Terrell Suggs surprised by compliments from Tom Brady
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs was surprised to hear that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady complimented him ahead of Saturday's playoff matchup, ESPN's Jamison Hensley reports.
Suggs and Brady have faced off in the playoffs three times since the 2009 season, with the Ravens holding a 2-1 edge. Suggs has openly trash talked Brady and the Patriots, and Brady has responded several times.
Despite the lengthy rivalry, Brady called Suggs a "phenomenal" and "smart player" on Tuesday, ESPN's Lee Schechter reports. Suggs was taken aback by the praise.
A reporter told Suggs about a half hour later that Brady had something nice to say about him. "Say what?" Suggs responded.
Another reporter told Suggs that Brady called him "phenomenal."
"Did they record him?" Suggs asked. "I'd love to see his face [when he said it]."
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Suggs went on to say the one-on-one rivalry is a product of the positions they play and he is only focused on winning the game, not the matchup with Brady. The 32-year-old Suggs finished his 12th season with 12.0 sacks, 61 combined tackles and one fumble recovery.
Brady led the Patriots to the No. 1 seed in the AFC while throwing for 4,109 yards, 33 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
The Ravens play at the Patriots on Saturday at 4:35 p.m. ET.
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- Paul Palladino
