Interview with rookie QB Kevin O'Connell

A conversation with the Pats' newest QB

Excerpts:

On his playing style in the NFL:
"I just want to develop and I want to become a pure pocket passer with the ability to make plays every once in a while with my feet. I think it's something that can be a huge asset for me at the next level, maybe not as often as it was in college with the speed of the game the way it is up there, but there will be plays here and there where that will be called upon. The coaching staff there assured me yesterday that they don't ever want me to change that aspect of my game; they just want me to develop and learn the NFL game. To play quarterback at the NFL level is something that I'm going to work at day in and day out until it's not a possibility anymore."

On hearing from any of the Patriots:
"I talked to their offensive coordinator yesterday and he said that the players were all given some time off. This next week we go out there for rookie mini-camp and he said that hopefully I will get a chance to hear from Tom (Brady) in the next couple days, he wanted to give me a call. Or I'm going to get together with (Brady) when I get out to Boston this weekend. It'll be exciting for me."

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I bet Tom is actually excited that a kid who showed some of the same things he did is coming into the organization. I don't think he is too happy with Cassel as his #2.

Ranking the best Qbs in the AFC East...

1. TB
2. Trent Edwards
3. K. O'Connell
4. Assorted turds

:rocker:

PonyExpress said:

Ranking the best Qbs in the AFC East...

1. TB
2. Trent Edwards
3. K. O'Connell
4. Assorted turds

:rocker:

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lmfao.....

PonyExpress said:

Ranking the best Qbs in the AFC East...

1. TB
2. Trent Edwards
3. K. O'Connell
4. Assorted turds

:rocker:

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slash83 said:

lmfao.....

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The funniest thing is - while it's funny it just might be true

YABUT how well can he hold a clipboard??

tobias funke said:

I bet Tom is actually excited that a kid who showed some of the same things he did is coming into the organization. I don't think he is too happy with Cassel as his #2.

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What makes you say this? I've never heard anything remotely close to this.

Larry Whigham said:

What makes you say this?

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O'Connell has proven leadership ability and is a gamer. Matt Cassel sucks. I did say "I bet" and "I think", didn't I?

Anyone else got a feeling about this kid O'Connell..?

You know what I'm talking about.

Larry Whigham said:

What makes you say this? I've never heard anything remotely close to this.

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Neither has he. He's just saying it because it's fun to bash a player even on a team like this. Who better than the backup QB to a guy whose never missed a game...

Tom and Matt #1 get along great, always have. They share a couple of bonds - one being they chose to remain in the highly competitive program, even though their path was consistently being blocked. I'm sure either would have performed well as SDSU...Both were drafted late on day 2, Cassel likely expected to be an UDFA at best. Lots of guys on this team share a bond in feeling driven to prove they were under rated. Many here predicted Cassel would not make the roster back in 2005. The new kid apparently exected to go a round or two later than he did. Brady and Cassel both showed the requisite leadership and progression to be retained on the roster despite where they were drafted and to move up to the #2 QB position after their first season. They've each thrown a pick or two in the NFL...and engineered a couple of come from behind drives. We'll have to see what this one does and how not to mention if he fits in. Hope for his sake he doesn't sail any passes in rookie camp or the hounds will be on him in a heartbeat.

Yep, I'm the only person who has ever expressed displeasure with our backup QB status.

There is a difference between 'throwing a pick' when you're trying to win a game, and 'throwing a pick' when you're up by 20 points and just need to close it out.

There is also an incredible lack of confidence shown in Cassel by the head coach of the team, that has filtered down to the fans, for good reason. How many backup QBs do you see pulled out of a game for the starter after making one mistake?

And now we draft a QB in round 3?

I didn't say Tom and Matt aren't friends, or buddies. But I don't see what that has to do with the business/professional side of the team, which clearly is lacking in capable QB backup.

tobias funke said:

There is also an incredible lack of confidence shown in Cassel by the head coach of the team, that has filtered down to the fans, for good reason. How many backup QBs do you see pulled out of a game for the starter after making one mistake?

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I think you're reaching when you suggest that BB has a lack of confidence in Matt. If he has, as you say "an incredible lack of confidence" I think we all know he would no longer be on this team.

Larry Whigham said:

I think you're reaching when you suggest that BB has a lack of confidence in Matt. If he has, as you say "an incredible lack of confidence" I think we all know he would no longer be on this team.

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(A) I'm fairly sure Tom has said that he hates coming out of games, period. It wouldn't surprise me at all if it were Tom's decision to go back in, and BB acquiesced.

(B) If he lost all confidence in Cassel at that point, why did BB send Cassel in instead of Gutierrez in the Redskins pasting?

The thing that stuck out to me in this interview is that McDaniels told him that the entire team was given some extra time off. Could be why we haven't see Brady work out to this point...

Larry Whigham said:

I think you're reaching when you suggest that BB has a lack of confidence in Matt. If he has, as you say "an incredible lack of confidence" I think we all know he would no longer be on this team.

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I guess we'll see how long Cassel remains with the team.