Reiss: What do Pats do?

terrible

What they do is play defence like no one has ever before and run the ball and make timely throws.

NBC just reported that Chris Simms is coming in for a work out ... I would rather stick with Cassel, thanks

Bring in Flutie ....If we lose we can at least have a fighting chance....Cassell doesn't give us that !!

Hey Mike,
I heard that Brady is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Please tell me this isn't true!!!

If Brady's out for the season, which it looks like he probably will be, then I think bringing in Culpepper would be a good move. Let Matt Cassel continuing starting and if he struggles, let Culpepper start. He does have the history with Moss and I still think he has something left.

Al Michaels just reported that it is in fact an ACL, Brady's out for the year, and Chris Simms is coming in for a tryout tomorrow. Here comes 10-6 and one and done.

Culpepper to Moss.

Hugging my knees in the shower, crying.

I think a call to Drew Bledsoe should and will me made...bring back ol' reliable!

I would far prefer a veteran like Culpepper or Testaverde over Simms. The talent at WR is still phenomenal. A veteran QB should be able to capitalize. We'll just have to deal with more mental errors and less accuracy than Brady has provided.

They can't bring in Simms to compete with Cassel. I just don't understand that move.

Its all speculation and I always felt brady should wear a knee brace on the left plant foot knee. Could be one of those amazing opportunities for the pats to come together and play the D that can get them back. Maybe it will not be that bad and he can return later. If not it is not over and we can still be very tough.

Remember nothing is official nothing.

torn acl, confirmed, multiple sources. this sucks

Time for the team to step up and show what we're made of.

This team has shown it can work through adversity. The game plan changes, it's SMASHMOUTH and GAME MANAGEMENT on offense and wins will be determined on how good our D plays. Forget Culpepper, he's done. Chris Simms is more conceivable. With 4 RB's that have different skill sets, the Pats need a serviceable QB that won't turn the ball over and give them 5-7 plays a game. With Moss and Welker, teams will get burned if they throw 9 in the box. I can just see Play Action to Moss whenver they try it (Cassel or Simms just needs to confidence to audible to it).

The D needs to improve each week and play with passion and desperation, like every play may determine the game. They looked OK today, but it wasn't a good test (KC is really bad). Next week will be a test.

PATRIOT FANS FOR DAUNTE CULPEPPER. CULPEPPER TO MOSS '08!!!

daunte to moss! bring it back! was one of the best combos in the league and that was without an o line, and defense. i think it's the best combination, simms doesn't know moss, and it would take time, the gunslinger culpepper could really utilize his speed, along with welker. lets do it!

WHo do they bring in to replace Brady??????? Is the ANSWER JESUS!!!

DREWWWWWWWWW!!!

Culpepper seems good choice.. being familier with Moss and he is hungry for Win.

chris simms i would say would be the best option. culpepper retired, but he would do good with moss...gutierez is ok..but not a starting qb..where is bledsoe,or the better#16 zolak...all i have to say is good thing we have good rb depth.

i trust the pats to make the right move..

Watching Tom Brady writhe in agony this afternoon was devastating. I think Cassel did a commendable job of helping us get the win (with a big THANK YOU to our defense.) To think Brady may be out for the season is unbelievable. Having said that, I don't think Cassel is the man for this job. I like Reiss' suggestion of Testaverde. He's solid and a veteran. I also like Gutierrez, but he doesn't have enough experience. Bledsoe? Are you kidding me?

Mike,

Yahoo is reporting that Brady is out for the season with a torn ACL, but do you have confirmation of that? I have not seen anything like that reported here on BDC...

Simms, Culpepper, Testaverde, Flutie--you know, nobody out there is going to take the Patriots to the Super Bowl. If Brady is not the QB, then NE is not going to Tampa Bay.

I think they should sign Gootz.
Let Cassel have the starting job. He could step it up and do what Brady did in 2001. If not, give O'Connell a try. If that doesn't work out, give Gootz a try. If, by chance, things are still not working out at QB, then you go with Testaverde, Simms or Culpepper. But before bringing in a washed-up old-timer, they should see what the young guys can do. I believe the only hope for the Patriots making a Super Bowl run is if one of the young guys steps it up and "pulls a Brady."

