Matt Cavanaugh did not meet with Tom Brady before the 2000 NFL draft. In fact, though he is a former New England Patriots quarterback who has lived a distinguished football life, and has competed (sometimes successfully) against Brady as an assistant coach, Cavanaugh has never met the most prolific winner in league history.
But 17 years ago, Cavanaugh came to know the Michigan senior in a Baltimore Ravens film room. As an offensive coordinator who was assigned about a dozen prospects to review before the draft, Cavanaugh was most intrigued by the images of a tall, athletically-challenged quarterback who was making plays that most scouting reports said he couldn't make.