The name “New England Patriots” is either one you cherish and love or hate intensely. It’s definitely true for the past few years they’ve become somewhat of a New York Yankees team in football. Although last year they didn’t win the Super Bowl, they still have 3 recent Super Bowl wins under their belt (2002, 2004, and 2005). Bill Belichick, the New England Coach, has obviously done very well picking up some of the best players in the league. In 2004, Belichick drafted young Tom Brady in the sixth round for a backup quarterback, and later that year Brady started for the team after Drew Bledsoe, the original quarterback, sustained an injury. Brady turned out to be a young football prodigy and helped the Patriots gain their first Super Bowl win later that year.

I think it is fairly safe to say Brady has done an amazing job leading the Patriots. Some fans, and rivals, would say, however, that Brady is the sole reason the Patriots do so well and without him they never would have made it thus far. Now is the chance for the other Patriot players to step up and prove they are more than just pieces on a chess board. Tom Brady will be out for the 2008 season due to a serious knee injury, and his backup QB Matt Cassel will be filling in.

Will Belichick be able to push another backup QB from the bench to the field and launch another player’s career to stardom? This season will be the ultimate trial for the New England Patriots and their new QB Matt Cassel.

This Sunday New England is set to face off against their biggest rival, the New York Jets. The Patriots are pegged as the underdogs for the upcoming game with the Jets new and improved team stealing all the praise. Will the Patriots overcome their biggest obstacle yet, or will they finally sink amongst the other average teams with the loss of their starting quarterback?

Sunday we will find out as Matt Cassel is put to the test.

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