There goes the whole season in the first 10 minutes. Sure, you can bring in somebody to play the postion and hot dogs and beer will be sold, but we all know the season just ended. Life is cruel and so often unfair. We're left empty handed and out of luck. A year of our sports life is just gone.

We cry. And then we riot.

Stick with Cassel and hope for the best. Culpepper has not been good in 4 years so I see no reason yo sign him. There is a reason why this guy retired: No one wanted him.

It did not look to me as if Tom's knee was severely bent, but what do I know. It seemed that the hit was lower on the leg and may not be as serious as it is assumed. .
I think that Chris Simms or Matt Guitterez are the best choices, if he is out for any length of time. P.Rivers had an operation last year and played again in 2 weeks. So let's again hope for the best.

Everyone else is going to have to step up, including coaching and give it best shot.

They can NOT go with Cassel under any circumstance. My pick would be Culpepper, over Simms.

Simms is a lefty and that could be a big problem for the Pats on protection.

Culpepper is big, strong, agile, to a point, and has a solid arm. He and Moss have, also, worked together.

This is a team with a plethora of solid receivers. Most any quarterback, with experience at reading defenses should be very successful, with the right play calling, which IMO, was awful today.

Culpepper should be given a shot.

It sounds like it is all but true
Tom Brady is out for the season

Culpepper should be given a shot, i just hope they don't stick with Cassel, Culpepper or Simms, an older Veteran is very much needed and i think we'd still have a valid chance at contending for a superbowl with our spectacualr running game and solid D.

Even as a die hard Colts fan....I'm sorry to see such a talented player injured. My thoughts and prayers will be with him for a quick recovery.

Lets get a call out to Drew Bledsoe ASAP - one more year and he can go out with another ring!!!

I think they'd bring in Simms only so they'd have a veteran backup in case Cassel goes down. Cassel even though he's not the most talented knows the system better than any free agent they'd bring in.

Holla at your boy here!

I am nauseated. this is awful... now the Pats are just another verry good team instead of the best team in the NFL. the D needs to step it up and the game plan needs to be more ball control. they still have the easiest schedule and should finish with 11 wins. nothing like waiting all season and having it come crashing down in 2 series.... gah

Daunte Culpepper I believe will be the perfect candidate

TO ALL PATRIOTS FANS
WATCH THE RED SOX FANS WELCOME AND CHEER MATT CASSEL. SUPPORT HIM HE HAS PUT IN THE TIME. WE THOUGHT EVERYTHING WAS DONE WHEN BLEDSOE WENT DOWN 7 YEARS AGO. SOX FANS GAVE JASON BAY A 2 MINUTE STANDING OVATION AFTER MANNY GOT THE BOOT HE TO WAS AN ICON. WE STILL HAVE A GREAT TEAM. SUPPORT CASSEL HE KNOWS THE SYSTEM. HE NEEDS TO KNOW WE HAVE HIS BACK. IM SURE, AS MOSS SAID, THE PLAYERS WILL EMBRACE AND SUPPORT HIM. ALL RED SOX NATION AND PATS FANS UNITE!! WE CAN STILL DO THIS WITH CASSEL. TRUST BILL. TRUST THE SYSTEM.

GO PATS!! GO SOX !!I WONT GIVE UP ON YOU!!!!
KEEP THE FAITH!!!!!!!!

Hey, to anyone questioning Cassel, how are you helping the team? Like it or not, Cassel is probably going to be the starter now. He's off to a very respectable start, and with the support of his coaches, his teammates, and especially the fans, he has the chance to continue doing his job well. He's our quarterback now, so let's all get behind him, for better or worse!

I am sick

It has been a great run, but we can't quit on the Patriots. For all those bandwagon fans, who have jumped on since 2001. We don't need you! Let's have faith that Bill Belichick will prepare the team every week! If you want to throw in the towel now, go ahead but I am NOT!!!

I think that Chris Simms will be a good backup for Cassel.

Have any of you idiots advocating for Culpepper actually seen him play the last 2 years? This isn't 2003. The fork sticking out of his back is visible from space.

