Cutdown watch: Who solidified a spot tonight, who burned bridges?

[ctpatsfan77]

So which QB at the moment has the best arm (power+accuracy)?

Besides TB, I think it might be O'C or Gutz, honestly. Likely Gutz.

Well, if you're going by power plus accuracy, it might well be--at least for now.

But in terms of pure power, I'll let FBN and Defense Rules answer that:

FBN: Kid just flicked that ball ... flicked ... not throw.
DR: Damn that kid has an arm.

 

[SVN]

here is my take on cassel - the fact that brady is there the offensive group doesnt really play hard for cassell. but god forbid if he has to replace brady during the regular season , you will see the offensive players and COACHES stepping up to work with cassell. so lets not get carried away by o'connell.he is a rookie. even manning struggled in his rookie season...

 

[PatsFanInVa]

GUYTON: 10 tackles, 1 sack. Did I hear that right? If I did, he NEVER passes waivers. Lock. Buh-Bye Alexander.

Didn't see the game. There's 10 tackles, though, and then there's 10 tackles. Actually take away that sack and it's about the same stat line Alexander posted in the Chargers game that ended the season a couple years back (you know, the beginning of the "dump that bum Alexander" movement). Trouble was he was in coverage all that time. That kind of tackles, you don't need. That's like a corner who racks up high tackle totals... well, it's better than just getting torched deep every throw.. but it ain't like defending the pass instead.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

At a quick glance (I watched with a half asleep, gorgeous wife and some grumpy kids - lame combo ) I saw some good stuff.

Again despite long drives, I saw some good defensive adjustments. I'm not as worried as many here are.

Slater is solid and I think is a lock, hence Jones (who is not) running back kicks.

Ventrone makes the team, no doubt in my mind.

Lynch is a monster. 8 tackles and 0 fear. I think he and Rodney will each be responsible for some back-up WR's playing for other team this year.

O'Connell looks like Brady's successor to me.

Jacksons: great catching, can't actually walk, though... I think he might actually get the year to prove it.

GUYTON: 10 tackles, 1 sack. Did I hear that right? If I did, he NEVER passes waivers. Lock. Buh-Bye Alexander.

BJGE is likely cut and not visiting the practice squad. That said, he looked about even with Maroney.

Lamont Jordan is not only a weapon, he's going to embarrass Al Davis. Makes me warm and fuzzy inside.

Anyway, those are quick hits and I may have mis-diagnosed from a difficult watching position (thank goodness for the pvr) but overall, I saw a lot to like.

Oh and can we all wave goodbye to Mr. Cassel?

What did you guys see? Looking for some thoughtful input, mind you, not "Are you blind? ******ed? We suck. I have no toenails left. Hangover... etc..."

PS. A for effort on the Scott Pioli interview, F- for not saving until the game was over.

Thanks for the insight,, I wasn't able to watch the game.....

 

[BradyToMoss]

I think its O'Connell.

Is that wise?

I agree, O'Connell is better than the other two

 

[DefenseRules]

There is nothing wrong with Cassel's arm any more than there ever was with Brady's... We're a team predicated on taking what we're given and protecting the football and playing for field position and winning the turnover battle (which we may need to win by a substantial margin this season...) He can hit Moss on the deep route if he can stay upright long enough to get that throw off. Pray he doesn't ever have to because it would mean this OL finally got Brady killed.

In a league desperate for legitimate starters, you don't get them as backups (unless you know on some level your starter sucks so you overpay a guy who is almost good enough to start who believes he will get to start with you).

Mo, I concede. I have been an ardent Cassel hater all preseason, but I think that you are right. I honestly didn't see any reason to give Gutierez the job over Cassel last night. He played against better competition, and he didn't do anything that Cassel couldn't do. I say keep the Cassel and the Rook. Who knows maybe they will keep all four. It's been done before.

 

[Pats726]

BJGE is likely cut and not visiting the practice squad. That said, he looked about even with Maroney.

