Our own analysis

It'd be nice to hear more of this from the fan base. What a bunch of whiners at the game yesterday...giving up tickets for the season because 1 guy from a 53 man roster gets hurt. Brady doesn't play Defense or Special Teams last I checked.

Sure it stinks, bu the season isn't over. The Jets are already being touted as the new tops in the AFC East?? Did they get that much better on Defense over night?

So we go back to the old way of ball control, good D and a strong running game. We still have the better talent and the best coach in the Division. I'm still looking at 11 - 5...who out there really can beat us?

Mike, although not the popular opinion in the press I think what you write here is very logical. Losing Tom is a tough blow obviously, but this team still has a crazy amount of talent.

After watching the Chargers and Colts both lose to mediocre teams I think we can still ride the storm out, win the division and maybe get on a roll like the teams you mentioned.

Let's clear the bandwagon and see who really still loves this team.

Mike, this is probably the best analysis I've read thus far. As the Giants can attest from last year, no one knows how the season (or how a shaky-looking QB) is going to go. Let's shoot for the playoffs and hopefully get hot at the right time.

No way does O'Connell see a snap this season unless something really drastic happens. I love his potential, but he is still very raw, and can't be counted on to run the offense effectively. If Brady IS done, this team needs a veteran starter, or at least a veteran backup to turn to if Cassel can't get it done. This team is going to keep winning, not on the strength of Brady's arm, but on defense, rushing and well timed play-action to the best wide receiver in the league. This defense is going to wake up and start controlling games, buoyed by a strong ground game. Expect lots of Maroney, Morris and Jordan. Pardon the pun, but It's time to go whole hog - as in the Washington Redskins hogs. Beat teams up and control the game on the ground, and pass to punish the opposing defense, not to sustain the offens.

Well, what happens now?!? Ouch. I would expect to see these tranactions today:

* Patriots have added QB Matt Guiterezz to the practice squad. (Punter Reggie Hodges was released the other day, leaving an opening.)

* RB Kevin Faulk has been added to the active roster. WR CJ Jones has been released. (4 and 5 wides are not going to be our thing anymore, as our offense will be a bit more balance and traditional and simple. circa 2001 with a new QB.)

* QB Tom Brady is on IR. His roster spot is being filled by QB Simms/Rattay.

I think if Brady is out for a long period of time, they need to go with the QB that has the highest upside. Given what looks like an easy schedule (right now based on how the teams played last year) it is an opportunity to let a QB grow into the role. It's a long season and it reminds me of 2003 when a player like Eugene Wilson came out of nowhere and played FS wonderfully. I know QB is an entirely different position with more responsibilities, but I think that given that it is Week 2, why not go with the guy with a higher potential ceiling. I don't presume to know who that is, perhaps it is Cassel. I also imagine this isn't news to the Patriots coaching staff. :)

Has the Culpepper name been mentioned in Foxboro today?

You are so right, Mike. While people are quick to point out the caliber of player Brady is, there are other areas of this team that are considered top of the league. Other guys have to step up - Seymour, Moss, Welker, the O line, etc, but no reason not think they will. Having the best coach in the league doesn't hurt either.

How about putting out a feeler to Doug Flutie? He knows the offense, still is in good shape and can win.

Matt Cassel will lead us to the Superbowl. It's not every day that your starting QB goes down and YOUR TEAM GETS BETTER! Cassel used to be on USC which is the # 1 team in the country right now. He was also on Patriots teams that won Superbowls, so he knows how to win. It wouldn't surprise me to see the team go 16-0 this year.

Thanks Mike!!!

Finally some positive thinking.....

We cant change what happened yesterday, lets get behind Cassell play some solid D and take it week to week.

I'd like to see O'Connell in there. Give Cassel a few weeks to prove himself (he had 4 preseason games that were unbearable to watch) and let O'Connell get more comfortable with the system. I'd rather roll the dice with O'connell and see what happens, I think we all know what Cassel is capable of. Who knows, maybe Cassel will impress.

I'm betting O'Connell gets the go if (actually, when) Cassel goes nowhere fast. O'Connell will ignite and excite. He will move the team. He will run when he has to and has the arm too. I watched him in pre-season and very much saw a leader.

O'Connell will (almost) have us asking "Tom who?".

Think not? Just watch and see.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!this is the best thing to happen in the nfl in years.

