Step off the bridge. Take the razor away from your wrist. Open the garage door and let the carbon monoxide out. Even though the New England Patriots have lost Tom Brady for the season, they will be fine.
Sure, No. 12 is the reigning MVP. He did torch the league for a record 50 touchdowns last year. He did come ohsoclose to donning a fourth Super Bowl ring, but it's not the end of the world, even though for 24 hours, it may have felt like it.
Having said all that, here are five reasons to still believe in the Patriots this year.
1 - It's not unprecedented for a team to lose their starting QB and still have a great season.
In 1999, the St. Louis Rams had starter Trent Green get injured in the preseason and had to insert NFL Europe alum Kurt Warner into the lineup. Warner won the NFL and Super Bowl MVP that season by leading the Rams to a Super Bowl win.
Brady himself was a backup to Drew Bledsoe and needed a Mo-Lewis hit in order to get his shot in 2001. Is Matt Cassel the next Warner or Brady? Who knows, but isn't that the point?
We have no idea what Cassel is capable of, but rather assumptions based on preseason games. Before fans condemn him to a 1-15 season, shouldn't we do the same we did with Brady and give him the benefit of the doubt?
Side note: I find it ironic that Cassel is now starting, while the guy he was stuck behind—former USC first-stringer Matt Leinart—is stuck behind (ironically) Warner in Arizona. Life is strange.
2 - This team is loaded with smart players, both offensively and defensively.
There is a reason why NFL teams have a 53-man roster, and this is one of them. Lest people forget, Cassel has All-World receiver Randy Moss to throw to. He has Wes Welker working the short game to throw to.
He has not one, not two, not three, but four strong running backs in Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris, LaMont Jordan, and Kevin Faulk to hand off to.
He has Pro Bowl linemen in front of him and...Oh yeah...This is just on the offensive side of the ball! Do you think Richard Seymour, Tedy Bruschi, Vince Wilfork, and Rodney Harrison feel a bit slighted that the media is calling their season over?
As long there is a guy named Belichick roaming the sideline, this team will always be defensive-minded. If there's any reason to believe, it's the word "defense."
3 - They play in the AFC East. This isn't the AFC South, with Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee and Houston. It's the still-rebuilding East, featuring luminaries like Miami, Buffalo. and the New York Bretts...sorry, Jets.
Brady or not, the Patriots have enough talent to win the East, but probably not in mid-October like they seemingly did last year. If this was next season, I'd be a lot more worried than I am right now.
If Chad Pennington and Trent Edwards send chills down your spine, football might not be the right sport for you.
3 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
PATSMATT w 10 months ago
I whole heartedly agree with this article. Although I am devastated by the loss of Brady. I know the rest of the team is going to suck it up and prove something to the world. I believe they will run the ball more and not put too much on Cassel's shoulders.
They will still win the division, they will still make the playoffs, and I think they still have a chance to make it to Tampa.
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Bernard Crowley 10 months ago
Right on! You just restated exactly what I've been telling anyone who will listen. I' a big Matt Cassell fan and a bigger New England Patriots fan. Go Pats.
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Matthew Greene 8 months ago
Hey Bernie...what's up kid? Its Marty from the old days, lol.
matthewgreene2004@yahoo.com
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