With Week 3 of the preseason set to kickoff tonight, many players and coaches are ready for the regular season to start. After weeks of grinding through training camp, most guys wish they could skip ahead to games that actually matter in the standings.

Not Tom Brady.

Ahead of Friday night's matchup with the Detroit Lions, the five-time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots quarterback told Rich Thompson of the Boston Herald that he enjoyed the snaps he got last week and looks forward to more playing time against Detroit.

Brady values the in-game reps that just can't be replicated in practice, relishing every opportunity he has to prepare.

“For me, it is just feeling the rhythm of the game, and it is different than practice,” Brady said yesterday. “The rhythm of practice is very different, and the only way to simulate the game is to play. I can draw on a lot of experience, but it is nice to get out there and actually do it. It was fun being out there last week, and it will obviously be fun being out there this week.”

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The 12-time Pro Bowler understands that many guys are battling for roster spots and higher positioning on the depth chart, but with the regular season right around the corner, he wants to be as prepared as possible.

“There are a lot of guys based on the position we are in fighting for spots and fighting for roles and guys that don’t know how to fit,” Brady said. “But at the same time, the season is right around the corner. You’ve really got to focus in.

“It’s like working hard after practice on things that have come into really clear view. You (have) the things you are good at and the things you are not good at. Now is the time to put emphasis on the things you have not been solid at over the course of a lot of practices and meetings.”

Over the last few years there has been a discussion about shortening the preseason, possibly to add an extra regular season game. Those in favor of such a change cite season-ending injuries, like Jordy Nelson's in 2015. Additionally, Tony Romo went down for the Cowboys last year, and the Giants dodged a bullet with Odell Beckham Jr. earlier this week.

For now, the preseason slate still stands at four games, and Brady will continue to use as many reps as head coach Bill Belichick gives him to fine-tune his skills.