From the NFL rule book:

No defensive player who has an unrestricted path to the quarterback may hit him flagrantly in the area of the knee(s) or below when approaching in any direction.

I've watched the video numerous times.
From what I see, Pollard was knocked down by Morris. He then jumped off his knees, with Morris behind him, with an unrestricted path to the quarterback
and hit him flagrantly (SHOULDER INTO SHIN) which is below the knee. You cannot get more flagrant than that. Can you??
I'm not saying that Pollard did it with malice or that he was trying to hurt him, just wondering why this was considered a legal hit, below the knees.
Anyone?

its gotta be bledose. hes a perfect fit

Mike, could you refresh my memory on if or how the offensive game plans were altered for Brady when he first took over after the injury to Bledsoe? And would you expect the same strategy with Cassel? tia

Good points, but when it comes down to it, I feel sick.

People just need to have more faith in Matt. He has been studying the system for 4years now. He will be OK. He is not playing with the 2nd or 3rd stringers. So now we are going to find out who truly are the Patriots fans because before even Bledsoe I sat thru 1,2 or 3 win seasons. So all the FAKE patriots fans can now go and jump on the Bret Favre bandwagon. So all the people that want to count out Matt, he will surprise and all you wanna be's will be ready to jump on his bandwagon.
P.S. I can't stand Merrill Hodge.

How about a little poetic justice..... Bledsoe residence.... ring, ring..... ahem yes this is Bill Bellichek....

The people can talk all they want; pundits have already spoken. Have they forgotten, or is it that they still don't know, that THIS is what provides the fodder for this team? Count them out. Underestimate them. Take away their top player. A balanced team still floats. Of course, this is a devastating blow to a team that could have kept streaking. But how important were those 4 preseason losses now? How important is having 5 running backs now? To keeping Cassel in the system through the criticism and non-results? Let's let the games speak for themselves.

What are the chances that his knee isn't as bad as has been reported? I'm still in denial.

Time for the defense to pick up the slack....too many times last year the defense appeared to coast figuring Brady and Moss would bail them out...defense needs to deliver many more '3 and outs"...this more than anything will reduce the pressure on Cassell et al

Your collegue, Bob Ryan, is way off base when he says "It is very bad for him, and it is basically disastrous for the Patriots, who clearly aren't going to any Super Bowl without him and whose only reasonable goal now is to play one (1) game in January." Wasn't it only February of 2007 when Rex Grossman, of all people, who quarterbacked the Bears to the Superbowl? This Patriot team has many weapons and certainly can make a run this year as long as the O-line can block and Cassell can make some reads. Bob Ryan seems to have gotten an A while taking Dan Shaughnessy's cup half full course on pessimism. That, or else he just needs to pull the needle out of his arm!

Mike-

It's bad-but how about this for a silver lining: All the expectations, all the pressure, everything that came with having an 18-1 season and having to vindicate that game in Feb is gone. They have been completely written off. Once again, the Pats are truly an underdog with something to prove. I have no dellusions about Super Bowls, but I am excited to see how the team reacts and competes. And as much as I hate to say it, maybe Brady needs a year away from football to get his head straight. Last year was brutal professionally and personally. I GUARANTEE he gets his parking space back next season. As long as the team competes hard, I will enjoy this season, for better or worse.

When this happened yesterday, I was sick about it. I realized, as did many, that this could potentially destroy the Pats' entire season. But the more I think about it, the more I think that this may not actually be the end of the world. Some small part of me still misses those "dirt-dog" like Patriot teams of the mid 90s to the early 2000s. The teams that had to scrap and claw and fight to get to 10-6 and squeak into the playoffs. In other words, the Patriots before Tom Brady became TOM BRADY.

This could be a heck of a wild ride this season. Sure, we'll drop a bunch of games, and yes, we may even miss the playoffs - but part of me is ready for the games to be a battle week in and week out again. There's going to be a lot of games on the schedule that just became serious contests again instead of just opportunities for the Patriots to see how many points they can score before the opposition cries uncle.

It's obviously NOT the ideal situation to be in with your star QB down... but it does remind me of the days before we were blessed with dominant talent. When we were good, but we had to prove ourselves every week. Call me crazy, but although I'm still reeling a bit - I have to admit, this is still going to be a heck of a lot of fun. Now we face teams like the Jets on a LOT more of a level playing field. There's a legitimate chance that we may lose that game and others. I say let's bring it on and see what happens. Give some new guys a chance to shine and bring back a level of uncertainty to every contests instead of the laughers of last season.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but in some ways, this really could be a lot of fun.