And why is he not headed to the practice squad?? I think he's a big time candidate

 

[WhiZa]

Slater looks damn good on defense. He looks like he can lay the lumber for a small guy.

CJ Jones returned some nice kicks, but he looks slow probably because he's dancing too much. The fumbles dont help either

Morris has looked like crap this preseason. If we keep 4 RBs he'd be the first to go.

I would like to see Lamont taking 1st team reps. I feel we'll see alot of him at the end of games.

 

[Jimke]

Yep. I'm pretty sure he becomes the next QB of the Pat's, even though I know it's been said for every QB ever brought it.

He is the second coming of Steve Grogan.

 

[Va_Pats_Fan]

Mo, I concede. I have been an ardent Cassel hater all preseason, but I think that you are right. I honestly didn't see any reason to give Gutierez the job over Cassel last night. He played against better competition, and he didn't do anything that Cassel couldn't do. I say keep the Cassel and the Rook. Who knows maybe they will keep all four. It's been done before.

It will be hard to keep 4 QB's and 5 RB's. If I was a wagering man, I would bet they try to get Gutz on the ps...I didn't see him show anything that would cause another team to claim him. Any QB in another system has a distinct advantage over him in that system.

 

[BradyManny]

WHO JUST MADE THEMSELVES SAFER:

- Matt Cassel. It's been hard to evaluate him behind that matador line, but when Gutes came in early and faced a similar level of competition, he looked worse. Cassel solidifies his #2 spot, making it a tough call whether to carry 4QBs or cut Gutes and hope he lands on the PS.

- Chad Jackson. The trip in the end zone was iffy, I'm not sure who is to blame for that play or how much contact there was. But he redeemed himself with that TD play in the corner. That's two straight games he's shown the playmaking ability that has made him a cult favorite around here.

- Victor Hobson. I've been hard on this guy, but I think he deserved it. He was getting engulfed by blockers and was invisible playing against 3rd stringers the first few weeks. He shows more aggression last nite and did get off blocks. He went a long way towards grabbing a roster spot.

- Gary Guyton. He and Redd are pretty well regarded UDFAs, I'd be nervous about cutting either and expecting them to show up on the PS. But I think Guyton has shown enough to warrant a roster spot.

- Lamont Jordan. It was probably never in doubt, but this guy will be an asset this year for sure.

WHO IS PROBABLY SAFE, BUT DIDN'T DO THEMSELVES FAVORS:

- Wesley Britt. After singing this guy's praises for the first two weeks of preseason, he's sucked it up the last two. The injury to O'Cal makes him almost uncuttable, however, and hopefully the last couple weeks were an aberration.

WHO SHOULD POLISH UP THE RESUME:

- Larry Izzo & Eric Alexander. With the potential of Guyton and or Redd, one of these two is likely going to get axed. I understand the argument that guys like Guyton and Redd come along every year (quality UDFAs who fell through the cracks), but at some point, the team just has to make a commitment to getting younger and faster on ST & D. I've refrained from saying that all offseason, but after seeing the speed & explosiveness of Redd & Guyton, it's time to invest in some youth.

- Lewis Sanders. He looked good in the first preseason game, but it seems with Lynch's signing, he hasn't been used as much in the pass defense packages as he was against the Ravens.

 

[JSn]

WHO JUST MADE THEMSELVES SAFER:

- Matt Cassel. It's been hard to evaluate him behind that matador line, but when Gutes came in early and faced a similar level of competition, he looked worse. Cassel solidifies his #2 spot, making it a tough call whether to carry 4QBs or cut Gutes and hope he lands on the PS.

- Chad Jackson. The trip in the end zone was iffy, I'm not sure who is to blame for that play or how much contact there was. But he redeemed himself with that TD play in the corner. That's two straight games he's shown the playmaking ability that has made him a cult favorite around here.

