Brady out for season
The worst fears of the Patriots and their fans were confirmed this afternoon when the team announced that quarterback Tom Brady would miss the rest of the season with an injury to his left knee. He will be placed on injured reserve.
“We feel badly for Tom about the injury,” Belichick said during his opening remarks at a 3 p.m. press conference. “You hate to see anyone go down. Nobody has worked harder and done more for this team than Tom has. So it’s a tough setback for him.”
Belichick did not specify the injury to Brady’s left knee, saying the team has passed along all the information it knows.
Brady was injured at the 7:27 mark of the first quarter Sunday. On the Patriots' 15th offensive play of the game, Brady dropped back from the Kansas City 43. Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard blitzed, but was picked up and put face down by running back Sammy Morris.
As the 2007 NFL Most Valuable Player stepped into a 28-yard completion to Randy Moss, Pollard made a desperation dive at Brady's legs, his shoulder crashing into the quarterback's left knee. Pollard later said he heard Brady screaming as he clutched the knee. He limped to the locker room and was replaced by backup Matt Cassel.
Belichick was asked what type of message he would pass along to the team about Brady’s situation.
“I think we all just have to do our jobs,” he said. “That’s what every player has to do. Each guy has a job to do – a coach, a player, they have a job to do – and they need to do it as well as they can. Really, that doesn’t change. He played one position, he played it very well, and there will be somebody else playing that position now. I have a lot of confidence in Matt and everybody else to do their job, just like they always like, like they always need to.”
The players already seemed to be getting the message.
"We've won a lot of football games around here," said linebacker Mike Vrabel, a captain. "That's not going to change."
Defensive end Ty Warren noted how experts seem to be counting out the Patriots already.
"I'll say this: Any person with their back against the wall, and when there's doubt out there against you, you seem to try to fight your way out of that," Warren said.
Belichick praised Cassell, a fourth-year pro from Southern Cal who threw 18 of his 57 career passes against the Chiefs.
"Matt has grown up through the system," Belichick said. "He's expanded his knowledge of the offense as the offense has expanded through the years. He ran it a lot in preseason this year, and of course, in training camp from the time that Tom missed.
"I think he's capable of handling himself in a lot of different situations because he's been through them. It's not just chalk talk, it's actually going out there and doing it on the field and doing it in practice situations. I think he showed that yesterday, that he can go out there and manage the game and manage the team."
When asked if he thought Pollard's hit on Brady was dirty, Belichick said:
“Well, it doesn’t really matter what I think. The officials officiate the game. I’m sure they’ll handle it. We always taught our players that it’s their responsibility to hit the quarterback above the knees and below the shoulders.
“You look at the Vince Wilfork play last year against Buffalo [in Week 3]. It’s not the same, but there are some similarities.
Wilfork was fined $12,500 for a low hit to the left knee of Buffalo Bills quarterback J.P. Losman Sept. 23 at Gillette Stadium.
The NFL has deemed the Pollard hit legal.
Belichick dismissed reports that the Patriots are working out free-agent quarterbacks Chris Simms and Tim Rattay today. He said the team has no plans to do so at this time.
Belichick did not rule out the possibility that the team could add a third quarterback.
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Haha - laughable - go to CBS Sportsline and check out the tagline for Prisco's article on this. I didn't even read it; didn't have it, he's a moron. It says "that's the price a team pays for putting all its eggs in one basket".
Has he been watching this team the past 8 years?
They have been the definition of "team" over any other team in the NFL. If Peyton Manning goes down, the Colts aren't even close to being a playoff team. Us fans are already talking about what playoff spot this team will get because we know with the coaching and all around great players this team has (as well as the fact that the other two AFC faves - San Diego and Indy - couldn't get it done at home yesterday while a banged-up Pats team DID), the team can win the division, even if it's only by a game or two instead of, say, six. What other team is as complete and deep as the Pats, consistently, year in and year out, from roster spot #1 down?
Feel free to go over and comment on the article - I can't be bothered. I can't stand the likes of Prisco and Greg Easterbrook anymore, so I don't visit TMQ or CBSsportsline.com. I think Prisco is just angry that the Colts lost their home opener against the Bears and is relishing his chance to bring everyone else down with him - like most of the NYC fans that were cheering on Tom's injury last night.
Okay...so good at least it's over - I'm tired of checking the news every 5 minutes. If your a fan of football, this is what it's all about. You can never get tired of winning by 30 points, but having close games keeps it exciting. I thought Cassel was getting cut 1 week ago (actually thinking it was a good idea) but I can't wait to see what a career back-up can do when he gets the opportunity. It was great seeing him jump around and get excited by some good plays.
Next Sunday can't come fast enough, I think this is going to make for a very interesting season. I still like our odds for the playoffs....any fan of Brady's can believe that special things can happen to hungry teams.
Bring on the J-E-T-S...they look pretty even in my eyes (now, anyway).
