We don't have to scale back the offense much for Cassel - that's the beauty of the thing that is lost on so many here. For O'Connell (or Simms or Rattay or anyone else we may sign) we have to scale it back (or dumb it down) exponentially.
That 51 yard strike to Moss out of the EZ yesterday was the result of a read and react adjustment where the WR and QB both saw the same thing and reacted as they should. As Randy said, they were on the same page as they should be. Nobody else will have the time or reps this season to remotely locate that page.
People think that since Cassel had not played in college he has no chance. It merely provided an opportunity for him to come to the Patriots, as a plattoning system brought Brady in too.
Frankly, I would trade four seasons on the bench learning QB play, with Belichick, Weis, Josh, Brady and Testaverde, for a season or two of college play.
Don't forget he was coached by Pete Carroll and the USC national champion, ex-pro coaches, for four years, even if he didn't play. That was invaluable expereince, and frankly better than if he had run the wishbone, somewhere else.
He was highly recruited and competed (and lost) against two Heismen players. (And a NFL MVP). According to Carroll he didn't lose out by much.
As a rookie QB under Belichick he wasn't ready, and was further behind than O'Connell is today. But four years later he is obviously ready, understands the Offensive playbook, and recognizes Defenses, and makes adjustments. Moss made testimony to that point.
It was confiermed by Belichick's actions in choosing him, for the roster. And even more so by selecting him to do the dirty work in preseason, even if it insured lots of criticism of Matt.
He will not be, at the end of the season, the same QB he is today. Whether the Pats can win enough to make the Tournement we shall see. But I would not discount the Pats chances in the Playoffs, if Cassel guides them there.
Meanwhile each week will be an adventure to see if the Patriots can be victorious. Isn't that why we go to the games in the first place?