As expected, all the talk today is about Tom Brady'sseason-ending knee injury.
The players are lamenting the loss of their leader, but are also ready to move on as they prepare for this weekend's game against the Jets.
“We won't accept any excuses. We always feel like there is a way to win. We just have to find a way,” defensive end Richard Seymourtold the Boston Globe.
“Everybody in New England knows and has seen what he’s been able to do throughout his career, and it has just been great playing with Tommy through all of these years. And when you lose a guy like that, it’s tough,” offensive lineman Matt Lighttold the Providence Journal.
Meanwhile, backup Matt Cassel's teammates are rushing to his support now that he's the new starting quarterback.
“We all have full confidence in Matt. He did a great job (Sunday) and we see it every week in practice,” special teams' captain Larry Izzotold the Boston Herald.
Quick hits
The national media also weighed in on the Patriots' chances without Brady.
Sports Illustrated looks at the winners and losers in the aftermath of Brady's injury.
Among the winners are the San Diego Chargers, who have been eliminated by the Patriots in the playoffs in each of the last two seasons.
Yahoo! reminds us how quickly things can change when one player goes down.
“You see what happened to (Brady), and you realize how volatile it all is, especially for people in our position," Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner told Yahoo!
ESPN says we'll now find out just how good head coach Bill Belichickis now that he doesn't have his star quarterback.
The view from New York is far less sympathetic. A New York Post column suggests this is payback.
Jets head coach Eric Mangini is far less enthusiastic.
“When I was there, we went through several different injury scenarios and we consistently found a way to win. It comes from outstanding coaching and the ability to overcome adversity,” Mangini told the Post.
Finally, the *New York Daily News *suggests the time is now for the Jets to take hold of the division. No more excuses.
