Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New England?

[PATRIOT64]

I know training camp/preseason is just that - time to just try and get better and ready for the real games that count,but I cannot remember a QB in recent years that has had as bad a 2 days period as Cassel has at QB.

With Brady seeing limited time in the past 2 games you would think Cassel would have the chance to prove he is worthy of the #2 QB for another year but with 6 interceptions in 2 consecutive practices it appears not only does he leave the #2 QB position in doubt,I think it may spell the end of his tenure here if the multiple INTs continue into preseason.

The first preseason game may be his way to save his spot for at least another week or probably end his time here with any type of worthless performance like Sunday and Monday brought with those showers of INTs he has been throwing lately.

I still like Guiterrez to get the #2 spot come week 1 and I will be surprised if Cassel is still #2 at that time.

Regardless of who gets the #2 position,Brady needs to be healthy ALL season, if Brady is out for any period of time this team is in some trouble IMO, I have little faith in the backups.

I would love to see a Veteran QB picked up late in preseason for insurance.

 

[BelichickFan]

Re: Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New Englan

with 6 interceptions in 2 consecutive practices

I believe you mean 3 INT in 2 consecutive practices. 6 total. Obviously the number isn't good but without knowing if WR are in the right place or not it's tough to cut Cassel based on this.

 

[PATRIOT64]

Re: Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New Englan

I believe you mean 3 INT in 2 consecutive practices. 6 total. Obviously the number isn't good but without knowing if WR are in the right place or not it's tough to cut Cassel based on this.

Well,6 Interceptions TOTAL in 2 practices (3 per day) - I guess I should have added total for the folks who don't keep track.

I think even though its TC its definately an eye opener for people who are on the edge of the cliff about whether Cassel has IT or is just some guy on the sidelines with a clipboard - I am one of those guys who has just seen Cassel take a step forward to falling off that very cliff.

IMO The Baltimore game is a huge one for Matt if he wants to remain on the team - Another 2-3-or 4 interceptions and I say its bye bye...

Maybe Herm will cut Huard - Not very likely but I loved the guy as a backup when he was here,My favorite backup QB in the BB era,just above Jim Miller.

 

[BelichickFan]

Re: Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New Englan

Well,6 Interceptions TOTAL in 2 practices (3 per day) - I guess I should have added total for the folks who don't keep track.

I think even though its TC its definately an eye opener for people who are on the edge of the cliff about whether Cassel has IT or is just some guy on the sidelines with a clipboard - I am one of those guys who has just seen Cassel take a step forward to falling off that very cliff.

Like I said, 6 INT doesn't sound good. But he could throw a perfect pass and have some 3rd string WR not get to where he's supposed to and it goes right to the defender instead. On the surface it sounds bad; beneath the surface it's tough to say. We'll have a better idea after the preseason games.

 

[PATRIOT64]

Re: Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New Englan

Like I said, 6 INT doesn't sound good. But he could throw a perfect pass and have some 3rd string WR not get to where he's supposed to and it goes right to the defender instead. On the surface it sounds bad; beneath the surface it's tough to say. We'll have a better idea after the preseason games.

Yes,Preseason will be the savior or grave for Matt - I think the Baltimore game is his chance to show he has some ability to hold the fort down temporarily should the disaster happen that Brady be out for 1 or more games

I still want to see a Veteran QB on this team no matter even if Cassel throws for 300 yards against the Ravens - As long as the asking price for the Vet is low and even if the Vet would have to be a #3,it still would be a great insurance policy.

 

[tombonneau]

Re: Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New Englan

In Cassel's defense, you probably can't remember the last time a QB threw 6 picks total in back-to-back practices is because we're now living in the Age of Now where we are getting live updated blog posts from practice and are super-inundated with every single move a player makes in practice.

I mean, we're talkin' 'bout PRACTICE.

Obviously its not a good thing, but I think the backup QB battle will be won when the bullets start to fly in the preseason. That will be the arbiter of who stays and who goes.

So I don't necessarily think Cassel needs a good game vs. Baltimore, I think it will be the overall body of preseason work that will determine the #2 QB.

(Assuming Pretty Boy O'Connell is a given at #3.)

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New Englan

So I don't necessarily think Cassel needs a good game vs. Baltimore, I think it will be the overall body of preseason work that will determine the #2 QB.

(Assuming Pretty Boy O'Connell is a given at #3.)

But don't forget that there are other issues, such as the fact that Cassel is a FA at the end of the season, while the Pats control Gutierrez's rights for at least two seasons beyond 2008.

Similarly, the mere fact that a pass was intercepted doesn't prove one way or the other if it's the QB's fault, and, depending on who was doing the intercepting, it could just be a matter of familiarity (BB has said that Tedy Bruschi and Harrison pick off Brady's passes "all the time" in practice).

Lastly, as far as a veteran QB goes, they haven't felt it necessary for the last two years, so I don't see them finding it necessary now.

 

[WhiZa]

Re: Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New Englan

It is Cassel's last chance this preseason. Over the years the only thing he's has gotten good at is the qb sneak. His attitude this past off season seemed lackadaisical, but hopefully he can step up in these games.

