The Matt Cassel Era and the New England Patriots' Karma

I was recently reading an NFL Week Two article from a certain ESPN hack writer, who shall remain nameless, and he was writing about the Patriots/Jets game. The unnamed ESPN hack writer, let's call him Sill Bimmons, basically told us all the give up on the Matt Cassel era before it begins, and Tom Brady’s injury was due to bad karma from the Spygate thing.

Oh, were to begin. Let’s break this down without sounding too irrational and bitter.

One, I am seriously trying to talk myself into the Matt Cassel era. I continually try and forgot things about him that I would make fun of other teams' QBs for. Like the fact that he hasn’t started a game since high school or that he looked like he was playing drunk during the preseason. That stuff would just give me a headache.

I try and find solace in the fact that he was backup to two Heisman trophy winners in a pro-style offense at one of the best college-football programs. Or that he is backup to one of the best QBs in the NFL. Or that he knows the offensive system since he’s been there a few years.

Or the fact that the Patriots are masters of dumbing down an offense for QBs thrown into bad situations. This is evidenced by 2001 with Tom Brady. They stayed away from all his weakness (like the deep-out routes) and played to his strengths (like dump passes to running backs). This has got to count for something. Right? Anyone?

Two, and the part that really got me, was the fact that this was some sort of cosmic retribution for the team’s past indiscretions. WHAT A BUNCH OF CRAP. To Sill Bimmons and everyone else who believes this, there is no such thing as karma in sports. If there was, Ted Williams would have won a World Series.

Things like Brady’s injury happen just because they do. Team karma and silly superstitions by fans do not determine the outcome of sporting events, the actions of athletes on the field does. So, you don’t have to wear the same clothes, or sit in the same chair, or read the Boston Herald sports section (that’s my Dad) in order for your favorite team to win.

So, if you think the Jets are going to win because they have a better team, or because the last time the Pats' QB started a game was before his Senior Prom, or any other reason that involves the play on the field, then fine.

However, if you think the Jets will win because karma is against the Pats, well, you need some serious help.