The Patriots’ Way

You thought the New England Patriots couldn’t win without Tom Brady.

Well, they’ve won twice without Tom Brady. And without Rob Gronkowski. And without Rob Ninkovich.

And now they’ll try to win without Jimmy Garoppolo, the quarterback who replaced the suspended Brady, on Thursday night against the Houston Texans, also 2-0.

The Patriots will in all likelihood send a rookie quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, out to do battle with a Texans defense that has not allowed a touchdown in its last six quarters and features matching pass-rushers in J.J. Watt and Jadaveon Clowney. Brissett played about 2 ½ quarters against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday after Garoppolo suffered a sprained throwing shoulder.

Garoppolo has not been completely ruled out – the Patriots say he’s doubtful and the short week couldn’t have helped him heal, though he practiced on a limited basis Tuesday. Belichick has not started a rookie quarterback since 1995, his final year coaching the Cleveland Browns.

“Each week it seems like there is always some position that you have to take into consideration what your depth is there,” Belichick said. “Obviously, you take into consideration your opponent and how you want to try and play the game, what you want to try and do against them, and put it all together and do the best you can.”

Brissett started his college career at Florida but made his mark in two seasons at North Carolina State and was a third-round draft pick. The Patriots cut their offense back considerably against the Dolphins with Brisssett on the field and simply protected a 24-3 lead and won 31-24. Brissett led one touchdown drive and completed 6 of 9 passes for 92 yards.

If anything should happen to Brissett, the emergency quarterback is wide receiver Julian Edelman, who was a quarterback at Kent State – from 2006-08.

The Texans love to rush the passer. They won’t back off no matter who the Patriots send out there, knowing the Patriots don’t have too many quarterbacks to spare.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman