BelichickFan

I don't buy this part, Mangina knows little to nothing about Cassel as he has barely played and Cassel would have been running the scout team when Mangina was here. He also has no clue how the Patriots will use Cassel as we've never game planned for a Cassel start. I do worry that Mangina will call some blitzes that Cassel has trouble adjusting to, though.

Rob0729

I guess I haven't tasted the Jets' Kool-Aid that a large number of the people in the media has. I think they are a decent team, but still in the 7-9 game range. I don't think they are a great team though.

As for Mangini knowing Cassel angle, Mangini left the Pats after Cassel's rookie season. To say he knows Cassel's strengths and weaknesses is a huge overstatement. Do people think Cassel has the same weaknesses he had as a rookie. For example, Brady's weaknesses as a rookie was that he didn't have any armstrength to throw the deep ball and was too thin making durability an issue. Were those really weaknesses for Brady in his career thus far? No because Brady did a lot of things to correct those weaknesses.

SVN

well you are right but again we are hopeful of cassel than knowing what he will do so its natural to give the jets defense an edge to begin the game. if we were neutral observers and two teams playing with one guy making his first start since HS and another playing 200+ start on a home opener behind an big expectant crowd i think the advantage is with the jets

PonyExpress

My sense of this game is that the Jets will win, possibly humiliating the Pats in the process. A less extreme repeat of the 2003 Buffalo Bills 31-0 blowout. Cassel will make a few hairbrained decisions, the offense will lose confidence, the Jets will sense moral weakness, and become all the more invigorated after years of frustration. Then Pats D will keep them in the game, but eventually wear down., with Favre hitting some big plays against the Pats cbs.

Following the game, there will be a crisis of confidence. The press will be in a frenzy, the fan base depressed.

This will be exactly the moment when the team leaders will need to show their character.

And they will.

Maybe after another speed bump or two, Cassel will develop into a talented starting QB, capable of leading the team deep into the playoffs.

Rob0729

I think the Jets have a lot of advantages, but so do the Pats. The Jets have no gamefilm on Cassel other than last week, that season ending game against the Dolphins, and some mop up duty. It is hard for players to study his tendencies. Also, the Jets have no idea how the Pats are going to approach this game since you don't know the balance of them gameplanning vs. the Jets and putting Cassel in a position to win. Also, all the pressure is on the Jets. If the Pats lose, they have the Cassel excuse. If the Jets lose, their confidence is shaken because they can't beat the Pats even without Tom Brady.

I think it is going to be a close game, but I still like the Pats' chances. I saw several things in the Jets/Dolphins game that if the Jets were playing a better team might have cost them really big.

BelichickFan

I don't have a lot of confidence in Cassel - but it's not because "Mangina knows him".

PittPatriot

I agree...but same can be said about our team vs. the Chiefs. How the Chiefs couldn't get it in on 4 attempts inside the 5yd line is beyond me. Regardless, it is a new game and I think the Pats should respond with pride and class and pull out a very close game.

MoLewisrocks

Tom picked against us a lot last season... And Nellie picked the Pats to win on All Access...Paul and Michael would rather play objective conrarian than be right.

MoLewisrocks

Not the least of which are turnovers or potential turnovers capitalized on... Favre's second TD was classic Favre, and a gift. Were Brady starting this would be shaping up as a massacre...

captain stone

I agree. But I think that this game is over by halftime: 21-3; final: 31-10.

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