Patriots ‘The Dynasty’ Recap: Episode 5, Tom Torn
Neither scandal, nor infighting (among owner, coach and quarterback) could topple the New England Patriots reign atop the NFL during the 2000s. Despite a crushing 17-14 loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII — costing them a would-be perfect season — the Pats remained motivated to reload and attack the league with an even greater fervor than they had in the previous year.
“I was prepared to go back and have a great season,” Brady said of his approach to 2008. “We had a lot of the same team so we thought ‘this is a redemption year for us.’”
Unfortunately, a hit from Kansas City Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard aimed at the lower left leg of quarterback Tom Brady, threatened to derail the Pats season, and potentially their dynastic run.
Cred: Sports Illustrated Archive Photos
Episode 5 of AppleTV+’s “The Dynasty” docuseries, entitled “Torn” begins in the immediate wake of Brady’s suffering tears both ACL and MCL tears — ending his season after just a few snaps in Week 1. Known for his poise and control, Brady remains atypically emotional in describing what was to that point, the most difficult season he had as a Patriot.
“I got hit just as my foot was planting, and my knee got completely crushed,” Brady said. “I’ve always said that whenever I got hit, ‘I was the first one up.’ That was my only way to really display toughness, was when I did get hit I was gonna make sure they didn’t know that it hurt. But the pain just kept going. It was super intense.
The doctor ran out and he checked my knee, and I could just tell by the look on his eyes. I knew what it meant.”
While the bulk of Episode 5 justifiably focuses on the physical and emotional toll of Brady’s injury, it also provides a look at former Patriots backup quarterback Matt Cassell, who famously took the reins of the team in the absence of their injured starter.
“As a coach, replacing Tom Brady is a tough one,” explained head coach Bill Belichick. “Tom’s the greatest player of all-time, but you always try to find a way to win. It’s different from year to year. It’s different with different players on the field. But every week I’ve always felt like there's a formula in there somehow that gives you the best opportunity as a team to win.”
Despite not having started a game at quarterback since his days at Chatsworth High School in California, Cassell led the Patriots to a surprising 11-5 record, earning the respect of both Belichick and his teammates. Rather than attempt to equal Brady’s accomplishments on the field — a nearly insurmountable task — the USC product took advantage of Belichick’s offensive modifications, allowing him to incorporate more designed quarterback runs.
Though the Patriots enjoyed greater success than expected under Cassell — missing the playoffs only due to losing a tiebreaker with the Baltimore Ravens — Brady struggled mightily to cope with the juxtaposition of his injury and the team’s achievements.
“Tommy was just very vulnerable at that time,” said Brady’s father, Tom Sr. “On the one hand you like to see the Patriots do really well on the other hand you’re sitting on the sideline and the team’s playing – and nobody wants to feel like they’re dispensable.”
In spite of his insecurities at the time, Brady’s unbridled determination served as the prevailing theme of the episode. From his attempts to play through the injury — which includes an amusing recollection from former Pats wideout Randy Moss, incredulously watching Brady take the practice field just days after “destroying” his knee — to enlisting the services of controversial fitness guru Alex Guerrero, Brady found a way to fight through the pain. The former sixth-round pick, turned three-time (at the time) Super Bowl Champion, returned to the field for the 2009 season. While Brady played gallantly in his return to the gridiron, the Pats were quickly ousted in the wild card round of the playoffs by the Ravens.
Realizing that both age and injury could hinder their ability to remain among the NFL’s top teams, the Patriots brass focused on the 2010 Draft to restock the cupboards in Foxboro — a draft class which would provide the Patriots with a handful of talented players, along with an ominous atmosphere, destined to end in tragedy.
Next Up: Episode 6, “At All Costs” is also available on AppleTV+ on Mar. 1.