Well I be first to say that I'm ready for Cassel to take charge. I may not like it, but the Pats wouldn't keep him on the roster if he was a lame duck QB. I still think, with our defense and our offensive stars, and what I saw from San Diego and Indy, we are still among the top teams in the NFL. I'm sticking with 13 wins, I know that sounds crazy, but Im a fan through and through and I believe. Who is with me?
hey if cassel improves as much from this game to the jets game as he did from preseason to 7:26 into the first quarter on sunday, he should at least help lead the team to a 9-7 record and possible playoff berth. favre is stil favre - gunslinger means you're a hero on your good days and really suck on your bad ones. but our defense does need to step it up - 10 points allowed vs. kc is not encouraging.
Patsies done. Put a fork in em..
we have no choice to pray for cassel. I hope he takes us to the playoffs. Going to the superbowl aint gonna happen.
This will be a fun season anyways. GO PATS.
Bill is crazy if he does not bring in another QB besides Cassel. Sorry but the guy just got lucky on Sunday. No Superbowl this year....I am sorry Tom get well soon we need you....Offensive line needs to start doing some work...
If Kevin Faulk doesn't decide to go to a Lil' Wayne concert with pot in his jacket does this even happen? Probably not since he is our best blitz pickup guy out of the running backs, and would most likely have been on the field instead of Sammy Morris...
Wait 'til next year. Payback for the cheating is harsh indeed.
This will be my last post anywhere on this subject.
What I have seen from fans of other teams on some of the blogs makes me want to vomit. The players in the NFL have a great deal of respect for one another yet the fans treat the games as if they are holy wars. I've had Patriots season tickets for 12 years and while I am as passionate as any fan, I would never cheer or celebrate a serious injury to an opposing teams player.
Sports fans in this country appear to be going in a disturbing direction. And most of it is fueled by the anonymity of the internet.
Some of the vile posts I have seen make me sick to my stomach. Do some of these people have such pathetic lives that they live vicariously through the NFL or another professional sport ? Is the only way they can feel good about themselves is by celebrating a horrible knee injury to a professional athlete.
For fans to react like that, even if the player was the biggest jerk in the NFL, is reprehensible to say the least. Tom Brady represents the best professional sports can give to us. He is repectful of his opponents and he is humble where he has no need to be. The NFL has just lost it's best player for an entire season and their are ignorant morons and losers that celebrate that.
No more will I be reading or posting to blogs. The slime that show up on places like this have me asking just how far we have evolved as human beings.
It appears we have a long way to go.
It's a WRAP!! It's all about the NFC EAST ..!!!!
Time for Matt Cassel to step up like Brady did in 2001. The season is on his shoulders and am I the only one who thinks he can weather the storm and lead us into the playoffs? because it seems like every talking head out there is saying how the Jets are now the team to beat in the AFC East. I think they are crazy. Cassel still has the best WR in the game to throw the ball to, and the best slot receiver in the game to throw too. The Pats have a pretty good running game, that will get better now that they will be a consistent part of the offense. The D, most notably the secondary is where the Pats need to step up and if there is one thing the Pats are great at it is proving people wrong.
Lets Go PATS!!!!!
Tough loss but in Bill we trust...we have the best coach in NFL history, a pair of top-notch WRs and a deep backfield. Hopefully the defense can step up and we can overcome the injury.
Get better soon Tom...a true class act in every sense of the word and a man I am proud to have my children look up to.
I think we have seen a shift in power beginning with the Superbowl. The AFC and NFC are now beginning to balance out. The Bears, Eagles, Cowboys, and darkhorse Vikings are on the rise. This is what makes the NFL so great, the Not For Long from week to week. Look at the SB contenders, the Chargers and Colts both lost, the Pats won but lost Brady.
Agree with Gary....
That is the nature of the human beast and the anonimity the internet allows with the posts we see. It has been said when viewers in NY saw the scene of Brady going down there were cheers. How sad for anyone to actually stand up and cheer at the sight of an athlete getting injured, let alone seeing anyone getting injured. what is even sadder, when you confront that person with such a "giddy" post, they call you names and vent more hate. If the tables were turned...hmmmm...
I endorse comments by Gary. Patriots have already been punished for "Spygate" by NFL Commissioner. No evidence they ever won because of cheating (see 18-1 season). No need for anybody to celebrate Brady's injury, just as nobody should celebrate if one of the Manning brothers were injured. Grow up, everybody!
Would it be crazy to consider reconnecting Duante Culpepper with Randy Moss. Even though Duante is said to be retired, this could at least get the juices flowing and might be crazy enought to work, although Duante hasn't shown much over the last 2-3 years since his knee injury but if his knee has heeled maybe it is worth at least a look.
Being a Buffalo Bills fan, although I hate to see someone injured, this may be the payback the Patriots deserved with their "cheating". I don't want to hear Belichick
whining about the hit being dirty.....the hit on JP Losman last year was as dirty, or worse. And the BS about Favre and the Jets....they almost lost to the Dolphins yesterday.....Look for the Bills to wrap up the East sometime around Thanksgiving!!!
for those salivating over a name qb like culpepper, please stop. belichick knows how to run this team; he'll bring someone in to fight for the backup spot behind cassel, but cassel will keep getting the starts unless he absolutely stinks it up. and honestly, with four years behind brady and knowing the playbook and the way this offense is run, it'd be foolish not to give him the go for the next few games. a backup plan like culpepper, testaverde, or simms would be good, but that's what it should remain: a backup plan in case cassel can't get the job done. right now he's the most qualified, with the weapons they have on offense, to lead this team.
