What they're saying

In my opinion, with or without Tom, the Patriots as an organization will stop at nothing to beat their despised rivals the Jets. I know Tom particularly likes pounding the Jets, so hopefully the rest of his teammates step up to win this one (at least) for him.

Looks like the Post's headline has changed now.

The Jets barely beat Miami and Miami have no players. They stink. The Bills have Trent Edwards. How is that different from Cassel exactly?

The Patriots are still well positioned to compete for the division, regardless of what the talking heads say.

Jets, Miami, Bye, 49ers. That looks like 3-1 and possibly 4-0 to me.

Until we get our cryptic analysis of the injury from Bill Belichick, there's no reason to speculate about the injury.

what's so bad about the New York Post headline? It just says Brady mgiht be out for the season, which is what every other headline says.

Stop the ESPN advertisements. They were actively calling for this kind of "old-school" retribution last year. And would you look at that? Some unknown player happens to dive at Brady's knee leading with his helmet. Hmmm.

Wilfork hitting a QB low last year was dirty? What was this hit? You have all been riding the "Patriots are bad and deserve this" train for too long. How come none of you defended Wilfork last year when he was fined? But you all jump all over this apology like Eunichs.

Obviously Tom Brady's injury is devastating and will impact the Patriots on many levels but I believe this coaching staff will adjust and this team will be right there for the division title and people will have to deal with this team in the playoffs.

They'll do it by being a lot more creative on offense, because now they have to. Tom Brady hasn't needed creativity to be successful since 2003 because he's been so dominant and has complete command of the offense but it wasn't always that way. In Tom Brady's 1st few games as a starter for the 2001 season the Pats were very creative on offense calling many gadget plays, for ex in one game @ Indy David Patten tied Walter Payton's record while scoring 3 TD's via passing, running and receiving. In another game Brady caught a pass from Faulk and in general the offense ran many reverses and more play action as well as screens. If teams can't fear the Pats because they have the best player in the league, the Pats need to make them fear the offense as a whole with creative play calls. Sometimes in these type of situation coaches and players dig deeper to make it work, it's not 100% that it will happen in this case but I have a strong feeling that it will.

Typical classless NY media....would you expect anything different ?

New England's hopes and prayers are with you Tom! Get well soon!

For now, let's get behind Matt Cassel and root for our Pats

I'm fairly indifferent at this point, not a very passionate fan, but I'll say that from what I know of this team and organization, if any team can bounce back from losing one of the greatest players in the league, it's this team. I think the Pats outmatch everyone else on offense - even if you do plug in someone only half as good as Brady - their defensive line showed some great stuff yesterday, their defensive backs arent' great but they do hit hard, and they are good all around. I think the Colts would be in bigger trouble without Manning. Even if Brady is out the rest of the season - which has not yet been confirmed - I still say the Pats make the playoffs and maybe even win a game or two. They'll give the fans a great ride.

i dont disagree with some of the articles because when you are on top and you lose the best player you can only go down. We are more dependent on throwing than running, and playing against the Chiefs isn't really reassuring. Our big test should be the Chargers - if we beat them then I think we can praise BB for being great coach and the "positive" articles will come but if we lose then we probably will have very low chance of going anywhere in the playoffs. We need to beat the Jets this weekend to shut the critics up about Farve(sick of that guy) and how Jets will be #1 in the division...

The vast majority of fans in this country--and probably the media too-are dancing the jig now that Tom Brady is down. And most everyone is ready to annoint the Jets the class of the East. I say "not so fast." Cassel, except for a couple of throws was not all that impressive. But remember, the Ravens won a Superbowl with a worse QB than Cassel and a less talented offense altogether. The difference is that the Raven's defense was unbeatable. If Cassel "does no harm" and the Pats defense can rise to the occasion like it's capable, the Pats can still win the division.

I've been critical of Cassel in the pre-season, but I'm ready to see what the guy can do now. "Soft schedule" or not, the D needs to pick up the intensity, the younger guys need to knock some blocks off (legally), and the playcalling needs to adjust a little bit. But I have faith that things will be ok. I will enjoy the doom and gloom mass media stories, especially the never-wrong sports and entertainment network and the Boston rag that makes things up...

Best wishes and hoping you recover fast Tom, from a fan in Michigan. You are not alone New England people there are fans from other states wishing you great things too. New York people definately seem to have NO class and we all know that ESPN is full of people who are so jealous of Brady and The Patriots that they cant think straight. I didnt get to see the hit on Tom live since I was at work but when I did see it last night from several different angels and the KC player did seem to lunge towards Brady's leg and jam his helmet and wrap his arms around his leg. In my book that's a "dirty" play. Or do no hits below the knee on qb's only apply to qb's from everywhere but the Patriots??

The Jets were hardly impressive yesterday. Favre won't get away with his stupid gunslinger routine playing against a half decent defense instead of the inept squad that the Dolphins field. Buffalo is a much better team than the Jets, as are the Patriots, Brady or no. 3rd place still for the Jests.