Football is a team sport and last time I checked team was not spelled B-R-A-D-Y.

Go Patriots!

To Pats Fan 2008 - Please see other comments about clearing the Pats bandwagon and then feel free to jump off before some kicks you off of it. Seriously, not only are you out of your mind for stating such nonsense, but Cassel never even started a game at USC and has only been with the Pats for 3 prior seasons. Therefore, he has not been a part of a Patriots superbowl, and has not started an NFL game before.
I just wish the best for Brady's knee and hope the other guys can salvage this season.

None of our lives will be the same, EVER AGAIN

My best regards to TOM....You will be missed. But from the sidelines Tom can help manage the team, via Matt Cassell or Kevin O'Connell.

Your approach to giving Matt the ball for the next four games, with Kevin in there when possible to gain the experience he needs, is a good one. The Patriots still can win 16, or at least be in the Playoffs. Then we will have an experienced QB,or.....go acquire one at mid-season.

Bill Bellichick will know when to go shopping! We still have the Best Coach in the League.

LO Thompson, Newburyport MA

Mike,

I am in complete agreement with your comments and feel that they win as a team and lose as a team. Lets see who steps up their game now. There is no I in Team after all and I think they have what it takes if they can just continue to compete and play hard. Thats what they are paid for and thats what we pay and watch for. I am on the bandwagon until the last game is played!!

How about calling Drew Bledsoe? I think he could get back in football shape.....

The Raiders continued existence is the best thing to happen to the other 31 teams in the league ever, loser.

"PlanB" (post #16) brought up something interesting. How did the Patriots change their offense when Bledsoe went down and a little-known guy named Tom had to play? Whatever the strategy was, I would expect something very similar.

Wilfork was involved in a similar play last season and was fined.

There's a lot of talent on this team still. I think this is an exciting time to be a Pats fan. When is the last time we watched them with their backs up against the wall? This is going to make for some great football. And if the hit wasn't cheap I hope our pass rushers play on their kness from now on.

I agree with the post from Dan above (24). Things happen for a reason, just as when Drew was hurt and Tom stepped in. When I say things happen for a reason, I mean it can go beyond just football. Tom did have a stressful year last season and probably can use the time off. He said it himself, all he does is throw a football and look at his life!

I am NOT writing off the season! This team has a lot of great players and coaches. Each week they gameplan based on who they are playing and so I know the Pats will adjust their own offensive game plans to where the running game moves to the forefront initially and everyone else on the team will have to elevate their play. I'm sure the Pats will bring in another QB but still give Cassel a chance. I just see a controlled offense this year and a good stout defense. The Pats are not going to suddenly tank, so any non Pats fans reading this that are HAPPY Tom went down can wipe the smiles off their faces! The Jets are the AFC East favorites? Pleeeease...they barely beat Miami! I am looking forward to this game at NY.

Best wishes to Tom. I hope your surgery is successful and you have a quick recovery. Try to take advantage of the down time.

All any Patriots Quarterback has to do is manage the game properly..with Faulk and Morris healthy, the running game becomes a focal point..and the last time I checked, Moss and Welker are healthy..is there a better reciving tandem in the NFL right now?

Did anyone watch the blitz packages that Payton Manning saw Sunday night?

Think that tape is already being picked apart in Gillette Stadium?

This team is still a lock for 13-3 or 14-2..the AFC East is still that bad..if the Patriots beat teams by 7 instead of 21, does anyone else mind besides the oddsmakers?

Get Bledsoe.

Now.

Right now.

Bledsoe's arm with Moss and Welker? With this deep a group of running backs?

Hello!

Go with a ball control offense to minimize Drew's holding the ball and getting his head handed to him. Let him toss one deep to Randy once in a while to keep the defense honest.

He is the only one of the bunch that has played in a Super Bowl...................

