Flacco starting and Matt Ryan starting

[Brady to Brown]

Belichick would never start a rookie QB.

He would also never select a running back or LB in the first round of the draft :yeeha:

 

[BRiZ]

Not only that, but Pittsburgh had a great team with a top notch Defense and arguably the best running game in the NFL.
Furthermore, Big Ben is a top 10 draft pick...#1 on some boards. He, Manning, and Rivers could have gone 1-2-3 in any order. O'Connell is not in that class.

alot of teams had OConnel graded as a 1st round prospect, the Pats obviously thought highly of him since they took him in the 3rd, even with Brady on the team.

 

[spacecrime]

so should we go back in the history of the NFL and see which rookie QBs started and you're going to tell us they only started because of injury or the team had no choice?

loool

???? Every team will start the QB that gives them the best chance to win. Very seldom is that a rookie, only if the team has really bad backups. Even then, starting a rookie is generally a bad idea. even if the rookie is really really good. Peyton Manning was 3-13 his rookie year. I think he turned it around to 13-3 his second year.

And he came from Tennessee. Even rookies from major colleges have trouble with NFL-level defenses. Rookies who did not come from major college programs, say a rookie from San Diego State, would have even more problems.

Are you really this obtuse, or are you just wanting to act like a moroon because you're bored or something?

 

[SoCal Pmen]

He could, but Cassel gives the Pats the best chance to win. Once you accept that, everything will be clear. As long as you persist in thinking BB and SP are bad judges of personnel, you will never understand. Give in to the Force, Luke.

Exactly - the coaches see these guys every day in practice so they would know who is more prepared. If Cassel flops in the next few starts you can bet they'll make the switch.

I don't think you can compare this situation to that of Flacco and Ryan though. Flacco became the starter when the vets on the team got injured. Ryan was named starter because Atlanta had a PR nightmare on its hand with the Vick situation and needed to annoint a new face of the organization ASAP. Plus they flat out sucked and Ryan was probably their best option.

 

[PatriotDynasty_12]

Cassel is boring to watch. O'Connell starting definately would make this season more entertaining

Maybe put O'Connell in for red zone purposes, since he can do something with his feet. Can't settle for FGs all day.

 

[BRiZ]

???? Every team will start the QB that gives them the best chance to win. Very seldom is that a rookie, only if the team has really bad backups. Even then, starting a rookie is generally a bad idea. even if the rookie is really really good. Peyton Manning was 3-13 his rookie year. I think he turned it around to 13-3 his second year.

And he came from Tennessee. Even rookies from major colleges have trouble with NFL-level defenses. Rookies who did not come from major college programs, say a rookie from San Diego State, would have even more problems.

Are you really this obtuse, or are you just wanting to act like a moroon because you're bored or something?

Brady started his second season "essentially his rookie year" and won us a superbowl. You going to tell me there is much difference between his 1st season WITHOUT PLAYING AT ALL to his second season?? Im sure there would have been NO DIFFERENCE if Brady came in immediately his rookie year.

Rothlisberger won the superbowl in his second season too. You guys make it seem like a rookie or inexperienced QB is an auto failure, not so, not if you have a great team around them, like you know our current dynasty...or Pittburghs insane defense. If you have a scrub at QB who SUCKS it dont matter how much experience he has, see exhibit 1A Matt Cassel.

 

[Deus Irae]

Brady started his second season "essentially his rookie year" and won us a superbowl. You going to tell me there is much difference between his 1st season WITHOUT PLAYING AT ALL to his second season?? Im sure there would have been NO DIFFERENCE if Brady came in immediately his rookie year.

Rothlisberger won the superbowl in his second season too. You guys make it seem like a rookie or inexperienced QB is an auto failure, not so, not if you have a great team around them, like you know our current dynasty...or Pittburghs insane defense. If you have a scrub at QB who SUCKS it dont matter how much experience he has, see exhibit 1A Matt Cassel.

