the Bruschi effect

we've (we being the Patriots fan base) waited with bated breath for the official announcement. it came this past week & while i can't say i'm all that surprised, i'm sad & a little concerned by what this will mean for the team.

Pats Face Dynasty's Top Test Without Bruschi

it is, of course, first & foremost about his health. no sport, no championship, nothing is worth a man's life. don't think i am so selfish as to think he should risk his well-being just to play football & i completely agree that if he doesn't feel ready to play, then he shouldn't. from the shallow end though, i can't help but wonder how this will affect the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. after all, this team is like a well-oiled machine. all parts work in unison to accomplish that which they have proven they can do on the football field. sure i know that they have gotten there with Ty Law out with injury as well as some other key players, often against what appear to be insurmountable odds. and i know that they are a team that pulls together, some opting to take pay cuts just to stay with this franchise, playing multiple positions & showing dedication, doing whatever is asked of them, behind a quarterback who is far from a showboat, just another hard-working team member who gets the job done with amazing style. it's certainly a thing of beauty in the realm of professional football. they are gritty. they are determined. they are often far from pretty. but they play hard. they are for real. and now one of their own, a team captain, a key component in their defensive line & a huge piece of the team morale, will need to sit on the sidelines & cheer them on. for a whole season. a team player who has been a piece of the Patriots puzzle for all 3 Super Bowl victories. i know it's got to be killing him not to be out there with them this year...but then again it could kill him to do so. i am definitely glad that the team is behind his decision--just another reflection of how this team is different from most.

i hope the go-to attitude will prevail, that they will rally & continue to astound people with their ability to find victory when the odds start stacking up against them. they've done it before. i just hope their luck hasn't run out. and if it has, that talent & perserverance, blood, sweat & tears will pick up the slack where luck leaves off.