I will bet with anybody (JETS fan too), Pats will have a better record than either JETS or the Giants. Here is my email: rc0107@gmail.com
Well...at least it 's over, I was tired of checking on the status every 5 minutes. But thinking about it for a bit and remembering how pumped Matt was yesterday with every pass....I'm not counting this guy out. The Pats O is the best with Brady and pretty good without him (top 5 easy). I'm looking forward to next Sunday more now, than when I got up this morning. If you like close football games and you still hold on to the "We're being disrespected card", this season is for you!!
Matt knows this offense and I think bringing in Simms (as long as he's healthy) would be a great thing. Keep Culpepper on the couch, they don't need a tired arm.
Another thought...I would take Cassel over Aaron Rogers anyday and Green Bay took Aaron Rogers over Brett Favre. Next Sunday is gonna be great...Pats 21 - 17 over the J-E-T-S!! (2 INT's from the beloved number 4). Matt starts on my Fantasy Football team next week!
Maybe should have had more game situation prctice under his belt?
All the best Tom... Personally I'd go th the 3rd option... Castle is safe with a clipboard not a football
Does anyone else remember what happened when Drew Bledsoe got injured as he tried to gain a few extra yards and ended up breaking his elbow?
Tom Brady happened
Cassel's got some big shoes to fill, but the Patriots know better than anyone what back up quarterbacks can do.
BooHoo, cry me a river. Bandwagon fans of a CHEATER dynasty. It's over, all over.
With Cassel at QB I expect much closer games, but mostly wins just the same. That is if the OEVERRATED big three in the Defensive line can live up to their billing and pressure the QB on pass plays and pulg their lanes on runs giving the secondary and LB's a chance to make plays.
On offense, expecting Cassel to manage the game and not be asked to win it (or lose it) ... much as how Brady was handled in 2001. Hopefully 20 points will be enough to win.
It's not like it'll ever happen, but...
Whatever happens, please -- to the writers of the Boston Globe --
Don't EVER do a front page story on my wonderful life!!!!
Belichick dismissed the rumor about Chris Simms, that Chris Gasper reported yesterday. Tell Gasper to get with the program, that's unacceptable.
please we are so done, playoffs or not theres no way we can win a super bowl with matt cassell. sorry, people keep saying hey brady was a backup, but cassell has been a backup for 4 years and has never , ever looked good. face it pople we can hope for the best , we can hope for the plyoffs but there is no way, we win the superbowl with matt cassell at the helm.
Tom Brady did a wonderful job as QB for the New England Patriots. He got injured, it could happen to anyone. The fact remains, the Patriots still have a solid team all around. My question is this: How many QBs would give their non-throwing arm to be on the Patriots?
If I had to guess, I would think a lot of them. I'm honestly not worried about the team. How can you honestly write off the team so soon? If the offense imploded yesterday, it would be a different story. But, Cassel came in and did the job that he is paid to do. Plain and simple. I have faith in the team and the overall system itself. I'm eager to see how the next few weeks pan out. GO PATS!
All of you that are glad for Brady's injuy are losers. That is pathetic. Obviously, you do not have a team to cheer for that has anything to offer. The Patriots will still be there in the end as we all shall see. To be continued....
What the panicking naysayers seem to be forgetting is that when Drew Dledsoe went down and Tom Brady, the untested 5th round draft pick, took the field, all Belichick wanted of him was to play mistake-free football. That is all Cassel has to do as well, as he did on Sunday. Not taking anything away from Tom Brady's talent and his ultra-cool demeanor on the field, but this roster is uber-talented, from 1 to 53, and the coach and general manager are still at their positions. Call Chicken Little off! Let all the also-ran cities celebrate, as they no-doubt did in 2001, that is before that very same untested 5th round draft pick held up the Lombardi trophy. See you in Tampa in February!
Im with you andrew.! 13 wins does sound crazy but heck I'm going to stay optimistic. The problem with SD is they play down to their competition and I'm glad they lost yday, thinking they can just win the game w/ a talented team on paper. If you notice when they play NE they normally play their best, but than again every team plays their best football against the Pats. Its just everyone wants to take down Goliath. Well all we need Cassel to do is manage the game. Back to smash mouth football and a stifling defense, thats what got the dynasty started and that is whats going to have to keep it going. Stay positive Pats Fans, the patriots might pull out the unthinkable!!! In Bill We Trust!
I also agree with Gary.
I'm getting tired of hearing trolls say that Brady always has a smug look on his face. You're now hating him because of his expression?! What the hell is he supposed to do now . . walk around the city frowning? If he always looked miserable suddenly that makes him more appealing?
And what is with the comments that he got what he deserved because he wasn't in shape? Last I checked the knee is a joint. With the right angle, It takes 8 pounds of pressure to blow the knee. Obviously, he got way more than that. Have you ever seen anyone with a muscular knee? You can't make a joint stronger. Get your facts straight.
