The complete bust known as Matt Cassel - Page 6 - New England Patriots Forums

***PatsFan37*** · 08-18-2008, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lloyd_Christmas

I know these games don't count, but shouldn't we be play calling as we would in a normal game so we can see how these players could perform rather than nearly 2 quarters of run, run, pass, punt????

No, definitely not. Most of the players are new to the system, some are rookies and many others will be at home when the season starts. The intent is to have simple formations that test a player's ability to execute. 'Normal game plans' are complex schemes based on the coaches studying tendencies and players keying on specific opposing players' weaknesses. How in heck can you do that when you (a) your opponent is substituting players left and right and (b) you're doing the same.

Let idiots like Mangini call plays like the regular season, to the extent of going for overtime in the preseason. Overtime!!?!! That's right! Thankfully, the Pats have a savvy coaching staff that knows the purpose is to get a few snaps for the vets and otherwise evaluate the bubble players.

Pre-season is not about the play calling. It's about the players.

NEPatriot · 08-18-2008, 12:39 PM

Cassel SUCKs. He needs to go.

fair catch fryar · 08-18-2008, 12:43 PM

There should be something BB can pull off the scrap heap by way of a veteran once the rosters are trimmed down in the next few weeks.

Pat_the_Patriot · 08-18-2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoLewisrocks

By all accounts his play has been about like everyone else's in TC... Brady throws picks there too - it's the nature of the beast. Gutierrez play has been a lot worse and he seems to be the one feeling pressured (and it shows). He may be experiencing a sophomore slump and still be salvagable via the PS. But Cassel clearly hasn't been challenged for the #2 spot despite legions of fans wanting that to be the case. O'Connell is playing like a rookie - same as Cassel and Gutz did their rookie season. Flashes of interesting stuff and lots of oops decisionmaking.

I'd keep him over Gutz and a veteran who is not available and has no grasp of the system, and I believe Bill will too. He cuts guys at the position (reluctantly) who play like Rohan Davey - but even then only if he has a veteran and a promising developmental player in camp and ALREADY ON THE ROSTER.

We might be reading different reports... I'm getting mine from the daily reports in the Patriots Football weekly (since thrown away... so I'll have to go off memory)... where they stated that Cassel was having a tough camp. He was the named player in the "whos cold" section two times and was mentioned in the "play of the day" section when he threw a terrible pass that Sam Aiken had to jump backwards and basically intercept the DB on... Sam Aiken was obviously the play of the day... while Cassel poor play was again highlighted. I was not at the camp practices... but I have found the Patriots Football weekly to be a pretty good source of camp battles, player development and news.

Brady... as always... is mentioned as shining. Yes, everyone does make mistakes.... my contention is that Matt Cassel has made an AWFUL lot of mistakes in his first two preseason games. Further, I believe (from what I have read) that he has not had a good camp.

My comments on O'Connell were in direct reponse (as quoted) to a prior post asking why folks were calling for Cassel to be cut but not O'Connell. O'Connell... as I stated... is playing like a rookie... BUT HE IS A ROOKIE... Cassel is on year 4.

We'll see what BB does... like I said, if he keeps him... then I'll be on board with it... but I don't think that he keeps him. You are, of course, entitled to your opinion... but I think that Cassel is gone before we get into the regular season.

***Demolition Man*** · 08-18-2008, 02:48 PM

Personally I feel that Cassel is good as gone by the end of preseason. He has shown little growth and improvement the past four years. O'Connell for what its worth has potential. He can run with the ball that's for sure. Once he gets over the rookie mistakes he's got potential. But we'll see how it goes.

PJM · 08-18-2008, 02:59 PM

It's like any other backup in any other position; if he cannot step in for the starter and at least hold his own he should go. Cassel has shown no sign of being able to win NFL games and I cannot imagine any team taking him if he is cut. After four years there is not much chance of 'development'. The policy seems to be that if Brady gets badly injured we write the season off. I don't think that is a good idea given that we could win the division with a 10-6 record and even a dull, solid backup could achieve that given the talent on the team.

JoeSixPat · 08-18-2008, 06:14 PM

Guys - I'm not saying Cassell will lead us to a Super Bowl or even the playoffs if Brady is injured - but aren't you over-reacting to a 6-10 performance last night that included 3 dropped passes?

If those passes had been caught he'd be 9-10. Would you be as critical of him had those passes not been dropped? Or is this maybe a slight over-reaction?

arrellbee · 08-18-2008, 06:27 PM

I have been anticipating that Cassel would be a solid NFL QB since he was drafted. His first appearances seemed to go reasonably well. However ...

There are some things that a QB learns over time with experience. There are other things in fundamental abilities that probably never get much better.

From my perspective, I have now come to feel that Cassel has a couple fatal flaws that mean he has no chance to be an NFL QB.

First is an apparent tunnel-vision where he doesn't see a 'rich' view of an area of the field. Last night's game had a solid example of this where he focussed in on his receiver crossing into the middle of the field and apparently had no visual clue of the defenders in the area. He led his receiver but the defender really didn't move hardly at all in his zone area and Cassel's throw hit the defender in the numbers.

Second is what seems to me to be a lock-in on one receiver - where he seems to have his head and eyes on the receiver for a long interval, if not even from the start of the play. This is fatal. Defenders will read him like a book.

Third - I have seen no evidence that he makes even two reads much less the more than two that solid NFL QBs have to make.

Like the old saying - 'you can't teach speed' - I rather think that you can't teach the abilities to see a 'rich' view of the field or have the scan capability to make multiple reads.

The Pats have kept a fatally flawed QB before for an extra year (Rohan Davey) so they may keep Cassel for another year anyway. But to my way of looking at it, he couldn't operate the Pats offense with any success at all.

stcjones · 08-18-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob0729

The fact that Cassel is still on the team at all means he wasn't a bust. He was a successful seventh round pick because he was the #2 QB for three years.

That said, the experiment is over. He seems to have regressed beyond the point of any real usefulness.

I think he has been the backup for two hasn't he? Wasn't flutes/testaverde on the team 3 years ago? Anyways.....Cassel is still on the team....BECAUSE Brady has never gone down injured....If he did....and Matt had to come into the game....he would have been gone LONG ago...because the kid does not have it....Maybe Arena.....not NFL....

stcjones · 08-18-2008, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrTibbs

Ever think of the reason they didn't play Guiterez(sp)? Maybe they are satsified with what he can do and figured to give Cassel another shot to claim a spot. Cassel is gone next season anyhow so he might be the odd guy out. It just makes too much sense at this point.

Ding ding ding....we have a winner....That is correct...I see Gutz as the #2 QB this season...which I am comfortable with.....He has shown great poise in there and can get it done.....Cassel is a bust.......and okee will be the project guy and ride the pine at #3 this year.......