REISS,BB and Scott P. - culpepper not phil simms. (simms cannot avoid a pass rush and may never be the same after his surgery.) Bring in culpepper in for the minimum. Tell him he has to platoon with cassell. If he can prove he can digest and run the offense the job will most certainly be his. Make him earn it. If he settles for the min. one year contract. Explain to culpepper if he has a succesful year as a TB back-up he is in control. He has the option to stay as a high priced back-up to TB or go accept a offer for another starting job in the NFL. CULPEPPER CAN'T LOSE! he has the best recievers ala his go-to-guy moss and welker is great underneath coverage. MY MESSAGE TO SCOTT P. AND DUANTE IS GET THIS THING DONE. TB GET SOME REST, C-U- NEXT YEAR MY FRIEND.

I say bring Drew back... #11 gives it another go around in New England and leads us to a superbowl!

Culpepper is awful. He can't make reads, all he ever did is run and heave. He could never succeed here. I badly wanted Pennington, I wish we had him.

I think you go with Cassel, groom the kid, and look for a 4th vet option. It could take 8-10 weeks before the vet is ready and his name will not be Culpepper.

Looks like a Bledsoe/Brady situation all over again. We didn't know anything about Brady when he started. Give Cassell a break. He might surprise us like Brady did.

this sucks ..... i think culpepper will give them the best chance to win that being said are the jets now the favorite in the AFC ? packers management will have a lot more drama to deal with

I think we should bring in Drew Bledsoe if Brady is out for the season. What are the chances of that happening Mike?

VINNY!!! CALL VINNY!!! Oh I would love to see the ANcient one doing his thing again in New England!

I'd also put a phone call out to Jake Plummer.

Nobody's mentioned it, but it looked like a dirty hit to me. Dude dove right at his ankles. Not like the Wilfork hit, where momentum took him into the ankles, but much worse, he lunged at them.

I like Vinny. Knows the system, stand up guy. Could even tutor Cassel. Daunte 'LapDance' Culpepper is on the other side of the planet from being a Patriots player. Keep him the hell away.

Kevin O'Connell!! (any vet will do to back up O'C and Cassell)
You heard it here first. Furthermore Colt Brennan will start for the 'skins before game 6 (while I'm on the QB predictions)

It is going to be a weird season... (11-5?) but as long as we beat the Jets I'll be alright. Get well TB!!

ACL injury?????? He walked off the field?????

Trade a 2nd round pick to Cleveland for Brady Quinn

I think bring in Culpepper and have him learn the offense for a few weeks and after the bye week which is week 4 this year, he will be ready to move in as the Starting QB, unless Cassell during that time plays real good. Culpepper played well with Oakland last year, they ran the ball a lot so he didnt have to throw a lot in some of the games, but he did well managing the offense when had to, but also did well when he did have to throw the ball 30 times in a game.

Culpepper was always good until Moss left, he got hurt, then a bunch of other coaches and players left and the team started to fall apart.

Patriots record with Culpepper at QB: 12-4, with Chris Simms : 11-5, Cassell 10-6

People,

I do not have much faith in Cassel at this point. Having said that, he threw 39 professional passes during the regular season. We only have that and the preseason to go on. We MUST give this guy a chance. Having said THAT, if he doesn't pan out, the options are not appetizing, but we do still have the 2nd "easiest" schedule now and if we get into the playoffs, anything can happen. And if things do go sideways this year, then we look to next year. You have to realize how fortunate we are to KNOW going in that we're going to win the division and make the playoffs, hoping to be in the Super Bowl. Most teams cannot say that.

But, let me point out until we hear it from Bill, Brady is only injured, meaning he could come back down the road this season. We'll have to wait and see.

I'm just saying, this does suck, but let's see how things pan out first...

More than likely, you would think they would have Matt Gutierrez on speed dial
right about now? Since, now the PATS really need another #2 QB,
the rookie ain't ready to be #2, we all know that, Matt Gutierrez would
be more effective than the rookie. Chris Simms on that other is an option,
BUT I'd rather have Matt Gutierrez backup Cassel.
I hope another team didn't picked up Matt Gutierrez at this point?
Got to give BILL kudos for his longtime QB project in Cassel,
it paid off big today. BILL knows what he's doing with this team,
I have total faith in BILL, he has made a lot of good decisions.