I wonder where L. Moroney went in the fourth quarter. He'd run well earlier, and then we saw lots of S. Morris, who did not.
One problem with Cassel is that he doesn't seem to throw long well. Moss is a great receiver, but he needs a qb who can get the ball WAY downfield. Brady couldn't do it in the Superbowl last year, and we saw how that worked out.
Yesterday, Cassel kept throwing short to Welker, which is only going to work when you have the threat of Moss stretching out the defense. This is a bad time to not have a genuine Tight End who can help make the short passing game work, taking some pressure off the slot receiver.
I think the Patriots defense is in trouble. Getting old and slowing down.

bad break for brady, but patriot fans don't look for sympathy from any of us....for to long the patriots have been on top with very few injuries to its key personnel, injuries are part of the game , lets see how your team performs without its top player just like the 72 dolphins had to go almost the entire year without its starting qb. and still finish perfect.....
lets see what your cheating genious coach is going to do now...

I think it will interesting to see how competitive the team is and if Matt Cassel develops as a QB. The playoffs and division title are no longer a lock, but they probably still will be competitive within the division.

I am a little surprised that Culpepper does not get more of a mention, if for no reason other than the Randy Moss connection. Culpepper could stretch the field, and the team could keep him in check personality-wise. I think may teams stayed away from him do to his maverick ways....

BB says no one has been worked out yet, but you know they have to go to NY with three QB's.

I like Mike's optimism, and after watching the Colts, Jags, and Chargers all lose yesterday, it seems that the AFC is going to be up for grabs. We have too many quality players and coaches at all the other positions to be counted out after one week.

That being said, I feel heartsick for Brady, and wish him a speedy recovery. It sure will be a challenge playing without him, but this team should be up for it!

How about Tim Rattay? He was a very serviceable starter for the Niners when they had nobody around him and has looked good in other situations.

He's smart and experienced and I think he is a nice fit for the Pats. I would much prefer him to a stiff like Simms or a greenhorn like Cassel. BB should bring him in for a workout ASAP.

Right on Dan! I hate to see that Tom is hurt, but I have a weirdly optimistic feeling about the team. They all have to do their job and I think things will be ok. I hope that defense steps up and becomes more dominant than ever. The offense will come along with each week. They may not crush opponents like last season, but we should have our fair share of wins.

Three words: SIGN DAUNTE CULPEPPER

Disillusioned Bledsoe fans, Did I miss something or did Bledsoe somehow learn how to read a Defense in his retirement?

Mike thanks for the thoughts. I still trust in BB. If he thinks Matt can do the job better than someone on the outside I agree. It is very early in the season and Castle will have time to mature before we go into the playoffs.

Better now than week 14

recite after me ... TEAM ... It's not over yet

My take on all of this is the following:

1.Matt Cassel did a credible job in leading the team to a game 1 victory. I believe he ought to be first in the running to start game 2.

2. Kevin O'Donnell is a promising looking rookie QB. He may be able to get the job done, too, but he has yet to become a proven expert with the full playbook, nor has he been NFL tested in game situations. The team retained him, so they have confidence in his potential.

3. Some have suggested going out and getting a veteran QB. That might not be a bad idea, but Brady sure worked out well in 2001. Give Cassel and O"Donnell an opportunity to show what the coaching staff has seen in them.

4. The offense was tailored to Brady in 2001 and in years thereafter. Those the basic play book may be the same, it may be worth tailoring a game plan around characteristics that are best suited to what Matt Cassel can do well. For example, consider including 3-5 designed running plays in the game to keep the defense guessing. Work on a half back option or a wide receiver option. That Randy Moss fumble on the Brady - Moss - Gafney play was one of the highlights of 2007. Don't go crazy, but do design a small number of well crafted plays to keep the defense guessing and to take some heat off Cassel. Design a good blend of running, short to mid range passes, plenty of crossing routes over the middle, and use clever combinations of the draw, slant to Welker the tight end, or a back, over the middle, and mix that up with some good play action passing. Brady had great success with this in 2001. Bring out some of his old plays; they could work well with Cassel too.

In the end, build the offense around Cassel and show some confidence in him. I have every reason to believe he can deliver. I think his showing this preseason was more a case of the O-Line injuries and lack of a consistent unit than it was a direct reflection on what Matt can do. Can you still remember Matt leaping over defenders only a year ago? While I do not want to see that kind of heroics any too often, I believe he has a solid grasp of the game and he can adapt to most situations that present themselves. I hope that Welker and Moss work really hard with him and I hope that Brady is available before too long on the sidelines to coach him - as well as Josh McDaniels and Bill Bellichick. I believe it can all work out.

