What If Tom Brady Isn't So Terrific In '09?

As we all know, Tom Brady suffered a season ending injury which was sustained during the first game of the 2008 NFL season against the Kansas City Chiefs. Brady suffered an ACL and MCL tear on his left knee.

Brady has had some set-backs through his rehabilitation of his knee. His first set of surgeries (2) were on October 18 in Los Angeles and then he was thought to start to rehab his knee. But another set back came about, he had gotten an infection in his knee. So again, Brady had again two more surgeries on his left knee.

Patriots training camp for veterans is set to start in July 29, and reports about Brady say that his knee is fine. But if it isn't? What does New England do?

Well first, there is no Matt Cassel. So if Brady struggles in pre-season, Cassel won't be there to save the day. So that leaves it all on 24 year old Kevin O'Connell.

The Patriots front office supposley thinks very highly of O'Connell.

O'Connell was the 94th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and he is the highest QB to be picked by the Patriots since Drew Bledsoe.

O'Connell graduated from San Diego State where he put up solid numbers as a starter. O'Connell ranks first in career passing and rushing yards at SDSU. He was known to be a mobile QB that could also through. He is a pass first QB but if he has to, he will take off and make a play happen. He is an upgrade at running the ball from Cassel.

I believe that they Patriots do have faith in the youngster from San Diego State and that they believe that Brady will be at 100 percent health by the September 14th. If they hadn't believed any of that, then why would they have traded Cassel so earlier in the offseason?

Reports say that Brady will be fine for the season, and there is no doubt in my mind that Brady will come out of the gates running. He is a man on a mission to return to the Super Bowl and win a fourth ring.

But if he isn't ready or if Brady suffers another injury, I think that O'Connell will be able to take the reigns and at least keep the Patriots offense in sync. I think it's kind of hard to have a bad game while playing with Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Joey Galloway, Fred Taylor, Laurence Maroney, and a very solid offensive line.

It is still early and training camp hasn't even started. But it is expected that most clutch quarterback of all-time, Tom Brady, will be ready, and boy will he tear apart opposing team's defenses.