How is Cassel any different than Aaron Rodgers?

[richpats]

Drafted in '05.
Came out of the Pac-10.
Looked over a future-HOFer's shoulder the past 3 years.
Limited live-action experience before Week 1 '08.

Check out these career numbers:
Rodgers Cassel
Games 8 15
Attempts 81 57
Completions 53 35
Comp Pct 65.4 61.4
Yards 507 405
YPA 6.3 7.1
TD's 2 3
INT's 1 2
QB Rating 85.8 85.8

Now check out these Week 1 numbers:
Rodgers Cassel
Attempts 22 18
Completions 18 13
Comp Pct 81.8 72.2
Yards 178 152
YPA 8.1 8.4
TD's 1 1
INT's 0 0
QB Rating 115.5 116.0
Wins 1 1

Sure, Rodgers started at Cal but wouldn't you think Cassel has had the FAR SUPERIOR NFL mentor in Tom Brady? Didn't Favre say it wasn't his job to mentor Rodgers?

I'm feeling a whole lot better about Matt Cassel right now. College experience/success will get a QB up the draft board, bring in more money and give a QB a better opportunity to start. That's the normal process for an aspiring NFL QB.

But what it all boils down to is that Cassel made enough of an impression on the BEST COACH IN THE NFL before the '05 draft for Belichick to actually draft the guy. Belichick didn't even need to draft him. And Cassel has hung in there for 4 seasons and earned the backup position to Brady and has been the BEST QB IN THE NFL's understudy for years.

Don't worry Pats fans, as Brady said, "It will all be OK."

 

[mcgraw_wv]

QB is the toughest position to field... We went from having the BEST, to a solid average. Lookign around the league, we have a QB that is at the mean or better than the league.

All this means is that our defense can not rely on 50 points a game... and they actually have to stiffen up in the 4th quarter instead of relaxing.

I am not worried as the QB position is still ok, we just need more of a complete team this year, and I am fine with that.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Drafted in '05.
Came out of the Pac-10.
Looked over a future-HOFer's shoulder the past 3 years.
Limited live-action experience before Week 1 '08.

Check out these career numbers:
Rodgers Cassel
Games 8 15
Attempts 81 57
Completions 53 35
Comp Pct 65.4 61.4
Yards 507 405
YPA 6.3 7.1
TD's 2 3
INT's 1 2
QB Rating 85.8 85.8

Now check out these Week 1 numbers:
Rodgers Cassel
Attempts 22 18
Completions 18 13
Comp Pct 81.8 72.2
Yards 178 152
YPA 8.1 8.4
TD's 1 1
INT's 0 0
QB Rating 115.5 116.0
Wins 1 1

Sure, Rodgers started at Cal but wouldn't you think Cassel has had the FAR SUPERIOR NFL mentor in Tom Brady? Didn't Favre say it wasn't his job to mentor Rodgers?

I'm feeling a whole lot better about Matt Cassel right now. College experience/success will get a QB up the draft board, bring in more money and give a QB a better opportunity to start. That's the normal process for an aspiring NFL QB.

But what it all boils down to is that Cassel made enough of an impression on the BEST COACH IN THE NFL before the '05 draft for Belichick to actually draft the guy. Belichick didn't even need to draft him. And Cassel has hung in there for 4 seasons and earned the backup position to Brady and has been the BEST QB IN THE NFL's understudy for years.

Don't worry Pats fans, as Brady said, "It will all be OK."

You missed another similiarity -- Both are hated by their teams fans, who view them as poor POS replacements for the missing pro-bowler. Both will not only have manage the game and face the opposition of the opposing team. But also the hostile a-holes who claim to be fans and a neighsaying local media.

 

[richpats]

You missed another similiarity -- Both are hated by their teams fans, who view them as poor POS replacements for the missing pro-bowler. Both will not only have manage the game and face the opposition of the opposing team. But also the hostile a-holes who claim to be fans and a neighsaying local media.

Honestly, before Brady went down, I couldn't stand the thought of Cassel playing. Now that it happened and he played admirably Sunday, I have to rally behind the guy. It won't be easy watching him sometimes but I think we'll be OK.

