New England Patriots

Talk about an upgrade -- Josh Gordon just got shipped from Cleveland to New England where his new quarterback is TOM BRADY!!!

The Browns announced they were parting ways with the embattled WR on Saturday -- after he injured his hamstring in a photo shoot.

The Browns had felt they had reached their breaking point with Gordon -- after sticking with him through multiple suspensions stemming from substance abuse issues.

Cleveland had initially (reportedly) planned to cut Gordon but then realized there was a market for the superstar wideout ... and eventually hammered out a deal with the Patriots.

In exchange for Gordon, Cleveland will get a 5th round draft pick.

As for Gordon's hamstring -- ESPN's Adam Schefter says he's healthy enough to play THIS SUNDAY if needed.

Governor, Senator, Congressman, Mayor ... Peyton Manning could be any of these things in Tennessee, this according to a representative from the state who says PM would win any office by a landslide.

We spoke with John Duncan, a 15-term incumbent representative from Tenn's 2nd district, and asked him how Manning would fare if he ever jumped into politics.

"If Peyton Manning ran for any office in Tennessee, he could win by a landslide."

BTW -- Duncan is serious, and it's not out of the question. There were big-time rumors last year that Peyton was thinking about running for a Senate seat, but Duncan isn't sure it'll happen.

"I think he's made so much money off his football career and his advertising and so forth that it'd be a step down for him to be elected to some office."

Camille Kostek is channeling her inner Tammy Wynette ... 'cause she's standing by her man in a BIG way, firing back at Jalen Ramsey, who she says is less of a man than Gronk in both talent and hotness!

Ramsey -- a star cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars -- went after Gronk in a scorched-earth attack on a bunch of NFL stars ... saying the Pats tight end is "not that good" and struggles when defended by a true corner.

We got Kostek out -- she's incredibly attractive, which has nothing to do with this post -- and when we asked her for a rebuttal to Ramsey's trash talk, she wasn't shy at all.

"Rob's sexier than you, and he's a better football player," the S.I. Swimsuit Edition model told us.

Kostek also says she can't WAIT to watch her man dominate Ramsey in person -- telling us she'll be at the game when the Pats take on the Jaguars on Sept. 16.

Getcha popcorn ready!!!

Tom Brady was definitely not cool in the pocket when asked about his controversial personal trainer during a radio interview Monday morning -- and got so irritated, he hung up on the show.

Brady called in to the "Kirk & Callahan" show on WEEI in Boston when he was asked about reports that his personal trainer's relationship with the Patriots has gotten better.

Background ... Brady's been working out with Alex Guerrero for years, which has reportedly caused a rift with coach Bill Belichick.

According to multiple reports, Belichick isn't a fan of Guerrero's treatment plans -- and blocked him from traveling with the team and having sideline access in 2017.

So, when Brady appeared on the radio show Monday morning, he was asked if there was truth to reports the relationship is thawing ... and if Belichick has unblocked him from team privileges.

"I said that I don't wanna get into it," Brady said ... clearly upset.

"It's well documented the work that he and I do together."

When the radio hosts tried to ask some follow-up questions, Brady tried to politely pull the plug.

"Yeah, alright guys. Have a great day. I'll talk to you later."

Asante Samuel says he doesn't need to openly campaign for the Hall of Fame ... telling TMZ Sports the facts from his career do all that talking for him!!

The ex-Patriots DB is finally eligible to be inducted into pro football's most exclusive club in 2019 -- and he says if voters are listening to his numbers, he should be in.

"The facts are the facts," he says. "If you're not going by the facts, then what are you going by?!"

What exactly are Samuel's facts?? He explains them ... and he clearly knows how his numbers stack up with some of the all-time greats.

BTW ... there's gonna be some heavy competition for spots in the '19 HOF class with Ed Reed, Champ Bailey and Tony Gonzalez all now eligible -- plus, legends like Edgerrin James, Isaac Bruce and John Lynch are also still waiting for their call.

It's been 192 days since Super Bowl LII ... but in case anybody in New England forgot what happened that game -- Eagles fans have them covered WITH A BIG-ASS FLYING BANNER!!

The Pats and Eagles play in a little S.B. rematch Thursday night ... and Philly fans were kind enough to remind New England how their last go-around went -- with an airplane over Gillette Stadium.

The sign -- in big, bold, red letters -- reads, "41-33 Philly Philly SB LII."

Of course ... the Eagles whooped the Pats, 41-33, to win their first-ever Super Bowl back in February.

A lot less is on the line in preseason Week 2 ... but we're pretty sure Tom Brady's still pissed.

Did you know Tom Brady is actually black?!

Well, it's true ... at least according to Chad Johnson.

Ochocinco played with the QB in New England back in the 2011 season ... and he just revealed to TMZ Sports the GOAT is not, in fact, a white male.

"He's black. Period," Chad tells us.

"You gotta meet Tommy. You wouldn't understand it with me just saying it but, you know, he's Robin Thicke. You get where I'm going with this s**t?"

Not really ... BUT -- Chad explained further.

"You can't teach that type of, just, aura. That persona. You can't teach that."

Birthday boy Tom Brady got roughed up at Patriots practice on Friday ... but it wasn't a 300-lb. lineman pouncing on him -- it was his gorgeous wife, Gisele!!

TB12's 41st birthday turned into an all-out party in Foxborough ... complete with a massive #12 cake, cards, balloon Brady and cutout goat ... but the best present had to be Gisele and their kids' surprise appearance towards the end of drills.

Brady looks completely caught off-guard about the adorable attack ... which eventually turns into kissing and slight butt-tapping.

