PATRIOTSFANINPA

Interesting views on the decisions the team will have to face shortly after their season is over .

The comments are about midway through this ESPN blog by writer Tim Graham

ESPN - Pats have decisions to make on Cassel, Brady - AFC East

JoeSixPat

Maybe I'm just seeing it through Patfans glasses but I fail to find one helpful comment among the bunch

I mean, they're saying - "well if Brady's knee looks to be in good shape, obviously you go with him... if not you sign Cassell"

Thanks Football Einsteins!

Understanding these are just short comments, something more helpful would be to acknowledge that Cassell's a free agent and that a full understanding of the health of Brady's knee won't be known at the time that he's going out to bid, as well as the fact that the Patriots won't be the sole bidder and whether or not the Patriots are willing to have TWO QBs tied into long term high priced contracts because that's what it's going to take to sign Cassell - and even then you'll probably have to spend MORE than any other team because all things being equal Cassell would take the same amount of money that the Pats offer from another team if he can be the starter.

Why didn't even one of these execs broach the actual facts of the matter in their comments? Or more importantly, why doesn't ESPN seem to recognize the dynamics at play here?

Perhaps they think that the Pats will franchise Cassell and he won't mind that at all and hapilly play under a one year contract rather than threatening to sit out? Are they that naive?

PATRIOTSFANINPA

I agree with that one guy that said when Cassel is gone and thats a definate then I think the team turns EARLY in the offseason for a backup like a Kerry Collins type if there are any available

I don't even think the organization will have any idea of what Brady's knee will cause him in performance if there any problems at all in the spring, so early in the offseason so its a no brainer that you look for a vet,At least sign one till the franchise comes back

I don't want to see Kevin O'Connell and Matt Gutierrez as the only QBs besides Brady next season by the time TC comes around.

upstater1

The stupidity of some of those people amaze me.

In the NFL, QBs go down left and right. Give me a player like Brady any time who has commanded the pocket well in 7 years of play. Only twice in those seven years has he taken a severe hit to the legs.

Other QBs around the league are much more injury prone.

If you go with Matt Cassell over the long haul, nothing will guarantee you that he will have the durability that Brady has had.

That's why people like Armey who worry about Brady's ability to stay healthy having hurt his knee once are being silly.

PATRIOTSFANINPA

I think the chances of Brady having a similar injury and going on IR for most of the season again is not very likely

In fact I cannot remember a HOF QB ever going down on IR twice for a whole season

PatsFanInVa

Franchise to trade. I know I know, it's illegal. Let me rephrase it. Franchise b/c you have no idea how Brady's knee is. Then trade.

Or, if you don't like the YOU CAN'T DO THAT reaction, yes, sign Matt and deal him after 09.

PFnV

Sivy

what some people write just to get hits.

unoriginal

I know what you mean. Remember how bad we looked in the 2008 Preseason behind Cassel? I think the Pats coaching staff will look at the results of that and say, Never Again!

We were lucky Rattay and Simms were still available after Brady went down that year.

PATRIOTSFANINPA

Well if you like O'Connell to start the season more power to you,99% of the rest of us want a veteran to hold down the fort until Brady returns if he can't make it in time for week 1

PatsWickedPissah

No! Not Culpepper time again! Save us from the time loop!!!

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Kraft 2010: "It's definitely not a doomsday scenario, it might have to happen to get things right. I hope it's the vehicle to get us a deal. I hope it's the ultimate hammer.''