Patriots QB Tom Brady looks to silence Seahawks fans

By Bill Swartz

With 13 years in pro football, three Super Bowl rings and two MVP awards, there isn’t much that rattles Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s cage. Maybe the Seahawks’ famous “12th Man” can get inside Brady’s helmet and head this Sunday.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has never played in Seattle’s CenturyLink Field during his 13 NFL seasons. (AP)

The Patriots’ talented leader has never played in Seattle, but has heard plenty about the intimidating crowd noise at CenturyLink Field.

“I know Seattle gets some attention around the league for how loud it is, and I’m actually excited to get out there and play in a place I’ve never been,” Brady told Boston-area reporters.

“I think what makes it loud is [the Seahawks] are very good. When they make plays the crowd is into it and they get a lot of support. They have certainly been making a lot of plays this year at home.”

The Patriots will pipe in music and crowd noise during this week’s practice to simulate the Seahawks’ home stadium. Brady will rely on his experience and hand signals to communicate with his teammates, who will find it hard to think, let alone hear his voice.

With a no-huddle, up-tempo style, New England’s offense resembles a track meet in shoulder pads. The Patriots ran an astounding 97 plays in a victory over Denver last weekend. That strategy can wear out a defense and the fans.

Brady says when his team scores touchdowns early in a visiting stadium, the crowd can become a “non-factor.”

“It’s always nice when you take 53 guys on the road and see if you can keep 70,000 fans quiet,” he said. “The exciting part for road teams is to see if you can get their fans to start booing their own players.”

Brady’s confident quotes made it into the Seahawks’ locker room Wednesday afternoon.

Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman didn’t want to give the Patriots’ quarterback any motivational material when he replied this way: “I think [Brady] is going to have a fun time, too.”