In Brady's first 3 games, what was the team's record?

 

[spacecrime]

alot of teams had OConnel graded as a 1st round prospect,

As evidenced by the fact they passed on him in round 1, round 2, and round 3, I'd have to say that no team graded his as a first round QB.

Here are some the pre-draft rankings from Draft Countdown - 2008 NFL Draft Rankings

2008 - Quarterback
Matt Ryan, Boston College
Brian Brohm, Louisville
Chad Henne, Michigan
Joe Flacco, Delaware
Andre' Woodson, Kentucky
John David Booty, USC
Josh Johnson, San Diego
Erik Ainge, Tennessee
Colt Brennan, Hawaii
Dennis Dixon, Oregon
Kevin O'Connell, San Diego St.


Also, remember that he was considered a reach according to the draft gurus, and he did not appear in this 3-round mock:


Draft Countdown - 2008 Final Mock Draft

2008 Final Mock Draft



Round One


Miami Dolphins: Jake Long, OT, Michigan
St. Louis Rams: Glenn Dorsey, DT, L.S.U.
Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Kansas City Chiefs: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
New York Jets: Chris Long, DE-OLB, Virginia
New England Patriots (f/SF): Vernon Gholston, DE-OLB, Ohio St.
New Orleans Saints (f/BAL): Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
Cincinnati Bengals: Keith Rivers, OLB, USC
Baltimore Ravens (f/NO): Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
Buffalo Bills: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
Denver Broncos: Branden Albert, OG-OT, Virginia
Carolina Panthers: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Chicago Bears: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.
Detroit Lions: Jerod Mayo, ILB, Tennessee
Arizona Cardinals: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
Kansas City Chiefs (f/MIN): Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
Houston Texans: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
Philadelphia Eagles: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan St.
Washington Redskins: Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
Dallas Cowboys (f/CLE): D. Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Tennessee Titans: Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (FL)
Seattle Seahawks: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
Jacksonville Jaguars: Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn
San Diego Chargers: Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech
Dallas Cowboys: Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
San Francisco 49’ers (f/IND): Duane Brown, OT, Virginia Tech
Green Bay Packers: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (FL)
New England Patriots: Forfeited
New York Giants: Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas St.




Round Two


Miami Dolphins: Chad Henne, QB, Michigan
St. Louis Rams: DeSean Jackson, WR, California
Atlanta Falcons (f/OAK): Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
Kansas City Chiefs: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
New York Jets: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Atlanta Falcons: Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame
Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware
San Francisco 49’ers: Curtis Lofton, ILB, Oklahoma
New Orleans Saints: Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue
Buffalo Bills: James Hardy, WR, Indiana
Denver Broncos: Dan Connor, ILB, Penn St.
Carolina Panthers: Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC
Chicago Bears: Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas
Detroit Lions: Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers
Cincinnati Bengals: Jordy Nelson, WR, Kansas St.
Minnesota Vikings: Sam Baker, OT, USC
Atlanta Falcons (f/HOU): Anthony Collins, OT, Kansas
Philadelphia Eagles: Eddie Royal, WR, Virginia Tech
Arizona Cardinals: Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
Washington Redskins: Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tyvon Branch, CB, Connecticut
Pittsburgh Steelers: DaJuan Morgan, S, North Carolina St.
Tennessee Titans: Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina
Seattle Seahawks: Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M
Green Bay Packers (f/CLE): John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame
Miami Dolphins (f/SD): Cliff Avril, DE-OLB, Purdue
Jacksonville Jaguars: Chilo Rachal, OG, USC
Indianapolis Colts: Oniel Cousins, OT, U.T.E.P.
Green Bay Packers: Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn
Dallas Cowboys: Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
New England Patriots: Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa
New York Giants: Justin King, CB, Penn St.




