It's been a wild ride for Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, a former sixth-round pick who, during the summer of 2001, wasn't expected to be much more than a third-stringer.

But within a calendar year, Brady shot up the charts -- both depth and popularity -- and he hasn't looked back.

Here's a look at the highlights of Brady's rise to football fame and some of the things that kept him in the news during the offseason:

September 2001
Brady spends Week 1 on the active list and does not get a snap. But Brady takes over the starting job by the end of the month, after Bledsoe's devastating chest injury, and helps the Patriots upset the Colts 44-13 on Sept. 30. He isn't asked to do too much (getting only 23 passing attempts), but he shows the ability to manage the team well.
Brady's record as a starter: 1-0 (1-0 career).

	Tom Brady picks up his MVP trophy the day after leading Patriots to the Super Bowl championship.

October 2001
Brady's leadership emerges in a 29-26 OT victory vs. San Diego on Oct. 14. Brady marches the Patriots down the field twice in the fourth quarter and again in overtime for the game-winning field goal. However, critics point to an 86-yard passing performance vs. Miami and a four-interception debacle vs. Denver as signs that Brady is coming down to Earth.
Record: 2-2 (3-2).

November 2001
Brady starts and ends the month hot, highlighted by a career-high four-touchdown performance vs. New Orleans. By far, this was Brady's most accurate month, during which he completed 70.5 percent of his attempts. The Rams get a first look at Brady and intercept him twice. By the end of the month, Brady has thrown a touchdown pass in seven consecutive games.
Record: 3-1 (6-3).

December 2001
On Dec. 2, Brady registers his fourth straight game with a completion percentage better than 70 percent (71.4), becoming just the fifth quarterback in NFL history to accomplish the feat. Brady doesn't respond too well to an increased workload, throwing one touchdown pass and three picks during the month, but the Patriots still win.
Record: 4-0 (10-3).

January 2002
The Patriots win the AFC East. After a bye week, Brady passes for 312 yards in a heavy snowstorm vs. Oakland, but is involved in the controversial "tuck rule" play. The following week, Brady manages the team well in AFC championship against Pittsburgh before leaving in the second quarter with a sprained ankle.
Record: 3-0 (13-3).

February 2002
Brady goes 5-for-8 for 53 yards on the drive that leads to the game-winning, last-second field goal over the Rams. He is named Super Bowl MVP and plays in the Pro Bowl the next week.
Record: 1-0 (14-3).

March 2002
The Patriots' offseason workout program begins, and Brady is there early. On the celebrity front, March and the beginning of April are busy. He takes part in a photo shoot to promote breast-cancer awareness and is a judge for the Miss USA Pageant. In early April, he joins his teammates at the White House and in throwing out the first pitches at Fenway Park for the Red Sox's Opening Day.

April 2002
Toward the end of the month, the Patriots make big moves to help Brady, trading quarterback Drew Bledsoe to the Bills and drafting tight end Daniel Graham and wide receiver Deion Branch early. At this point, Brady becomes the undisputed starter and leader of the offense, and the Patriots reward him with new targets in the passing game.

May 2002
Early in the month, Brady is featured in People magazine's annual "The 50 Most Beautiful People" issue. Brady also signs on to be featured on the cover of 989 Sports' "NFL GameDay 2003" video game and takes part in developing the player animation for the game.

June 2002
Brady and his teammates are given their Super Bowl rings in a private ceremony. The Patriots also hold minicamp, Brady's first real football action since becoming the undisputed No. 1 quarterback in New England. Also, early in the month, the first book telling the story of Brady's rise to prominence hits bookshelves.

July 2002
Brady is named Breakthrough Athlete of the year at the ESPY Awards, beating out NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick, figure skater Sarah Hughes and baseball player Ichiro Suzuki for the honor. In late July, it is back to the gridiron for Brady, as training camp begins. The coaches give Brady one of 12 top parking spots for camp and the regular season. The spots are given to the hardest working players during the offseason.

August 2002
Brady proves himself in training camp and the preseason enough that, just prior to the start of the 2002 season, the Patriots really reward him. Brady earns a contract extension worth more than $30 million with a $9.5 million signing bonus. The deal turns Brady's three-year deal (of which Brady was in the final year) into a five-year deal.

September 2002
Brady shows that he's deserved the accolades of the past year by throwing for 563 yards and completing 69 percent of his passes in decisive wins over the Steelers and Jets in Weeks 1 and 2.
Record: 2-0 (16-3).

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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