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Tony's Top 5 candidates to step up in Brady's absence
5
Matt Cassel, QB. Drafted in 2005, he's had three full seasons as Brady's understudy. So is he the next Tom Brady? Or just another Tommy Hodson?
4
Stephen Gostkowski, K. Why is he even on this list? Think about it: With Brady out, doesn't it stand to reason that the Pats might have to start converting field goals?
3
The defense. Last year, the Pats set an NFL record for points scored and dominated games with their offense. Without Brady, their ability to stop opponents grows in importance.
2
The running backs. Suddenly, keeping five in the backfield doesn't seem like such a bad idea. Of Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris, LaMont Jordan, Kevin Faulk, and Heath Evans, the Pats may need all of them.
1
Bill Belichick. The mastermind has arguably his greatest challenge. If he can win a title without Brady, he'll go down as the undisputed Best Coach in History.
Tony's Top 5
Red Sox spring training story lines
5
Shortstop Apparently, it's reached the point where the Red Sox have to trade their shortstop to trim payroll. Anyone feel good about that?
4
Carl Crawford After a poor debut season in Boston, he had wrist surgery. And now we know the owner never wanted him.
3
The bullpen No small story here. Jonathan Papelbon is gone and Daniel Bard is in the rotation. Welcome, Mark Melancon and Andrew Bailey.
2
Bobby Valentine The last time the Red Sox changed managers, they won the World Series. Will history repeat?
1
Josh Beckett By the end of last season, Beckett seemed to lose his focus and his fire. Can he bounce back - and stay healthy, too?
Featured comments
“
"Embarrassment of riches" is a bit of an overstatement, Mazz, and will be until we're actually outspending the Yankee$ on a regular basis.
”peskypole
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About Mazz
Tony Massarotti is a Globe sportswriter and has been writing about sports in Boston for the last 19 years. A lifelong Bostonian, Massarotti graduated from Waltham High School and Tufts University. He was voted the Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by his peers in 2000 and 2008 and has been a finalist for the award on several other occasions. This blog won a 2008 EPpy award for "Best Sports Blog".
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