I think we HAVE to carry only three QB's to keep other, more immediately useful talent on the field. If the argument was roster spots, think Guyton or Wilhite vs. Cassel or Gutz and the QB's lose the value argument (though I must concede, Cassel may be the better choice after all).

Chad just tripped, it was definitely all on him. It's a hazard of running backwards and he's probably already working on it. Otherwise that was a game-winning TD.

 

[BradyManny]

I think we HAVE to carry only three QB's to keep other, more immediately useful talent on the field. If the argument was roster spots, think Guyton or Wilhite vs. Cassel or Gutz and the QB's lose the value argument (though I must concede, Cassel may be the better choice after all).

Great point and way of looking at it.

In that case, then I still maintain that no matter how good Gutes has looked at times, there's probably no point in carrying 2 developmental QBs on this roster behind Brady. Cassel has more experience in the system - as little as that may be in terms of reps in games - and O'Connel is a lock, so Gutes is the odd man out, IMO. I really hope he ends up on the practice squad.

 

[DW Toys]

Slater looks damn good on defense. He looks like he can lay the lumber for a small guy.

CJ Jones returned some nice kicks, but he looks slow probably because he's dancing too much. The fumbles dont help either

Morris has looked like crap this preseason. If we keep 4 RBs he'd be the first to go.

I would like to see Lamont taking 1st team reps. I feel we'll see alot of him at the end of games.

Great observation. Good post.
I'll take a shot.
Was I wrong but it seemed like Slater took some CB snaps? He was always around the ball and showed good speed. Now the interesting part, He stood next to Wilhite in the huddle who is supposedly 5' 11" and looked like he was at least 4"s taller than him. Someone is lying about someone.

Wilhite wasn't bad. Looked better than Wheatley.

Kenny Smith looked decent at DT.

Spann had a couple o.k. plays but still looks shaky.

Slaters' KOs have been just fair. I liked him more on defense. Is this CB thing an experiment?

Guyton appears to be a lock.

I do not think Redd had a bad game. He was huge on the goal line stand. How can you let this kid go? He has had a decent pre-season. He will not clear waivers.

I think Rudd has his injury very timley and he is an IR dude.

No comment on James Sanders.

Bryant s' play makes me say "Andy, I will gladly give you one of my second rounders for Lito Sheppard this week".

Hobbs and Bryant at CB with a little dash of Wheatley and Croyle throws for 300 against us in game one. See above. We better Velcro Rodney or Lynch to Mr. Gonzales.

I think the Pats TE's were not thrown to enough on this pre-season. I did not see many drops when it came their way. Kind of tough to judge them.

If Jackson does not fall down and Gutz scores there, he would have been praised today for a good night, am I right?

Jackson is an enigma but you can see his upside. He needs a brain transplant more than anything so he "gets it".

CJ Jones is worth a PS spot. Perhaps the little running back from Ole Miss with all the names. When he went to summer camp, with all those names his mother printed around his underwear band must have made a complete circle.

Flynn looked like he could win a job. Connelly? Nyet!

Who the hell is Senne? Sounds like a crayola color (or flavor if you ate them).

I think it's fair to say Shoate is gone. Bad day against his old team and they were looking for him.

Morris does look very tentative. Too bad.

Maroney is running into piles again. Why does it seem if there are eight players tangling up in the hole he persists to try to make it nine? Cut back some dude!

Lynch took an wicked blindside hit after a Giant player was way out of bounds and no call. That should piss him off for the season. I hope he does well.

Another vanilla offensive and defensive scheme. I can see a tandem on a blitz package this season of Lynch on one side and Rodney on the other. You can't get em both. Think Carr would have been comfortable with that package?

Someone said it looks like the team does not want to put it out there for Cassel. I agree. They look lethargic with him under center. If you can't get your team around you, this is not good. I think Gutz and O'Connell do a better job. Still think they need a vet QB.

DW Toys

 

[JSn]

Lynch took an wicked blindside hit after a Giant player was way out of bounds and no call. That should piss him off for the season. I hope he does well.