 

[Dagg]

Re: Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New Englan

Seems like every Camp recap I read someone is picking off Matt Cassell, I think his time is up.

 

[mgteich]

Re: Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New Englan

Cassel should be kept until the week before the last preseason game as insurance against injury to the other two backups. There is no reason to have him on the 53 in the last year of his contract. Gutierrez has three more years, is developing, and is arguably already almost even with Cassel.

Cassel will play a lot in the first preseason game. He will be showcased.

 

[PromisedLand]

Re: Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New Englan

Like I said, 6 INT doesn't sound good. But he could throw a perfect pass and have some 3rd string WR not get to where he's supposed to and it goes right to the defender instead. On the surface it sounds bad; beneath the surface it's tough to say. We'll have a better idea after the preseason games.

Here's the acid test: how many INT's per day does the average starting QB throw in training camp? They are all throwing to 3rd string WR's too. Actually, come to think of it, hasn't Cassell been playing with the 1's the past couple of days? Not 3rd stringers.

 

[PromisedLand]

Re: Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New Englan

Cassel should be kept until the week before the last preseason game as insurance against injury to the other two backups. There is no reason to have him on the 53 in the last year of his contract. Gutierrez has three more years, is developing, and is arguably already almost even with Cassel.

Cassel will play a lot in the first preseason game. He will be showcased.

I agree with this. Cassell has been here 4 years and has shown nothing. He never started a game in college - it shows. Yeah, yeah, I know he was behind Palmer and Leinart...

 

[BelichickFan]

Re: Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New Englan

Here's the acid test: how many INT's per day does the average starting QB throw in training camp? They are all throwing to 3rd string WR's too. Actually, come to think of it, hasn't Cassell been playing with the 1's the past couple of days? Not 3rd stringers.

Agreed on the comparison to other QBs, I'm not sure we have stats on that.

According to the PFW blog two of the INTs were to Watson and CJ Jones (one each). Not sure about the other. It didn't read like a good day but I'm not sure we have a solid baseline on what a good day reads like.

 

[signbabybrady]

Re: Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New Englan

THis is good news. WHo cares about the back up QB....Our secondary is getting their hands on a tonm of balls and picking some off. Secondary is more important to this team than the back up QB.

 

[Funktopus]

Re: Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New Englan

I was hoping that the team was trying to develop Cassel just to make the roster more valuable and then if they felt comfortable offer him as a trade for a draft pick to someone QB needy like Chicago.

And that's assuming they felt confident going with MG and KO as backups for the season.

It would seem like a very beoli-like strategy. Always looking for value.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New Englan

I was hoping that the team was trying to develop Cassel just to make the roster more valuable and then if they felt comfortable offer him as a trade for a draft pick to someone QB needy like Chicago.

And that's assuming they felt confident going with MG and KO as backups for the season.

It would seem like a very beoli-like strategy. Always looking for value.

I'm still expecting the Pats to ship a QB off to Atlanta. The brain trust in Chicago just doesn't seem to get it.

 

[JSn]

Re: Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New Englan

Comparing Cassel's daily performance to Brady (who's seeing limited reps) seems unfair.

Also, I think batting down a pass and hauling it in are things you're watching the D for. So how many broken up passes/INT's is Brady facing vs. Cassel on a percentage base? A number cruncher could likely sort that out fast and I think Cassel might look a lot better in that light than we think.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New Englan

I don't know if you can read too much into practice, but none of the QBs other than Brady have been doing well according to most of the reports I read. I even read last night it sounds like Guttierez may have dropped below O'Connell on the depth chart since Guttierez was the last QB to take the field (can anyone confirm this and whether this has been the case in other practices?).

I am getting concerned that we have 3 back up QBs and none of them are actually ready to step up and be the #2 and be able to step in and start if (God forbid) Brady is out a game or two. Hopefully, we never have to find out, but I have never been as high on Cassel as some are/were and I don't know if Guttieriez is ready for the #2 role. Clearly O'Connell is a year or two away from that consideration since he needs to work on his mechanics.

I think the preseason will be important for the back up QB position. I don't think anyone has won the #2 role from what I have read. Both Cassel and Guttierez will probably get a good long look to see who is more suited for this role.

I have been saying that I wouldn't be surprised if we carry four QBs this year. If the back ups still struggle in preseason like they seem to be in training camp, that could become a reality.

 

[Kontradiction]

Re: Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New Englan

Can't really say I blame the guy. He hasn't actually started a game in a shade under a century.

 

[PatsFan37]

Re: Cassel with 6 interceptions in 2 days at camp - Working his way out of New Englan

In previous years, Cassel had great camps and shaky games. I think it's a given he has the talent to throw an accurate pass. The question has always been his ability to sense the rush, move in the pocket with his eyes downfield, look off the safeties and find the open man without staring him down. That's a lot to do in 3 seconds, which is why guys like Brady are so hard to find.

I wouldn't worry one way or the other what Cassel did Saturday or Sunday or Monday. He's proven plenty that he can be the king of practice. His time is Thursday.