And lastly, I second Gary's thoughts. I'm all about being competitive, but the Internet has allowed people to reach a new low. I've seen the phrase Karma is a bitch thrown around a lot lately.
Honestly, with all opposing fans visiting this site, cheering our loss, I can't wait to test the Karma theory out.
Oh, no. Gary has made his last statement on this subject. Where will we go to read his football expertise. First Brady, now Gary. Oh, cruel world!!
Any chance of seeing Matt Gutierrez come back to back up Cassel again?
I also agree with Gary. Disgusting comments.
Gary: While it was your last post, I hope you keep reading so you can see first-hand that there are those of us that agree with you completely... and thank you for saying what you did. I am thrilled to be a Boston sports fan, and we get thrilled constantly.
Tom: You will be well missed. You make me proud to be a Boston sports fan. I wish you a successful surgery followed by a complete and easy recovery. I look forward to cheering myself hoarse again soon at your incredible accomplishments on the field.
Bill: I trust that you will do all you can, and then some, to keep this team performing well. As you did last year, you have my complete faith and support.
Matt: When you take the field next week, know that there are thousands of people cheering you on… and on… and on….
Lastly, to the New England Patriots: I LOVE watching you guys play! I will continue to love watching you guys play!
GO PATS!!
The biggest thing for us to watch now is if the other players can pick it up. The "cause" for the season last year was spygate. This year the anthem is Pick it Up Cause Brady's Gone.
The o-line and other groups did not seem motivated in the preseason. Now they have as much motivation you can have to get their job done.
That issue, and how many mistakes Cassel makes will dictate how we do. If he can make safe plays and we can get points on the board, then we will have as a good a chance as any team....
My Prediction (which usually never went wrong)
Pats will go deep into the playoffs... they still have the best receivers, the best coach and a solid defense - Defense Wins Championships... we will see a lot of short passes (get ready Wes Walker and Kevin Faulk), screens and running game till Matt Cassel gets comfortable reading defenses and totally familiar with the system... remember 2001. No mistakes or turnovers and we can go to the playoffs and also win the superbowl. ... all the blow-outs and gaurantee wins have become boring. Get ready for an exciting stress free season and have a lot of fun and get ready for another rally in Boston.
PATFANFRMINDIA
2.34AM
Hyderabad, India
I don't think any pressure comes down on Cassel...he has no expectations to do well! He's got great weapons on the field in Moss and Welker, he's known the system for three years, plus I feel he has the ability to manage the game well. He might not be a gunslinger but all he has to do is manage the team...3 offensive TD's a week will win you football games 3 out of 4 times...
I think the pressure is now mostly on Maroney. Pats fans have been waiting for a RB since Dillon's second season in NE. This is Maroney's third season and I think he has a lot to prove. I also would imagine that the Patriots Defense needs to contribute more as well... and remember people...last time I checked Defense still wins championships!
Sorry to hear of Tom Brady's injury. It's tough when such a great competitor goes down like that. We Steelers fan's knew all about that the year Ben Roethlisberger had is motorcycle accident. Nonetheless, the Pats are a great team and I'm hoping we can still meet them later this year with a lot on the line. Good luck and hang in there.
All the more reason to get behind Cassel like we did Brady back in 2001. For those of you that attend the games, continue showing him the love.
it is pretty ridiculous how fans react to injuries. Bill said there were phone calls to the team about QB so I think we should get a clearer view of who our 2nd backup/competition for 1st will be. I am hoping Culpepper over other available QBs. Simms is pretty awful and vinny is too old to endure the entire season. We should give Cassel few games and see how it goes - if it goes badly then we try out culpepper. Remember we have one of the top receiving corps so they can make an mediocre QB good.
As far as 'cheering' an injury.....aren't these same NYJ fans the ones who cheered when their OWN QB went down (Chad Pennington), but hey, let's not put ourselves on too high a pedastal. I was at Drew Bledsoe's first game against Buffalo, why did he play, because Secules got injured.....OUR home crowd cheered when that happened too. We get confused when OUTSIDERS do horrible things, but forget when we do horrible things....are the arrogant RED SOX fans any better than the arrogant YANKEES fans? Again, Gary is right, because it's the vast MINORITY that are being the idiots, and for the most part NORMAL educated sports fans root for a team, but RESPECT the sport. We might be disappointed our team lost a game, but we don't have to relish in the fact when something horrible happens to the team that did beat us. For people to still throw Spygate out there, is just ridiculous, it happened and it's a stain on the franchise...but get over it and you shouldn't wish bad things on the players, they didn't video the sidelines.....why doesn't NFL Nation call the 49ers cheaters - they were penalized MULTIPLE times for Salary Cap violations, meaning they got to keep the best players on their roster because they cheated the system....or how about the 70s Steelers.....Bradshaw is on record of saying that he personally took steroids in that era, which is a TOTAL VIOLATION of league rules,thus CHEATING.......come on people, get over it, they broke a rule and they were disciplined for it, and it put a sour taste in my mouth too, because it tarnished their triumphs.......but the players didn't do it. As a Pats fan, it's just envy, that's all, just like we (and most of America) HATED the Yankees for so long, WHY, because they always did what we couldn't do....WIN. Cheering a Tom Brady injury is like cheering Joe Dimaggio getting hurt, or Joe Montana, or Wayne Gretzky or saying you were 'happy' Magic Johnson got HIV. It's just stupid people living their useless lives through a sports team that HAPPENS to be succeeding in the town they live in.....it's unfortunately what our country HAS come to (Gary again, kudos), we have to be on a SIDE (Red Sox vs Yankees, Blue state vs Red State, etc),and instead can't root together for the sport, or whatever we happen to be doing. It is sad.......but at least most of us are on the same, dare I say, page........