Tom Brady is turning the big 4-1 Friday ... and Patriots Nation is throwing the QB a massive birthday bash in New England complete with a giant cake, a balloon animal Tom Brady ... and a birthday song!

It all started when TB12 jogged out to the field --the crowd went crazy and then busted out the song. Brady smiled and waved at the fans.

Off the field, there was a giant #12 birthday cake and a giant #12 birthday card for fans to sign.

But, the best part ... was the life-size "Balloon Brady" ... which was put together REALLY WELL by a person with better than average lung capacity.

Brady also got some love from his wife, Gisele Bundchen -- who posted a love note to her hubby on social media ...

Ben Simmons was with rich company for his birthday in Vegas over the weekend ... partying with a squad worth nearly $10 BILLION combined ... and TMZ Sports has the pics!!

The NBA Rookie of the Year kicked off his 22nd year with ragers at both Drai's and TAO nightclubs in Vegas on Saturday ... livin' it up with Sixers co-owner Michael Rubin (net worth: 3 billion), Patriots owner Robert Kraft (6 billion) and Meek Mill (okay, he's not a billionaire, but he's rich).

FYI -- all these guys played a huge role in the #FreeMeek campaign ... so it's great to see them all hangin' out together after the rapper's release.

We're told the gang rolled together to Drai's to support Meek's performance ... and judging by our vid from TAO that same night, all eyes were on the Philly Clout Gang.

Seems Danny Amendola hated playing for Bill Belichick ... 'cause he called the Patriots coach a "principal" with a "principal's office" -- and even insinuated he didn't want to play hard for him.

It all went down on the Barstool Sports' "Comeback SZN" Podcast ... when the Dolphins wideout was trying to compare his new coach, Adam Gase, to B.B. -- and he couldn't find enough differences.

"It's almost like coach Gase is one of the guys, one of the boys," Amendola says.

"And you want to fight hard for your boys. Back in New England, it's almost like you got a principal and a principal's office and sh*t like that."

Amendola's railing against Belichick -- a coach he played under for five seasons -- didn't stop there.

"[Gase] is our head coach, but he's also our boy. So, it's cool. It's refreshing to have that kind of relationship with a coach, something I haven't had in a long time."

FYI ... the Dolphins play the Pats twice next season, with the first matchup coming Sept. 30.

While the Gisele's away, the Bradys will play ... beach soccer, and superdad Tom Brady clearly doesn't care what you say about his dad bod.

Tom and fam are still down in Costa Rica for their annual offseason vacay, but Gisele's actually getting some work done too. While she was doing a photo shoot, Tom was at the beach with his 3 kids.

There was a little ocean swimming, a little futbol and Tom swinging little Vivian around -- y'know, typical OTA-type stuff for the Patriots G.O.A.T.

Don't feel bad for Gisele ... she seemed to be having fun splashing around at her modeling shoot -- and Tom eventually showed up for moral support.

BTW, Pats camp kicks off next Thursday -- so, just a few summer days left before TB12's bod gets NFL-ready.

Eric Dickerson's got the perfect fit for Le'Veon Bell when he inevitably bolts from the Steelers after this season ... and it's going to make Tom Brady VERY happy.

"The Patriots would be a good team," the NFL legend tells us.

Bell and the Steelers missed the deadline (again) on Tuesday to sign a long-term deal ... and all signs are pointing toward the running back leaving Pittsburgh in 2019 for a team that WILL pay him.

Sooo ... Dickerson says the Steelers' loss should be Bill Belichick's gain!

Terrell Owens says he meant no REAL harm when he called Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the rest of the New England Patriots "cheaters" on Tuesday ... saying he was just joking around.

Just a short time after T.O. posted video where he told his friend, Sam Cassell, that he sounded like the "cheater" Pats ... we spotted him at the Century City Mall in L.A. and asked him to explain.

That's when Owens backed off ... big time ... and even dished out a few compliments for Tom and Bill.

In fact, T.O. says the whole conversation stemmed from a friendly debate he was having with Cassell about who's the G.O.A.T. -- Tom Brady or Joe Montana?

Bottom line ... Owens says he didn't mean it.

Terrell Owens says Tom Brady is a cheater. Ditto for Bill Belichick and the rest of the Patriots ... and it's all on video.

T.O. was playing some pickup basketball with Sam Cassell -- and, while joking around after the game, he playfully accused Sam of cheating. That's when the anti-Pats trash talk began.

"You sound like the Patriots. You know what I mean?" T.O. says ... "I don't care about the Patriots. Belichick, Brady -- they cheaters. They cheated. They cheated."

So, why the attack?

Well, the Pats beat T.O.'s Eagles in Owens' only Super Bowl appearance back in 2005 -- and just a few years later ... they were busted for Spygate.

Mark Wahlberg says he believes in Baker Mayfield -- so he placed a REAL bet on the Cleveland Browns to win 6 games in 2018.

Yeah, he's being serious.

Don't worry, he also made some less risky wagers -- betting on the Patriots and the Eagles to get back to the Super Bowl this season.

Wahlberg also bet on Ronda Rousey -- casting her in his new movie, "Mile 22" ... and he's super fired up about her role in the flick.

Mark raves about Ronda's performance and says she's more than just an action star -- she's a legit actress who nailed her dramatic scenes like a boss!!!

The movie -- which opens next month -- will be Ronda's most important Hollywood role yet. Of course, she starred in the "Entourage" movie ... but played herself.

Now, she's got a real shot to follow stars like The Rock ... and parlay action sports stardom into a real Hollywood career.