Matt Cassel has far exceeded expectations

[maverick4]

Through 9 games, Cassel is throwing a 67% completion rate, 7td's, 7int's, his last 3 games he has taken 4 total sacks. His QB rating is over 83. He is on pace for about 3,000 passing yards (keeping pace with Matt Ryan). He does not make costly or frequent interceptions. He has steered the ship to a 6-3 record so far.

Stats:
Matt Cassel: Career Stats

Other things that make these already impressive rookie numbers even more impressive:
- He is winning with no-name running backs.
- He last started a football game in high school and barely played in 4 years of college.

Even if his production drops from its current levels, Matt Cassel is already having a great rookie campaign (I consider it essentially a rookie campaign).

Everyone is talking about how great a rookie Matt Ryan is, but it is a little odd to me that there isn't as much media reaction over Matt Cassel. Perhaps what is happening right now is still too unbelievable for people to soak in.

Matt Ryan:
Matt Ryan: Career Stats

 

[Fencer]

Well, expectations DID get pretty low there for a while, I must admit.

On the other hand, his offense includes:

1. A receiver who went to the Pro Bowl last year.
2. A receiver who almost went to the Pro Bowl last year.
3. The best specialist shotgun RB in the game (blocking and receiving both).
4. Three OL who went to the Pro Bowl last year.

You'd expect a JAG QB to put up decent numbers with that talent.

 

[wdkantro2]

Exceeded expectations...ya think?!?! I wanted him benched after San Diego instead of O'Connell. I could not have been more wrong. This guy is an NFL QB. He may not be Tom Brady, but he has a legitimate future.

 

[maverick4]

Fencer I agree and recognize that Cassel has weapons around him. But look at the Cowboys QB's after Romo got hurt. Having weapons doesn't mean you will automatically succeed.

 

[Rob0729]

Ryan is a rookie and number 2 over all pick while Cassel is a fourth year pro who was taken in the seventh round. The Falcons were the second worst team in the NFL and could possibly win the NFC South this year. The storylines are better for the national media with Ryan.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Not for all of us.

 

[maverick4]

Not for all of us.

C'mon, even the biggest homer on the planet wasn't expecting this out of Cassel. What we have seen so far is probably the best case scenario one could project before game 1, given all the context of his inexperience. Are you saying you are not pleased?

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

C'mon, even the biggest homer on the planet wasn't expecting this out of Cassel. What we have seen so far is probably the best case scenario one could project before game 1, given all the context of his inexperience. Are you saying you are not pleased?

I am happy with his progress. My expectations was he would improve each week and play well enough for us to get in the playoffs. Exceed expectations, maybe by a bit. FAR exceed -- not yet.

 

[upstater1]

I wouldn't choose Ben Roethlisberger over Cassel.

 

[Rob0729]

Cassel has far exceeded my expectations, but far too many people were late to the party on that he has far exceeded expectations. The guy has been playing like a solid starting NFL Qb for nearly a month now.

BTW, what a difference a solid o-line can do for his sack totals.

 

[theONLYJerseypatsfan]

As long as he doesnt screw it up we are gonna end up with an extra 1st and 3rd come draft day....wow, imagine 2 1st rounders, 2 second rounders and 3 third rounders....

 

[maverick4]

As long as he doesnt screw it up we are gonna end up with an extra 1st and 3rd come draft day....wow, imagine 2 1st rounders, 2 second rounders and 3 third rounders....

Maybe I'm missing something here, but why would we get an extra 1st and 3rd? Cassel is a FA after this year... are you saying we would franchise him?

 

[Rob0729]

As long as he doesnt screw it up we are gonna end up with an extra 1st and 3rd come draft day....wow, imagine 2 1st rounders, 2 second rounders and 3 third rounders....

I still don't think the Pats franchise him based on how he is playing so far. If he takes it to the next level and the Pats go deep into the playoffs, then they might. I think Cassel will be in demand this upcoming offseason, but I don't think he is a must have to be the franchise QB of the future yet.

 

[JSn]

All I can say is I hope someone mentions my Sig to Faulk this week.

 

[Rob0729]

All I can say is I hope someone mentions my Sig to Faulk this week.

Faulk had a lot of gems in that game in preseason and a lot more on Total Access. He thought the Pats had no shot to win the division even with Tom Brady at the helm.

 

[richpats]

C'mon, even the biggest homer on the planet wasn't expecting this out of Cassel.

Expecting what, exactly? To manage games, protect the ball and win? I totally expected this out of Cassel. I expected a 10-6 season, and we were 5-3 at the halfway point. Who expected him to win at SD and Indy after Week 1? The Miami game was a shock but they are better than we thought. He won the games he was supposed to win (KC, StL, SF) and gave us some quality wins (NYJ, Den, Buf).

Matt Cassel is doing exactly what he needs to do at this point. Challenge defenses downfield. Hit the mid-range passes. Make smart decisions. Avoid sacks. Win ballgames.

The only people who say that only "homers" expected this out of Cassel didn't pay attention to his Week 1 performance - brutal situation, came through admirably. I knew we could survive with Cassel from then on.

 

[tombonneau]

I wouldn't choose Ben Roethlisberger over Cassel.

Funny you should bring up the comparison. Watching the Colts-Steelers game with my Steeler buddy at the bar, and he asked about Cassel and I told him he looked better than Big Ben to which he scoffed. But based on the past few weeks play, Cassel has been playing much better than Ben. And it's not even close.

 

[fgssand]

I am happy with his progress. My expectations was he would improve each week and play well enough for us to get in the playoffs. Exceed expectations, maybe by a bit. FAR exceed -- not yet.

You aren't alone......there were more that a few of us (albeit a minority) that expected he would improve week by week as he gained experience.

Let's not forget, he has a hell of a team around him along with a pretty darn good football team.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

The O-Line needs recognition too.

now what has been different? Sure Neal is back, but I also think Cassel has better understanding of defense and is calling out the protections. You could see him pointing out certain defensive players. Still the O-line has vastly improved.

But I'm also nervous about going against a 3-4 defense and if our center is gonna get eaten by Jenkins. We had problems with Jamal Williams too, and Miami was a 3-4

 

[maverick4]

Suddenly everyone knew just how good Cassel was going to be from Game 1 of the season.

A bunch of Nostradamuses we have in this pub. <rolls eyes>