I'm a die-hard Jets fan, and as such, let's just say that I "don't care much" for the Patriots. Nevertheless, the recent news regarding Tom Brady has brought me no joy nor pleasure, as I never have, nor will, cheer an injury. I'm confident that most Jets fans concur, despite occasional actions from a few deranged fans (we all have them, and they seem to attract the most attention). Anyway, I wanted to post my thoughts for what they're worth (or aren't).
were any of you upset when jp losman went out for the year last year. I guess the patriots will when their division this year too....they will just have to purposely break more than one leg to do it.
I would like to think that the internet is the only place that people act like poor sports, but unfortunately I've had to watch the Pats' games at a sports bar in Richmond, Virginia. There was a guy at a table near me cheering when Brady got hurt. Truly classless. I almost walked up to him and gave him a piece of my mind but really didn't feel like stirring things up when I was just out to have a relaxing afternoon with my friends. As upset as I was feeling at that moment, I was afraid of what I might say or do to this guy, honestly, and it didn't seem like a great idea to get myself kicked out of a bar. So I chose to ignore him. If I felt like I could put somebody in their place without losing my temper, I'd do it, but it was just too fresh of a wound for me at that point.
"We always taught our players that it’s their responsibility to hit the quarterback above the knees and below the shoulders." is that what you taught vince wilfork. As for best coach ever, any coach with any respect for the game would shake his opponents hand, even if he did just get whipped in the superbowl. congrats on squeaking a win out against KC, the worst team in the league
Maybe we can get Drew back to New England
Before you chastize people Troy for wanting people injured or cheering that someone got injured, let's get a head count from all the people who love Brady and were "happy" Bledsoe got hurt. How soon do we forget.. or change perspective of history!!
Also, I can't get behind this play as dirty so long as I thought Wilfork's hit on Losman last year wasn't dirty as well. I don't care what the definition of the low hit is, I won't let my Patriotism juudge indentical plays as different. wilfork was wrongly fined last year and Pollard shouldn't be fined for this hit. He was doing his job and was blocked down. Much different than diving into the knees of a defenselss player.
Cassel will be severely tested in a month. These next 3 weeks will not be the test!
October will be a different story with road games on the West Coast. Time will tell..
10-6 makes me happy.
It is a great day in Indy...
All of us Colts fans hope for your recovery (Brady), but we do want to rub some salt in the wounds!
P.S. Make that a slow and painful recovery...
We are done for the season with no top QB. I think it's morbid to cheer for the backup and show no remorse for Brady. Brady was god like and the team will struggle with bench warming QB's. Remember he's played every game since Bledsoe. I am crushed he's done for the season. 13 wins are you nuts??? When teams start spy blitzing our backup QB's wil be carted off the field. Wait till we play teams with good defenses in which he won't have time to watch primary receivers run routes. We'll be lucky to break 9 wins with no caliber QB. We barely beat lowlife KC on the final stand from the 5 yard line. Our defensive backs are not good enough to stop big plays. They we're horrific against Huward. Get better Brady I'm sure going to miss watching the best QB drive our PATS to victory. I wish the Pats the best but I'm stating the obvious.
I'm a Giants fan and I agree with the posts above. It's emabarassing when fans of my or any team cheer for something like this. Brady may not be liked by everyone, but he deserves to be respected. What he has accomplished and has brought to the league is amazing. He has been the best in the game. As a real fan, you want to beat a team when they are at their best, not cheer when they have been depleted. I also agree with you optimistic Pats fans. You still have a great team and will be there in the post season. Hope to see you again.
if anybody thinks the pats are done, well go get your head checked. team is the word. it takes 53 guys not one. matt cassell still has brady's toys, ie.. moss, welker etc... in the end i hope all of you who think the pats are done enjoy crow because when they are in the playoffs,...
It's time to show non-patriot football fans what it means to be a Patriot. We win and lose as a team, and take the high road in situations like this. The incredibly terrible comments that i have read by some football fans that think this injury to the classiest player in the NFL is some type of redemption are "scum of the earth" comments. We are going to move on without Brady, play the best football with who we have, and make another run at the Super Bowl this year.
Who was Tom Brady before Bledsoe got hurt? NOBODY.... and the rest is history. This is the chance Cassel has been waiting for all of his life (at least since college) Lets see what the kid can do. TIME TO PICK IT UP DEFENSE!!
