FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Calvin Pace said he wouldn't be surprised if New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, 38, plays another 10 years. He just wishes it weren't in the AFC East.
"I don't see that guy retiring anytime soon," the New York Jets linebacker said Wednesday. "He shouldn't. He's done a great job for a long time.
"Hopefully, he gets traded at some point in time," Pace added, half-jokingly. "Trade him to the NFC somewhere."
The Jets would throw a big party if that happened.
Pace, 35, the oldest player on the team, has been playing for the Jets since 2008, which means he's had many Brady confrontations. His record against Brady is 4-10. They've had some good games against him and some bad ones. Either way, the Patriots usually figure out a way to win.
Pace expects a close game on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
"It's probably going to come down to No. 12," he said of Brady. "It starts with him. We just have to find a way to affect him, get sacks, find a way to get some turnovers. If nothing else, just get a hand in his face and get some hits on him. It's going to be a tall task, but I think we're up for the challenge."
If it weren't for Brady, the Jets almost certainly would have won some division titles over the last 15 years. Pace joked, "Blame Shaun Ellis." Actually, he meant Mo Lewis, who unwittingly gave Brady his start by knocking Drew Bledsoe out of the lineup with a vicious hit on Sept. 23, 2001.
Pace corrected himself, adding that if Lewis "didn't make that hit on the sideline, there might be somebody else at quarterback."
Curiously, the Jets invited Lewis to serve as the honorary game captain on Sunday. He had a terrific career for the Jets, certainly worthy of being recognized in this manner, but why do it for a game against the Patriots? Obviously, Lewis had no idea his hit would change the course of history, but it always will be remembered as a symbolic turning point, the beginning of 15 years of Brady domination -- and torment for the Jets.