I think bring in Culpepper and have him learn the offense for a few weeks and after the bye week which is week 4 this year, he will be ready to move in as the Starting QB, unless Cassell during that time plays real good. Culpepper played well with Oakland last year, they ran the ball a lot so he didnt have to throw a lot in some of the games, but he did well managing the offense when had to, but also did well when he did have to throw the ball 30 times in a game.

Culpepper was always good until Moss left, he got hurt, then a bunch of other coaches and players left and the team started to fall apart.

Patriots record with Culpepper at QB: 12-4, with Chris Simms : 11-5, Cassell 10-6

Patriots record with Culpepper at QB: 12-4, with Chris Simms : 11-5, Cassell 10-6

DREW BLEDSOE...please save our season!!!

What? Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! And it ain't over now. 'Cause when the going gets tough . . . the tough get going. Who's with me? Let's Go! Come on! Where's the spirit? Where's the guts, huh?

Well just kiss my a** from now on! Not me! I'm not gonna take this. The J-e-t-s, dead men! The Bills, dead! The Dolphins, well they're already dead...But, you get the point. ..

if any one in the here nows football nows the pats are much more than Brady,1 they got a really good defence 2 good speical teams.3 a real good running game, and 4 if any one remembers we do have the best coach in football,so Cassel don't have to win games all he has to not lose them the defence and running game will win them, remember also when Brady took over for bledsole he didn/t throw the ball much, he avaged about 150 yards a game and didn't throw the ball much, but i think we can still win 10 to 12 games this yr, so most of you pats fans..don't jump off the bridge yet...

Matt Gutierrez should be the likely candidate of a return.
A name from the past that is all known too well in the Patriot
Nation might be a good bridge to be a mentor for our young
in-experienced jedi Quarterback as he was a mentor to a
young Tom Brady before stardom struck. Even his stint as a Cowboy
he managed to help Tony Romo somehow to Pro Bowl status?
You could bring in Vinnie, or Daunte Culpepper out of retirement,
BUT wouldn't you think Drew Bledsoe would be a better fit than those
two as a backup and mentor for the quarterbacks that we have now?

I think that you need to find a good QB in a competitive situation. Matt Leinart is licking his chops to get out of Arizona and sign with a team that can "catch" passes. But will he be willing to sit when Brady comes back. I think he will. I'd think he'd rather wait for Tom than sit behind the Arizona brain-trust. Hey I am from NE. We are the most knowledgeable fans of sports in the country. The time to move is now.

We have to see the severity of the Torn ACL. If it requires reconstructive surgery like Tony Allen or Donovan McNabb, he's obviously our for the year and just makes it back in time for training camp. It's usually at least a 9-12 month re-hab.

But, some torn ACL's aren't torn completely. Like Merriman out in SD, you can play with a partially torn ACL. You risk tearing it completely, in which case you need surgery anyway.

It all makes me want to puke. It's probably torn completely. But I'm holding out some hope.

VICK in NOVEMBER!!!!!

I think its Cassell's job to lose. Culpepper is talking about NFL conspiring to keep him down (doesn't make for a good locker room when the other players have to hear that), Bledsoe always makes the wrong decision in crunch time, there's a reason why TB cut Simms etc. Forget the veteran presence (at least these guys) and go with Gutierrez as your 3rd back. Previous writer was correct...good game management, smashmouth football, and an opportunity for the understudy to step up. ALL IS NOT LOST!!!!!

wow man this is not good for you pats fans i saw that play i turn my head away from it. i'm a colts fan i hope the best for tom brady classy guy and a hell of a quarterback. i still think new england going to be very good good luck matt cassell you will need it. now i worry about peyton manning and how rusty he is it could happen to him god forbide.

CASSEL, MOSS O8!

This is going to make the season a lot more interesting.

The Pats didnt cut Cassell for a reason. With Brady as a mentor, and with apparent confidence in Cassell, I think we all owe him the chance. Give him 8 guaranteed starts and see how he does. If he can guide the Pats to a plus .500 record my mid-season, I think he is only going to get better. I have already seen the Pats go 16-0 with Brady and win 3 super bowls. Now Im excited to watch a new season, with a new QB, and an uncertain future. Brady will be back, maybe not this season but he'll be back. I lived close to NYC and was a Giants fan in the 1980s, and let me tell you Bill Bellichick is the coach you want. It starts there and ends there.

