How's your confidence in Matt Cassel at the half-way point. - Page 3 - New England Patriots Forums

PATRIOT64 · 11-06-2008, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatsWickedPissah

Wow! 90% of the fans polled think Matt is playoff caliber or better. What a huge change from pre-season thru the 1st few game weeks.

Then again, I just noticed that the former loud "Send Cassel to Walmart as a greeter" contingent is notably absent.

I'M RIGHT HERE - GOT A PROBLEM BUDDY?...Thought so

stcjones · 11-06-2008, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEPatriot

Cassels has 2 problems:

1- He can't finish it when we are in the red zone.
2- He needs to improve his medium and long range throw.

Ding ding ding....we have a winner!!! Unfortuneatly, Matt and the offense have stalled in the red zone and have to resort to FG's so often this year....that will not win in this league much.....especially when you have weaknesses in your defense.....So as far as A) Getting into the playoffs.....and B) going deep in the playoffs......don't hold your breath......this could very well be an 8-8/9-7 season......that's the realistic outlook.

2) Yes....Cassel is not able to make the consistent medium to long range passes right now.....and not sure if he ever will.....He frequently throws behind receivers....still locks on one at a time....while others are open.....He has gotten BETTER at checking off and looking for other options.....but still needs work.........and.....when he does throw downfield....watch the INT ratio go up

Matt has done a very ADMIRABLE job coming in off the bench this year...and has played with alot of heart and fire.....I give him tons of credit.....but as far as him being able to LEAD This team into the postseason.....or (gulp)....the SB......just don't see it.....

stcjones · 11-06-2008, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VJCPatriot

Cassel still has a lot to prove so I'm undecided. But he has shown some signs of improvement. Unfortunately the gameplan with Cassel is so conservative, he just has not shown any ability to connect on long passes and challenge the defense. The Colts game was the perfect opportunity to go long and get Moss involved, but we didn't go to him until the second half and by then it was too little too late.

The problem with Cassel is that he isn't good at reading the whole field yet and going through his progressions quickly enough to find the open man before the pass rush gets to him. He really needs to work on this if he is going to be able to throw passes over 10 yards, otherwise he's just gonna keep getting sacked. I think this weakness is one reason, though not the whole reason, why the playcalls went the way they did against the Colts.

good realistic post vjc

Nunchucks · 11-06-2008, 09:00 AM

Cassel has shown drastic improvement through game 1 to game 8. I was very concerned with his ability to deal with the pass rush but thankfully he has shown improvement in that area. We really could be looking at 6-2 if just a couple things went the Patriots way.

I think that if the Patriots as a team play well, Cassel certainly can do enough to win in the playoffs.

***MoLewisrocks*** · 11-06-2008, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nunchucks

Cassel has shown drastic improvement through game 1 to game 8. I was very concerned with his ability to deal with the pass rush but thankfully he has shown improvement in that area. We really could be looking at 6-2 if just a couple things went the Patriots way.

I think that if the Patriots as a team play well, Cassel certainly can do enough to win in the playoffs.

Careful, you just interrupted an attempt to launch a we're still here negativity circle jerk thread segment with a rational post.

Lifer · 11-06-2008, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEPatriot

Cassels has 2 problems:

1- He can't finish it when we are in the red zone.
2- He needs to improve his medium and long range throw.

sounds like somebody we knew 7 years ago.

lostjumper · 11-06-2008, 10:08 AM

He's been getting better every week. I think thats all you can ask of a backup QB thrust in the starters role.

Scouse Patriot · 11-06-2008, 10:37 AM

I was one of the guys who thought he wasn't good enough but hoped he'd do well for the Pats sake and he has shown improvement. His awareness is coming along which game time will improve anyway but my confidence in him depends where we are on the field. Now I think he can be trusted to help move the chains but when we get to the business end of the field, production halts more often than not. His inconsistancy in any throw over 15 yards is a little frustrating too. He can land an absolute inch perfect diamond like we saw to Gaffney or he can throw it totaly off. I was pretty confident we would make the playoffs but in those games it's do or die. You put up numbers or your lose and thats where everyones confidence in him will be tested.

Still, if we do make the playoffs I think we've done very well this season considering certain situations and Matt can be proud of what he's helped the team achieve.

***NEPatriot*** · 11-06-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scouse Patriot

Still, if we do make the playoffs I think we've done very well this season considering certain situations and Matt can be proud of what he's helped the team achieve.

Without winning a AFC championship, he hasn't achieved anything. Cassel has a long way to go. Thank God for an easy schedule this season. Until he finishs his red zone, we are not going anywhere.

Scouse Patriot · 11-06-2008, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEPatriot

Without winning a AFC championship, he hasn't achieved anything. Cassel has a long way to go. Thank God for an easy schedule this season. Until he finishs his red zone, we are not going anywhere.

If we make the playoffs I think it's fair to say we've turned a season were at the start an overwhemling amount though it was a write off into a decent one. There may not be any trophy to show but from a personal outlook I think he can be ok with himself.