 

[spook75]

You missed another similiarity -- Both are hated by their teams fans, who view them as poor POS replacements for the missing pro-bowler. Both will not only have manage the game and face the opposition of the opposing team. But also the hostile a-holes who claim to be fans and a neighsaying local media.

Isn't Rodgers ebmraced now,by the Packers fans after his performance last monday?

 

[O.Z.O.]

Watching Mike Tirico during the pre-game Monday night, he referred to both the Packers and the Vikings as having "Super Bowl caliber talent"...

...now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought Brady was the only QB in the league capable of leading a team to the SB.... Brady doesn't play for either the Packers or the Vikings, so how could either of these teams have "Super Bowl caliber talent", ESPECIALLY Green Bay. They have a guy who's been riding the bench the last 3 years lining up under center now. He's obviously not any good, other wise he would have been the starter all this time...




...once again, this proves how little the tools in the sports media really now.

 

[BelichickFan]

As long as Cassel doesn't panic, especially on the road, we'll be fine. He needs to relax and know he has the OL, skill players and defense to do fine. Just play within himself and don't be shy about running as needed and he'll be fine. Will he start forcing throws if/when the team is behind ? That's what we don't know.

 

[Rob0729]

I am hopeful that Cassel can be a decent game manager this year. That should be all the Pats need with their defense and RBs. He can take some shots down the field with Moss, but mostly he needs to do what Brady did in 2001.

I suggest that we stop the comparisons with other QBs already though. Aaron Rodgers is a very different QB and the only thing he has in common with Cassel is that he backed up a future HOFer for a number of years.

 

[Tyler.Durden]

Looking at the KC game, cassel has an arm. I think most of the time qb's make more mistakes themselves than being outplayed etc.

Everyone is down on Cassel for the same reason they are down on the pats, it's who we are. Mechanically he is very good. And mentally he has been trained by the guru for years.

The team will rally around him and he just has to "TAKE WHAT THE DEFENSE GIVES YOU".

Too make QB's try to make something happen. But it will be Wes making those great routes and moss extending those long routes and matt delivering it on a platter for them.

Aaron Rogers is irrevelant. Cassel is in a better position than any another quarter back out there because of his coaching, tutoring and the team he has around him.

His skill, vision and timing will reveal itself in the future, mentally he looks like he is on the right page.

 

[richpats]

I suggest that we stop the comparisons with other QBs already though. Aaron Rodgers is a very different QB and the only thing he has in common with Cassel is that he backed up a future HOFer for a number of years.

Respectfully disagree. Cassel will take a pounding if we try to compare him to Brady. Rodgers is a guy with a similar career path in the NFL and by all accounts SHOULD be better than Cassel - but if Cassel stays up there with Rodgers I don't think anyone can complain.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Honestly, before Brady went down, I couldn't stand the thought of Cassel playing. Now that it happened and he played admirably Sunday, I have to rally behind the guy. It won't be easy watching him sometimes but I think we'll be OK.

And some Greenbay fans are coming around too after the season opening win. But both QBs are going to be dogging "Brett/Tom could have made that pass" "Brett/Tom could have engineered a 4th quarter comeback." Every time the team loses.

 

[dhamz]

Cassel's situation differs from Rodgers the same way it differs from everyone. He is starting his first game since HS.

Their NFL perception differs based on draft status - but it is all perception. And draft status means nothing as of the Monday after the draft. Neither has done anything more than have 1 solid outing at home. Both remain unknowns.

I think in general Pats fans are hoping from the same thing from Cassel that Green Bay fans are hoping from Rodgers - solid play with limited mistakes. Both teams are talented everywhere else and will compete for their division title and the playoffs if they can get that from QB.

I understand you have the vocal minorities of "CASSEL SUX we are doomed" and the suprisingly perhaps more vocal minority of "EVERYTHING IS FINE, BRADY did nothing in 2001, HFA! SB here we come" but in general I see realistic expectations of Cassel.