Also, calling Peter King ubiquitous? He's only writes for CNNSI and makes a few television appearances.

Oh, I get it. You mean his ever-expanding waistline.

It is not the Jet's the Patriot's have to worry about.....it is the "Bill's". Buffalo out played the Seahawk's in every facet of the game Sunday. The Seahawks were a pick to represent the NFC in the SuperBowl this year by a lot of the "So-called experts. I know 1 game does not make a season, but go back to last year. Buffalo lost 6 starters on defense the first game, and many other players in the weeks to come. Did they receive any sympathy...."NO", and they almost made the play - offs, so it is not just a 1 game fluke. Buffalo is better, and their about to sneak up on everyone because no one is is looking out for them.......see ya.

ESPN guys really trying hard not to burst out laughing on this one.

Brady refused to practice. Look what he got. No timing, no game, dead duck. I'm not happy with Brady. He's a fashion boy, not a football player. I'll bet a buck he'll never play again. His horseface girl has no concept of our culture, let alone our game. Brady's so worried about pleasing her, carrying her groceries that he lost sight of his true talent. Cassell sucks. Thanks Brady. You could have led the greatest team of all time but you were too busy with that trollop of yours. Shame on you.

One guy doesn't make a team!! --While the battle gets tougher, we've got the personnel that can pull it off! The season is not over... Ask yourself this question: if Brady went to another team, would that team be a Superbowl contender?

The more I read about the haters the more I get behind this team. Cassel has been under Brady's wing for the past several years. He knows the system, he knows the offense. He did well against the Chiefs. No pics and he got the job done. Now get this guy some snaps and get him into a rhythm. I see a glimmer of Brady's poise in Cassel's steps. As a QB in today's NFL I have to say POISE is the cornerstone of a good QB. Look what Favre did in the playoffs last year after he got rattled. He threw the ugliest interception to end the season I have ever seen. Why? he lacks the poise. Brady will stand in the pocket, step up and buy himself time by shifting his hips one side or another merely inches to juke the pass rush. I see some of that in Cassel.

If we sweep the division and run to the SB, you can bet Belichick will go down as the best coach EVER, and a renaming of the trophy will be MANDITORY!

GO PATS. Let's give the haters something to hate.

"I tried to say sorry..." BS! Well, maybe over his shoulder as he ran off. I watched that video and after the hit, Pollard got up with a bit of swagger and took off for his side of the field. Dirt as they come.

What's the most important position in the NFL, its QB folks. You went from first ballot Hall of Famer to a guy who only player 32 snaps behind Palmer and Leinart at USC? At least Sorgi played as a starter at QB in college, and he's horrendous. The same Matt Cassel who couldn't play a lick in the preseason? The Chiefs are horrendous, and this team barely eeked out a win with a fantastic 4 goal stance.

Bottom line is that a run to the Super Bowl is gone. Its over, not happening with Matt Cassel at QB. 8-8, maybe 9-7.

Isnt this what the Patriots always thrive on? Everyone telling them they can't do it. Sounds to me like a good reason to go back to smash mouth football. The pats need to play filthy on both sides of the ball, get back to the days when Brady was throwing short routes and they were pounding it with guys like Atoine Smith and Corey Dillon.
I could see guys like Harrison and Seymour taking their frustrations out next week on the Jets....everyone expects the Pats to lose, isnt that how we used to like it?
Let all the experts say this team is done....but I still dont see any team in the AFC with as much all around talent.

Im curious as to what the original NYPost headline was that had a double meaning.

Bottom line is, our defense is still a top 5 defense, even with the lack of depth at CB., and we still have a good offensive line, good rb's and between Moss and Welker, we have the best WR in the NFL and the best slot guy. We're better with Brady, but we're still one of the most talented teams in the game without him.

EXCUSE ME !!!!!!! hELLO ! Has everyone forgot what went on last year ? We won 18 games ! The comparisons to the Dolphins of `72 were everywhere ! Guess what ? The year they went 17- 0 .......was the year " Bob Griese " went down with a dislocated ankle . Earl Morrell , who was like 45 years old , came on and gave them nothing but more wins . Griese was in the same character and class as Tom

He was a great QB and the Dolphins rallied behind him with an old , washed up veteran who backed up more starters then " swiss cheese " ! . The Patriots will show everyone in the NFL " again " , like they did with SPYGATE , that they are a team of destiney and will win it this year ! Last year everything pointed to a win - and it didn't happen . Now , everything points to disaster ... and it will happen !

I am hearing that the game against the Chiefs was unimpressive ? What about 4 years ago when we lost the opener , against Buffalo no less , 31 - 0 ? And that was with Brady . ANSWER ? Super Bowl win ! And , a season ending 31-0 win against those same Bills . Adjust , Adjust , Adjust ! Thank you very much ! JT

EXCUSE ME !!!!!!! hELLO ! Has everyone forgot what went on last year ? We won 18 games ! The comparisons to the Dolphins of `72 were everywhere ! Guess what ? The year they went 17- 0 .......was the year " Bob Griese " went down with a dislocated ankle . Earl Morrell , who was like 45 years old , came on and gave them nothing but more wins . Griese was in the same character and class as Tom

He was a great QB and the Dolphins rallied behind him with an old , washed up veteran who backed up more starters then " swiss cheese " ! . The Patriots will show everyone in the NFL " again " , like they did with SPYGATE , that they are a team of destiney and will win it this year ! Last year everything pointed to a win - and it didn't happen . Now , everything points to disaster ... and it will happen !

