NFL Network: Tom Brady Out for 2008 Season

The New England Patriots and Head coach Bill Belichick are notorious for playing games with the NFL's injury reports. Quarterback Tom Brady has been listed on the injury reports, which the NFL requires the teams to submit, as "questionable", seemingly for every game of his entire career. Tom Brady, who could be known as "Tom Cat" off the field, was spotted in a walking boot before last February's Super Bowl, sparking speculation about whether Brady would play in the game. He, did of course, as Brady's Patriots were upset by the New York Giants.

However, this time seems different. Tom Brady was down on the field for a long time, after taking a low hit from a Kansas City rusher. Brady's leg appeared to bend awkwardly. Tom Brady was then helped off the field, not to return in the Patriots' 17-10 victory over the Chiefs. Now come reports on the NFL Network and ESPN that Tom Brady is likely out for the rest of the 2008 season.

Tom Brady's injury is a blow, not only to the New England Patriots, but to the entire NFL after the aerial circus last season in which Brady broke Peyton Mannings' record for touchdown passes in a single season. NFL fans like seeing star players putting up ridiculous statistics as Brady and Randy Moss did a year ago. Especially fantasy football fans, the number of which go up every season.

What does this mean to fantasy football owners who drafted Tom Brady in their fantasy drafts this summer? There is no way these owners are going to find one player to make up the numbers that Tom Brady likely would have compiled in 2008. So what to do? If you are the type of person to give up easily, you can probably kiss the trophy in your fantasy football league goodbye. If you're a competitor, as I am, there are ways to make up some of the points that will be lost. Some, not close to the stats of Brady last season, but some. If you have another player or two on your roster have career years, who knows?

If Tom Brady is on your fantasy football roster, immediately check to see what quarterbacks are still on the market. Unless you had the good fortune and foresight to select a high quality backup QB, and I suspect most Brady owners didn't considering Brady's durability to this point of his career, there should be a few solid options to pick up at quarterback in most leagues. Here are a few:

The Patriots' backup QB, Matt Cassell is the first that comes to mind. While Cassell has seen very little playing time in his college or NFL careers, Cassell backed up Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC befere joining the Pats, the flip side of that is Matt Cassell should be fresh and injury free. The fact that Cassell (pronounced like Castle without the "T') has not been beaten up on is a plus. Also, Cassell has been around the NFL a few years with the Patriots and has had the chance to watch a great QB operate. he knows the offense. The guy must have a lot of ability to have been drafted even though he never started a college game.

Most of all, Cassell has a great receiver to throw to in Randy Moss and several good ones in Wes Welker, Benjamin Watson and others. The Patriots do a great job evaluating free agents and drafting players as their record the last 10 years or so attests. Cassell sees a lot of different defensive coverages from his own team in practice. He will not duplicate Tom Brady's stats from last season. So what? Nobody else will at the quarterback position either. Cassell would be first choice to replace Brady with on your fantasy team unless Kurt Warner goes nuts in Arizona in yet another comeback.

If by chance someone in your league beats you to Cassell, there are a few other decent options. Jake Delhomme probably went undrafted in many leagues this season after only playing 3 games in 2007. Delhomme played well even without star receiver Steve Smith against San Diego Sunday. When Smith returns from his team related suspension due to breaking the nose of one of his teammates in training camp, Delhomme's numbers will improve further. Having a star receiver like Smith gives Delhomme the nod over Chad Pennington.

It's appropriate that oft-injured Chad Pennington now resides in South Florida, home of the "Hanging Chad" as Pennington's career always seems to be hanging by a thread due to shoulder injuries. His shoulder appeared to be okay in a solid Week 1 performance against his old team, the Jets. However, after trading Chris Chambers last season, the Dolphins don't have a lot of offensive weapons unless you're offended by Rickey Williiams making another comeback, so Pennington may not have passing numbers like that all season, so there are better options.

Trent Edwards of Buffalo continues to improve and has Lee Evans to throw to. Edwards should be available in a lot of leagues. If not, check on the availability of Jon Kitna of Detroit. Kitna has a budding star in Calvin Johnson and established Roy Williams at his disposal. With no great running threat and a leaky defense, Detroit should be throwing early and often this season.

Those are 5 options for replacing Tom Brady on your fantasy football roster. Unless Brady miraculously comes back this season, these are the best options for keeping your fantasy football championship dreams alive. I once won a tough league with Kerry Collins as my quarterback due to the late season emergence of Kansas City running back Larry Johnson a few years ago, so if you have Tom Brady on your roster, don't give up on your season, all is not lost!