PonyExpress

This team has tremendous talent surrounding the Qb position. From Moss, to Welker to Maroney to L. Jordan to D. Thomas to K. Faulk this is a Qb's dream. The defense is filled with young developing talent.

Cassel will struggle early and gradually develop as he gains experience. The Pats will just have to win in different ways than last year. The veterans on this team will have to extend Cassel their full support [I'm talking to you Moss!] and understand there will be growing pains. The veterans will have to show the character to believe in Cassel even when their eyes tell them not to. This season will be an act of faith for fans and vets and a test of character for everyone.

From this point on, Cassel has my complete support as the standard bearer of our franchise.

Scanning the league, I believe this is a down season for the AFC. SD is weakened on several levels. Indy could be due for a down year. Pittsburgh has holes on the O and D lines which will take their toll as the season wears on. Buffalo looks very strong. But the pats, even with the G.O.A.T gone, are still in it, and can win it.

As far as Brady's injury is concerned... Pats fans don't need to stoop to the level of our enemies, and wish injury on our opponents just because their fans wish them on our players.

For example, it's not Jets players' fault their fans are monsters.

IMO the unprecedented smear job directed at our franchise from the media over the trumped up Spygate "scandal" set the stage for this injury. It became chic to hate the Pats, to vilify them, to make them "less human" than other teams, like some WW II propaganda cartoon. Wilbon encouraged players to take out Brady's knee. The Giant "Bootprint" trumpeted with glee in the press called for "roughing up" Brady by any means necessary.

I also believe Brady's pocket awareness and timing were off due to the lack of preseason play. He did not seem to sense the field as well as he has in the past due to rust.

dtbrks

I wish I could believe, I REALLY DO..

But i don't. They couldn't win it last year with the MVP as QB.

I will still watch, root and LOVE the pats, but I don't think a super bowl win is in the cards for this year.

Just my opinion

BadMoFo

I thought all the homerism ended today. I was wrong.

SmokeShowin

I'm not going to give up hope.

__________________

PonyExpress

Belichick has done this TWICE already.

He did it when Simms went down with a nobody named Hostetler.

He did it when Bledsoe went down with a nobody named Brady.

He can do it again. It's going to be rough along the way. But it is nowhere near as bleak as it seems.

The Veteran Leadership on this team MUST believe. If they can believe, even through an abysmal loss or two, and stay positive, they can do it. If they waver, they will fail.

This is why Bruschi is on this team.

I was wrong in my evaluation of Cassel. He can play in the NFL, especially surrounded with this weaponry. He may be able to grow much more than we expect with a little seasoning.

Triumph

Pony Express is right.

All this team needs to do is make the post season. I'm guessing 10 - 6 will do it. If Eli Manning and the 10 - 6 Giants can do it, then so can NE. Its going to take outstanding coaching/gameplanning and every player giving a little more.

I'm not concerned. The defense needed to improve anyway. This only excelerates the process. DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Rob0729

If Cassel or someone else can manage the offense and not make costly mistakes, the Pats still have a slight shot. I think the defense and running game will be solid. The Pats will have to win it all 2001 style though. They gotta be smarter, hungerier, tougher, and less mistake prone than the competition.

I don't know if there is going to be a dominant team in the AFC. I don't think the Colts are going to be that good (and I felt that before tonight). The Chargers losing to a Steve Smith-less Panther means they might be vunerable. That could definitely help the Pats.

I still think the odds aren't great, but I think a Belichick led team is more likely to overcome this than most teams.

dhamz

Admire the optimism. Don't share it but I admire it.

Could this team scrap and claw its way to the division title or a wild card? I think that is possible. But to then beat 4 good teams in a row with Cassel at QB? I can't see it.

patriotspride

cassel has my full support for whats that's worth. but your dreaming if you think the pats are going to win the SB with him at QB. brady getting hurt had zero to do with him not playing the pre season. it was just bad luck. brady was in the game for what? three series? two maybe? how the hell can you tell his timing was off ? or he lacked pockett awareness. that ridiculous.

Triumph

Do you believe Belichick is sitting at his desk thinking the season is lost?

Hell NO. Belichick is an optomist.