AFC East Suffers Big Hit
Monday September 26, 2005
The AFC East suffered some devastating losses on Sunday with three of the division's four clubs taking a serious hit. In New England, the Patriots will be without safety Rodney Harrison for the rest of the season after he suffered three torn ligaments in his left knee during the club's game with the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday.
There are few players the Patriots can afford to lose less than Harrison, who is a key member of the defense. But head coach Bill Belichick has a way of getting the best out of whomever he throws in the lineup. However, you have to wonder if/when the list of casualties becomes too long for even the world champions to handle. Second-year safety Gus Scott, who played well in the final three quarters Sunday, will probably be given the first shot at replacing Harrison.
In New York, the Jets have lost starting quarterback Chad Pennington again. According to Associated Press reports, an MRI Monday revealed a torn right rotator cuff; the same injury he suffered in 2004. Complicating matters further is the loss of backup QB Jay Fiedler, who was also injured in Sunday's contest. The inexperienced Brooks Bolinger, who has appeared in just one NFL game, will be thrust into the role of starter for now as the team considers looking elsewhere for help.
The Buffalo Bills also saw their playoff hopes take a hit when linebacker Takeo Spikes suffered a torn right Achilles tendon. Spikes is the heart of the Bills' defense and a drop off in performance by the unit could be devastating to a club that has struggled to put points on the board.
There are few players the Patriots can afford to lose less than Harrison, who is a key member of the defense. But head coach Bill Belichick has a way of getting the best out of whomever he throws in the lineup. However, you have to wonder if/when the list of casualties becomes too long for even the world champions to handle. Second-year safety Gus Scott, who played well in the final three quarters Sunday, will probably be given the first shot at replacing Harrison.
In New York, the Jets have lost starting quarterback Chad Pennington again. According to Associated Press reports, an MRI Monday revealed a torn right rotator cuff; the same injury he suffered in 2004. Complicating matters further is the loss of backup QB Jay Fiedler, who was also injured in Sunday's contest. The inexperienced Brooks Bolinger, who has appeared in just one NFL game, will be thrust into the role of starter for now as the team considers looking elsewhere for help.
The Buffalo Bills also saw their playoff hopes take a hit when linebacker Takeo Spikes suffered a torn right Achilles tendon. Spikes is the heart of the Bills' defense and a drop off in performance by the unit could be devastating to a club that has struggled to put points on the board.
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