Where will Cassel be next year at this time?

[Wretch]

If the Pats make the playoffs I expect Cassel to get looks from teams that need a starting QB in the offseason. I find it unlikely that the Pats will be willing to shell out starter money for their back up QB and the Pats will end up with a compensatory pick for Cassel.

What team do you think will make a run at Cassel?

San Fran, JT O'Sullivan is not a long term solution.

Arizona, Warner is long in the tooth and what a great story if Leinart becomes a back up to Cassel.

KC, I would hope Cassel avoids Herm, and that woeful team, but they need a QB.

Detroit, I have never been a big fan of Kitna.

Minnesota, Tavares Jackson isn't looking like the answer. Good D, great RB a decent QB would go a long way to making them a contender.

Chicago, Is Orton the answer there?

TB, can Gruden win with Greise, and how long can Garcia play?

Jets, Does Favre retire, again?

What do you think?

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

You missed one real possibility that lots of Pats fans seem unwilling to admit is even possible.

Taking snaps from Dan Koppen. Brady injury could mean he is not ready at the start of the season or ever.

If Farve retires the Rat will definitely go after him. Seeing him in Jets uniform would make me ill.

 

[captadamnj]

Unless Cassel gets really greedy, he is right back with the Pats next season. He knows he has a good thing with them. And they will have more confidence in him. Maybe only a one or two year deal, but I say he stays right here. The fact that he decided to sit behind 2 qb's at USC instead of transferring tells me a lot about his ultimate desire. Frankly, I think he was very happy being a backup #2 behind Brady on a good team, and a solid season this year will solidify him in that roll. Based on his USC actions, does he really have the go-getter mentality of "I want to be the starting qb no matter what"?

I will be very surprised if Matt goes anywhere, even if they win the Super Bowl.

 

[Wretch]

Unless Cassel gets really greedy, he is right back with the Pats next season. He knows he has a good thing with them. And they will have more confidence in him. Maybe only a one or two year deal, but I say he stays right here. The fact that he decided to sit behind 2 qb's at USC instead of transferring tells me a lot about his ultimate desire. Frankly, I think he was very happy being a backup #2 behind Brady on a good team, and a solid season this year will solidify him in that roll. Based on his USC actions, does he really have the go-getter mentality of "I want to be the starting qb no matter what"?

I will be very surprised if Matt goes anywhere, even if they win the Super Bowl.

By that logic Brady didn't have "I want to be the starting qb no matter what" menatality either when he got benched at Michigan.

At USC Cassel backed up Palmer as an underclassman and as a senior he competed with Leinart for the starting job.

I can't know the mind of Cassel but I would think it was more of a case of not wanting to give up a year of eligibility rather than lack of competitive fire. Remember Cassel also played baseball for USC.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Unless Cassel gets really greedy, he is right back with the Pats next season. He knows he has a good thing with them. And they will have more confidence in him. Maybe only a one or two year deal, but I say he stays right here. The fact that he decided to sit behind 2 qb's at USC instead of transferring tells me a lot about his ultimate desire. Frankly, I think he was very happy being a backup #2 behind Brady on a good team, and a solid season this year will solidify him in that roll. Based on his USC actions, does he really have the go-getter mentality of "I want to be the starting qb no matter what"?

Actually, if greed is a factor, he might want to stay with the Pats next season--after all, right now, 2010 is looking like an uncapped year. . . .

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

By that logic Brady didn't have "I want to be the starting qb no matter what" menatality either when he got benched at Michigan.

At USC Cassel backed up Palmer as an underclassman and as a senior he competed with Leinart for the starting job.

I can't know the mind of Cassel but I would think it was more of a case of not wanting to give up a year of eligibility rather than lack of competitive fire. Remember Cassel also played baseball for USC.

I tend to agree. Cassel also wanted his degree from USC. Cassel like all competitors wants to start. He can't publicly admit it -- but he is the president of the Pollard fan club. Just like Brady can't publicly admit he is the president of the Mo Lewis fan club.

 

[sieglo]

J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets!

 

[Deus Irae]

I've been defending Cassel from the trolls and Chicken Littles since training camp, because their attacks have been unfair and, often, outright wrong. However, Cassel is what he is. Right now, he's a backup quarterback filling in for the G.O.A.T.. Using the ever-popular "if the season ended today", Cassel would still be a backup quarterback somewhere, although a team other than the Patriots might give him a chance to compete with the starter. Cassel has a long way to go if he's going to impress some team enough to earn himself a starting position and salary.

