O'Connell starts by the end of the season

[N0vice33]

What do you think?

 

[JoePats]

Then we got a problem in terms of making the playoffs.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I think that's why you're a novice.
Than again should the OL get Cassel killed, who knows who will start.

I'm willing to bet anyone it won't be Bledsoe or Culpepper.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

I think your name is about right Novice.

In Cassel we trust!

 

[BelichickFan]

The next two games will determine Cassel's fate IMO. Then we have the bye. I hope he's playing great but I can't help but wonder why Simms and Rattay were coming in for workouts before Brady got hurt then sent away (presumably for Cassel's confidence) when Brady got hurt. Sure it could be to stay updated on the players but I don't take it as a vote of confidence for Cassel.

 

[Pats726]

I think that's why you're a novice.
Than again should the OL get Cassel killed, who knows who will start.

I'm willing to bet anyone it won't be Bledsoe or Culpepper.

Agree totally..especially the novice part...

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

The next two games will determine Cassel's fate IMO. Then we have the bye. I hope he's playing great but I can't help but wonder why Simms and Rattay were coming in for workouts before Brady got hurt then sent away (presumably for Cassel's confidence) when Brady got hurt. Sure it could be to stay updated on the players but I don't take it as a vote of confidence for Cassel.

then what do you take it as?

 

[BelichickFan]

then what do you take it as?

The only way I can read it is they were considering replacing Cassel with a different veteran. I understand the hole in the argument - that if Brady got hurt and Cassel were gone the new guy may not be ready. But Cassel wasn't going to get hurt sitting on the bench so I don't know why they'd be looking at backup QB.

 

[Mack Herron]

They have invested three years in the tutoring of Cassel, and he and Gutierrez are the only guys familiar with this offense. They would really have to pare down the offense for O'Connel and that is something they won't do unless they have no option. So Cassel will be given a bunch of games to show development. As long as he shows improvement, he will remain the starter. If he cannot develop, we are in desperation mode. I have not yet seen whatever BB has seen, but he gets the benefit of the doubt. For the foreseeable future, Cassel is our guy.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

Matt Cassel will get 4 games to prove himself.. If he it is the guy we saw in the pre season and we go 0-4, say hello Kevin.. But I think you will be surprised and Cassel will be starting all yr.

 

[Va_Pats_Fan]

O'Connell is the future of Brady's back up/long term replacement. If they were totally satisfied with Cassel's performance, O'Connell wouldn't of been drafted. Cassel would of been extended. Cassel is the best choice at the moment as he knows the system best. If, however, we're out of it at some point of time, look for O'Connell to get lots of reps.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

The only way I can read it is they were considering replacing Cassel with a different veteran. I understand the hole in the argument - that if Brady got hurt and Cassel were gone the new guy may not be ready. But Cassel wasn't going to get hurt sitting on the bench so I don't know why they'd be looking at backup QB.

I guess it can viewed either way. The timing is certainly interesting, but then that would have meant there would be 4 qb's and where would O'Connell go or was Cassel going out the door? And why not do this sooner? Interesting questions but who pretty much cares at this point. We just need to find ways to win games.

Every Sunday will be interesting again on the edge of the seat as Pats1 inferred.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

O'Connell is the future of Brady's back up/long term replacement. If they were totally satisfied with Cassel's performance, O'Connell wouldn't of been drafted. Cassel would of been extended. Cassel is the best choice at the moment as he knows the system best. If, however, we're out of it at some point of time, look for O'Connell to get lots of reps.

it could be viewed as that or maybe they thought Cassel would garner some decent interest in the free agent market and they didn't want to pay the price tag he would be get. You could also view it as O'Connell being too good of value at that draft spot and they would develop him only to trade him for a higher pick which would be tough since he was already a third rounder.

 

[dhamz]

Forget performance for a minute.

We've been pretty lucky around here until now when it comes to QB health.


If you look at what has happenned around the league in recent years, the chances are pretty good that we will see someone besides Cassel under center at some point this season. The odds are against a QBs playing 15 straight games. As of now, O'Connell is the back-up so it is likely he is going to need to play at some point.

 

[Mack Herron]

O'Connell is the future, but right now I think that Gutierrez would get the nod over O'Connell based on his presumed better knowledge of the system and for the proper development of O'Connell, who has more upside.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

O'Connell is the future, but right now I think that Gutierrez would get the nod over O'Connell based on his presumed better knowledge of the system and for the proper development of O'Connell, who has more upside.

I dunno. O'C made the team*. Gutz did not. Not only that he was NOT signed to the practise squad initially. Only when disaster struck and the Pats needed bodies was Gutz re-signed and NOT to the 53.

* OK, I do agree that draft picks have an edge over 'vets' in that the picks are all about 'potential'

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

I'll bite. Having clinched home field advantage through out, BB rest Cassel for the Bills game, starting O'Connell for the meaningless game to give him the experience.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

The only way I can read it is they were considering replacing Cassel with a different veteran. I understand the hole in the argument - that if Brady got hurt and Cassel were gone the new guy may not be ready. But Cassel wasn't going to get hurt sitting on the bench so I don't know why they'd be looking at backup QB.

For the same reason they were looking at multiple WR's...

Due diligence heading into the season means you update the rolodex on players who become available.

And they weren't looking at these guys to back up Brady, they were looking at them to back up Cassel if the unthinkable happened...and then 24hours later it did. Anyone they added going forward was going to be starting out as #3 because they didn't know the system. But logic also dictates you would need a body between O'Connell and the field because he's a raw rookie who was not groomed to play AT ALL this season.

So their criteria changed dramatically after Brady went down. They need someone to run the system now first and foremost and they don't need a manufactured QB controversey. Eventually they will need someone to back Cassel up from a purely practical standpoint but Gutierrez can cover that from the PS for now. At some juncture it will become clear whether the player they add to the 53 needs to be a potential starter or just a safety net. Right now all he would be is a distraction.

What they might be looking for will be somewhat clearer at the bye and probably crystal clear by week 6-8. By then there could be teams sitting on multiple backups who are falling out of it and alternatives to the present dregs could emerge. It's risky not having a 3rd QB on the roster this week, although Gutierrez could be elevated to the 53 man roster any time before the weekend so he is the interim move. It would be more disruptive to add a player right now who could do next to nothing helpful before the bye anyway.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

I say it's about 80-20 Gutz is activated before the game, once it's determined whos gonna sit based on the game plan. The JETS are gonna bring the house at Cassel from every direction to shake him up. They HAVE to back him up deeper then just O'Con.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

O'Connell is the future of Brady's back up/long term replacement. If they were totally satisfied with Cassel's performance, O'Connell wouldn't of been drafted. Cassel would of been extended. Cassel is the best choice at the moment as he knows the system best. If, however, we're out of it at some point of time, look for O'Connell to get lots of reps.

I agree that O'Connell was envisioned as the future Brady backup, but it had more to do with Gutierrez development or lack thereof and Cassel's status as a FA in 2009 than any perceived dissatisfaction with Cassel. Teams almost never extend developed backups because if they're good enough to start they want a shot to. Sorgi was the exception to the rule this off season, and lots of people now question his drive and ability.

If Cassel performs well I wouldn't be surprised if they make an effort to extend him now seeing as he'd have had his shot at starting. They might want to keep him here as 2009 insurance, and he might be willing if the money and terms are right (including structure that almost demands a trade within a year...).

I think the 2009 draft also had a lot to do with O'Connell's selection. It has been projected to be a weak QB draft and with demand at an all time high it might be tough to locate even a decent developmental candidate for 2009 in 2009. Bill has also long expressed an interest in developing QB's who could be traded for value down the road.