ESPN Talks about Patriots Backup QB Situation

[Ian]

Just came through:

After Brady, what's the Patriots' backup plan? - AFC East - ESPN

 

[Sicilian]

It'll be interesting to see who the 3rd QB (gutz, hoyer, or maybe Edelman as a WR/emer. QB), but I don't see any way O'Connell isn't our #2.

 

[ScottieC]

Just came through:

After Brady, what's the Patriots' backup plan? - AFC East - ESPN

I don't have time to read it, but let me know if the people discussing this topic are the same people who A.) Thought Cassel should have been cut last preseason and B.) thought that Cassel could not win a game if he came into the game in relief in the 4th Qtr. with a 20 point lead.

 

[Sicilian]

I don't have time to read it, but let me know if the people discussing this topic are the same people who A.) Thought Cassel should have been cut last preseason and B.) thought that Cassel could not win a game if he came into the game in relief in the 4th Qtr. with a 20 point lead.

Marshall Faulk works for the NFL network, not ESPN

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

There is a report that Bucs QB Brian Griese will not be asked to return to the team for TC - Maybe he wlll visit Gillette for a look as a #3 backup

 

[patfanken]

I think a lot will depend on 2 things. First, and most importantly, if they are happy with O'Connell's progression into his 2nd year. They should know that by the end of the minicamps. Secondly, how they feel about decisions they will have to make about the final roster cuts.

For example, if they there is someone they really want to keep off the waiver wire, they might just go with 2 QBs on the final 53, and have a 3rd on the PS (Gutts/Edelman) Or better yet, Edelman makes the team as a WR/RB/Wildcat player, and HE'd be #3. Or if they are comfortable with the roster, adding a vet #3, like Griese, Ramsey, etc But I honestly believe that if they went THAT route, the vet QB would be there to back up O'Connell in case he got hurt or couldn't do the job.

 

[Ring 6]

There is a report that Bucs QB Brian Griese will not be asked to return to the team for TC - Maybe he wlll visit Gillette for a look as a #3 backup

Lets hope not

 

[supafly]

I'll have to admit that I'm somewhat concerned about KOC, and the fact that he has only 1 yr knowledge of the offense/playbook. I know he has tremendous upside regarding his talent, but knowing the system for 4 yrs certainly aided Cassel greatly last yr.

I wouldn't object to bringing in a seasoned vet, who at least has decent experience. That said, I felt the same way last yr too--so in BB I trust

 

[patchick]

It's a reasonable enough article, but ignores one key data point: KO'C was already the #2 QB all season long as a rookie, and the Pats didn't feel the need to bring in a vet then.

 

[unoriginal]

It's a reasonable enough article, but ignores one key data point: KO'C was already the #2 QB all season long as a rookie, and the Pats didn't feel the need to bring in a vet then.

Being the backup QB to Matt Cassel is a completely different position than being the backup QB to Tom Brady.

 

[BradyFTW!]

It's a reasonable enough article, but ignores one key data point: KO'C was already the #2 QB all season long as a rookie, and the Pats didn't feel the need to bring in a vet then.

Good point- the only question I'd have in relation to that is how much of a factor wanting to show confidence in Cassel was. IMO, though, if Belichick thought that KOC was unable to play acceptably if needed, he would have done whatever he had to do to fix the situation, and Cassel's confidence would have been secondary to that.

 

[efin98]

Being the backup QB to Matt Cassel is a completely different position than being the backup QB to Tom Brady.

Right, it was more pressure last year than this year. The fact that they did not bring in anyone after the injury and after the trade of Cassel as insurance speaks highly of their prospects for him as a quarterback.

 

[102 Pat]

Ramsey signed with the Titans last month so he's out.

 

[jmt57]

I'm not sure that I follow the rationale of espn (and others) that a quarterback who was unable to keep his starting job elsewhere due to his performance is automatically a better choice than a quarterback that has spent the last year learning the team's playbook and sysytem.

New England can't expect to keep inserting neophyte quarterbacks into the lineup and get away with it.

 

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by patchick
It's a reasonable enough article, but ignores one key data point: KO'C was already the #2 QB all season long as a rookie, and the Pats didn't feel the need to bring in a vet then.

Being the backup QB to Matt Cassel is a completely different position than being the backup QB to Tom Brady.

It's still #2. Only difference backing up TB is
#1-everybody will be gunning for TB again to take him out as the way to stop the Patriots. So the #2 guy to TB may have a greater chance to see the field than #2 to a Cassel.

#2- the expectation of the team is higher as long as TB is there (the potential fall off from 1 to 2 is more).

Real key point is that it means he got #2 guy reps in practice each and every week (less week 1) last year.

As a side note: Take a look at that photo. I thought Tom was listed as 6-4 and OConnell as 6-5; he looks a lot taller than 1" over Tom in the photo.

 

[Deus Irae]

I'm not sure that I follow the rationale of espn (and others) that a quarterback who was unable to keep his starting job elsewhere due to his performance is automatically a better choice than a quarterback that has spent the last year learning the team's playbook and sysytem.

Maybe because they were so dead on about Cassel and the disaster that was his tenure. The Patriots won, what, 3 games that year?

 

[patchick]

Real key point is that it means he got #2 guy reps in practice each and every week (less week 1) last year.

Yep, O'C was preparing for opposing defenses each week rather than acting as the stand-in for Chad Pennington on the scout team. And they didn't bring in a vet ahead of him then, nor have they during the offseason. So either the Pats, having watched O'C practice and learn, prefer him to any journeyman vet FA or...or...umm...I'm drawing a blank here....

 

[PatsFaninCalgary]

Seeing as how Brady and Griese didn't get along that well at Michigan...Griese started over him in his Junior year because of Griese's dad's connection to ABC ..I don't see this happening.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

As a side note: Take a look at that photo. I thought Tom was listed as 6-4 and OConnell as 6-5; he looks a lot taller than 1" over Tom in the photo.

It's a trick of the camera angle, I think, although his coaches did claim O'Connell was 6'6" rather than 6'5" (which is what he measured at the Combine).

But if you want proof that cameras can do funny things, here's a picture from the Patriots website. Look at O'Connell v. Logan Mankins.

 

[JoeShmoe]

What a load of crock

Go back one year and everyone (including just about 95% of people here, myself included) was saying the same thing about Matt Cassel