FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The Jets have only themselves to blame. More specifically, Mo Lewis.
Had it not been for the former linebacker’s bone-rattling hit on Drew Bledsoe back in 2001, the Patriots never would have had to appoint a sixth-round draft pick as their starting quarterback. Which is how Tom Brady’s future Hall of Fame career and reign over the AFC East began.
“Blame Shaun Ellis,” Calvin Pace joked Wednesday, mistakenly attributing Lewis’ hit to his former teammate Ellis, the defensive end who was chasing Bledsoe out of bounds right before Lewis delivered the big blow.