My Prediction: Matt Cassel is this years David Garrard

[Phlash]

Last year, David Garrard surprised the entire NFL by coming in after being a career backup and playing extremely well. The circumstances differ in that Garrard was named starter at the beginning of the season, and Cassell came in as an injury replacement, but I believe that Cassell will be utilized in a similar manner to Garrard last year, and will have similar production in the passing game. They're both very similar quarterbacks - both have great accuracy, a good arm, and are very mobile. However, Garrard last year had more experience under his belt than Cassell, but Cassell has both a far superior set of WRs and a coach who will put him in a position to succeed, so I think that's a wash in this situation. Am I predicting only 3 INTs? No way - I'm pretty sure Cassell will have a hiccup game along the way. But I think he'll be good for about 3200 yards passing, 24+ TDs, and a low INT count, somewhere around the range of 14-16. He won't be a stellar player, but he'll be a very good game manager, and for this year, that's all we'll need.

 

[oldskool138]

Re: My Prediction: Matt Cassell is this years David Garrard

You're basing this off of what exactly?

Hell, here's my prediction...the last QB that was lost for (almost) the entire season for the Pats was Tom Brady. A relative unknown from Michigan. So now that Tom Brady's out we have a relative unknown in Cassel who, I'm sure will enjoy the same amount of success that Brady did back in 2001.

 

[BelichickFan]

Re: My Prediction: Matt Cassell is this years David Garrard

Garrard did a great job of not turning the ball over. I want to see Cassel do that on the road for a game or two before I buy into him. He has the ability to be decent but with so little experience, how will he handle a hostile crowd ? We'll find out.

 

[Sicilian]

Re: My Prediction: Matt Cassell is this years David Garrard

Garrard did a great job of not turning the ball over. I want to see Cassel do that on the road for a game or two before I buy into him. He has the ability to be decent but with so little experience, how will he handle a hostile crowd ? We'll find out.

Exactly. I was very happy with what he gave us on Sunday, and I think he has the potential to be better with a week's worth of team one snaps in practice, but I need to see more before I say he's going to throw 24 TDs... Last I checked, 24 TDs with a low Int count squeaks you into the Pro Bowl some years.

 

[JDSal45]

Re: My Prediction: Matt Cassell is this years David Garrard

Last year, David Garrard surprised the entire NFL by coming in after being a career backup and playing extremely well. The circumstances differ in that Garrard was named starter at the beginning of the season, and Cassell came in as an injury replacement, but I believe that Cassell will be utilized in a similar manner to Garrard last year, and will have similar production in the passing game. They're both very similar quarterbacks - both have great accuracy, a good arm, and are very mobile. However, Garrard last year had more experience under his belt than Cassell, but Cassell has both a far superior set of WRs and a coach who will put him in a position to succeed, so I think that's a wash in this situation. Am I predicting only 3 INTs? No way - I'm pretty sure Cassell will have a hiccup game along the way. But I think he'll be good for about 3200 yards passing, 24+ TDs, and a low INT count, somewhere around the range of 14-16. He won't be a stellar player, but he'll be a very good game manager, and for this year, that's all we'll need.

The difference is Garrard had well over 500 career passing attempts and had started 18 games in the NFL BEFORE last season, when he became full time. So, I don't think the analogy is very good.

J D Sal

 

[chech1965]

Re: My Prediction: Matt Cassell is this years David Garrard

Garrard did a great job of not turning the ball over. I want to see Cassel do that on the road for a game or two before I buy into him. He has the ability to be decent but with so little experience, how will he handle a hostile crowd ? We'll find out.

:ditto::agree::yeahthat:

 

[reject]

Re: My Prediction: Matt Cassell is this years David Garrard

Well, I sure wont mind if he becomes this years David Garrard.

 

[billdog3484]

Re: My Prediction: Matt Cassell is this years David Garrard

If that were to happen, we'd win a heck of a lot of ballgames. I doubt however, that we can, or should expect that. Let's just hope he grows as a player each game.