I watched the game yesterday with not one other Patriots fan, and when Tom Brady was injured, I was mocked and these people cheered obnoxiously. They made rude comments, but all I have to say is: clearly there's a lot of intimidation that comes with the Pats...we have a pretty threatening team. The people who had their chance to gloat were just looking for their one opportunity to trash the Pats, because clearly everyone know that they are best in the NFL...I think Matt and the boys can step up and prove everyone wrong.
I don't know why there would be a rush to get a 'BAND-AID" quarterback???
Play with the hand that we've been dealt !!! I would like to see O'C onnell in
there if Cassell falters.....I don't think we're a super Bowl winner any longer so I feel we should address our future today !! The veteran players on our team are not getting any younger and this is the best way of seeing how we function as a team
without Tom Brady !! Win or lose we should do it as Patriots...We don't need a journeyman quarterback that couldn't even make another roster to help us lose !!!
In Bill We Trust
Matt Cassel will be fine, efficient numbers, and no int's will be a plus.
Patriots will go back to "smashmouth" football.
This team doesn't need a pretty boy stat heavy quarterback to win the big game.
The defense will have to step it up. Meriweather will be at cornerback.
I think Lamont Jordan might be getting some more playing time,
he's going to be the hammer in the power plays.
While my emotional gut reaction was "Season Over", logic tells me :
1. the Pats have an easier schedule this year which could bail them out, and
2. defense wins championships not offense.
That said, why don't the Pats attempt to acquire Kurt Warner from Arizona for a 1-year contract? Four reasons why:
1. Warner is a proven success (even at his advanced age) especially when he has a strong receiving corp (like the Pats have) to which he can throw.
2. Some of the Arizona coaches prefer Leinert to Warner and would support the trade.
3. Arizona ownership already paid up to get Leinert and view him as the team's future.
4. Warner would love to play for the Kraft family in particular.
I think the Pats should trade Matt Casell and possibly one other player for Warner NOW!
maybe belichick should get culpepper considering that hes already has history with moss...also i think it shows the kind of team that we have considering that our star quarterback went down and we STILL managed to win! The Colts couldnt even get that done!
Get Well Tom. You are the best! We'll see ya next year - with a chip on your shoulder and something to prove - look out NFL!
Matt Cassel - Make us proud! It is time again to show how the Pats have great depth!
Prisco is an idiot. I stopped looking at his Power Rankings a long time ago. CLEAR BIAS! He predicts the Pats will win 7 games.... Please! The games will be more competitive - and depending on how Cassel does, we may not make the Super Bowl. But this team has too much heart not to win at least 10 games.
To (Pats Fan Before Cheating) You are definately a band wagon fan and does not know anything about NFL Football or any other professional sport. Do yourself a favor and move ou of New England because your anembarrasment to all of Patriot Nation
Hey New England fans...can you say "Seven wins, nine loses?" God I love it! First, my G-men push and knock you around the desert in February and now Brady gets knocked out on the 2nd offensive series of 2008. I guess God doesn't like cheaters!
If I am the Pats .. I go old school on Sunday .. Come out the tunnel as one.. THIS IS NOT OVER!
I agree with Sonny O with a small caviet, I think they will bring back Guterriez to back up Cassel along with O'Connell. I think O'Connell could be the starting QB before the end of the season. If Cassel plays great /good all season then he will be potential trade bait for next season because i believe he is under contract to 2009. If he plays well he will want a chance to start AL LA Hasselback when he was in Green Bay.The Pats will win the division & go to the playoffs. In Bill We Trust.
Stay positive. The team will develop a strong running game and a tough defense. Nobody gave us a chance in 2000 when Drew went down. I am not saying we have another Brady in the wings. But the team is much more complete than the 2000 make-shift squad.
Gary is right. Anyone is welcome to dislike or even hate another team's star player, but to continue even harsher when a man goes down... The way people are blogging about Brady, holy crap I'd hate to see them at a funeral of someone they didn't like! Take your cue from the likes of Favre or Romo: Its a terrible thing to see a premier player go down for the season, it affects te entire NFL. I know it may be apples to oranges, but seriously.. how much golf have YOU been into since Tiger went down??
Good to clean the slate of bandwagon fans. We have the best coach in the history of the NFL and this year will prove it.
Wow, I am soooo happy that this jerk is out for the season. i wish it was a joe thiesman injury (career-ending). maybe now this cheating-loser can spend more time with his out-of-wedlock baby. again....time to celebrate baby!!!!!!YEAH!!!!!
If the Bears could make it to the Super Bowl with Rex Grossman as QB then the Patriots can win it with Matt Cassel!
This is gut check time - time to show the rest of the NFL what the heart of a champion looks like! GO EFFIN' PATS!!!
Tom, bad knee? You can have mine! I'll take one (or give one) for the team!
football is a team sport. remember folks, Bill B. developed and trained Tom
Brady, not other way around.
Without patroits defense, New englanad would Never made play off in last 7 years!!
You have to enjoy all these idiots coming out of the woodwork to complain about 'bitter Pats fans', who then post long, angry tirades celebrating Brady's horrible injury. What's that saying about the pot and the kettle?
