A star was born tonight in Matt Cassel

[bostonia3333]

Say what you want about the F minus rated defense, but the best player on the field from both teams tonight was Matt Cassel. After 10 weeks of being on a leash from his coaches, the NFL world finally got to see what Matt Cassel is made of. He can be a leader and not just a game manager. Cassel was absolutely insane on that last drive. If Matt Cassel still has more ceiling than this, it will be an extremely interesting offseason.

 

[maverick4]

The next Steve Young, for multiple reasons

 

[ALP]

The next Steve Young, for multiple reasons

lets hope ALL the reasons u surmise are true....

 

[CheerforTom]

I jumped on the Cassel bandwagon around week 3 and I've defended him before on the board, but I think his stats were a little inflated this game. He played a lot of prevent defence (not just on the last drive) and still struggled to move the ball at times, especially in the first half.

I'm thrilled he had a huge game stats-wise though.

 

[Gwedd]

The young gun played very well, and as much as I hate to lose to the effin' Jets, I can deal with this loss. The Pats played well and held out till the end. But for a play or two the score might well have been in our favour.

Good game, but especially for Cassel.

 

[swheeler23]

I jumped on the Cassel bandwagon around week 3 and I've defended him before on the board, but I think his stats were a little inflated this game. He played a lot of prevent defence (not just on the last drive) and still struggled to move the ball at times, especially in the first half.

I'm thrilled he had a huge game stats-wise though.

if he could connect on those long passes to Moss the Pats would be a Super Bowl contender. If he cant, the Pats will not get to the Super Bowl.

 

[bostonia3333]

Interesting you mentioned Steve Young. After tonight's performance, you can see an eerily similar situation developing. Remember when Joe Montana broke his hand after Leonard Marshall hit him in that '90 NFC title game? Montana was out for 2 years and Steve Young became the unpopular punching bag in SF, although he did win the MVP his first year as a starter. People in the Bay area still hated Young b/c he couldn't beat the Cowboys. The same thing has happened with Cassel this year. He's 6-4 as a starter, but people are disappointed he's not 10-0. We don't know how long Brady is out, but I have a feeling he won't be ready for training camp. Very interesting to see how this pans out.

 

[Alex24]

Say what you want about the F minus rated defense, but the best player on the field from both teams tonight was Matt Cassel. After 10 weeks of being on a leash from his coaches, the NFL world finally got to see what Matt Cassel is made of. He can be a leader and not just a game manager. Cassel was absolutely insane on that last drive. If Matt Cassel still has more ceiling than this, it will be an extremely interesting offseason.

Cassel is doing a incredible job as a starting QB who pretty much had no prior experience as a QB in the NFL before this season lol,we as patriot fans need to realize that the defense is old period.

 

[tombonneau]

if he could connect on those long passes to Moss the Pats would be a Super Bowl contender. If he cant, the Pats will not get to the Super Bowl.

Agreed. They will also need to take some chances throwing the ball into the end zone in the red zone, but if Cassel can perfect (or even just improve) his deep ball, and the team starts letting him pass the ball into the end zone, the team will be tough to beat.

Cassel was easily the best QB on the field today, if not the best player. A win would have been amazing, but just to be in OT showed a lot.

 

[Patriot Missile]

It took Brady a few years under center to develop his deep ball. If it doesn't come to you naturally like some QB's, you have to work at it hard. I don't expect Cassel to be able to just start throwing them overnight.

 

[SoCal Pmen]

He's definitely a legit QB in this league even if the critics say its because of the system. With good coaching and more experience he'll develop into a very good QB.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

if he could connect on those long passes to Moss the Pats would be a Super Bowl contender. If he cant, the Pats will not get to the Super Bowl.

There were two and contrary to what Chris Collinsworth was spewing Moss stumbled on one. We've won Superbowls without Moss or long passes... This isn't Oakland.

If he had a reliable TE to work with or his 3rd receiver was surehanded we'd have won 8 games by now...

