Originally Posted by patfanken

Cassell is interesting because of the success he had in 2008. Don't forget he had 2 CONSECUTIVE 400 yd passing games that year. IIRC that's something TB had never done to that point. Clearly Josh McDaniels got the most out of Matt Cassell. Certainly more than any of his other coaches. Lets assume that at some point the Pats trade Mallet in order to retrieve some of his draft value. Cassel would make a good back up because he's proven he can be productive in this offensive system, and would come at a lower price. THEN 3 or 4 years from now you draft the QB who will ultimately replace Brady, and maybe give him a year on the bench backing up Cassell for a year.

Cassell, I think would prove to be a far more effective QB here in Foxboro than he was in KC But lets be certain of one thing. Ryan Mallet, barring a Brady injury, is NEVER going to start a game for the NE Patriots.....at least under his rookie contract.

Originally Posted by mayoclinic

You raise an interesting scenario. KC will almost certainly part ways with Cassel after this season and he'll be a FA. He's due $7.5M in 2013, and there's no way they'll keep him. I can't see him getting a starting gig anywhere. Re-signing with the Pats to be re-united with BB and Josh McDaniels as Brady's backup might not be a bad move.

The question is, would Ryan Mallett have any trade value at this point in his career? Teams are desperate for QBs, and this draft class is terribly weak. Ryan Mallett has 2 years of seasoning under BB and TB. He's more likely to be ready to step in and start than most of the rookies in this draft - there aren't any Andrew Luck and RGIII talents out there.

It's pure speculation and a huge "if", but if someone wanted to make a decent offer for Mallett and Cassell were available in free agency, re-signing Cassell could make Mallett expendable for 2013. The Pats could then pick up someone like AJ McCarron in 2014.

What compensation they might get is another question (I wonder if they could do something with some mid round picks in 2013 and a conditional 2014 pick, depending on Mallett's performance). But I think that unless the Pats believe that Brady is done with the team after 2014, the odds are that they won't get anything for Mallett beyond a Brady insurance policy, anyway. And Cassell's already proven he can provide that.

Originally Posted by patfanken

What happened to guys like Montana and Elway after 35 is really not relevant today, quite frankly. The game has changed. The protection provided both QBs and receivers will lengthen the effectiveness of QB's like Tom Brady. Especially Brady, His lack of "athletic ability" is actually an advantage. His needs only to continue within that 5 yd box of the "pocket". There should be no dramatic loss of arm strength either. Farve was still throwing bullets into his 40's. The only question of deterioration the Pats should be worried about is Brady's competitive desire. Because if IT is maintains its current high level, Brady could easily maintain a high level of play for another 5 years. Which would mean that his eventual replacement is still in HS.

In an ideal world, when Brady is ready to retire, the defense we are building will have matured into a dominant one, and the next Patriot QB will not have to be "Tom Brady" to succeed here.

Originally Posted by mayoclinic

After tonight, let's hope for 10-12 years.

Originally Posted by manxman2601

https://twitter.com/smartfootball/st...57361604550657


A little far perhaps but after lauding McCarron in a thread, he went right on to really disappoint me for the rest of this season.

Originally Posted by Merril Hoge's Tie Knot

That's crap, but I don't mind if he stays overlooked.

What did he do to disappoint you? I though he was great even if he was inconsistent.

Originally Posted by manxman2601

Played inconsistently!!

more seriously, he had three big games: LSU, TAMU, Georgia and he played poorly in all three. Not a good sign that he'll play well in the NFL. Will watch him with interest against ND.

I'm not completely down on him, let's just say he's moving downwards on my internal big board.

Originally Posted by Merril Hoge's Tie Knot

Maybe, but as a Pats fan we know how hard it is when you're every teams super bowl.

I tend to think people are really bad a projecting QBs. It's not like any other position. I want the next Tom Brady not the next Vince Young.