WE WANT CULPEPPER.......HE'LL SHINE WITH THE PATS SYSTEM, AND HE CAN STILL THROW THE DEEP BALL TO MOSS! PATS, PLEASE DON'T BE STUPID AND SIGN CHRIS SIMMS.........

first off get rid of tim rattay.chris simms will only be good for depth.cassel barely got by a nameless cheifs team.can he get better as time goes on?maybe,or maybe not.i would welcome,culpepper,or even bleadsoe.since we are putting a elite player on the injurie list.I would like to see an elite,or great player signed in his place.not just anyone to count for 53.rather it be ty Law,or someone on defense,or a shawn alexander for the offense.we may not these guys now,but we are gonna need everyone to contribute to take the load off cassel,or simms,or whoever.

Bring back Flutie, I think he still has enough in the tank to get the job done. Sammy Morris is back and looking great , he and Maroney do most of the work, Flutie makes the plays when called upon. SB Bound

bledsoe was TERRIBLE, is TERRIBLE, and will continue to be TERRIBLE well into the future. How can you be so blind? He might just be the most immoble quarterback EVER. You might as well bring back Pete Carrol while you are at it! You guys calling for Drew are crazy. Just how many interceptions and sacks per game are you ready to tolerate?
Lets roll with Cassel, lets see, he competed for a starting job on several national championchip teams at USC, has been mentored by the hooded man who should not be named, and by Brady, may his knee recover in peace.
Now is the time for Leadership, I hope BB goes to the d-line and says, its your season now boys, time to STEP IT UP! Come on Seymour, Rodney, Bruschi, Mayo, Its your GD team. Do your F******g jobs and knock some heads around.
Do you guys remember 01' and the dink and dunk offense with Brady completing 9-11 for 142 yards, no interceptions and a power running game from antowan smith? Lets bring it back baby. Cassel one step drop, 3 yard pass to Welker, Lamont Jordan 3.5 up the middle, and then move the chains by tossing one up to Moss, or letting Faulk run wild on a draw play. I love it, we are the underdogs again. WE CAN DO THIS

Bring Drew back. He has never had an O-line or receiving corps like this. The closest he had was Moulds and Price in Buffalo when he threw for 4500 yards and each of them caught 100 passes. This line would keep him off his back and he would be rejuvinated for a title run.

I say we set up a rally at Gillette to urge Pats brass to bring in Drew Bledsoe and let him at least compete for the job through a few practices!!!

Bring back Drew Bledsoe. This offense needs a good trigger man and I think (if he is in football shape), he is the guy.

If Drew Bledsoe can get in football shape by the 49ers game, he is my choice to lead this team to the playoffs.

We go as far as Cassel can take us. None of the free agent QBs are worth anything more than a back up role. Cassel knows the offense inside and out. I'd have 100 times less confidence in Sims or Culpepper leading this team. He didn't have the best pre season but he didn't have all his weapons either. I think he can still get us to the play offs. Super Bowl I'm not so sure...

Culpepper does not have the intelligence to learn, (or the throwing accuracy to run), this offense. That is why they are looking at Simms. Cassel is going to have to fail on a large scale before Bellicheck replaces him. Cassel knows the playbook and has the tools to run this oofense. The question is, does he have the confidence?

Coach Bill will handle this like he did when Brady replaced Bledsoe in week 2 back in 2001. They will slow the game down on offense. Run more, huddle-up after each play, short passes, wide receiver screens, and more throws to the tight-ends. Then he will rely on the defense and special teams to pick it up some.

It worked before. Remeber Tom was not Tom Terrific until his 3rd year as the starter.

We DON'T want Culpepper, Simms, or Rattay. People, there are reasons these guys are not on NFL teams right now or haven't played in more than a year! You are probably the same people praying the Pats brought in anyone other than Brady back in 1999.

Give Cassell a shot. He finally gets to play with the first team and lets not forget the whole team looked terrible in the pre season.