 

[bakes781]

The difference is Brett quit on them. Then changed his mind & became an even bigger distraction. By doing so he forced the Packers hand into trading him. The Packers were ready to move on from Brett because they knew what they had in Rodgers. Does BB feel the same way about Matt Cassel? I guess we'll soon see. The cold hard fact is Tom Brady may never be Tom Brady again. The reality of the situation is Matt Cassel is our QB whether we like it or not.

 

[O.Z.O.]

Cassel's situation differs from Rodgers the same way it differs from everyone. He is starting his first game since HS.

Their NFL perception differs based on draft status - but it is all perception. And draft status means nothing as of the Monday after the draft. Neither has done anything more than have 1 solid outing at home. Both remain unknowns.

I think in general Pats fans are hoping from the same thing from Cassel that Green Bay fans are hoping from Rodgers - solid play with limited mistakes. Both teams are talented everywhere else and will compete for their division title and the playoffs if they can get that from QB.

I understand you have the vocal minorities of "CASSEL SUX we are doomed" and the suprisingly perhaps more vocal minority of "EVERYTHING IS FINE, BRADY did nothing in 2001, HFA! SB here we come" but in general I see realistic expectations of Cassel.

I like the comment about draft status-

What do-

Heath Shuler
Ryan Leaf
Rick Mirer
Dan McGwire
Todd Marinovich
Andre Ware
Andre Peete
Jim Druckenmiller
Akili Smith
Patrick Ramsey

all have in common?

They were ALL 1st round picks, and there isn't one of them that's getting into the HOF without buying a ticket.

 

[JSn]

I think Rodgers actually has it worse than Cassel. The QB many in GB wanted is STILL ON THE FIELD. Ours is not. We may complain if he has a bad game (heck we'll complain about every dang incompletion) but there are no better options and we may even be pleasantly surprised.

Let's do Rodgers proud and whip Brett's A$S.

 

[psychoPat]

Thanks for this
morale-boosting thread !

 

[PrairiePat]

You know, as long as the collective Patriots fanbase doesn't jump off a bridge every time Cassel makes a mistake, I'm sure we'll be fine. He's basically a rookie - he's going to throw a few picks and make some bad decisions. Everyone does (Brady threw 4 in one game his first year, at Denver).

I think if Cassel is given a little time to settle in, he's going to run this offense pretty well. Clearly he won't run it at the level Brady did, but it should be plenty good enough to allow the Pats to still be a top team in the league.

 

[captadamnj]

Hey, we're all looking for a morale boost around here, and so any reason to feel positive about Cassel right now is fine with me. But I think the point remains, that with both Rogers and Cassel, that despite their understudy time, they are effectively 1st year quarterbacks. Heck, Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco won this weekend. And the key to a first year qb being successful starts to come after 5-6 games when teams have tape on them and start to play call defensively specifically to target that qb's weaknesses and take away his strengths. I expect Cassel to have some success against the Jets and Dolphins. The West Coast swing after the bye and the home game against Denver will tell us a lot more about what he can do. After that, the game will really be on with opposing defenses scheming more against him. It will be interesting to compare both quarterbacks at that time. I think it is an excellent comparison to watch as both qb's are playing in established systems with some talent around them that has enjoyed recent success. This will be, imo, an excellent apples to apples comparison.

 

[SVN]

one thing cassell needs to improve is to look and lock on a receiver and trying to throw darts. he will get played by a decent defense into throwing picks. that has been his biggest drawback what i saw in the pre season and even when he throws that pick in miami. he needs to be patient and look at his reads and throw it. that 51 yard to moss was a great play but he was just looking there all the time. good secondaries wont allow such stuff . i think with more reps at practice he might improve. but its a lot of pressure on him now for the next game because he is now the starter. its easier to fill in when its unknown how long you have to play temporarily than to have all the responsibility now.

 

[letekro]

Rodgers was very productive in college for several years in a major conference. Cassell was a backup QB and TE in college. Colleges have limited practice time as it is, I'm sure getting the backup QB reps is not a priority. So, that's a pretty big difference in my opinion, in that Rodgers has shown he can get it done in game situations against quality opposition. Cassell has received a lot of training over the last three years, but he's never been the guy in the huddle leading the offense in a game situation. I think Rodgers has a significant edge in that respect.