 

[PittPatriot]

Re: My Prediction: Matt Cassell is this years David Garrard

In the games following Bledsoe's loss, TB had very pedestrian numbers. Even in the Game 3 blowout win over the Colts, the Pats put up 44pts but Brady's line was 13/23 168yds 0TD 0 int.
The Pats ran the ball well with inferior backs and played a strong special teams game. We can do it again - without Cassel having to throw for 250yds a game and 2 scores.

 

[TimU]

Re: My Prediction: Matt Cassell is this years David Garrard

I am not allowed to start a thread, but there is a very good piece on Cassell in today's New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/09/sports/football/09cassel.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

 

[JoeShmoe]

Re: My Prediction: Matt Cassell is this years David Garrard

Well I can tell you exactly what will happen right now. In the next 2 or 3 games Cassell will have a good one, an OK one and a bad one. As soon as we see the bad one the usual here will be all over him like a rash - I told you so etc etc ..YAWN

BB however will leave him in there and let him learn and grow. I already suspect he's been told its his all season so forget making mistakes and dont fear being benched - just go out and play and learn from the mistakes you make

Im intrigued by his mobility .. those scrambles last week may give us an added dimension if he uses them more

 

[Cannon Arm]

Re: My Prediction: Matt Cassell is this years David Garrard

Last year, David Garrard surprised the entire NFL by coming in after being a career backup and playing extremely well. The circumstances differ in that Garrard was named starter at the beginning of the season, and Cassell came in as an injury replacement, but I believe that Cassell will be utilized in a similar manner to Garrard last year, and will have similar production in the passing game. They're both very similar quarterbacks - both have great accuracy, a good arm, and are very mobile. However, Garrard last year had more experience under his belt than Cassell, but Cassell has both a far superior set of WRs and a coach who will put him in a position to succeed, so I think that's a wash in this situation. Am I predicting only 3 INTs? No way - I'm pretty sure Cassell will have a hiccup game along the way. But I think he'll be good for about 3200 yards passing, 24+ TDs, and a low INT count, somewhere around the range of 14-16. He won't be a stellar player, but he'll be a very good game manager, and for this year, that's all we'll need.

Garrard had always looked competent when getting snaps as a back up and he beat Byron Leftwich before the season started. Matt looked bad last year and he didn't beat Brady out for the starting job. The best thing we can hope for is that Cassel is extremely smart. Just make smart choices on the field and we'll be in games. That's Garrard's big skill, he's very smart.

 

[Watson's IQ]

Re: My Prediction: Matt Cassell is this years David Garrard

I don't really see the comparison beyond wishful thinking. I'm not saying Cassel can't come out and play well, but Garrard was far more of a known quantity when he took over the reins, and I don't think his performance surprised anyone as much as a similar season by Cassel would. That said, the "game manager" type of role Garrard played, especially when mistake free, is exactly what I'd like to see from Cassel.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Re: My Prediction: Matt Cassell is this years David Garrard

In the games following Bledsoe's loss, TB had very pedestrian numbers. Even in the Game 3 blowout win over the Colts, the Pats put up 44pts but Brady's line was 13/23 168yds 0TD 0 int.
The Pats ran the ball well with inferior backs and played a strong special teams game. We can do it again - without Cassel having to throw for 250yds a game and 2 scores.

Brady's stats for 14+ games in 2001 were
264/413 63.9% 2843 yds 18 TD 12 int 86.5 QB rating
averages out to 19/29.5 203 ypg

 

[SamusAranX]

Re: My Prediction: Matt Cassell is this years David Garrard

As some already stated, Garrard had experience under his belt. Secondly, he had to fight in training camp to win the starting job.

I'm not saying Cassel can play like Garrard, throwing efficiently and making some good plays when called upon, but the comparison is not yet valid.