The NFL is back, and as a New Hampshirite the Patriots loss in the final game of last season still sticks a bit in my craw. Sure, the Giants played a very solid defensive game, and they managed themselves well offensively. But for a sack that should have been followed by a Manning-to-Tyree pass that should have finished its course rolling on the ground instead of being trapped against Tyree's helmet the Patriots would be the Super Bowl champions, a phenomenal 19-0 record to stand on throughout history.
New seasons bring new chances, and the Pats take on KC today in the home opener. They're better at running back and linebacker, and weaker - possibly - in the secondary. The big questionmark will be Tom Brady's health, and if prior Belichek-coached teams are an indication we will really never know just how his foot/ankle is, as he plays each game telling all he's "fine." But Brady didn't play a snap in a pre-season game, and the Patriots lost all four. The outlook for a Brady-less Patriot offense is considerably darker.
Based on last year's records New England has a relatively easy schedule this year. But remember the phrase "On Any Given Sunday." (Or Monday. Or Thursday. Or Saturday for that matter.) The league is full of great athletes and playmakers, and every team has a few of each.
9/7/08 1325: Well, we'll find out about the backups. Brady just limped off to the locker room.
9/7/08 2045: It appears that Brady suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his knee. Ugh. Looks like it's Matt Cassell or bust. Today it worked for them - barely. Obviously we'd like a little more certain confirmation than an anonymous "team official" making a brief offhand comment.
Tearing your ACL affects knee stability. There are a lot of things you can do with a torn ACL, like swim, ride a bike, (usually) walk, and lift weights. There are a lot of things that are very risky with a torn ACL, usually involving cutting and planting, quick stops and starts, jumpin (and landing from jumps), and pivoting. Without the ACL the tibia can slide under the femur and give way as the alignment of the joint strays from the normal alignment too far. The proverbial "trick knee."
It's smart to stay out in football, which like soccer, basketball and other high velocity sports puts the knee at high risk for instability episodes. Each episode can do even more damage to the knee, from torn meniscus tissue to damaged joint surfaces. And no, though braces help a bit, they won't prevent the episodes from occurring.
So get it fixed, Tom, and shoot for next year.
I have no idea why, but there are an awful lot of people who have posted videos of themselves and/or family members and/or friends tearing their knees up.
