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When will Tom Brady break his silence?

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John Tlumacki

Tom Brady says nothing in public anymore. A few days into training camp, in the middle of this big bowl of awkward, Brady's message appears to be . . . "I'm on to Cleveland."

Brady's six months of silence officially stretches into August Sunday. He has not answered any questions since those painful moments after the Patriots were waxed by the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game. He's posted on Facebook a few times and issued a boilerplate statement after accepting his suspension.

But there's been no Brady availability since January and it's possible Brady might stay in Garbo-Manny Ramirez mode right up until he comes off suspension before the Patriots' Week 5 matchup in Cleveland on Oct. 9.

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In a departure from past seasons, Brady will not be doing his paid gig on WEEI during the preseason.

"I don't know if he's allowed to do the show, but he's not doing it," said WEEI station manager Phil Zachary. "We were told three or four weeks ago and we're not planning on having Tom until Oct. 10. Until then, it will be Jimmy Garoppolo."

This is no big deal, of course. The world rotates nicely without Q & A sessions involving star athletes. Brady's unwillingness to tell fans how he's feeling will have no bearing on the Pats' success this year. It's established that many New England fans enjoy their team flipping off the media more than they enjoy learning things about the Patriots.

Still, pardon me for saying this, but does anybody else think Tom could lighten up and say a few words about all this? Brady is a football player, for God's sake. He's not running for president, curing diseases, or protecting free society from evil-doers.

Is it too much to ask for him to tell his loyal fans how he is feeling? Could he perhaps tell the Free Brady crowd why he chose not to fight Roger Goodell to the finish? Could he offer a few words of analysis or encouragement to his temporary replacement? Or maybe talk about prospects for the Pats' season? Does this really have to be such a serious, big deal?

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Tom Brady signed autographs at the end of practice on Saturday.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Brady's four-game suspension doesn't start until the regular season starts. At that time, he's required to be off campus and out of touch with the Patriots. He's not allowed to attend or watch practice. He can't be seen at Gillette Stadium or any team facilities. He can't have contact with team personnel. He can't even sit in the stands for those Jimmy G home games against the Dolphins, Texans, and Bills. Oh, and he's not allowed to attend press conferences.

Meanwhile, between now and the start of the season, Brady is no different than anybody else who is trying to make the team. He suits up and practices every day. He's allowed to play in all the exhibition games. He's permitted to talk after practice. He's allowed to go on "Dennis & Callahan." But he's not doing it.

Brady will be part of Kevin Faulk's Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony Monday in the Hall at Patriot Place. But don't expect questions and answers. Brady lets Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and John Krasinski talk for him now. He watches Governor Charlie Baker of Massachusetts show off a "Free Brady" T-shirt. He sees the anti-Goodell signage and garb at practice.

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According to the Globe's Ben Volin, during Thursday's practice, Brady "wouldn't acknowledge anyone standing outside the white lines."

Brady interacted with fans more on Friday. Ever-competitive, he also slammed his helmet to the ground after getting picked at the goal line and having another pass batted down. He was even more animated and engaged with folks Saturday. Good. We want the old Tom. Now if he'd just tell us what he's thinking.

The Patriots responded Saturday to the Globe's daily requests to interview Brady. Stacey James, vice president of media relations, said in an e-mail that he tries to get Brady to talk every day, but that Brady "hasn't given me a day yet."

Bill Belichick's certainly got Brady's back. The Hoodie launched his initial camp media session with a declaration of loyalty to his Super Bowl quarterback. The coach erased silly speculation by stating that Brady would be the starting quarterback as soon as his suspension is lifted. Tom Brady-Jimmy G is not going to be Drew Bledsoe-Tom Brady Redux.

Garoppolo was hesitant when asked about advice he might have gotten from Brady. This led some to speculate that Brady isn't helping the kid. That doesn't make a lot of sense. Brady wants to win an unprecedented fifth Super Bowl. In order for Tom to get where he wants to go, he needs Garoppolo to go 4-0 or 3-1. He does not want to take over a team that is 1-3. Brady knows his job is safe — just watch Belichick's staredown of a reporter who dared question that notion Friday — and he'll no doubt be ready to rip through the Browns in early October.

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Hope he speaks soon. Now that the court battle is over and the penalties are set, I'd love to hear The Brady Report In Context.

Watch Ben Volin and Jim McBride's Day 3 practice report:


Dan Shaughnessy is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at dshaughnessy@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @Dan_Shaughnessy.