Report: Brady done for 2008 .

[ORS]

Trying to fool yourself into thinking the Pats are still SB contenders? Think about it. The Pats D is good enough to keep them in games' date=' but it isnt spectacular, especially with the secondary losing its best player. The Pats running game is below average since Moroney really hasnt blossomed and the other RBs are more receiving backs. The one area where the Pats absolutely dominated is the passing game. And that passing game is a very intricate, difficult game to learn. Bringing in a guy in week 2 wont really help since he'll take the season to learn it and wont be half what Brady was. And as we saw in the preseason, Cassel just isnt ready to step up. I never really understood why the Pats took him anyway. He didnt start in college and now he doesnt start in the pros. He isnt game tested and it will show. Looking at half a game's worth of mediocrity doesnt change that. This is the Pats worst case scenario. The one player they couldnt lose was Brady and now that he's done, [b']the Pats are done.[/b] EEI is gonna have a field day, since they had been harping on Pioli's inability to provide a suitable backup.

Since this is coming from you, they might as well starting taking ring sizes.

[riverside sluggers]

Very crushing blow to see Brady fall to the ground, grabbing his knee, and screaming out in pain. All I can do is cheer the team on and just be optimistic. I heard the Pats are bringing in Tim Rattay and Chris Simms. I like Simms' style and it probably shouldnt take long for him to take over duties from Cassel

 

Cassel no doubt had a good game while subbing for Brady. But they were facing the Chiefs who have 15 rookies on their roster and one of the worst secondaries in the NFL. He is what he is, a backup

[mtbykr]

There is no way they bring Culpepper in, he's dumber than a bag of hammers and couldn't pick up the system. The only thing he did in Minnesota was toss the ball up and Moss would have to go get it. Ironically the pats had Rattay and Brady similar during the draft, but chose Brady becuase he was taller.

 

I think Cassel will be OK for a few weeks, he will get better with time and reps especially in practice. From there though unless he gets much better they might go with O'Connell (they spend a 3rd rounder on him) or someone else they bring in (Rattay or Simms). I still think the pats will make the playoffs, but the superbowl is a long shot....not impossible, but certainly not likely. It's a long season and anything can happen, so we'll see.

 

Two things will come out of this: how good Tommy really is, and how good a coach BB is.

[mtbykr]

It's official:

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/09/pats_confirm_ra.html

 

The Patriots just released the following statement regarding Tom Brady:

 

"After extensive tests this morning, it was revealed that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's left knee, which was injured in the first quarter of yesterday's game, will require surgery. He will be placed on injured reserve and will miss the remainder of the 2008 season."

 

At the 7:27 mark, on the Patriots' 15th offensive play of the game, Brady dropped back from the Kansas City 43. Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard blitzed, but was picked up and put face down by running back Sammy Morris.

 

As Brady, the 2007 NFL Most Valuable Player, stepped into a 28-yard completion to Randy Moss, Pollard made a desperation dive at Brady's legs, his shoulder crashing into the quarterback's left knee. The next sound Pollard heard was Brady screaming as he clutched the knee.

 

"When I heard him scream and yell, I knew something was wrong," said Pollard.

 

Brady, who ended 7 of 11 for 76 yards, managed to get to his feet and limp off the field, but headed directly to the locker room and then to a medical facility. He was replaced by fourth-year backup Matt Cassel, who led the Patriots to their 20th straight regular-season

 

 

BB also said in the PC, that they team did not bring in Rattay and Simms as reported and have had no contact with any other qb's....other than plenty of qb's calling them. They have no plans to workout any other qb's at this point.

[mtbykr]

The NFL ruled that the hit on TB was legal:

 

 

The NFL's officiating department has reviewed the Bernard Pollard hit that injured the left knee of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, and has deemed it within the rules.

 

NFL rules state that "no defensive player who has an unrestricted path to the quarterback may hit him flagrantly in the area of the knee(s) or below when approaching in any direction".

 

But the Pollard hit was deemed legal because "the defensive player was coming off and affected by a block by the offense", according to a league spokesman.

 

 

 

 

Game 3 of last year something similar happend to Wilfork....the difference is that Wilfork was actually blocked into the qb. Now Wilfork was flagged, fined, and ripped to shreds in the media for being a dirty player. The two plays are almost identicle, but the NFL rules like this? Either both plays are legal, or they are dirty....can't have it both ways.

 

 

FOXBOROUGH – Nose tackle Vince Wilfork spoke passionately today about the Bernard Pollard hit that knocked Tom Brady out for the season.

