No Branch, no problem: Pats still good, Jets still Jets

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- You would think, based on all of the hand wringing and petulant whimpering from players, the media and some fans, that when the New England Patriots decided to trade Deion Branch, they had actually stuck an M-16 rifle in his hands and ordered him to go hunt Taliban in Tajikistan.

The Pats will be OK as long as Brady handles the offense. (Getty Images)

Suddenly, knowledgeable football types acted as if their brains had been erased of all memories and sensibilities. When did football become cute and cuddly? When was it not a cruel, harsh business led by meat eaters and cutthroats, not men who dreamed of unicorns and fairy dust? When did Branch, a decent wide receiver, become Lynn Swann?

Did I miss that Deion Branch Hall of Fame ceremony somewhere?

In moments like these common sense becomes atomized. The Patriots -- 24-17 winners over the Jets on Sunday -- are not the only team in the grand history of the universe to dump older, more expensive players for cheaper, younger ones. This has been occurring since the kicking tee was invented. If the San Francisco 49ers can strap Joe Montana and Jerry Rice into an ejector seat, then the Patriots can certainly cut Branch from their payroll.

The outpouring of sympathy for Branch was stunning. He will make tens of millions of dollars and swim naked in coffee beans while playing for a Seattle team that is a Super Bowl contender. You don't feel pangs of pity for a dude like that; you pat him on the back and take him out for a celebratory six-pack.

People just do not seem to understand what the Patriots have become. Possibly not even the New England players themselves. There was rampant media speculation that some Patriots players felt management had gone too far in trading Branch and that arrogance would catch up to the organization. The normally cool Tom Brady spilled his guts over the loss of Branch like he was on the couch with Oprah talking about a divorce. The more he grew droopy eyed, the more I thought he was going to tattoo "I love Deion" on his bicep.

Brady supposedly sent a text message to Branch's new quarterback about how much he would enjoy playing with Branch. What is Brady? A teenage girl?

No, people do not realize what the Patriots have become and that is, with the exception of the New York Yankees, perhaps the most devastatingly efficient organization in all of sports, one that operates with stainless steel ruthlessness.

Trust me. I mean that in a good way.

There is no better testament than what is happening now with New England. They beat the Jets here on Sunday afternoon, surviving a relentless New York comeback, to go to 2-0. Once again, despite losing player after player, and starting Manny, Moe and Jack at wide receiver, the Patriots are in stern control of the AFC East and will be a major factor in the playoff race.

Teams like Carolina were supposed to be on their way to a Super Bowl by now and the Patriots' season was supposed to be swirling down the drain after Week 2 because Branch was gone. The reverse has happened.

The fact the Patriots are 2-0, for just the seventh time in their history, is remarkable when you look at this Patriots team and roster. On offense there is more talent playing at Ohio State (and the Buckeyes probably have a bigger payroll). On that side of the ball New England has one superstar and a bunch of mostly no-name drones, certainly no one you'd throw your grandmom under a fantasy bus for, and they still jumped to an effortless 17-0 halftime lead and then a 24-0 third quarter lead over the allegedly rising Jets.

The Patriots defense has Pro Bowlers but there is still no single, scary athlete offensive coordinators get the shakes over while lying in bed at night.