The Sum of All Fears

Writer Keith

That's it. I am not taking another Monday off ever again. I put in for a vacation day for the Monday after the Super Bowl in February. Sure enough, the Patriots get beat in the biggest upset in NFL history. I took this Monday off so I could enjoy the kickoff to the NFL season… and look what happened. Tom Brady goes down with a possible season-ending injury, possibly putting the Pats season in the toilet. So it’s safe to say - I will be working every Monday for the rest of my life.

Tom Brady is escorted off the field by his trainers on Sunday, after suffering an injury.

If you missed it yesterday, Patriots’ quarterback, and the reigning NFL MVP, was taken out of the game in the first quarter after a Kansas City Chiefs player hit him in the knee with his helmet. Accident? Dirty play? Who knows. All I know is that I spent the better part of yesterday looking for Catholic churches in Atlanta so I could light a candle and say a prayer. Anytime you hear the phrase - "they are bringing in Chris Simms for a tryout" - the news will probably not be good. Also not good: the guy who will probably be starting for the Patriots next week will be making his first start since high school. Does anyone have Drew Bledsoe's number?

While the Brady injury could make things tough for the Patriots, there are some sportscasters that are acting like the team is going to go 1-15. That is not gonna happen. They still have a pretty easy schedule this year, they still have a good defense, they still have Randy Moss and Wes Welker, and, love him or hate him, they still have Bill Belichick. Patriots fans have been down this road before. Back in 2001, then starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe got hurt early in the season and an unproven back-up was given the ball. That guy was Tom Brady and as Paul Harvey would say...now you know the rest of the story.

So can lightning strike twice? Not very likely. But all hope is not lost. The teams that were called "instant favorites" to win the AFC now that Brady is hurt (the Colts and Chargers) both lost yesterday. I think the Pats can still make the playoffs and if they do… it will be Belichick's finest coaching job to date. At least that is what I am telling myself so I don't start crying. Hey, look at the bright side. As bad as the news was, the Patriots did end their one game losing streak yesterday!