Round Three


Miami Dolphins: Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
St. Louis Rams: Jason Jones, DE, Eastern Michigan
Kansas City Chiefs: Orlando Scandrick, CB, Boise St.
Carolina Panthers (f/NYJ): Reggie Smith, S, Oklahoma
Atlanta Falcons: Jeremy Thompson, DE, Wake Forest
New England Patriots (f/OAK): Erin Henderson, OLB-ILB, Maryland
Chicago Bears (f/SF): Donnie Avery, WR, Houston
Jaksonville Jaguars (f/BAL/BUF): Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas
Buffalo Bills: Fred Davis, TE, USC
Kansas City Chiefs (f/DEN/MIN): Jeremy Zuttah, C, Rutgers
Carolina Panthers: Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska
San Francisco 49'ers (f/CHI): Early Doucet, WR, L.S.U.
Detroit Lions: Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon St.
Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Moore, DT, Maryland
New Orleans Saints: Antwaun Molden, CB, Eastern Kentucky
Houston Texans: Matt Forté, RB, Tulane
Philadelphia Eagles: Jordon Dizon, OLB, Colorado
Arizona Cardinals: Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida
Kansas City Chiefs (f/MIN): William Franklin, WR, Missouri
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kevin Smith, RB, Central Florida
Washington Redskins: Terrence Wheatley, CB, Colorado
Tennessee Titans: Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
Seattle Seahawks: Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt
Detroit Lions (f/CLE): Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech
Pittsburgh Steelers: Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal Carolina
Jacksonville Jaguars: André Woodson, QB, Kentucky
Chicago Bears (f/SD): Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon
Green Bay Packers: Tavares Gooden, OLB, Miami (FL)
Dallas Cowboys: Beau Bell, ILB, UNLV
Indianapolis Colts: Xavier Adibi, OLB, Virginia Tech
New England Patriots: John Greco, OG, Toledo
New York Giants: Brad Cottam, TE, Tennessee
Washington Redskins (comp): Thomas DeCoud, S, California
Cincinnati Bengals (comp): Dexter Jackson, WR, Appalachian St.
Atlanta Falcons (comp): Philip Wheeler, OLB, Georgia Tech
Baltimore Ravens (comp): Tashard Choice, RB, Georgia Tech

 

[BradyToMoss]

Joe Flacco is developing before our eyes. He will take this team into the playoffs, not sure we could say the same thing about a healthy Boller or a Troy Smith. The coaches knew what to do. Start him, get his feet wet, let him learn and develop. They're already commenting about his coolness and maturity even at this point. That all comes with playing.

 

[BRiZ]

As evidenced by the fact they passed on him in round 1, round 2, and round 3, I'd have to say that no team graded his as a first round QB.

Here are some the pre-draft rankings from Draft Countdown - 2008 NFL Draft Rankings

2008 - Quarterback
Matt Ryan, Boston College
Brian Brohm, Louisville
Chad Henne, Michigan
Joe Flacco, Delaware
Andre' Woodson, Kentucky
John David Booty, USC
Josh Johnson, San Diego
Erik Ainge, Tennessee
Colt Brennan, Hawaii
Dennis Dixon, Oregon
Kevin O'Connell, San Diego St.


Also, remember that he was considered a reach according to the draft gurus, and he did not appear in this 3-round mock:


