Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New England? - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

PromisedLand · 08-05-2008, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelichickFan

Like I said, 6 INT doesn't sound good. But he could throw a perfect pass and have some 3rd string WR not get to where he's supposed to and it goes right to the defender instead. On the surface it sounds bad; beneath the surface it's tough to say. We'll have a better idea after the preseason games.

Here's the acid test: how many INT's per day does the average starting QB throw in training camp? They are all throwing to 3rd string WR's too. Actually, come to think of it, hasn't Cassell been playing with the 1's the past couple of days? Not 3rd stringers.

PromisedLand · 08-05-2008, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgteich

Cassel should be kept until the week before the last preseason game as insurance against injury to the other two backups. There is no reason to have him on the 53 in the last year of his contract. Gutierrez has three more years, is developing, and is arguably already almost even with Cassel.

Cassel will play a lot in the first preseason game. He will be showcased.

I agree with this. Cassell has been here 4 years and has shown nothing. He never started a game in college - it shows. Yeah, yeah, I know he was behind Palmer and Leinart...

***BelichickFan*** · 08-05-2008, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PromisedLand

Here's the acid test: how many INT's per day does the average starting QB throw in training camp? They are all throwing to 3rd string WR's too. Actually, come to think of it, hasn't Cassell been playing with the 1's the past couple of days? Not 3rd stringers.

Agreed on the comparison to other QBs, I'm not sure we have stats on that.

According to the PFW blog two of the INTs were to Watson and CJ Jones (one each). Not sure about the other. It didn't read like a good day but I'm not sure we have a solid baseline on what a good day reads like.

signbabybrady · 08-05-2008, 07:47 AM

THis is good news. WHo cares about the back up QB....Our secondary is getting their hands on a tonm of balls and picking some off. Secondary is more important to this team than the back up QB.

Funktopus · 08-05-2008, 08:44 AM

I was hoping that the team was trying to develop Cassel just to make the roster more valuable and then if they felt comfortable offer him as a trade for a draft pick to someone QB needy like Chicago.

And that's assuming they felt confident going with MG and KO as backups for the season.

It would seem like a very beoli-like strategy. Always looking for value.

***ctpatsfan77*** · 08-05-2008, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funktopus

I was hoping that the team was trying to develop Cassel just to make the roster more valuable and then if they felt comfortable offer him as a trade for a draft pick to someone QB needy like Chicago.

And that's assuming they felt confident going with MG and KO as backups for the season.

It would seem like a very beoli-like strategy. Always looking for value.

I'm still expecting the Pats to ship a QB off to Atlanta. The brain trust in Chicago just doesn't seem to get it.

JSn · 08-05-2008, 08:51 AM

Comparing Cassel's daily performance to Brady (who's seeing limited reps) seems unfair.

Also, I think batting down a pass and hauling it in are things you're watching the D for. So how many broken up passes/INT's is Brady facing vs. Cassel on a percentage base? A number cruncher could likely sort that out fast and I think Cassel might look a lot better in that light than we think.

***Rob0729*** · 08-05-2008, 08:56 AM

I don't know if you can read too much into practice, but none of the QBs other than Brady have been doing well according to most of the reports I read. I even read last night it sounds like Guttierez may have dropped below O'Connell on the depth chart since Guttierez was the last QB to take the field (can anyone confirm this and whether this has been the case in other practices?).

I am getting concerned that we have 3 back up QBs and none of them are actually ready to step up and be the #2 and be able to step in and start if (God forbid) Brady is out a game or two. Hopefully, we never have to find out, but I have never been as high on Cassel as some are/were and I don't know if Guttieriez is ready for the #2 role. Clearly O'Connell is a year or two away from that consideration since he needs to work on his mechanics.

I think the preseason will be important for the back up QB position. I don't think anyone has won the #2 role from what I have read. Both Cassel and Guttierez will probably get a good long look to see who is more suited for this role.

I have been saying that I wouldn't be surprised if we carry four QBs this year. If the back ups still struggle in preseason like they seem to be in training camp, that could become a reality.

***KontradictioN*** · 08-05-2008, 08:58 AM

Can't really say I blame the guy. He hasn't actually started a game in a shade under a century.

PatsFan37 · 08-05-2008, 09:02 AM

In previous years, Cassel had great camps and shaky games. I think it's a given he has the talent to throw an accurate pass. The question has always been his ability to sense the rush, move in the pocket with his eyes downfield, look off the safeties and find the open man without staring him down. That's a lot to do in 3 seconds, which is why guys like Brady are so hard to find.

I wouldn't worry one way or the other what Cassel did Saturday or Sunday or Monday. He's proven plenty that he can be the king of practice. His time is Thursday.