He's got 10 games plus the playoffs to show that he's a legitimate NFL starter, and that he's not just a product of the Patriots' system. If he can't do that, he'll either be back with the Patriots on a 1-2 year contract, or he'll be a backup elsewhere, depending upon the perceived readiness of O'Connell.

 

[captadamnj]

Cassel also wanted his degree from USC.

My point exactly. He cared about the degree more than where he would be drafted and his chances at being a starting qb in the NFL.

I'm not knocking him at all. I applaud that mentality. He was putting his future ahead of his football aspirations, he married his college sweetheart, good for him. I just think this may bode well for him staying with the Pats. IMO, he could become the next Frank Reich.

 

[PrairiePat]

Minnesota. I think they'll throw enough $ at him that the Pats couldn't really match it for a backup. And even now, Cassel would be a huge improvement over either of the QBs the Vikings can put on the field.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Minnesota. I think they'll throw enough $ at him that the Pats couldn't really match it for a backup. And even now, Cassel would be a huge improvement over either of the QBs the Vikings can put on the field.

Plus you have an added irony factor--their third-string QB is John David Booty.

 

[mgteich]

Cassel will be playing where he has a chance to compete for the #1 QB spot. Why not? Why would he sign a 1-2 year contract to carry Brady's clipboard at this point in his career?

My best guess is the J-E-T-S.

 

[richpats]

Short of winning the Super Bowl (boy wouldn't that be something?), I think Cassel stays in New England. Belichick could use him to stay at the controls until Brady is ready to step in again. And if Brady should miss any more time, in steps Cassel and we're not in bad shape.

 

[captadamnj]

And if Brady should miss any more time, in steps Cassel and we're not in bad shape.

That is about the biggest compliment anyone could pay to Cassel at this point, and I agree wholeheartedly. Today. Who would have been willing to make that statement 6 weeks ago?

 

[Garbanza]

If the Pats make the playoffs I expect Cassel to get looks from teams that need a starting QB in the offseason. I find it unlikely that the Pats will be willing to shell out starter money for their back up QB and the Pats will end up with a compensatory pick for Cassel.

What team do you think will make a run at Cassel?

San Fran, JT O'Sullivan is not a long term solution.

Arizona, Warner is long in the tooth and what a great story if Leinart becomes a back up to Cassel.

KC, I would hope Cassel avoids Herm, and that woeful team, but they need a QB.

Detroit, I have never been a big fan of Kitna.

Minnesota, Tavares Jackson isn't looking like the answer. Good D, great RB a decent QB would go a long way to making them a contender.

Chicago, Is Orton the answer there?

TB, can Gruden win with Greise, and how long can Garcia play?

Jets, Does Favre retire, again?

What do you think?

O'Connell appears to be the QB of the future. Personally, I'd give Cassel away for free - but am pleased that he is a free agent. I wish him luck ELSEWHERE - he'll need it.

Favre DEFINITELY retires.

I'm hoping Brady is healthy enough to come back next year - otherwise, the O'Connel era will be upon us sooner than I wanted.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

That is about the biggest compliment anyone could pay to Cassel at this point, and I agree wholeheartedly. Today. Who would have been willing to make that statement 6 weeks ago?

There were a few of us.

 

[Garbanza]

There were a few of us.

It amazes me that some of you can watch Cassel's play and say he's good. Freaks me out actually. What I find even freakier is that he was AFC O Player of the week? Who decides this and how much were they paid? Seriously. Anyone watching that game knows Sammy Morris is WAY more deserving.

Cassel is "serviceable" - kind of . He's not that good, people. He really has not progressed. Donlt let a horrid Denver defense fool you.

 

[bostonia3333]

I think Matt Cassel is the QB for the Pats in 09. Sadly I think Brady misses half the 09 season simply due to Brady's choice of medical care. Brady has had 3-4 operations already to clean out an MRSA(methicillin resistant staph aureus) infection, this is alarming news. You have to worry about Brady's health as a human being here not just the football player. Will his leg be okay for him to carry out just his routine daily activities? Too many question marks here guys and possible malpractice issues to consider if you're the Pats.

 

[richpats]

That is about the biggest compliment anyone could pay to Cassel at this point, and I agree wholeheartedly. Today. Who would have been willing to make that statement 6 weeks ago?

Not me. I didn't care for Cassel at all before he came into the KC game. He's proven himself to be adequate though. As Belichick said, he gives us the best chance to win this year and I totally agree.

 

[richpats]

Cassel is "serviceable" - kind of . He's not that good, people. He really has not progressed. Donlt let a horrid Denver defense fool you.

One thing Cassel is not is a difference-maker - he isn't going to win shootouts but I don't think he is going to blow games (a la Rosenfels). Ultimately the Pats' success will depend on team-football.