For real. I was making ref calls all night and that's the only one they ignored LOL. The best thing was he just got up and walked away. And seriously, he had a good night. Right before that hit when he went after the QB, I was genuinely afraid the QB wouldn't get rid of it or get away.

Lynch was everywhere and while not mind-boggling as a safety, very satisfying as a Veteran safety with a reputation for sending people to the ice bath.

If Lynch and Harrison ever get to line up together in a blitz against a sketchy o-line, watch out.

 

[DaBruinz]

Great observation. Good post.
I'll take a shot.
Was I wrong but it seemed like Slater took some CB snaps? He was always around the ball and showed good speed. Now the interesting part, He stood next to Wilhite in the huddle who is supposedly 5' 11" and looked like he was at least 4"s taller than him. Someone is lying about someone.

Not sure where you get your information, but Wilhite is 5'9 4/8" as of the combine. Slater's combine measurement was 5'10 5/8"

Wilhite wasn't bad. Looked better than Wheatley.

Kenny Smith looked decent at DT.

Spann had a couple o.k. plays but still looks shaky.

Slaters' KOs have been just fair. I liked him more on defense. Is this CB thing an experiment?

Guyton appears to be a lock.

I do not think Redd had a bad game. He was huge on the goal line stand. How can you let this kid go? He has had a decent pre-season. He will not clear waivers.

I think Rudd has his injury very timley and he is an IR dude.

No comment on James Sanders.

Bryant s' play makes me say "Andy, I will gladly give you one of my second rounders for Lito Sheppard this week".

Hobbs and Bryant at CB with a little dash of Wheatley and Croyle throws for 300 against us in game one. See above. We better Velcro Rodney or Lynch to Mr. Gonzales.

Its more likely that Thomas or Mayo will be covering Gonzalez.

I think the Pats TE's were not thrown to enough on this pre-season. I did not see many drops when it came their way. Kind of tough to judge them.

If Jackson does not fall down and Gutz scores there, he would have been praised today for a good night, am I right?

Jackson is an enigma but you can see his upside. He needs a brain transplant more than anything so he "gets it".

CJ Jones is worth a PS spot. Perhaps the little running back from Ole Miss with all the names. When he went to summer camp, with all those names his mother printed around his underwear band must have made a complete circle.

I don't believe that Jones has any PS eligibility left.

Flynn looked like he could win a job. Connelly? Nyet!

Who the hell is Senne? Sounds like a crayola color (or flavor if you ate them).

I think it's fair to say Shoate is gone. Bad day against his old team and they were looking for him.

Morris does look very tentative. Too bad.

Morris is coming back from a severe chest injury.. I think anyone would be tentative on that... Yes, he needs to get back in there. Only time will tell.

 

[DW Toys]

Not sure where you get your information, but Wilhite is 5'9 4/8" as of the combine. Slater's combine measurement was 5'10 5/8"



Its more likely that Thomas or Mayo will be covering Gonzalez.



I don't believe that Jones has any PS eligibility left.



Morris is coming back from a severe chest injury.. I think anyone would be tentative on that... Yes, he needs to get back in there. Only time will tell.

"Its more likely that Thomas or Mayo will be covering Gonzalez". Ah..no on that one. I disagree completely. Short zone over the middle yes, down field singled up, no...come on cousin. Tony is going to run more than 5 yard patterns.
So I was right about Slater and Wilhite. Someone is not telling the truth about height. Slater is many inches taller than Wilhite.
DW Toys

 

[Displaced - Fan]

I don't think either solidified the #2 QB spot. I am betting that both Cassel and Gutierrez could very well be gone if a veteran that Belichick likes becomes available. I think Cassel improved his chances tonight, but it wasn't like he was on fire or anything. He had a few good plays and some bad ones. More good than bad tonight, but not enough to say he is our clear cut #2 QB.

I don't think we have a #2 QB on our roster.

Plus isn't Gutierrez still eligible for PS? He could wind up there.