Lions Gunther Cunningham: Tom Brady "one of my heroes"

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (WXYZ) -- With two preseason games remaining, Gunther Cunningham's main focus is improving his defense.

But with one of the NFL's true powerhouses coming to town Saturday, his weekly agenda has one name highlighted: Tom Brady.

"The thing that makes an NFL team is a quarterback, and they have a quarterback," Cunningham said of the Patriots.

"He's one of my heroes. He plays the game the way you're supposed to."

Cunningham said New England's fast-paced offense is because of Brady and his classic style.

"He's like an old school quarterback. There's only really two of them and that's Peyton (Manning) and Tom Brady. They have total control of the game and they know how to run it. They can slow it down, speed it up."

Brady's built a reputation as a solid distributor of the ball, utlitizing each receiver, running back, and tight end on the field. Cunningham said that variety is hard to prepare for.

"Tom can come out with five wide receivers and the first half throw the ball every down. The next half he'll come out with two backs, two tight ends, and one wide receiver, and run it right down your throat."

But Cunningham praised his linebackers' capabilities Wednesday, pointing to the progress they've made as a unit.

He was asked what he's able to do with this group of Levy, Tulloch, and Durant, compared to last year's unit.

"Everything," he said. "Everything. They're three pros."