Never in doubt.
This team is still one of the best in the NFL even without Brady. And it's going to be that much sweeter to hoist the trophy without our HOF QB behind center-- wont that make the talking heads shut the F up! It's not a one-player game. Football takes more than 22 players to dominate... more like 40 outstanding players.
It's good that we have 5 starting calibre RBs, because they're going to earn their keep this season. And the real upper is going to be how damn effective our play action passing game is going to be.
3rd and 2, Cassel under center in a 2 TE set. Sammie and Heath lined up in a power I and Moss far outside. Snap the ball, play action to Morris, Cassel with a quick pass to Moss on a slant for a 50 yard TD. Everyone thinks that's a play BB wouldn't call with Matt at Q. Wont they be surprised how much faith the brain trust has in a kid with exactly zero starts in his pro and college careers combined.
Cassel is going into his contact offseason, and is living the dream right now. If he can orchestrate all this talent into a few big plays, he's going to get a nice fat contract with a team like Denver or Seattle, we're going to get a nice Compensatory pick for him, and Belichick will advance his own legend-- the finest coach in the history of the sport.
The wildcard is Kevin O. There was a lot to like in the preseason. Maybe he earns his way onto the field...
This season is going to be as exciting to watch as 2001, where expectations were absent but the team seemed on the verge of something really special. I'm psyched.