Hats Off

Regardless of what happens on Sunday, this was a successful season. I really want a birth in the playoffs, but if the chips don't fall in New England's favor and they are on the outside looking in, then that's just how it is. It wasn't meant to be.

But that doesn't take away from what this team accomplished.

How many teams in this league would completely fall apart playing without their starting quarterback? When you're talking about an All-Pro MVP passer like Tom Brady, the other top notch teams would be playing for pride. Would the New York Giants be in position to defend their title with David Carr in place of Eli Manning? Hell no!

Would the Indianapolis Colts had extended their streak of consecutive 10-win seasons led by Jim Sorgi with Peyton Manning giving him tips from the sideline? Absolutely not.

Would the New York Jets have a slim chance of getting into the playoffs tomorrow if Kellen Clemens started 16 games while Brett Favre remained retired? I don't think so.

There are teams that would still be playoff teams without their starter under center. Pittsburghwould be fine as long as Byron Leftwich avoided mistakes. Kerry Collins led teams to the NFC Championship and Super Bowl before joining Tennessee. His maturity and ability to avoid mistakes trumps Vince Young's otherworldly athleticism.

But how good would these teams still be without key defenders? We already know the Colts D is practically nothing without safety Bob Sanders. Would the same thing happen to Pittsburghif they lost Troy Polamalu? How about stripping the Steelers of linebacker James Harrison and James Farrior misses time as well? Could the Titans' backfield duo or Carolina's Smash and Dash be what they are if they missed a combined 24 games this season?

Spreading out the injuries to several teams would be hard enough for a squad to deal with. Just ask San Diegosans LB Shawn Merriman. But for one team to remain competitive with numerous key players missing significant time, if not losing the whole season, normally would be crippling.

But somehow the Pats kept going without changing their goal. Sure the reserves needed time to adjust, but everyone eventually got up to speed. And though the back-ups didn’t play as well as the starters, they did their jobs well enough.

This season is a tribute to the coaching staff for having every player prepared and ready to play when called upon. As for the second, third, and fourth stringers who came in and had to perform in very tough circumstances, I applaud you. Not many teams can count on the depth you provided.

So to the guys that came off the bench to play a huge role for the team, y’all get madd props for the job you did. Thanks to the veterans on the team because they were there for the youngsters with answers to their questions, as well as for leading by example. Job well done to the coaching staff for the thorough job of having everyone prepared, even the fifth-string running back, and how they handled the gradual immersion of the young players into prominent roles.

This season should be remembered for how far this team got under severe conditions, not just for the final result. That will be the standard for next season’s Patriots team if they stay relatively healthy. For maintaining the Patriots Way in 2008, this year’s edition deserves appreciation from all fans, no matter what happens on Sunday. Heck of a year, guys.