Ring the Alarm

It's a full Patriot Panic regarding Tom Brady's sore foot. In a online poll hosted by Mohegan Sun Sports Tonight, 88 percent are concerned about the quarterback situation.

The worry is because of the poor play of the reserve QBs. If any performed well in either preseason game, anxiety levels wouldn't be so high that fans are window shopping free agent quarterbacks as a possible saftey net.

I'll repeat my stance: The QB situation doesn't worry me because Brady will be fine. He said if it was a regular season game, he would had played Sunday against Tampa Bay.

I do want Brady to get some preseason snaps, but if anyone could start the regular season without any prep work, it would be Brady. Well, Brady and San Diego RB LaDainian Tomlinson. Besides, I don't want to put Brady at further risk by putting him behind the offensive line as constituted. The quintet hasn't maintained a respectable pocket so far.

I do want to see Brady lead the team for at least one scoring drive. Practice make perfect, but it doesn't simulate game speed.

In the meantime, expect the third chapter of the quarterback competition. We've seen plenty of Matt Cassel. It's time for Gutierrez to step up and wrestle the back-up job from the incumbent Cassel. To be fair, in a game both teams are expected to play the starters for three quarters, Gutierrez should play the first half, Cassel gets his last stand in the third quarter, then Kevin O'Connell closes.

Talking about O'Connell, I'd have to say his play surprises me. He's been confident in the pocket and relatively accurate. If he cures his Rohan Davey Disease (passes are a little high, never thrown to the numbers) then O'Connell could turn out to be something in a year or two.

Before I go, I want to mention the release of TE Marcus Pollard. I thought he had a good chance of sticking with the team because TE David Thomas has had problems staying healthy. Pollard had been productive over the years, but the coaching staff apparently wasn't satisfied with Pollard's play.

My theory: Pollard was cut so the team can retire the "87" he wore now that Ben Coates was voted into the Patriots Hall of Fame.