For the last several weeks, the videotape incident involving the Patriots and their video production team has been one of the top stories in the NFL.
The Patriots have admitted to illegally taping the Bengals sideline during their game against the Browns, but for a "Do Your Job" feature on an advanced scout. The league is still investigating, although it reportedly hasn't been able to connect anything that occurred to the football side of the organization.
Speaking to Jim Gray on Westwood One Radio Monday night, Tom Brady said people are trying to make this a distraction, but the team will not allow it.
"For me, pretty much I've put it out of my mind," he said. "I've not thought about it since I heard about it. I think a lot of people are making a lot of nothing. That's the reality for our team. We are thinking about other things. We're trying to focus on winning games. As a player, my job is to go out there and do the best I can do and eliminate as many distractions. A lot of people are trying to make this a distraction for us and we're not going to allow that to happen."
Another big topic was brought up -- Brady's future.
Macy's, the presenting sponsor of the interview, signed up for another year, so Gray asked Brady if that means he will be playing next season, too. Brady said the two have no correlation and then gave the same line he's given all year on his plans.
"I think I have said for a long time, my tune has not changed," he said. "I hope to continue playing. I've had long-term goals. I've have short-term goals and again, football is a contact sport. You never know when your last game is going to be and you count your blessings every time you walk off the field healthy."
Brady and the Patriots can clinch a first-round bye with a win against the Dolphins on Sunday.
