Think about it...

Now this might not exactly be breaking news, but Tom Brady is now injured and out for the season, removing an essential cog in the New England Patriots juggernaut. To replace him: Matt Cassel, rookie Kevin O'Connell, and now Matt Gutierrez, whom they just signed to the practice squad. Among them, they have very little NFL experience, period. None of them has started an NFL game, and in the case of Cassel, he has not started an important game since high school after backing up Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC. Now I totally understand Billy Boy when he says that Cassel is their quarterback, and when he then signs Gutierrez (who is not proven at all) I know he's not messing around. In a system such as that in place in New England, it would be very difficult to move on and hope to be anything close to a contender by bringing in an unfamiliar (though talented) veteran. If you think about it, Tom Brady was in the same position as Cassel a few years ago when Drew Bledsoe went down. Once he was given the reins, he never backed down, leading the Pats to a few Super Bowls and bringing back a couple rings while heading the highest-scoring offense in NFL history and the only team to ever go 16-0 in the regular season. And he dated Giselle Bundchen. So there's hope for the kid. At this point, he's their best bet if they want to compete and dominate. If Cassel takes them back to the playoffs, I will be amazed. If they get to another Super Bowl, I think that qualifies them as the most powerful dynasty we have seen in decades, even if they do not win. To be able to have such success, even with relatively unknown and unproven elements attests to the strength of the system and the team overall. Too bad Charlie Weis can't have success like this in South Bend.
I do see a very scary prospect, one that I find quite exciting, although incredibly unlikely: Daunte Culpepper quarterbacking the Patriot offense. Think about it. He would be reunited with Randy Moss, who is much happier than he was back in Minnesota, and it looks like he is back to his prime form. Additionally, Belichick has seemingly cured his wild tendencies and forced him to focus on football and football only. Culpepper would be behind a great line and would have many weapons at his disposal, as well as a stout (though aging) defense. To be able to get into an offense that is coming off an unreal year would be great for him, especially this early in the season. Although everyone has had questions about him since his injury, I think he can return to form, just like Randy did. This place seems to rejuvenate the players. Think of all the old-timers who have had such an impact on the team the last few years: Seau, Bruschi, Vrabel... the list goes on. Not only can Daunte sling it, but he's mobile too, something Brady certainly wasn't known for (though in his defense he rarely had to move). Daunte has been in crappy systems the last few years, with no ability and so little potential (see: Oakland, Miami, two of the least productive teams in the league over the past 4 years). If he could be the Patriots' quarterback, I think they would be a serious threat to the championship, with the AFC seemingly wide open (both Indy and San Diego getting beat, at home, against lackluster teams). Culpepper is certainly a better option that the other guys on the market: Chris Simms (just signed by the Titans), Tim Rattay, etc. He, in my opinion, is one of the most viable options the Patriots could have in their offense.
On a final note, what happens to Brady is Cassel is able to fill his monstrous shoes? What if Brady gets a taste of his own medicine and becomes expendable? Just like Drew Bledsoe before him, who spent the next few seasons in Buffalo and Dallas, where he saw some success, but not like Brady's. Not even close. Tom Brady could be looking for a new job this offseason. I know this is a big conclusion to jump to, but I like thinking hypothetically. Much like in my piece about Brett Favre, many clubs could really use a quality quarterback. Within the division, Miami would be great, but not so much for Chad Pennington, that poor guy. He could really be the centerpiece of the rebuilding Dolphins team- I'm sure Tuna would love him there. He wouldn't have quite the receiving corps he's used to, but it would really be a test. Again, Chicago and San Francisco really need to address the issues they have at quarterback. I really cannot figure out why this is still a problem in this league. Alex Smith is hurt again, so the Niners are looking to throw someone equally as inexperienced into the fray. Just sign Daunte Culpepper. I'm still amazed that he wants to retire. He could get some serious minutes. Chicago... is just an awful mess. St. Louis could be an interesting prospect, with Torry Holt and Stephen Jackson complementing him and Chris Long ripping up the opposing offenses to get the ball back to Brady. Man, that kid is a beast. Tampa Bay could be looking for a seasoned QB by season's end, with Jeff Garcia drawing ever-close to his expiration date. The current "quarterback by committee" idea in Kansas City could be out the window if Brady is on the board. Additionally, he could play in snow in KC, which seems to be his secret weapon come playoff time. Now that I think about it, don't send him to Chicago. They are about to implode and take the whole city with them. I hope the Blackhawks can get out while they still can. With the talent on that team we could see some interesting things this year. But I digress.
Without a doubt, I want to stay tuned to the unfolding story that is the NFL. See ya later.