Why the F#$# Not?

[Ring 6]

Bill Belichick drafted a 6th round QB his first year here. He plugged Tom Brady into his system, and he adapted to it. Brady was so impressive to the coach that the first opportunity he got (in addition to moving up the depth chart) the coach put him on the field with no qualms.
The rest is history.

How does Matt Cassel not exactly fit that same dynamic? Cassel was #2 by his 2nd year, and is the started as soon as the opportunity came up.

Why can it not be that part of Brady becoming Brady was the coaching, that Cassel has more of.
Why can it not be that BB sees the same traits in both players?

Why is everyone (ok not everyone) assuming the 'unknown' (That is, what we havent seen of Cassels play) is a bad thing and not a good thing?

Anyone really believe BB would have put Cassel in this position over a 4 year run if he didnt believe he will succeed?

 

[363839]

Right, AJ. I was just thinking about the whole series of events that happened in 2001. Any other team and coach and I would laugh at the very notion.
But this is Belichick...and Cassel has...what..4 years under his belt with this system.
This season will be very interesting to watch unfold. I am confident this team will still be very competitive this season.
Just wait until 2009, man.

 

[Tunescribe]

How is this observation any different than your "Cassel is starting by design" thread?

 

[Kontradiction]

You could, of course, consider that Tom Brady was a pure stroke of luck and an absolute steal at that point in the draft. Don't get me wrong. I share your optimism of the season, but the chances of Cassel becoming the next Brady are 87435657646467654324313676543213213 to 1

 

[PaulThePat]

How is this observation any different than your "Cassel is starting by design" thread?

It isn't

 

[alvinnf]

If Charlie Wies were here I would feel more comfortable with this discussion. Brady was cultivated earlier and then went on to forge his own greatness. I don't think there is anyway Cassel can get the same tutorial.

 

[rusH1023]

I agree. I think this team will have to stiffen up, but Belichick put it into perspective today:

"He played one position and he played it very well and there'll be someone else playing that position now..."

He referred to Brady as though he was lost forever. But that's what they're going to have to do to move forward and win some games the old-fashioned way.

 

[dhamz]

You could, of course, consider that Tom Brady was a pure stroke of luck and an absolute steal at that point in the draft. Don't get me wrong. I share your optimism of the season, but the chances of Cassel becoming the next Brady are 87435657646467654324313676543213213 to 1

You mean because the last guy they put in at QB turned out to be one of the 5 best in the history of the sport that isn't likely Cassel will be too?

 

[Cannon Arm]

Brady actually started a game in college.

Brady had a pretty decent collegiate resume, actually...

During his first full year as starter, he set Michigan records for most pass attempts (350) and completions in a season (214).[9] Brady was All-Big Ten (honorable mention) both seasons and team captain his senior year. The Wolverines won 20 of 25 games when he started and shared the Big Ten Conference title in 1998. Brady capped that season off with a win over Arkansas in the Citrus Bowl.[10] In the 1999 season, Brady led Michigan to an overtime win in the Orange Bowl over Alabama, throwing for 369 yards and four touchdowns. He is ranked third in the University of Michigan history with 442 completions from 710 attempts. --wikipedia

Matt Cassel is no Tom Brady.

 

[NEPatriot]

Anyone really believe BB would have put Cassel in this position over a 4 year run if he didnt believe he will succeed?

'believe' is not a right word. 'Unsure' is the one. If the confident in Casell was high, Pats didn't draft pick another QB this year and why did we invite 2 free agent QB last monday? BB has no choice but Cassel at this point because our game is on Sunday. Lastly, BB wants to give him a second chance to prove it before making any decision. He wants the team to have high moral after TB is out.

If Cassell screws up, he can't say that pats doesn't give him any chance and his NFL career is over.

At this moment, it's up to Cassel to prove that he should have been the man all years long.

 

[bucky]

This post seems like it was made by a poster "on tilt".

That said, I think it's possible that Cassell could be as good this year as Brady was in 2001 - given that he's had 3 years to learn and has a much stronger supporting cast, he doesn't even have to be as good as Brady was for this team to be a SB contender.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

We have to stop comparing Cassel to Brady and the situation in 2001

Do you guys understand that QBs as dominant as Brady and P. Manning in today's league are so rare that they really only come around about once in about 10 years?

Just stop comparing what Brady did to what you think Cassel will duplicate

If you are lucky Cassel will manage his position just good enough to avoid messing up and let the other vets take over the productivity of the offense

IMO Cassel will NOT be the guy that puts this team on his back like Brady did in 2001 so please stop with the ridiculous comparisons - Tom became a leader of the team overnight,Cassel will likely mix in

Brady is Brady and is one of those special players that are as rare as uncooked steak and was good almost immediately in his first game and then on especially remembering the pasting of the Colts in his third game as starting QB - Brady you just know was born with this talent of playing in the pros - Cassel was fortunate enough to be given a shot to eventually start after being #2 so long.

IMO Cassel is an average joe and will remain an average joe who just needs to not fu(k up and let the players around him make him look good,thats all.

