9-8-08 D&H Talk About Tom Brady's Injury

Getting it to the point where you almost wonder if you should be blaming him. Forces greater than than those known by normal human beings it's like. Okay it's the first time they don't put a money injury report 57 weeks that must be what happened are. You know okay I sat the wrong seat down in the car on the way old firm are -- know all those things that you just trying to figure out something to blame.

You know their people like that. When they lose a game they think they have something to do with that this is what happened during the Super Bowl there are people who. Changed up there. Jerseys are game Jersey game Jersey's game routines they ate something different. And the Patriots lost the Super Bowl slave like they're responsible sum up but. -- it was a it it was a in my opinion it was a clean. Football.

Playing I've gone back it was it was unfortunate that happen at Tom Brady but it was a clean play. I I seem to remember that after the Carson Palmer injury that Kimo von Oelhoffen hit that. At that there was some rule but can you not allowed to roll in the quarterback's legs there yet I I don't think there was an intent. On the part of Pollard I don't I don't think he was and are right I got a chance to put Brady out. Okay but it was if there was no intent what -- why are you on back and forth I don't think Olympic great parity well then again I I am and I am I -- look at all morning here I've been trying to find I thought the NFL specifically put some sort of a rule change him. Prohibiting. What we saw happened yesterday that at the quarterback in them in the you know. Throwing motion were exposed to him down around the legs like that I know I wasn't --

Lord knows we don't need. Another rule. Protecting quarterbacks in the NFL understand. It it is it is deeply disappointing. It changes the season it changes the way you think about the Patriots to -- you feel about the Patriots. Just because it happened that Tom Brady doesn't mean we need to bring -- more legislation in the and I. Now I think they actually did before this that's that was my point I was -- I thought I remembered that there was some sort of re emphasis -- rule change or some thing and and I've been looking here trying to find if this morning and I don't remember that our remember that rule now with the ball all. Von Oelhoffen play you can make the case for secured the angles and the ball is already way and he could've stopped himself we're talking about a 300 pound man who is going after the quarterback he's trying to get them. And in defensive linemen do this a lot. If the quarterback destroying the ball they can't get -- through the hands up. And that big pot maybe Alou deflect the ball if they can't get to the quarterback in there on the ground. They won't try to swipe at the quarterback not going at his knees but trying to get them off balance to either make them. Make -- for -- or to bring them down if you're strong enough and I think that's what Pollard was trying to do yesterday he was being blocked by Sammy Morris -- trying to escape the block. And make the tackle the the Vince Wilfork play last year that he got find four did he get penalized as well. No I don't think he did and and I and I and I don't remember I don't know I don't remember that this I don't think so I don't think there was a million dollar fine 12000 dollars to a 1500 yeah. And I still think that was a dirty player and Dennis and Callahan. Disagree with me especially Jerry thinks dirty play he said it many times. I just think when you're going after the quarterback it's very easy for us to say. Watching on these beautiful high Def TVs are watching him person you think don't like any slow up he's out of the play its over let him go. But the game is so fast and those of you who Horry who were here yesterday and -- long time season ticket holders. You know what I'm talking about it's a lot faster in person. Then it is on TV. These guys are bigger. They're stronger they're more skilled. Then college athletes and high school athletes so what you see at the high school level or the or the college level is nothing compared to approach -- don't.

Walton for those of us who work here and and I can only speak for the group of people I was sitting -- I didn't realize at first that it happened. You watch the ball as most of us do when you're here we saw Randy Moss make the catch we then signed fumble the ball. And we're thinking oh my god he fumble Leo was he down all that stuff and it was only took a split second or two but yeah you look back. Anyone see in Dallas all had me. You know he's gravity is need here have but but initially you're watching Moss run with the football and wondering okay what happened out he fumbled the football. But this place says you can probably tell if you're watching on TV got really quiet. Really fast. And I don't know how much of -- they showed on television but you know usually if a guy gets hurt even if they ultimately take in the locker room. You know they'll stop over the bench and I'll sit them down hey okay let's look at it then there was no stop when. They it was a beeline right for the door right for the steps going down they knew after they checked him out on the field. That you know this was the sort of thing that you know he wasn't going to need a few minutes to rub some dirt on and be back out.

I -- they showed it on TV of course all the cameras were trained on Tom Brady and as soon as he got up. They stay -- Brady and and showed him going right behind the bench. Down those stairs into the locker room it looked bad when he went down. Is it looked bad when he's stayed there had a blank look on his face the trainers came out even though we got up. He didn't look good it did look like he was moving his his left leg normally yours left knee normally. And and it is -- we won't see him again until 2009. I don't know when the official announcements going to come you think it's going to come today.