Sadly, these people aren't bright enough to appreciate the irony, since their limited understanding of rules & willingness to parrot anything they read in sports media has them convinced that the overhyped 'Spygate' scandal was the worst crime against humanity since the Holocaust. Hey gang, let me know when you find that St. Loius walkthrough tape we've heard so much about, ok?
Everyone hates a winner, but nobody more so than a complete loser.
Not a good day in Foxboro, no doubt. I have to admit the reaction from other AFC East teams is amusing. I live in Miami, which has about as much NFL intellect as a traffic cone. Regardless, they are soooo excited. I had to point out that it's sad that they only believe their team can win ANY games if players from other teams get injured. The Jets are the same way. Nice Pop Warner circus act from Favre yesterday. Enjoy the INT's NYC-they are coming soon. Let's look at this SD (0-1), Indy (0-1). The East? Come on, don't make mistakes and make sure the playmakers get touches and the RB's get in rhythm week in and week out. Back to basics, folks. We're not going to see a repeat of 2001 but we are going to see well balanced football. What makes me sick is posts from "classy" fans in Pittsburgh and whatnot. They sound totally illiterate and serve as embarrasments to the Pennsylvania education system. This may turn out ok and I'm looking forward to moving back to Mass where the 2008 AFC Champions reside.
Time for us to morph into the 2000 SB Champ Ravens. Trent Dilfer at QB? Remember? Do we have the talent at defense to just keep teams to under 17 points a game?
And then run, run, run, a la Jamal Lewis.
Think comeback. Bledsoe, knows system, has something to prove and for 15-20 games may come at minimum if in shape. New QB gets no practice snaps and needs to handle the game plan. Worth alook
For all you schmucks that laugh and cheer at a potentially lost season due to a debilitating injury: just remember that old age will come for you too someday. The only difference is that no one will even give a sh*t when you're falling down, dead and gone. On the other hand, an entire geographic area of the United States continues to stand behind its team, awaits the return of one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the game, and will gladly shove these weak ass, lame comments right back down your throats at our earliest chance possible. So much for the state of American Sportsmanship. Go Pats.
It's gut check time for the Patriots. They should be ok. This is a team with a lot of pride. Do you think BB might tell the team the rest of the league is writing them off? There are a lot of veterans on this team that have no intention of waiting for next year.
This will be an interesting season. The Patriots have some great people at a lot of skill positions and people will step up as Cassell gains confidence. When New England still wins 10 or 11 games because of their great offensive and defensive balance, and tireless coaching, the true meaning of team will come through.
Look at the SOx. How many starts have been missed by pitchers and position players? Still, there are there (and leading Tampa 3-0 as I write)
The Pats may well make the playoffs. Stay tuned.
Think comeback. Bledsoe, knows system, has something to prove and for 15-20 games may come at minimum if in shape. New QB gets no practice snaps and needs to handle the game plan. Worth alook
I don't know what to make of them not working out these guys - even if Cassel is your man, now HE needs a backup..
Mike, any thoughts on a possible trade? Given the talent they have on that team, some of whom aren't getting younger, I wouldn't mind seeing them make a move outside of whatever rejects haven't made an NFL roster yet.. Or is Cassel truly the man for now? I have to say, he surprised me in the Chiefs game, but that is a pretty lousy defense..
Unfortunately, I live and work in Pittsburgh, and getting through the day today was almost unbearable, having to listen to these ignorant people gloat about the injury to Tom. I really couldn't believe the elation. It was truly disgusting and disheartening. All I can say is I hope the Pats beat the cr*p out of the "Stillers" when they come up there in November.
I wish Brady a speedy recovery. The Colts-Pats rivalry won't be the same without him.
tom brady should suck it up and rest the knee 6 to 8 weeks tape wrap and put a brace on it. a hobbled brady is better than a healthy matt cassel
If you begin your post with anything resembling " 'We' are screwed..." kindly donate your knee to Tom Brady BEFORE you leap off the bandwagon. We (the true Patriot fans) do NOT need nor want you! TB is a great QB, but you insult the other 52 men on the roster and the organization by declaring the season over because he went down.
You are no doubt the very same people who said "'we' are screwed" when Bledsoe went down in 2000. How many times can you people be wrong? Show some self-respect and stop embarrassing yourselves with your lack of a viable opinion. Better yet, the J-E-T-S could use some fans of your calibre. And please do not come back when the Pats win the division...WE don't want you back!
tom brady should suck it up and rest the knee 6 to 8 weeks tape wrap and put a brace on it. a hobbled brady is better than a healthy matt cassel
There are no better tears to drink than those of pats fans. How good do those season tickets feel now? Much suck hard to know they are worthless without brady.
If you begin your post with anything resembling " 'We' are screwed..." kindly donate your knee to Tom Brady BEFORE you leap off the bandwagon. We (the true Patriot fans) do NOT need nor want you! TB is a great QB, but you insult the other 52 men on the roster and the organization by declaring the season over because he went down.
You are no doubt the very same people who said "'we' are screwed" when Bledsoe went down in 2000. How many times can you people be wrong? Show some self-respect and stop embarrassing yourselves with your lack of a viable opinion. Better yet, the J-E-T-S could use some fans of your calibre. And please do not come back when the Pats win the division...WE don't want you back!