 

Wilfork was fined last season for a hit on Bills quarterback J.P. Losman, and he was asked how fine a line it is between trying to make a play, and being fined for an illegal hit.

 

“Last year, I was there, I was tripped up and falling and I still got fined and flagged for the same exact thing. But I was tripped up. I didn’t dive at anyone’s legs, I didn’t cut a running back getting to a quarterback. And when I got fined last year, they said I got flagged because you’re not allowed to hit a quarterback below the waist,” Wilfork said.

 

“You take it for what it’s worth. I’ve been in that same position and been flagged and fined for it, so whatever happens, happens. I’m very interested to see what happens.”

 

Wilfork was then informed that the NFL ruled the hit legal.

 

“Well, it’s a problem. It’s going to be a problem,” he said. “Like I said, I’ve been there.”

 

Wilfork’s emotions were building a bit, perhaps due to the scrutiny he faced last year.

 

“You saw what I had to go through, hitting the quarterback below the waist last year. It wasn’t my fault … but I got flagged, a 15-yard unsportsmanlike for hitting the quarterback and I got fined, no if’s, and’s or but’s about it. Like I said, it’s very interesting to see what the NFL is going to do. They know they got me last year. I’m going to be on this one.

 

“Fair should be fair. They got me, point blank. I don’t want to get singled out. Don’t make me feel like I’m getting singled out. If you’re going to do a job, be consistent at what you do. This falls into the same category as mine, no if’s, and’s or but’s. He hit the quarterback below the waist. I hit a quarterback below the waist. I got fined. I got flagged. He didn’t get flagged. And from what I’m hearing, he didn’t get fined.

 

“It’s a problem. So the NFL can do what it wants to do, but it’s a problem. If you're going to make that call, be consistent with that call. He was there. He could have thrown the flag. ... We'll see where it goes. I'm [upset] about it because I've been through this."

 

 

http://boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/

[The Dustball]

Wow. Terrible day for Patriots fans. WEEI is going crazy with people suggesting bringing in Bledsoe, Flutie, Culpepper, and starting O'Connel. Crazy day.

[Soxfan1]

Flutie

[mtbykr]

BB on WEEI and should stop all the rumors. He said they won't bring in anyone except maybe Gutz becuase it would take too long to learn the system.

[Gom]

Maybe the NFL would have more sentiment if it wasn't a given that the Patriots cheated their way to a few Superbowls, and were beat up by the Giants when ol' Bellie had to play by the rules? Nah....

[jacksonianmarch]

Pats are done

[TheKilo]

 

 

Game 3 of last year something similar happend to Wilfork....the difference is that Wilfork was actually blocked into the qb. Now Wilfork was flagged, fined, and ripped to shreds in the media for being a dirty player. The two plays are almost identicle, but the NFL rules like this? Either both plays are legal, or they are dirty....can't have it both ways.

 

 

[/url]

 

Are you kidding me?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3POT8n2Qk3g

 

Wilfork - Blocked, lunges towards Losman, ELBOW TO THE KNEE

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuClWeD9ouI

 

Pollard - Blocked, falling to the ground, pushed into Brady by Morris.

 

Stop being a homer.

[Gom]

Kilo, as always, the voice of objectivity here at Talksox. Thank you.

[TheKilo]

Plus, BRADY STEPPED INTO HIM.

[See Red]

Absolutely. Wilfork's looked like a cheap shot to me. The elbow makes it fairly obvious.

[BSN07]

I love the Pats and have an admited man crush on TB. That said its too bad about the injury, but this is football and it happens. The Pats and there fans have been extemely lucky to have had him in there every game for so long, not too many clubs have that. The team isn't done. Of course there not as good and have made a huge step back towards the pack. But there still one of the better teams in the AFC. Cassel has always done a decent job when hes been in there. Lets see what the kids got and root like hell for him.

 

Don't forget, not that long ago we thought all was lost when Bledsoe went down and a 6th round draft pick that no one knew took over. I'm not saying Matt Cassel will ever be as good as TB( he won't), but this team has enough playmakers around Cassel to help him along.

 

 

Go Pats!

[Dojji]

OK, so he's done for the season -- what about the postseason?

[BoSox21]

OK' date=' so he's done for the season -- what about the postseason?[/quote']

 

he's on injured reserve, his season is over

[mtbykr]

Are you kidding me?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3POT8n2Qk3g

 

Wilfork - Blocked, lunges towards Losman, ELBOW TO THE KNEE

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuClWeD9ouI

 

Pollard - Blocked, falling to the ground, pushed into Brady by Morris.

 

Stop being a homer.

