Fear not Patriots’ fans, Tom Brady’s torn ACL does not mean all is lost. The Patriots will still win the AFC East and win double-digit games in 2008. The Patriots’ defensive front seven is the best in the AFC, they have one of the top five wide receiver duos in the league, and a great and diverse running game. While quarterback might be the position that you can least afford an injury, the Patriots have the best team to surround a new quarterback. Matt Cassel is stepping into a situation very similar to what Tom Brady was thrust into in 2001 when Drew Bledsoe was injured. If Cassel can manage the game efficiently (find the open man, don’t try to do too much, and limit turnovers) then the Patriots will be fine (just don’t expect to see Brady shipped out of New England before next season like Bledsoe was).
When Tom Brady stepped up and threw a wounded duck in the direction of Randy Moss it was obvious that something was wrong. Most fans could see by the first replay the severity of Brady’s injury and realize he had an injured ACL. While the team was saying that Brady’s return to the game was “questionable”, what was really in question was if he was returning this season. The Patriots’ concern shouldn’t be Tom Brady’s injury as much as it should be the play of the offensive line. Center Dan Koppen and left guard Logan Mankins are Pro Bowl players but the rest of the line is a concern. Left tackle Matt Light can be one of the best at his position but he is coming off of a preseason injury and struggles with speed rushers. Light has a tendency to shrink when he needs to step up, but he is still solid. The real concern is the right side of the line. Right tackle Nick Kaczur is average but the issues at right guard make him more vulnerable. Starting right guard Stephen Neal is a Pro Bowl player but he is injured and not eligible to return until Week 7 at the earliest. Russ Hochstein is a decent fill-in, but not a long-term answer, and he is injured as well. Bill Yates started against the Chiefs, but he should not be a starter on this team at any time. Until the offensive line is healthy the Patriots have a major weakness that will make the offense much less explosive.
This year the Patriots’ defense will have to play up to their potential to win, as the offense will not set another NFL scoring record. The key to the defense rest in two positions, inside linebacker and cornerback. Jerod Mayo will have to play up to his top-10 draft status, and he has shown that potential so far. Mayo’s quickness allows Tedy Bruschi to freelance without having to worry about the middle being covered. The depth at linebacker will also allow Bruschi to get a bit more rest than he had in recent years, something crucial to him staying successful all year. Cornerback is more of a concern. Ellis Hobbs will forever be remembered as the man who was beaten by Plaxico Burress for the winning touchdown in the Super Bowl, but Hobbs is an emerging star. The play of Deltha O’Neal and Terrence Wheatley at the other cornerback position will need to be steady for the Patriots to keep opponents from picking apart the secondary. Fortunately the Patriots strength is collapsing the pocket and forcing the opposing quarterback to make bad decisions. A strong defense will not only make the job of the Matt Cassel easier, but also give the Patriots great field position.
When Tom Brady stepped up and threw a wounded duck in the direction of Randy Moss it was obvious that something was wrong. Most fans could see by the first replay the severity of Brady’s injury and realize he had an injured ACL. While the team was saying that Brady’s return to the game was “questionable”, what was really in question was if he was returning this season. The Patriots’ concern shouldn’t be Tom Brady’s injury as much as it should be the play of the offensive line. Center Dan Koppen and left guard Logan Mankins are Pro Bowl players but the rest of the line is a concern. Left tackle Matt Light can be one of the best at his position but he is coming off of a preseason injury and struggles with speed rushers. Light has a tendency to shrink when he needs to step up, but he is still solid. The real concern is the right side of the line. Right tackle Nick Kaczur is average but the issues at right guard make him more vulnerable. Starting right guard Stephen Neal is a Pro Bowl player but he is injured and not eligible to return until Week 7 at the earliest. Russ Hochstein is a decent fill-in, but not a long-term answer, and he is injured as well. Bill Yates started against the Chiefs, but he should not be a starter on this team at any time. Until the offensive line is healthy the Patriots have a major weakness that will make the offense much less explosive.
This year the Patriots’ defense will have to play up to their potential to win, as the offense will not set another NFL scoring record. The key to the defense rest in two positions, inside linebacker and cornerback. Jerod Mayo will have to play up to his top-10 draft status, and he has shown that potential so far. Mayo’s quickness allows Tedy Bruschi to freelance without having to worry about the middle being covered. The depth at linebacker will also allow Bruschi to get a bit more rest than he had in recent years, something crucial to him staying successful all year. Cornerback is more of a concern. Ellis Hobbs will forever be remembered as the man who was beaten by Plaxico Burress for the winning touchdown in the Super Bowl, but Hobbs is an emerging star. The play of Deltha O’Neal and Terrence Wheatley at the other cornerback position will need to be steady for the Patriots to keep opponents from picking apart the secondary. Fortunately the Patriots strength is collapsing the pocket and forcing the opposing quarterback to make bad decisions. A strong defense will not only make the job of the Matt Cassel easier, but also give the Patriots great field position.
The injury to Tom Brady will make the road to the Super Bowl much more difficult. The Steelers, Colts, and Chargers do not care that Brady is hurt, and will be looking to give the Patriots a dose of playoff payback this year. The Patriots are still the team to beat, but the rest of the AFC can see the blood in the water. The true test for the Patriots will come this year. When every team is gunning for you, and your gunslinger is hurt, do you have what it takes to win it all? Hopefully for Pats fans the answer is yes, but this isn’t Brady’s team anymore. This will need to be a true team effort and the work of Belichick’s magic to have the Patriots still be the NFL’s elite team.
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