Brett, the Patriots and their Feelings
This is just the PERFECT illustration for anyone who is interested in what makes the New England Patriots different from other teams.
When Brady is injured, the Patriots make it clear at once that they have made their decision. Matt Cassel is the quarterback. Of course, they are sorry for Tom but there is nothing to be said. There will be no second guessing. In fact, we will put Chris Simms and Tim Rattay back on the plane in case anyone thinks we're not wholly committed to Matt. No one will say anything in public to suggest a scintilla of doubt.
This goes together with a general media policy in which no player will go on the radio to discuss his "feelings" -- if they're asked stupid questions about their feelings ("How did you feel when David Tyree made his catch?" "How did you feel when Tom Brady was injured?") they will under all circumstances resist the urge to reply "How the f*ck do you think I felt, you moron?" and repeat that those events are in the past and now they are looking forward to new challenges. If that makes journalists in Miami or wherever describe them as robots, zombies or cult members, well that's just too bad ...
The Jets, on the other hand, allow Brett to say whatever he likes to the media. Brett, apparently, has never seen a microphone he didn't like and his "feelings" are deep and sensitive enough to make Oprah cry. Apart from Brett's feelings, there are also Laveranues Coles' feelings to consider. The New York press is very concerned about them too. There are apparently a lot of "feelings" in New York.
Brett also seems to have failed to realize that leadership requires loyalty. If anyone can see Matt Cassel's weaknesses it is Bill Belichick. But Matt knows that, just as surely as he will get shouted at on the practice field and called out in meetings, Bill will never ever be anything but respectful of his professionalism and commitment in public. Bill has made a decision. Whether it was the right decision or the wrong decision, who knows?
Brett too has made a decision. Perhaps it was a mistake. But does he have the grace to shut up and live with the consequences? No, he runs to the first microphone he can find to second-guess himself in public. That is self-indulgent and disrespectful of his new team-mates beyond belief. If you want a simple illustration of why Brett hasn't got the faintest idea of what it would mean to do things "the Patriots way", it's right there.