BlitzFritz

Reiss on Cassel and O'Connell, in this week's mailbag

"I'm not sure how the Patriots truly view Cassel. At this time, after what I felt was a subpar performance Sunday, it's easy to pile on Cassel. But taking into account the big picture, if I had to guess, I'd say that the team was a bit concerned with what it saw in the preseason - but based on the three-year investment and the lack of other options -- hoped that it could get by with him for a stretch until O'Connell was ready to take over the No. 2 spot. Then the disaster struck with Brady's injury in the opener. So as for the future, I do think O'Connell will eventually leapfrog Cassel, who I'm not sure can consistently throw the ball to the deep third of the field. I have been impressed with what I have seen from O'Connell. The way I view it, it's not a matter of if he passes Cassel, but more when."

Ask Reiss: Readers can't forget this forgettable loss - Boston.com

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

"If you counted out the Patriots, you just don't get it." Adam Schein, September 2008

“We are building a big, strong, fast, smart, tough and disciplined football team that. consistently competes for championships.” Guess who.

Tyler.Durden

I thought that was obvious, he looks comfortable under center, whereas cassel doesn't look like he belongs, doesn't recognise when receivers are open, and when he does its a delayed reaction and then rushes his passes. He has a gun of an arm but at the moment he is using it to catch up to his slow reads.

dtbrks

well, that will be interesting to watch.

Even though it was total junk time last sunday I think they wanted to see O'Connell in some more real action.

I don't know what to think about Matt. We hear BB build him up but see on the field that he is more of a game manager than anything, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I wish I could be a fly on the wall during closed portions of the practice

Rob0729

O'Connell could end up winning the starting job, but Reiss has been down on Cassel for a while now. I don't know if I trust his judgement in this case.

dtbrks

I don't know all of the stats
BUt I think he is right more than wrong in regards to feeling out the pats

Patjew

I do not think that "inevitable" is apropos in this case.

__________________
Drink like a beast.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

dtbrks

You're correct, he is speculating just like most people on this site, although he has more access to the pats than they everyday fan does. Don't know what it's worth to be honest

BradyToMoss

Hey BRiz, sounds like you, myself and Reiss are all on the same page. We got lambasted for even mentioning O'Connell as a potential starter over Cassel, as we did in the Miami game day thread. I am not surprised about their views on Cassel one bit. He has regressed each year he's been here and he's clearly not the answer. Hey DaBruinz, you have any thoughts on Mike Reiss's statements?

If we are not planning on getting Jeff Garcia, then like I mentioned on Sunday during the game. "Let the Kevin O'Connell era begin, let's get it started".

In all honesty, I think the Pats wanted to cut Cassel after the horrible pre-season, but I think TB put a stop to it and talked the FO and CS into keeping him around this one last season. TB and Cassel are tight.

lorijean

If the roster stays the same then O'Connell wil be starting by the end of the year. I like Cassel but don't think he's the right man for the job. IMO

Rob0729

Reiss predicted there was no way Cassel was going to make the final 53 man roster. So the stats on his success rate with Cassel isn't all that great.