 

We will have to agree to disagree on this:

 

 

Wilfork: free path to the qb, tackled from behind and falls into the qb (the elbow part looks dirty)

 

Pollard: Blocked to the ground, lunges off the ground into the qb's knee.

 

 

Wilfork was tackled/tripped from behind and fell into the qb, Pollard was blocked to the ground, and lunged at the qb's legs

 

 

Both hits were at the knee or below....the NFL stated that the Pollard hit was legal becuase he was engaged and affected by a defender.....so was wilfork, he was tackled from behind. My point is it should be the same with both using the standards the NFL set-forth in their ruling.

 

 

That's my take, we can just agree to disagree.

[Gom]

Jets and Bills fight it out for the AFC crown. Patriots watch the playoffs. I love it!

[Paradisecity]

Yes, the Jets should definitely be considered a better pick than the Pats to win the AFC East after their convincing 20-14 victory over the stalwart Miami Dolphins.

 

Its early Gom. Let this play out.

 

 

This will make the season very interesting to watch as a Pats fan. Every game is no longer a disappointment if lost. We are no longer the mighty tyrant. I like the little guy role.

[TheKilo]

We will have to agree to disagree on this:

 

 

Wilfork: free path to the qb, tackled from behind and falls into the qb (the elbow part looks dirty)

 

Pollard: Blocked to the ground, lunges off the ground into the qb's knee.

 

 

Wilfork was tackled/tripped from behind and fell into the qb, Pollard was blocked to the ground, and lunged at the qb's legs

 

 

Both hits were at the knee or below....the NFL stated that the Pollard hit was legal becuase he was engaged and affected by a defender.....so was wilfork, he was tackled from behind. My point is it should be the same with both using the standards the NFL set-forth in their ruling.

 

 

That's my take, we can just agree to disagree.

 

Pollard didn't lunge at the QB's legs, BRady stepped into the throw!!

[ORS]

Jets and Bills fight it out for the AFC crown. Patriots watch the playoffs. I love it!

You've admitted you follow football at only the superficial level, so I'd back off on making predictions. Even with the loss of Brady, they have an excellent O-Line, WR corps, good running backs, and a good defense. This isn't the Bengals from a few years ago, who were deficient on offense when they weren't throwing the ball and had no defense. They've been down graded from an elite team to a very good. Looking at their schedule, it would not shock me to see them win 10 or 11 games.

[Paradisecity]

I'm gonna go 9-7 or 10-6.

 

As far as the hit Kilo, watch how much Brady "stepped into it"- its a matter of inches. Pollard definitely reached out for the leg and grabbed it. I'm not saying its dirty, and I'm not saying its not, but the replay you provided definitely shows Pollard coming down and going out for whatever he can grab.

 

Personally, it doesn't matter to me or not if it was dirty- he's hurt, it sucks, now we see how good he really is, and how good everyone else really is.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Go STEELERS.

[schillingouttheks]

Maybe the NFL would have more sentiment if it wasn't a given that the Patriots cheated their way to a few Superbowls' date=' and were beat up by the Giants when ol' Bellie had to play by the rules? Nah....[/quote']

 

Yeah, because the 18 games he won before that were all cheated too, right?

 

This has nothing to do with it, Gom. It has everything to do with the hit just being legal.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Jets and Bills fight it out for the AFC crown. Patriots watch the playoffs. I love it!

Hell yes.

[schillingouttheks]

Jets and Bills fight it out for the AFC crown. Patriots watch the playoffs. I love it!

 

They're still a good team. I wouldn't be shocked to see them win the AFC East anyway, especially with the easiest schedule in the NFL.

[Cocos Disciples]

Jets and Bills fight it out for the AFC crown. Patriots watch the playoffs. I love it!

 

Damnit, I left my glasses upstairs. Can you read the AL East standings for me?

[ORS]

Damnit' date=' I left my glasses upstairs. Can you read the AL East standings for me?[/quote']

This is a good point. Less than two months ago, a full 3.5 months into the season (unlike the 3rd place preseason prediction from last year), he had written the Sox (and Rays for the most part) off as contenders in the AL East. And this is in a sport he claims to have knowledge about.

 

Kids, if you are going to make bets based on the information Gom shares, my advice is go the Costanza route. The opposite of his first instincts appear to be spot on.

[Mr Crunchy]

brady threw for 112 yards in his 1st superbowl win,to write these guys off in september is a bit premature...

but since i know the audience i am addressing this doesnt surprise me.

""cheating his way to 3 superbowls""

jesus christ almighty there should be a thread for the pathetic and downtrodden and the guy who started this thread with the green smiley face should be ass raped by stokey carmichael and the black panthers of oakland.