Are you people outside your minds? Flutie?? Bledsoe?? Chris Simms??
Matt Cassell is the best option right now by a large margin. Knowing the offense that the Pats run is more than half the battle. Welker is still going to be open, Moss is still going to be able to catch the ball. My issue is that their defense is going to be exposed big time. Even though as a fan, I enjoyed last year's magical run but was not looking forward to the Pats playing mediocre defense all year but still winning because of the explosive offense and the weaknesses of most other teams on their schedule. The Pats were literally handed 3-4 wins because of bonehead mistakes made by other teams. This will be more interesting to watch in my opinion. Lastly, coincidence that Brady took conditioning program lightly this year? I think not.

I hear Drew Henson is available....

Why is everyone dismissing Matt Cassel? He’s the Tom Brady story all over again. You know the headline: Backup QB Replaces Injured Franchise QB and Wins Super Bowl. Brady did it. Kurt Warner did it. Brady got into that Jet game after Mo Lewis dropped Bledsoe, and the Pats still lost. Cassel came into a 0-0 game and got his team the win on his first try. Good start so far. Give him all the snaps in practice and this team’s 47 different running backs. They will pound the rock, and ask Cassel to manage the game like Brady did early in his career. When he throws, it will be to the best receiver in the game (Moss) or he’ll flick it the biggest spark plug in football (Welker). Can they win it all with Cassel? Well the QB isn’t the only guy on the field. Remember, they didn’t go all the way with Brady last year either. They know what they’re doing, and I like their odds. You can’t ask for more than that at the start of the season.

My take on all of this is the following:

1.Matt Cassel did a credible job in leading the team to a game 1 victory. I believe he ought to be first in the running to start game 2.

2. Kevin O'Donnell is a promising looking rookie QB. He may be able to get the job done, too, but he has yet to become a proven expert with the full playbook, nor has he been NFL tested in game situations. The team retained him, so they have confidence in his potential.

3. Some have suggested going out and getting a veteran QB. That might not be a bad idea, but Brady sure worked out well in 2001. Give Cassel and O"Donnell an opportunity to show what the coaching staff has seen in them.

4. The offense was tailored to Brady in 2001 and in years thereafter. Those the basic play book may be the same, it may be worth tailoring a game plan around characteristics that are best suited to what Matt Cassel can do well. For example, consider including 3-5 designed running plays in the game to keep the defense guessing. Work on a half back option or a wide receiver option. That Randy Moss fumble on the Brady - Moss - Gafney play was one of the highlights of 2007. Don't go crazy, but do design a small number of well crafted plays to keep the defense guessing and to take some heat off Cassel. Design a good blend of running, short to mid range passes, plenty of crossing routes over the middle, and use clever combinations of the draw, slant to Welker the tight end, or a back, over the middle, and mix that up with some good play action passing. Brady had great success with this in 2001. Bring out some of his old plays; they could work well with Cassel too.

In the end, build the offense around Cassel and show some confidence in him. I have every reason to believe he can deliver. I think his showing this preseason was more a case of the O-Line injuries and lack of a consistent unit than it was a direct reflection on what Matt can do. Can you still remember Matt leaping over defenders only a year ago? While I do not want to see that kind of heroics any too often, I believe he has a solid grasp of the game and he can adapt to most situations that present themselves. I hope that Welker and Moss work really hard with him and I hope that Brady is available before too long on the sidelines to coach him - as well as Josh McDaniels and Bill Bellichick. I believe it can all work out.

Before he retired, I was going to ask why we didn't bring Culpepper in for a workout considering our backup situation was less than stellar. Would it hurt the Pats to give him a small one year with incentives to see what he can do? The Sox did the same thing with Colon and that didn't work out too bad for either side.

It's worth a shot, right?. He's a veteran with playoff experience plus he knows how to play catch with Randy Moss.

This was inevitable for any of us who have watched the NFL for a long time. Andy what's his name Gresh said it best. The Patriots and Belichick plan a season with 53 guys in mind. It doesn't matter what the regular season record looks like as long as we get to the tournament. Belechik must have had something like this in mind when he upgraded the running game. The offense will simply have to hunker down a little bit and go to stuff that will give Cassel some comfort. Isn't that exactly the same thing Belichick did when that rookie kid replaced Bledsoe? This team doen't have to score 40 every time out to win. No non sense defense and carfeul with the ball is a prescritpion that wins in the NFL> Let's root for Cassel. If anybody in the world deserves a shot it is a guy who has had the misfortune to back up 2 Heisman winners and an All World NFL MVP. Go Matt!