I am hearing that the game against the Chiefs was unimpressive ? What about 4 years ago when we lost the opener , against Buffalo no less , 31 - 0 ? And that was with Brady . ANSWER ? Super Bowl win ! And , a season ending 31-0 win against those same Bills . Adjust , Adjust , Adjust ! Thank you very much ! JT

Thats a good point Nikos I agree that the offense is going to have to be more creative, as it was before Brady devolped into the superstar that he is now. However, that creative offense that won us three super bowls in four years was coached by Charlie Wies, who I feel desrves a lot of credit for Brady's develepment. I'm not so sure that Josh McDaniels is going to be able to duplicate the kind of offensive creativity that Wies was able to do sucessfully for so many years.

When you have a team with as much talent all around the ball as the Patriots, then they are bound to play good football. I wouldn't expect to see any of the "brady-esque" four quarter comebacks, that pats fans are used to. But I expect them to still play good and give every team they playa run for their money..Oh yeah and there hasn't been an official update on Brady yet...Go figure

The NY Giants won a superbowl with a mediocre qb named Eli who managed 4 consecutive playoff games very well, relied on his team, and benefitted from what can only be described as a pre destined, high power catch, of a helmet- to win a SB. A guy named Williams beat Elway, a guy named Dilfer won a SB-

Are the Pats toast without Brady- no way, they are just a different club, with as much chance as wining the SB as 90% of the teams out there. Are they Elite like Dallas, Perhaps San Diego, Possibly Indy? No, but as history shows- a dedicated team with heart, good defense, a qb not making mistake, and a team on a roll, at the right time, is capable of winning the 'whole damm thing' think playoffs Pats- then excel when you get there.

These talking heads- hey, they are getting paid to blog their thoughts-

"'Without Brady, the Patriots no longer are the Patriots. They don't dominate. They don't intimidate. They don't score at will or do the things that demand comparisons to the greatest teams in league history.'"

NFL.com's Vic Carucci doesn't know what he's talking abuot. With the exception of the first half, maybe more, of last season, the Pats have never dominated during their amazing 2001-07 run. Yesterday was in many regards a classic Patriots win: they bent, but did not break, and held firm at the end of the game against a tying/winning drive.

Which isn't to say that it gets harder from here. I'm sick over what happened to Brady. But I still have faith in Belichick. Go Pats.

It's all changed, but we NFL fans will just have to watch 2-3 weeks to see how it goes. To see if Belichick has some secret plan B. If Belichick was not coach, how many here would think there was any chance of a playoff season?

Sub plot. What is Cassel kicks butt with 3500 yards 25 td's 13 regular season wins and a Ring? or even an AFC Championship?

How would you like them apples?

It's all changed, but we NFL fans will just have to watch 2-3 weeks to see how it goes. To see if Belichick has some secret plan B. If Belichick was not coach, how many here would think there was any chance of a playoff season?

Sub plot. What is Cassel kicks butt with 3500 yards 25 td's 13 regular season wins and a Ring? or even an AFC Championship?

How would you like them apples?

The Patriots will certainly be a different team without Tom Brady, but I believe they have every chance to win the division again. I liked what I saw in Matt yesterday, even if it was only the KC Chiefs. I hope the defense steps up big and becomes more dominant with each game. The offensive game plans will be centered around Matt; he will have more practice. The Jets barely made it past the Dolphins yesterday and I am not worried about Miami. Everyone needs to play their position to the best of their ability and we will be just fine.

Great call Steven, I began saying we need to play more smash mouth ball early last year. We became the Colts finesse team last year, and showed the league our entire playbook by midseason. BB's ego was hurt or something. We lost sight of the goal. A SB. Even those two weeks before the SB we were talking more about history of being 19-0 than about the team we were playing; the GIants. Even if Brady is healthy, I believe we needed to go back to the basics. It's what wins championships. Down the stretch and in the playoffs, I never felt like we were the dominant team. We were out physicalled, and that never happpened to our SB winning teams. Just ask Bettis about 4th and 1 in the AFC championship game where we stood him straight up and pushed him back, and
we beat them up all over the field the rest of the game.

"Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before stumbling."
Proverbs 16:18

I think the Patriots can still be dominant, I grew up in Chicago and last night I seen the Bears push Manning and the mighty Colts all over the field with a strong running game, defense, a mediocre, but careful qb (Kyle Orton). I have lived in New England for the past 30 yrs. and have grown to be a member of both Patriot and Red Sox nation, but I still like "da Bears". The Pats organization is so good and creative and when their new young defense starts to jell they will be a force to be reckoned with! They just need to continue to believe in themselves