I think that's why they're getting off telecheck because look first call I think they already know. The MRI is just going to confirm what they already now. So I mean he could he could he -- held his press conference at 1045 and said he's gonna have knee surgery tomorrow or whenever. But they wanted to dot every I and cross every T let the MRI confirm everything that they already now believe me they knew they knew before they got to the locker in my tank. And then I think when -- steps in front of the podium today at three. He's going to be able to say Toms having surgery. Tuesday Wednesday whatever day it is and he's done for the year will put him on IR. I think you'll be able to say I I.

And I don't see you might be able to say that I don't know if he'll go to that extent today he might. -- go 75%. Tom is having surgery will see we'll we'll keep you updated. On where it goes from there but Matt Cassel is going to be our quarterback. This weekend -- yeah perceive it that guy happens to be -- open receiver you know maybe maybe maybe sterling we hope. Sterling was on the something we said back castle like Tom Brady.

Pocket yeah I sort can actually is Bob. It's interesting according to NBC Chris Simms will be in here for a visit today -- I think it was -- after who reported. The Tim Rattay will also be in here today now interestingly you've got three teams in search of quarterbacks all of a sudden. The first Monday of the of the regular season Brodie Croyle suffered a separated shoulder here yesterday. He will likely be out for a while they're looking for a quarterback. Vince Young got carted off the field he's on crutches with an MCL from what I've read in the in the Tennessee papers. But -- search of a quarterback right now. Neither of those guys is likely out for the year the way Brady likely is but they still only a quarterback. You know you wonder. You know what kind of offers are out there you know sims. Normally you'd say many come to the Patriots got a chance to win is that chance to win hampered so greatly by the loss of Tom -- well -- is the image.

This is the question we we all have to answer for ourselves I have my own answers you have your own answers. The question is this. How how old. Important. Or. What what percentage. Do you attribute to Tom Brady for the Patriots success. And -- is where the Patriots all Tom Brady. No obviously no no team at all anybody okay so if you take away Tom Brady was see the difference was it was huge difference between six victories. Like last year they they won sixteen. If they don't have Tom Brady last year. How many games they went. Well anyway seventh --

it was an argument. Mike Felger and I had you know during the time that you were on vacation. We were having a discussion about you know if Brady was out for the year if Matt Cassel was your quarterback for the year what would your record. And and my contention then we see we're looking at an eight maybe nine and seven type of season. Depending on how things felt they still got you know relatively easy schedule. If you believe in the records of the teams last year. Body -- a one win out of the way against maybe the worst football team in the NFL.

I don't know about that Arnold at the worst name I can only go forward done I you know it and you know does that change people's on the won't get to that second -- That's not that might change some some people's opinions do about the Kansas City Chiefs I realize this until listen to the game yesterday here's one thing I learned during the broadcast. As I guess it just forgot about it the Kansas City Chiefs for four and three. Last year Larry Johnson goes out and they lost their last nine games and they realize. That Larry Johnson when asked what a lot of points and Larry Johnson -- that important to the Kansas City Chiefs where they have a nine game losing streak if he's not around.

I'll tell -- the other part of this. I think they're a better team with Damon Huard quarterback and there was Brodie Croyle. Now they've made the determination that's not true that's going to be their guy Brian and now you got at night now you -- you sort of forced him.

draft pick -- we're going to develop the -- don't like Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers he's our guy we brought men to replace a quarterback and he's going to replace that quarterback and we will live with the growing pains.

They scared me more when I saw Huard back there. Then they did when when Croyle was better yesterday. I know what he can do I I you know I know he's a veteran guy he's seen a lot he's been through you know all the wars he knows what he can do what he can't do. I thought they were a better football team when he when he came in.

Well it -- you I was always to back to your argument that you had a couple weeks ago because you said you think they're an eight make. Nine and seventeen what -- set.

He said that I'm not giving -- check in the coaches enough credit. And that you know he thought they would still be. You know 1112 win team no matter what.

I don't know about -- twelve wins. You know 1112 wins. I think that might be a stretch. Because you're still talking about a first year quarterback. A guy is going to make in the first his first start. Since high school even though he's been here you know this is his fourth year here he hasn't really played much yeah -- Dominican his first start since high school hole. Against the New York Jets on the road and now he has passed I don't think people give -- giving him enough credit for what he did yesterday. It wasn't just the numbers in and in the long pass to Randy Moss. Think about the worst. Scenario that you can have replacing Tom Brady okay you're replacing Tom Brady now in the third quarter the first fourth quarter but to replacing him in the first quarter at seven minutes left up jerks you're not replacing him. After a great return where your team starts the 35 yard line. Your first series is that that school yard line and your first two carries you back up to about the quarter and black line in so you complete a long past. And I heard someone criticizing him for getting excited this morning after the long pass as if he didn't have confidence in themselves and that's why get so excited. He deserved to get excited to -- after that after that hole has sideline was doing the same stuff he was doing right so we complete that pass and then leads to any leads to a touchdown. I think that is a that's a pretty good start but over -- said he's still is a a young quarterback. Who's going to be starting his first game next week. If you're if you're telling me that. A veteran of a veteran who used to be let's let's say Chad Pennington. Okay Chad Pennington is the is the Patriots starter. And he started some games in this league before he's never won games for you but he's he's a smart quarterback and he's not going to do a lot of stupid things. I'd say there's not much of a drop off I say at K last year they went sixteen with -- Brady in the regular season with Chad Pennington but 113. Or twelfth. The the answer is we don't know we have no idea what -- counsel's gonna do he doesn't know what he's going to do. And I you know -- people always say you find out what your made outside football you find out what we find out what tomato when you go through some adversity. Or you put in the position. To do something that you never done before well here's Matt Cassell about the find out -- yes.