Great job by my fellow fans in the south end zone giving Cassel a standing ovation and chanting "Let's Go Matt!" when he took the field for his first series. Needless to say he isn't the franchise but he needs all the support he can get. It's his team now and we can't get on his ass every time he misses on a throw. We here in Boston have been high on our horse the last few years and we need to remember that we're not immune to setbacks such as this. It happened and there is nothing we can do about it but get behind our team and be the loudest 12th man Gillette has ever known. The AFC is not full of juggernauts and there is no reason why we can't still be a major player in the league this year.

You know what, it is what it is. We can talk all we want but I like Bill's philosophy, "Next!". Someone will step in, be it Cassell or whomever and they all will play as a team to win. We cannot predict the future and who cares about the worriers and whiners? Game on. Pollard should have had some kind of consequence but it is what it is. The rest of the team will play on and play to win. The offense will have to call some Cassell friendly plays and he will have to make the quick decision and practice under blitz pressure a lot. The Pats will play on and win.

How come nobody talks about a trade???
The arrogance of Belichick and Pioli to have a guy who hasn't started a football game since the last century as the backup. Now the pressure is on them to find an answer. Would it be worth it to offer the Cardinals a #1 pick for Warner for example? You can't say the price is to high...not with Bruschi and Harrision and Vrabel and even Moss nearing the end of their careers. Management owes it to those guys to try and bring in someone who can give them a legitimate shot at the playoffs and beyond.
And it ain't Cassells or Simms or Ratay.
Do your job Scott. This is all on you.

thats what happens when your caught cheating! karma ,karma,karma. LOL!!!!

What's wrong with taking one of extra draft picks and sending it to Cleveland and Romeo for Brady Quinn. When we last looked, he was buried behind Derek Anderson.

I don't know guys, I can't help but feel that this is God's way of punishing us for cheating. Am I the only one who feels that way?

O play calling is going to have to become less predictable. Throwing going to decrease. RBs need to step up. OL going to have to work harder. Would be nice if the secondary demonstrated itself to be something more than a box o' rocks. I thought LBs looked better yesterday.

The one bright light is that we're back to being underdogs. I've been a fan for a long time but to me no year was better than 2001. And the last 3 yrs nothing less than a title was good enough. It almost takes some of the fun away. Now that's all changed.

I'm betting this team will surprise a lot of people though. We've still got some pitbulls and they've just been backed into a corner. SEASON'S OVER? I say it's just begun!!

Right now, the fans need to get behind Cassel as he is #1 now. Everyone was thought we were domed when Bledsoe went down and this kid Brady came in. Everyone said the same thing about Brady as they're saying now about Cassel.

Give the guy some support until he proves that he doesn't deserve it.

So now it's back to the future - back to when Tom first took over for Drew and before he was Tommy Terriffic - his job was to manage games and not lose them - we need the same from Matt Cassel now - so maybe we don't win games 55-10 anymore but if we play tough defense, good special teams, and an efficient no mistake offense this team will be tough to beat - as we have seen over and over with the Pats the sum is more than the individual parts - remember in the pros the talent is so close coaching makes a huge difference and Bill and company are the best - don't jump ship - this may be the most satisfying one yet!!

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!

So now it's back to the future - back to when Tom first took over for Drew and before he was Tommy Terriffic - his job was to manage games and not lose them - we need the same from Matt Cassel now - so maybe we don't win games 55-10 anymore but if we play tough defense, good special teams, and an efficient no mistake offense this team will be tough to beat - as we have seen over and over with the Pats the sum is more than the individual parts - remember in the pros the talent is so close coaching makes a huge difference and Bill and company are the best - don't jump ship - this may be the most satisfying one yet!!

2 injuries hurt the Pats yesterday. The first one is obvious! However, when Croyle went down, so did the chance to cut a deal with KC for Huard. Something tells me if Croyle doesn't get hurt, Huard isn't on the return flight to KC.

In response to a few other posts...
How would we get Warner out of Arizona? He's their starter, and he's not worth a first day draft choice. I'd rather roll the dice with Cassel.
Quinn has a significant rookie contract he is under, and what happens when Tom comes back next year? Quinn rots on our bench until - god forbid - the next injury? Also not worth risking a high pick on and he's got just as much NFL action under his belt as Cassel and has never seen the playbook either. Romeo's not gonna hand him over to us as a favor because him and BB are pals. We gotta rally behind Cassel like we did Brady in '01.
Ed Alves, very well stated. We in NE should realize how lucky we've been with our local teams this decade.