The great thing about Matt is he doesn't whine and lose composure. He was over on the bench giving Watson a positive pep talk after his huge gaff. 'Cause he knew in the heat of battle he'd missed one play of his own (rushing) and he'd need Watson to stay in the game. Very Bradyesque and why I think someone will be lucky to get this kid as their starter next season.

 

[Alex24]

Cassel has enough ability to lead this Patriots team to a super bowl and guys I swear Iam not crazy.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Cassel is doing a incredible job as a starting QB who pretty much had no prior experience as a QB in the NFL before this season lol,we as patriot fans need to realize that the defense is old period.

Jeebus H. Christ.

If I had a nickel every time I heard that old saw, I'd be able to pay off my car loan tomorrow.

 

[bostonia3333]

What worries me most about Brady is not if he comes back, but whether or not he can step up and plant his foot effectively and put the same mustard on his throws. If there is the slightest drop in zip off Brady's throws, we could be in trouble. What if Brady's post surgical leg is the same as what Culpepper and Mcnabb's were? Obviously Tom's our qb, although I have developed a more reluctance to say Matt Cassel should leave after this year. Anyone else feel the same way?

 

[MoLewisrocks]

The next Steve Young, for multiple reasons

Why do you span the same drivel in multiple threads?? He's an unrestricted FA after this season and Brady won't turn 32 until TC - when he gets his job back. Someone is going to pay young Matt a lot more money than BB can afford to (given we need to keep upgrading on defense) to be a starter next season. Best hope is he's so hot a prospect we could tag and trade him. But he's gone regardless after this season.

 

[swheeler23]

What worries me most about Brady is not if he comes back, but whether or not he can step up and plant his foot effectively and put the same mustard on his throws. If there is the slightest drop in zip off Brady's throws, we could be in trouble. What if Brady's post surgical leg is the same as what Culpepper and Mcnabb's were? I still say Tom's our qb, although I have developed a more reluctance to say Matt Cassel should leave after this year. Anyone else feel the same way?

I cant believe I am saying this. Brady is my favorite all time player. However, he has a 14 million cap hit next year. You do not know when or how he will play. If you sign Cassel for less for 3 or 4 years and trade Brady you save cap space , plus get alot back for Brady. Cassel if an free agent. He leaves the Pats get nothing.

 

[jcdavey]

Say what you want about the F minus rated defense, but the best player on the field from both teams tonight was Matt Cassel. After 10 weeks of being on a leash from his coaches, the NFL world finally got to see what Matt Cassel is made of. He can be a leader and not just a game manager. Cassel was absolutely insane on that last drive. If Matt Cassel still has more ceiling than this, it will be an extremely interesting offseason.

if he could throw deep he'd be dangerous

 

[MoLewisrocks]

What worries me most about Brady is not if he comes back, but whether or not he can step up and plant his foot effectively and put the same mustard on his throws. If there is the slightest drop in zip off Brady's throws, we could be in trouble. What if Brady's post surgical leg is the same as what Culpepper and Mcnabb's were? Obviously Tom's our qb, although I have developed a more reluctance to say Matt Cassel should leave after this year. Anyone else feel the same way?

If Brady's leg gives him trouble, and since he won't be rehabbing at a 7-11 I doubt it will, we will welcome you to then Kevin O'Connell era... McNabb and Culpepper had problems that had less to do with their knees than what's between their ears. Brady has no such issues...

 

[jcdavey]

Interesting you mentioned Steve Young. After tonight's performance, you can see an eerily similar situation developing. Remember when Joe Montana broke his hand after Leonard Marshall hit him in that '90 NFC title game? Montana was out for 2 years and Steve Young became the unpopular punching bag in SF, although he did win the MVP his first year as a starter. People in the Bay area still hated Young b/c he couldn't beat the Cowboys. The same thing has happened with Cassel this year. He's 6-4 as a starter, but people are disappointed he's not 10-0. We don't know how long Brady is out, but I have a feeling he won't be ready for training camp. Very interesting to see how this pans out.

he's 5-4 as a starter

game one was started by brady