I know it's hard now you know after you know seven years of otherworldly quarterback play. When Drew Bledsoe first got hurt and Tom Brady was initially forced into the same position Matt Cassel was forced into yesterday. The game plan here was not like it is now he wasn't Tom Brady's -- You know it was a lot of dump off pass on the screen passes and handing off to Antowain Smith and and you know. Every once so while take a shot down the field but not them march. You know does not take any chances here.

Well you -- right jail but I have a few things have changed since then you're right he was not Tom Brady. He didn't have the ability to do some of the things that he can do now but that the personnel was different too. You mentioned Antowain Smith and you mentioned we didn't mention David Patten and David Patten was here. And Troy Brown was still doing his thing Troy Brown was a very good player win when Tom Brady took over but they didn't have the depth overall. On the team then that they do now. And in other words the complementary parts all around outside the quarterback position. Everywhere else is better now than it was in 2001. And the other difference I don't know this is a good thing or bad thing. So when people say well when Tom Brady took over a million and expect him to. Leave the team on this great winning streak -- into Pittsburgh to win AFC championship game in. And winning the Super Bowl over St. Louis. Right people didn't expect that but the difference between. Top Tom Brady in 2001. And Matt Cassel in 2008. Is it Tom Brady. The coaches said it at the time in August they had a meeting in August of 2001 and they said. Tom Brady. Is our best quarterback right he's our best quarterback right now but we have to start Drew Bledsoe.

Yeah and they and they aren't saying that about Matt Cassel August this year and that's a big die and then there's a huge difference and I agree I I guess the greater point here is. And and this plays off of what Felger was talking about. Is that I think you'll see them change the game plan somewhat. I mean of course you you know you'll see them you won't see him do the same things with castle that they do with Brady because. He has -- I have the same skills and abilities that Brady yes. You know they're not going to be -- record setting all my god how many points can they score this week kind of offense. Because he's not that same kind of quarterback it's going to be more you know we gotta win. Tighter closer games you know the defense has got to be tighter than its -- You know we can't just be a bend not break the fence we gotta make some stops out midfield not just when they get to the red zone.

Yeah it's going to be somewhere between you don't have to be. The 2000 Baltimore Ravens on offense where you just hope. That that your running back you know say. Modern day three yards and a cloud of dust titles with just -- down the field. Let's get our ten to fourteen points -- in our defense will save us and we can win ugly football game so they they don't have to be there because I think they're more talented. On offense than 2000 Ravens yes they can't be. The 2007. Patriots yet they can't they don't have they they don't have the gunslinger who could make that's ever happened.

Did you think Pollard when Sammy Morris was was locked up with Pollard. Did you think that he that Pollard was blocked in the Brady. Or forced into -- I don't know I don't think he was forced in the Brady I didn't need I thought he was I thought he was being blocked by Sammy Morris and he was trying to escape that block and get after the quarterback which is. Which is what you see happen a lot in the NFL guys back at the station if -- have pulled it up forming a rule twelve section two article 125 them. Are rushing defender is prohibited from forcibly hitting in the knee area or below a passer who has one or both feet on the ground. Even if the initial contact is above the -- It is not afoul of the defender is blocked or fouled into the passer and has no opportunity to avoid it. Based on that reading and based on the 1500 replays we've seen since then. It seems like there should have been a flag at least.

Jose I mean they will I'm I'm sure there reviewing it and this is. There there are two marquee guys in the NFL I had I would I would say three there -- three players. Who you say the NFL. Doesn't want to see anything happen to these three guys. That was one on the one ominous Tom Brady the other one you saw last night it looked terrible I guess that there is -- up Peyton Manning and the other one isn't San Diego LaDainian Tomlinson. Those three guys that three marquee guys in the league so. They will be studying this play they would they they probably looked at a fifty times already and if there's any kind of find -- we'll hear about that today. Right around the same time we hear about the Tom Brady news.