Hey Guys this is a team- a well rounded team with lots of talent in lots of areas. Yes, Tom's departure will hurt, but we have the depth of Matt and Kevin in the pocket who each are terrific in their own right. Tom came in to relief to a hurt Drew Bledsoe and eventually took his job. Let's see what Matt and Kevin can bring.

CULPEPPER! CULPEPPER! With the Patriots offensive line all he'd have to do is stay upright. He still has one of the best arms ever!

Give Cassel a chance. He probably hadn't played in a meaningful game since high school but he came in Sunday in a scoreless game, played 3+ quarters and led the team to a win with no pics and no bonehead mistakes.

Trust Bill. He must have seen something in the guy to keep him around. As his confidence builds he will only get better.

They'll get a veteran to shore up the QB position but it should be Cassel's job to lose. Give him a dozen dink-and-dunk plays and the Pats will go 10-6 and make the playoffs.

What is with this "don't expect any sympathy" stuff from non-NE fans? We don't want any sympathy. But what we do ask is that the bigger picture be looked at and before you shout your hate filled nonsense, realize that the best QB in the game won't play this season.

And I have all the faith in the world in Billy B and Cassel. He clearly sees something in the guy having kept him around. He's our QB and I will defitnetly be in front of my TV this Sun cheering the Pats and Cassel on.

We'll go 11-5, get a 1st round bye, two home playoff games in ridiculously bad weather, and a return trip to the Superbowl. Remeber how we used to do it?

hey dolphins fan...keep laughin, you classless schmuck. You obviously don't remember the Pats teams of 03 and 04 when they had 20 and 30 players out. This team finds a way to win...1972 - is that the last time the fins won a Super Bowl??

We'll go 11-5, get a 1st round bye, two home playoff games in ridiculously bad weather, and a return trip to the Superbowl. Remember how we used to do it?

I can't believe the Chiefs calling that play "a hit." What hit? Pollard was on the ground, then crept forward and grabbed the lower part of Brady's knee. What the hell did Pollard think he was going to do to bring Brady down from that vantage point that did not have a high probability to injure Brady's knee? I see this happen too often when defenders who have broken through the line but have been knocked to the ground make these pathetic last gasp attempts when their contribution to the play has essentially already ended and all they are going to achieve is injure the lower leg area of the quarterback. The NFL needs to develop a lower leg rule or something to prevent the lame late hit plays that contribute nothing for the defending team during the game but more likely lead to more games out due to injury for the quarterback.

Culpepper and Bledsoe.......now please.

Hey, after going back over some posts above, how the hell was that not ruled an illegal hit? And sounds like some of the Chiefs just chalked up the play to "knocking out their star." How about next time (of course it won't be this year because the Chiefs suck and won't be in the playoffs) Seymour and Wilfork pick up the Chiefs QB and pile drive his head into the turf just as a matter of trying to knock their leader out of the game?

As far as Cassell goes, seems to me he has the same level of confidence in him that Patriots nation had in Brady when Bledsoe went down. Hopefully Cassell has been thinking all along "I'd like to be the starter" if acts of God create the need. Well the need is here and I see it as Cassell's opportunity to make his dream come true.

The whole situation just accelerated the Patriots having to live in the post-Brady era. Without Brady, this is probably the strongest team that can have a chance to win a Super Bowl with their D-line and stable of running backs and receivers. I don't see the team getting any better roster-wise 5 years from now, unless Cassell indeed turns out to be another Brady.

WHY THE PATRIOTS CAN REBOUND: Because they still have, statistically, the easiest schedule in the NFL this season. Sure, most of the games the Pats play this year were considered easy because we all figured Tom Brady would be playing in them, but regardless, the Patriots have the easiest schedule in the league. Matt Cassel has the keys to the greatest offense EVER assembled. I'm sure he will be able to manage the game in order not to lose. I expect Maroney to become a breakout star over the year, because the running game WILL step up. The defense will have to carry this team, as it has in the past. I am a little worried as I thought this year was Super Bowl or bust for these Pats, who ARE growing older. Now I don't know what to think, can these guys really play at a competitve level this year and next? These next few weeks will be interesting to watch....