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I don't put any stock in fantasy website ramblings but here is what this guy thought of O'Connell 10 days ago, before he likely talked to some mediot source who also doesn't have actual team sources...
"Here are basically the options as I see it.
For 2008, if Cassel bombs or gets hurt early in the season, they will have to go with Gutierrez. If it's later in the year, it would probably be O'Connell. I don't think they really love Gutierrez, but he's their best immediate backup as of today. Another option if Cassel went down may be Testaverde, but they don't want to shake Cassel's confidence by even exploring other options.
Cassell is a free agent after this year, and if he does well in 2008 he will probably move on for a lot more money. If he does terrible then they probably wouldn't want him back in the first place. So for Cassel to return next year, he has do do ok but not great. And by then I would think O'Connell would move up to the #2 spot if Cassel were out of the picture. "
The thing people seem unwilling to acknowledge is O'Connell was drafted as a sleeper/value pick who had the potential to develop into something more if he could be coached out of some poor mechanics and bad judgements that resulted in less than stellar accuracy. He's a tools project who might develop well over a couple of years under exceptional coaching in a stable environment and a sound system. 5 months later that is still the case as well it should be and anyone who actually watched him perform in camp and pre season (against 3rd and 4th stringers) knows that. Just like they knew Gutierrez wasn't progressing and would end up as odd man out.
Only those who approached camp and preseason with preconceived notions based on media spin and limited vision got snookered and just can't admit it. And now they want this kid to somehow vindicate them. That's just foolishness. Cassel isn't Brady, but he's also not a bad backup on an otherwise functioning team. Just gotta see if they can get it functioning. Bill told the team after week 2 we're gonna ride Cassel and play tough, hardnosed team football. Sadly we didn't in week 3. Cassel can't save them from that. Brady rarely could either. O'Connell wouldn't have an icebergs chance in hell...
Kevin O'Connell - Footballguys Forums
"Here are basically the options as I see it.
For 2008, if Cassel bombs or gets hurt early in the season, they will have to go with Gutierrez. If it's later in the year, it would probably be O'Connell. I don't think they really love Gutierrez, but he's their best immediate backup as of today. Another option if Cassel went down may be Testaverde, but they don't want to shake Cassel's confidence by even exploring other options.
Cassell is a free agent after this year, and if he does well in 2008 he will probably move on for a lot more money. If he does terrible then they probably wouldn't want him back in the first place. So for Cassel to return next year, he has do do ok but not great. And by then I would think O'Connell would move up to the #2 spot if Cassel were out of the picture. "
The thing people seem unwilling to acknowledge is O'Connell was drafted as a sleeper/value pick who had the potential to develop into something more if he could be coached out of some poor mechanics and bad judgements that resulted in less than stellar accuracy. He's a tools project who might develop well over a couple of years under exceptional coaching in a stable environment and a sound system. 5 months later that is still the case as well it should be and anyone who actually watched him perform in camp and pre season (against 3rd and 4th stringers) knows that. Just like they knew Gutierrez wasn't progressing and would end up as odd man out.
Only those who approached camp and preseason with preconceived notions based on media spin and limited vision got snookered and just can't admit it. And now they want this kid to somehow vindicate them. That's just foolishness. Cassel isn't Brady, but he's also not a bad backup on an otherwise functioning team. Just gotta see if they can get it functioning. Bill told the team after week 2 we're gonna ride Cassel and play tough, hardnosed team football. Sadly we didn't in week 3. Cassel can't save them from that. Brady rarely could either. O'Connell wouldn't have an icebergs chance in hell...
Kevin O'Connell - Footballguys Forums