Before you go out and burn your jerseys, read this article... - New England Patriots Forums

JSn · 09-21-2008, 03:44 PM

Brady is keeping the Pats competitive

Honestly, you will again be stunned by the familiar sequence of events. This article is from October 23, 2001.

I leave the commentary to the experts and mentally stable fans, but to say this: I'm relieved the win streak is over.

Excerpt:

Quote:

So with Bishop gone, Tom Brady was the number three man in New England. At least most people thought that, and no one on Bill Belichick's staff gave any indication that would lead anyone to believe otherwise. Besides, the Pats signed Huard to a three-year contract at one million per year.

The Patriots were off to a 0-2 start and in that second loss they lost their all-star QB, and leader, Drew Bledsoe. I thought my prediction of Patriots in the playoffs was now just a dream and it was time to start looking at a top five draft choice.

Next on the schedule for the Pats was the offensive juggernaut otherwise known as the Indianapolis Colts, surely another loss. I was beginning to look at the schedule to see if there were any potential wins with Damon Huard at the helm. Surely, Huard would start against the Colts and not the dreaded Wolverine. Regardless of the fact that Tom Brady took a couple of snaps in the loss to the Jets, the game was over when he did. But then I began thinking, "Hey if Brady shows he has any talent at all, maybe the Pats can trade him for a decent draft choice. A couple of good games can parlay into a high pick."

What happened? The Pats beat the Colts. Tom Brady did not play a great game but it was mistake free and it was enough for the win.

Next up for Brady was a trip down to Miami to take on the Dolphins. Brady and the entire New England team were awful. The one game wonder was over.

After that performance, could Belichick actually give the ball back to Brady or will it be Huard's turn against the Chargers? Of course it would not matter, Doug Flutie would be starting in Foxboro where he only has one career loss. Besides, the Chargers were playing well. It was just a question of who would be the Patsy in this game. Belichick stuck with Brady and what a wise move that was. Brady looked like a young but mobile Drew Bledsoe in leading the Pats to an overtime victory.

Could lightning twice? Could the Pats win in Indy? Which Tom Brady would show up? In three games, we had witnessed three different players. The first, a consistent mistake free one that is very forgettable like Trent Dilfer, the second, an awful one that reminded you of Tommy Hodson and lastly, one that was putting up Pro Bowl type numbers.

Brady to Brown · 09-21-2008, 04:20 PM

This is not 2001 and Tom Brady is not our QB.

This team does no better than 8 - 8 with Cassel as our starter.

Take it to the bank.

emoney_33 · 09-21-2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brady to Brown

This is not 2001 and Tom Brady is not our QB.

This team does no better than 8 - 8 with Cassel as our starter.

Take it to the bank.

OK, just don't claim to be happy when your prediction doesn't come true.

PatsFan24 · 09-21-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brady to Brown

This is not 2001 and Tom Brady is not our QB.

This team does no better than 8 - 8 with Cassel as our starter.

Take it to the bank.

oh stop. fans need to calm down. if the team looks good they are going to the super bowl if they look bad the next week the season is a failer. just get a grip

JSn · 09-21-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatsFan24

oh stop. fans need to calm down. if the team looks good they are going to the super bowl if they look bad the next week the season is a failer. just get a grip

Well, you've got to admit, if they look bad during the bye, we ARE screwed, hehe.

My buddy is a Dolphins fan and has stuck it out through... well you know. I actually congratulated him. SB42, Brady, Blowout... what's it take to get rid of the fringies?

Brady to Brown · 09-21-2008, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emoney_33

OK, just don't claim to be happy when your prediction doesn't come true.

OK I will just say I told you so.

carolinatony · 09-21-2008, 04:39 PM

This is not 2001 and Tom Brady is not our QB.

This team does no better than 8 - 8 with Cassel as our starter.

Take it to the bank.

I agree with you 100%
Please draft another OL next year to protect Brady better.

emoney_33 · 09-21-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatsFan24

oh stop. fans need to calm down. if the team looks good they are going to the super bowl if they look bad the next week the season is a failer. just get a grip

I wonder if these people live their lives this way too. If they stub their toe in the morning it's "CRAP! I'm gonna die today, I gotta call out of work and hide". And if they find a penny on the floor, it's "I'm so lucky, let's go gamble quickly! I will be a millionaire, it's a sign!"

Patty_Patriot · 09-21-2008, 04:49 PM

When Bledsoe went down in 2001, a lot of people were ready to see him go anyway. He was on his way out. I think a lot of the concern about Brady was his lack of experience starting, even in college, and if he was so good, why was he available so late in the draft? When Bledsoe ended up backing up Brady and had to step in when Brady was injured, I had already thought of Tom as the starting quarterback and didn't want Bledsoe to come back. As badly as I felt for Drew that it happened, I was glad Brady got the spot.

This time, Brady was injured while in his prime. Nobody (except for maybe Pats haters) was ready to see him go. I think that makes it a lot more difficult to accept Cassel's performance. We learned Brady was a good quarterback, so even when he faltered, true fans had faith. People haven't developed that faith in Cassel.

I don't think Cassel is going to be good enough to ever replace Brady permanently. I'm open to being proven wrong, though and I have enough faith in Belichick that he'll put the best guy he has in as starting quarterback.

QuinielaBox · 09-21-2008, 04:55 PM

I don't have a problem with Cassell. I have a big problem with the line play and the defense and the coaching staff.

Why can't we get pressure on the Miami QB? Who was responsible for keeping Ronnie Brown in check? Why can't our OL block anybody? Why has Randy Moss quit?