PatsFan37

First, I'm a big fan of the guy and have been since his first TC. He's got a great arm, has shown good accuracy (and poor accuracy, too, like anyone, but at least he's shown he can throw with touch and timing). It all looks good for him.

Except every time he takes the field, someone gets in there and knocks him loopy. I've been thinking, well, pocket presence can only be learned in live-fire training. If he gets out there for more than a half-game a season with the starting OL, he'll figure it out.

So then I read this article by my favorite sports journalist about how the lack of pocket presence is the reason David Carr is on the street. I'd like to know what other folks think. Is pocket presence instinctive and Cassel lacks that sixth sense, or is it something he can learn, or is it simply too early to tell? Or am I making too much of an occasional sack?

I know Patchick's radar went off when this thread hit the mill, she's been a Cassel fan for a while. I'd like to hear her thoughts. Anyone else?

BelichickFan

I think it's apples and oranges as Carr has been a starter forever whereas Cassel has barely ever played. With all his college play and, now, however many years in the NFL it looks like he'll never learn it. But Cassel, who knows.

Kind of like a kid who's trying to learn 2 times 2 for the first time vs. one who has been trying for a year and still doesn't get it. I'd put my money on the kid who's trying for the first time.

patchick

Ding! What was that? Did somebody mention Matt Cassel???

I know what you mean about the pocket presence, and I guess I'm with BF on this...we don't really have a clue at this point, but I'm betting the potential is there.

To me Cassel doesn't look nervous or tentative on the field like some backup QBs, or confused a la Rohan Davey. He looks confident but overexuberant. What I see is a football player who almost never actually gets to play football, so when he gets in the game he tends to be a little too pumped and tries to do too much. I'd rather see that than a guy who looks overmatched by the game -- I'm optimistic that Cassel could settle into a groove if the need arose.

mgteich

How could Cassell be nervous. He's never played a real college or pro game. It takes pressure to be nervous. No one has any idea how he will react in a real game.

theONLYJerseypatsfan

Hopefully we will have enough blowouts this year where Brady can be pulled early allowing Cassell to get a little time on the field during the regular season.......

My wife and I saw him play the whole game (besides one series where troy brown was QB) last year when the pats played the giants in pre season....he was pretty good considering Bam Childress was the best WR out there at the time....he got rocked on one play and came right back for throw a TD pass right into traffic

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Tony Westover : "I can understand why LT thought it was disrespectful and unclassy that the Patriots started 'doing the dance Shawne Merriman is known for.' Imagine if the Chargers won and some of their players went and did the Tom Brady dance at the midfield? Oh wait ... Tom Brady doesn't have a dance because he's a class act and doesn't do steroids."

Todd Sullivan: "Marty's challenge of Brown's strip reminded me of Demi Moore's 'I strenuously object' scene in 'A Few Good Men.'"

theONLYJerseypatsfan

Its also fun to see the Pats version on Micheal Vick whenever he takes off

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Tony Westover : "I can understand why LT thought it was disrespectful and unclassy that the Patriots started 'doing the dance Shawne Merriman is known for.' Imagine if the Chargers won and some of their players went and did the Tom Brady dance at the midfield? Oh wait ... Tom Brady doesn't have a dance because he's a class act and doesn't do steroids."

Todd Sullivan: "Marty's challenge of Brown's strip reminded me of Demi Moore's 'I strenuously object' scene in 'A Few Good Men.'"

Cramden

Speaking of Cassel, this is the second day this week that I've heard it mentioned on Sirius Radio that the Raider's have an interest in him. This morning it was Randy Cross and a caller from Oakland saying that Cassel would be a good fit for the Raiders and he could potentially be had in a Matt Schaub-like deal (minus the swapping of firsts of course). I think it was Pat Kirwan who was speculating on this exact scenario earlier in the week. They also mentioned that if something doesn't happen this year that Cassel will be a HOT commodity in 2008.

theONLYJerseypatsfan

Everytime there is a trade like the Schaub trade reporters try to scurry to find anything that would closely resemble that news.......but what do you expect....it is the down time for the offseason as far as news goes....

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Tony Westover : "I can understand why LT thought it was disrespectful and unclassy that the Patriots started 'doing the dance Shawne Merriman is known for.' Imagine if the Chargers won and some of their players went and did the Tom Brady dance at the midfield? Oh wait ... Tom Brady doesn't have a dance because he's a class act and doesn't do steroids."

Todd Sullivan: "Marty's challenge of Brown's strip reminded me of Demi Moore's 'I strenuously object' scene in 'A Few Good Men.'"

SkiHound

Cassel needs some time on the field to develop and gain exposure. He looks like he could be a very solid QB. I agree that I think he ends up being traded, if not this year then very likely next. Cassel needs a chance to prove himself and he's not likely to get it with the Pats. And from the Pats perspective it's a way to turn a guy with a very limited role into more immediate help. I must say I kind of like having Cassel on the bench, however. If Brady went down I think it would be very interesting to see how effectively Cassel could step in.

RayClay

Tony Eason was the quickest to react to pocket breakdowns.

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