If Tom Brady is gone for the Season. I have my fingers cross that Tom's Knee is made of Iron. If not, Culpepper is the guy to go to, paid him anything. With Culpepper an Randy Moss, and the rest of the Patriots potent offence. The Patriots will be SUPER.

Do what Marshall did and switch to "The Veer"!!!

PLEASE, no Culpepper. Just go with Cassel. If he flops, we get a good draft pick.

well if the old saying that D wins championships is true,then we still have a fighting chance.this yrs D will only improve as the rooks and young bucks feel more comfortable playing in this scheme.Although not the biggest believer in Cassel,he showed me something yesterday and hopefully he will continue to improve as the season progresses....slowly expand the playbook and see what he can do.Go Pats

Bring back the Magic Flutie!!!!!

There is no question we take Culpepper if he choose to un-retire (and with our track record with retirees that's very likely) For those who say what he's done the last two years, well lets see he happened to be on two of the worst teams in football where even Usain Bolt would have a problem avoiding the pass rush. I saw some highlights from NFL.com for some of the raider games, and trust me the guy still has it. We know his connection with Randy M, but I found that even in the limited time he had with Miami, he's the one who really worked well with Wes and made him stand out as the go to receiver even with Chambers and Booker on the team. Hey, if I don't get to watch Brady, I want Culpepper as insurance. For now, go Cassel...

Bring back Bledsoe. Even if he stinks it up sometimes, there will be lots of fun watching him throw the long ball to Moss! Whatever you say about Bledsoe, he gave us some great years in Foxboro.

Why is everybody down on Culpepper? This is a man that returned to football in 2005 from major leg surgery that was not completly rehabed.

He is a fighter and he wants to compete. What wonderful teams was he on the last three years. (Dolphins and Raiders) You cant tell me those teams didn't throw in the towel and go for a number one draft pick in the middle of the season. What weapons did he have to go to? Who were his RB'S and WR'S?

What short memories we have! Moss had his worst two years with a terrible raiders team before he got here. How can we forget Corey Dillon. Same rape sheet as moss. lost a step, bad atitude.

Was it just magic when they put on the pats uniform?
NO! The patriots put their players in a position to be successful by surrounding them with great probowl high character guys THAT EXPECT TO WIN!

If anyone questions culpepper's heart and ability go watch some old youtube clips of culpepper airing out 80 yard bombs to moss. The pats are not the dolphins or raiders.

Let's be painful honest for a second. If you have been watching Cassel this preseason you know he his in trouble. (I don't believe the excuse he failed because he was with the second team.) FACT: HE IS GOING TO GET SACKED 3-4 TIMES A GAME. HE IS GOING TO GET NERVOUS, RUN AND GET HIT. He can't make reads. He likes to throw the ball into double coverage, creating INT'S.

If Cassel doesn't get carried off the field first. he will be replaced by a veteran before week four. "God help the pats and hopefully cassell doesn't break his ribs."

The Patriots are now a "storied" Francise..... the best story that can possibly come out of this situation is the Patriots picking up a QB that noone else wanted, give him the ball and have him respond by leading the Pats deep into the playoffs....Culpepper to Moss....TD! It is the very best chance for the Pats to have ANY "sparkle" in their team this year....the alternative is along, painful season reading weekly newspaper stories reflecting the latest scramble to score enough points to squeak out a victory.....

The Patriots are now a "storied" Francise..... the best story that can possibly come out of this situation is the Patriots picking up a QB that noone else wanted, give him the ball and have him respond by leading the Pats deep into the playoffs....Culpepper to Moss....TD! It is the very best chance for the Pats to have ANY "sparkle" in their team this year....the alternative is along, painful season reading weekly newspaper stories reflecting the latest scramble to score enough points to squeak out a victory.....

The Patriots are now a "storied" Francise..... the best story that can possibly come out of this situation is the Patriots picking up a QB that noone else wanted, give him the ball and have him respond by leading the Pats deep into the playoffs....Culpepper to Moss....TD! It is the very best chance for the Pats to have ANY "sparkle" in their team this year....the alternative is along, painful season reading weekly newspaper stories reflecting the latest scramble to score enough points to squeak out a victory.....