Crazy Hypothetical: Could Cassel have won SB 42??? - New England Patriots Forums

signbabybrady · 11-21-2008, 11:25 AM

Now that most eveyone seems to be in the Cassel corner I was wondering what people think about how our chances would have been in the SB if Brady's ankle had prevented him from playing. In other words would a Healthy Cassel potentially done better than a hurt Brady.

Now I am not criticzing playing a hurt Brady as I think that was a no brainer if the guy can go he Starts. And I am not saying that Brady's lack of mobility was the only reason we lost but it was a big one as the pressure ate him alive.

Now keep in mind we would not have the Cassel of the last few weeks as that experience was not there yet. But our hindsight shows even when he was getting sacked alot early in the year he didn't make the key mistake and his mobilty might have helped extend some drives.

What do you guys think the outcome of the SB would have been if Cassel had started?

I don't think it would have been better in fact it probably would have been much worse but I am curious what others think.

***Rob0729*** · 11-21-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by signbabybrady

Now that most eveyone seems to be in the Cassel corner I was wondering what people think about how our chances would have been in the SB if Brady's ankle had prevented him from playing. In other words would a Healthy Cassel potentially done better than a hurt Brady.

Now I am not criticzing playing a hurt Brady as I think that was a no brainer if the guy can go he Starts. And I am not saying that Brady's lack of mobility was the only reason we lost but it was a big one as the pressure ate him alive.

Now keep in mind we would not have the Cassel of the last few weeks as that experience was not there yet. But our hindsight shows even when he was getting sacked alot early in the year he didn't make the key mistake and his mobilty might have helped extend some drives.

What do you guys think the outcome of the SB would have been if Cassel had started?

I don't think it would have been better in fact it probably would have been much worse but I am curious what others think.

The same or worse. Did you watch Cassel earlier in the season when the o-line couldn't protect him? Cassel may have had 7 or 8 sacks in the Super Bowl. Cassel took about a month or a month and a half to get used to dealing with pressure and knowing when to take a sack and when to get rid of the ball.

signbabybrady · 11-21-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob0729

The same or worse. Did you watch Cassel earlier in the season when the o-line couldn't protect him? Cassel may have had 7 or 8 sacks in the Super Bowl. Cassel took about a month or a month and a half to get used to dealing with pressure and knowing when to take a sack and when to get rid of the ball.

Yes but as I said he didn't let the pressure cause mistakes he just ate the sack so maybe he would have made a play with his feet where Brady obviously couldn't. As I said my opinion is that it would probably have been the same or much worse and you agree. It probably would have been similar except Cassel probably would not have been able to lead the drive that Brady did to take the lead before all hell broke loose.

***KontradictioN*** · 11-21-2008, 11:49 AM

I don't know where Cassel would have been able to scramble to in the Super Bowl to extend the play. The Giants were bringing pressure from everywhere. So no, I don't think Cassel would have done a better job. Nor do I think that Cassel would have been able to drive us down the field with two minutes left.

fumbrunner · 11-21-2008, 12:03 PM

It would have been ugly. Cassel is just now beginning to get used to game speed. Coming off the bench at that point, without any playing time, would have been horrendous esp with the Giants rush.

fleabassist1 · 11-21-2008, 12:05 PM

Ahahahahah - tenchar

BradyManny · 11-21-2008, 12:13 PM

I'm sure Cassel would've gotten his head ripped off even worse. I wonder if McD has learned some things from the SB and from having Cassel at QB that could've helped them against the Giants, though. Mainly, to go to dink and dunk earlier and often, and not just the screen passes and dump offs (which they did do, and do with some success), but having Moss and Welker pull the defense with them to let other guys get open.

The most painful thing about that Super Bowl is the fact that the offense actually moved the ball decently. Look, what if Maroney converts the 3rd & 1 at the start of the 2nd half? What if the OL doesn't blow it on 3rd & 6, Brady doesn't get sacked and the team kicks a FG instead of having the 4th & 13 debacle? What if Moss hauls in that bomb from Brady on the last drive? The game could've gone extremely differently, but it didn't. End of story. I hate talking about that game.

Lifer · 11-21-2008, 12:35 PM

And my threads get deleted?

and you know something, i think the Celtics would have won a few more titles in the 80's if Wedman had started instead of Bird.

tombonneau · 11-21-2008, 12:40 PM

Certainly not in the Super Bowl had he come off the bench. That was the same Cassel we saw earlier in the year, remember?

I think right now, if they had two weeks to play the Giants, Cassel could likely perform better than a hobbled Brady in the SB. This is assuming the Pats would design some plays to take advantage of Cassel's mobility and hopefully negate some of the Giants pass rush.

Lifer · 11-21-2008, 12:42 PM

Somebody help me here. Nobody has defended Matt Cassel like I have. But you people are just insane!!!!!!!!!!