Cassel is more of a Tavaris Jackson or maybe a Jon Kitna type if you want to compare him as a starting QB this year,those 2 guys are guys with limited ability and needs a surrounding cast to win since you cannot put the ball in their hands in critical times to trust them to carry the team.

If this team does succeed this year it will be because the team played around the replacement QB and just avoided putting Cassel into a position of having to win games practically on his own like Brady did so many times.

If Cassel is put into position of winning games like if the team is trailing by 14 points I see no real hope in those situations,This team this year if they are behind on the scoreboard in order to win games must at least stay close for 3quarters to have a shot - There will be no major comebacks if the team trails by large margins any time this year.

This is my opinion and like I had said before if this team starts losing, the lovefest for Cassel will drop quicker than an anchor off the roof of the Sears Tower and the demand for an available JAG QB will be all over the forum.

If you expect Cassel to carry the load like Brady did in his first season, I can assure you the team is home for the playoffs - Cassel is not ready or talented enough at this point to do what Tom did back then

Dreaming is free though and more power to your 'positive' approach to this tragic situation.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bill Belichick drafted a 6th round QB his first year here. He plugged Tom Brady into his system, and he adapted to it. Brady was so impressive to the coach that the first opportunity he got (in addition to moving up the depth chart) the coach put him on the field with no qualms.
The rest is history.

How does Matt Cassel not exactly fit that same dynamic? Cassel was #2 by his 2nd year, and is the started as soon as the opportunity came up.

Why can it not be that part of Brady becoming Brady was the coaching, that Cassel has more of.
Why can it not be that BB sees the same traits in both players?

Why is everyone (ok not everyone) assuming the 'unknown' (That is, what we havent seen of Cassels play) is a bad thing and not a good thing?

Anyone really believe BB would have put Cassel in this position over a 4 year run if he didnt believe he will succeed?

Brady had a college track record, Cassell's been a career backup, that being said I think he'll manage the game just fine and make plays.
Lets hope the defense gets stronger as the year goes on and gels with the new guys.
Defense and an adequate QB can win a championship.

 

[Ring 6]

You could, of course, consider that Tom Brady was a pure stroke of luck and an absolute steal at that point in the draft. Don't get me wrong. I share your optimism of the season, but the chances of Cassel becoming the next Brady are 87435657646467654324313676543213213 to 1

Disagree, because it isnt simply mathematical.
How much of Bradys development is based upon the coaching he received?
Was BBs decision to push Brady up the depth chart prescient or lucky. If prescient, was the Cassel decision equally prescient?

In other words, you can call Brady dumb luck, and the odds are what they are, or you can paralell some of the similarities thereby changing the odds.

 

[Ring 6]

If Charlie Wies were here I would feel more comfortable with this discussion. Brady was cultivated earlier and then went on to forge his own greatness. I don't think there is anyway Cassel can get the same tutorial.

According to Brady, it was BELICHICK that taught him in 2001

 

[Ring 6]

Brady actually started a game in college.

Brady had a pretty decent collegiate resume, actually...



Matt Cassel is no Tom Brady.

No one is saying they are the same guy. No one is saying Cassel will be a Hall of Famer.

I am saying BB DEVELOPED a QB once, and Cassel seems to have gone through the same progressions. Why is it impossible to believe that Bradys success in 2001 had a lot to do with the way he was coached in 2000 and 2001, and that Cassel waqs coached the same way?

 

[Ring 6]

This post seems like it was made by a poster "on tilt".

That said, I think it's possible that Cassell could be as good this year as Brady was in 2001 - given that he's had 3 years to learn and has a much stronger supporting cast, he doesn't even have to be as good as Brady was for this team to be a SB contender.

I am saying Brady was 'more ready' than anyone expected. Why wouldn't Cassel be 'more ready' than anyone expects if they both went through the same 'training program'?

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

One should note that Brady outplayed Drew in the 2001 preseason, looking good in the process. There was a hint of what was to come. I don't think anyone can say the same thing with a straight face about Cassel's 2008 preseason.

That being said, of course there's a chance Cassel could do well, especially if the team rallies around him (read: good production in the running game and excellent D).

Regards,
Chris

 

[SVN]

One should note that Brady outplayed Drew in the 2001 preseason, looking good in the process. There was a hint of what was to come. I don't think anyone can say the same thing with a straight face about Cassel's 2008 preseason.

That being said, of course there's a chance Cassel could do well, especially if the team rallies around him (read: good production in the running game and excellent D).

Regards,
Chris

yeah i heard on weei today . holley was saying he was going to replace drew anyway since BB was getting impatient with bledsoe

 

[PATSNUTme]

Matt Cassel has to be Matt Cassel.If he becomes a good game manager and does not do things that hurt the team he will be OK and the team will be OK. He is not and never be Tom Brady.

There is enough talent on the team to be a playoff team as long as the guy handling the ball does not lose games for them.


How many QB's in the history of the game are as good as Tom Brady? Answer: Some but not many.