To wish anyone harmlike this is disgraceful! Can you say JEALOUSY???? all you negative fans should be ashamed no matter who are routing for...Remember, what comes aroud goes around. To all you negative fan thinking this is funny, i'd look both ways before crossing the streets...KARMA!!!
Jealousy gets you no where..JERKS!!!
Good luck tom..If anyone can recover from something like this it's you. The BEST QB who ever played the game.
All the best!
Pats better get Grogan on the phone. :)
This next Sunday we will find out. That's it. They're a team. Yes...a little less, but they will work through it, maybe with some losses, BUT they still have the most talent in the NFL.
I am sorry that Brady got hurt, but you people have to refrain from your insane anti-New York bias. Neither Giants nor Jets fans could have been seen cheering the hit on Sunday in New York--there was no freaking game being played in New York--the Giants played Thursday and the Jets were in Miami. Maybe you saw a couple of idiots in Jets shirts (since wearing a Jets jersey pretty much defines being an idiot) cheering, but don't involve the Giants fans. The Giants beat the Pats WITH BRADY. Giants fans could care less if the Pats go 18-0 again this year. We got the best of you fair and square--and it still kills you! That is more about you and your issues than Giants fans!
Payback is a Bitch Drunken Beantowners!
And This is only the beginning of Payback year. Hey Dirtbag Moss! Guess what?
Youre next!
Your team got so mad at the rest of NFL for catching them cheating that you just wanted to take out your fustration on the rest of the league by running up the score.
What a joke!-and what did it get you?? Getting slapped around like the cheating bitches you are in the Super Bowl. AH-HAA!
Couldnt man up and just admit that got caught Just deny,deny deny. Your naive and childish fanbase were even worse. You fans, your team, are a national disgrace.
And now your cheating cheapshot team is going to pay dearly for last yr.
Going to be a very, very long yr in Denialsville, Fatassachuttsetts
Brady got what he deserved.
Dont worry Tom, Weasel Welker will keep you compnay on those long cold rehab nights!!!
Hey, here's a thought...
We start recruiting new and expendable defensive linemen who's sole purpose is to take out the knees of all upcoming quarterbacks. It'll help our playoff chances significantly. That's what, just 12 upcoming quarterbacks? No biggie. The list would include Favre, Manning, Rivers. Hmm, maybe that's all they need to do; the rest suck.
OK, so the Patriots argue these are all legitimate hits just like the one this past Sunday. Heck, they happen all the time, right? So what if it happens every weekend. It's just a string of bad luck for the NFL. What happens next might be suspensions and/or fines for these players by the NFL and Kraft just pays the fines and then kicks the bums off the team placating the league. Hey, it's still cheaper than the fines for last year's Spy Gate Scandal..
See, problem solved and if took me a whole 12 minutes to think of it.
I watched the game on the west coast and a crowd supporting teams from all over the U.S. broke out in spontaneous applause when Marcia Brady went down in a career-ending swan song. She snapped like a twig with a pathetic whimper. It was just as Anthony Smith had predicted: pretty boys simply don't have what it takes.
I guess these west coast fans are 'deranged." I don't think so though. Perhaps they just despise teams coached by ethically challenged egotists who get their trophies by any means possible. You Patsie fans are repulsive. Enjoy finishing in 3rd place in the east! It's going to get a whole lot worse.
I'm sorry; this is easier to write being from Indianapolis but it is truly a tragedy. Nobody wants to win, or lose, this way. I wish the best of luck to Cassel. He looked good and hopefully the Pats fans will embrace him instead of mourning Brady. Again this is from a Colts fan, and I couldn't imagine what I would think though if Manning went down and Sorgi had to start.
Take a break Boston; I hate Tom in a rivalry sense. There is no doubt though that he is one of the best. Go out and support your team because they earned the support of their fans without him. It is unfortunate that this team may not go undefeated but they certainly aren’t anything to be ashamed of.
Colts vs. Pats
If you begin your post with anything resembling " 'We' are screwed..." kindly donate your knee to Tom Brady BEFORE you leap off the bandwagon. We (the true Patriot fans) do NOT need nor want you! TB is a great QB, but you insult the other 52 men on the roster and the organization by declaring the season over because he went down.
You are no doubt the very same people who said "'we' are screwed" when Bledsoe went down in 2000. How many times can you people be wrong? Show some self-respect and stop embarrassing yourselves with your lack of a viable opinion. Better yet, the J-E-T-S could use some fans of your calibre. And please do not come back when the Pats win the division...WE don't want you back!
I feel that Brady should have played at least half of each of the pre-season games. That way he would have known what to expect in first regular season game. Patriots tried to protect him from injury in pre-season. However, injury happened anyway because may be Tom did not face game action since Feb 2008.
Also, prior to Superbowl XLII, Brady should have stayed in Foxboro and should have rehabbed his ankle. However, he chose to visit NY (enemy area) and got un-wanted publicity to his injury.
Patriots ofensive line now needs to protect Matt Cassell very well. Otherwise, Sean O'Connell will face game action (He may do very well without OL protection as he is very mobile and is used to no OL protection from his college days).
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