a quick turnaround under coach Bill Belichick.
“He will have all the parts there and ready to use,” said Hogan. “It was not their year. Again, it was a unique year. I never exclude Pats, especially when he is training. “
Hogan had 107 receptions, 1,651 yards and 12 touchdowns in 40 regular season games with the 2016-18 Patriots. Each of his three seasons ended in the Super Bowl (two wins) – a far cry from having a 2-14 season with the Jets.
“It was not for lack of effort,” said Hogan. “Everyone wanted to win. It wasn’t going our way and it was frustrating. The only thing I saw from that team was a fight that was not lacking. With how young that team was, I think they will only improve as they gain experience. They certainly found that the NFL is not easy to win games. “
The forbidden tone, said Hogan, started with Sam Darnold.
“Playing as a quarterback in New York is not an easy thing to do,” said Hogan, a New Jersey native. “He had to deal with a lot of changes and was struggling with an injury. But he never stopped to say, ‘I’m done. I will rest my shoulder. ‘He was trying to get back there every week. “
A lot has changed with the Jets since Hogan went to the injured reserve in October and was cut in December. The biggest question remains: whether to keep Darnold as a full-back or start from scratch.
“He is a young boy with a lot of talent and a lot of fighting in him,” said Hogan. “His arm talent and athleticism are fantastic. Your future is very bright in this league. “