Draft Countdown - 2008 Final Mock Draft

2008 Final Mock Draft



Round One


Miami Dolphins: Jake Long, OT, Michigan
St. Louis Rams: Glenn Dorsey, DT, L.S.U.
Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Kansas City Chiefs: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
New York Jets: Chris Long, DE-OLB, Virginia
New England Patriots (f/SF): Vernon Gholston, DE-OLB, Ohio St.
New Orleans Saints (f/BAL): Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
Cincinnati Bengals: Keith Rivers, OLB, USC
Baltimore Ravens (f/NO): Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
Buffalo Bills: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
Denver Broncos: Branden Albert, OG-OT, Virginia
Carolina Panthers: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Chicago Bears: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.
Detroit Lions: Jerod Mayo, ILB, Tennessee
Arizona Cardinals: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
Kansas City Chiefs (f/MIN): Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
Houston Texans: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
Philadelphia Eagles: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan St.
Washington Redskins: Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
Dallas Cowboys (f/CLE): D. Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Tennessee Titans: Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (FL)
Seattle Seahawks: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
Jacksonville Jaguars: Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn
San Diego Chargers: Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech
Dallas Cowboys: Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
San Francisco 49’ers (f/IND): Duane Brown, OT, Virginia Tech
Green Bay Packers: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (FL)
New England Patriots: Forfeited
New York Giants: Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas St.




Round Two


Miami Dolphins: Chad Henne, QB, Michigan
St. Louis Rams: DeSean Jackson, WR, California
Atlanta Falcons (f/OAK): Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
Kansas City Chiefs: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
New York Jets: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Atlanta Falcons: Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame
Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware
San Francisco 49’ers: Curtis Lofton, ILB, Oklahoma
New Orleans Saints: Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue
Buffalo Bills: James Hardy, WR, Indiana
Denver Broncos: Dan Connor, ILB, Penn St.
Carolina Panthers: Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC
Chicago Bears: Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas
Detroit Lions: Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers
Cincinnati Bengals: Jordy Nelson, WR, Kansas St.
Minnesota Vikings: Sam Baker, OT, USC
Atlanta Falcons (f/HOU): Anthony Collins, OT, Kansas
Philadelphia Eagles: Eddie Royal, WR, Virginia Tech
Arizona Cardinals: Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
Washington Redskins: Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tyvon Branch, CB, Connecticut
Pittsburgh Steelers: DaJuan Morgan, S, North Carolina St.
Tennessee Titans: Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina
Seattle Seahawks: Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M
Green Bay Packers (f/CLE): John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame
Miami Dolphins (f/SD): Cliff Avril, DE-OLB, Purdue
Jacksonville Jaguars: Chilo Rachal, OG, USC
Indianapolis Colts: Oniel Cousins, OT, U.T.E.P.
Green Bay Packers: Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn
Dallas Cowboys: Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
New England Patriots: Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa
New York Giants: Justin King, CB, Penn St.




Round Three


Miami Dolphins: Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
St. Louis Rams: Jason Jones, DE, Eastern Michigan
Kansas City Chiefs: Orlando Scandrick, CB, Boise St.
Carolina Panthers (f/NYJ): Reggie Smith, S, Oklahoma
Atlanta Falcons: Jeremy Thompson, DE, Wake Forest
New England Patriots (f/OAK): Erin Henderson, OLB-ILB, Maryland
Chicago Bears (f/SF): Donnie Avery, WR, Houston
Jaksonville Jaguars (f/BAL/BUF): Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas
Buffalo Bills: Fred Davis, TE, USC
Kansas City Chiefs (f/DEN/MIN): Jeremy Zuttah, C, Rutgers
Carolina Panthers: Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska
San Francisco 49'ers (f/CHI): Early Doucet, WR, L.S.U.
Detroit Lions: Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon St.
Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Moore, DT, Maryland
New Orleans Saints: Antwaun Molden, CB, Eastern Kentucky
Houston Texans: Matt Forté, RB, Tulane
Philadelphia Eagles: Jordon Dizon, OLB, Colorado
Arizona Cardinals: Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida
Kansas City Chiefs (f/MIN): William Franklin, WR, Missouri
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kevin Smith, RB, Central Florida
Washington Redskins: Terrence Wheatley, CB, Colorado
Tennessee Titans: Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
Seattle Seahawks: Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt
Detroit Lions (f/CLE): Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech
Pittsburgh Steelers: Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal Carolina
Jacksonville Jaguars: André Woodson, QB, Kentucky
Chicago Bears (f/SD): Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon
Green Bay Packers: Tavares Gooden, OLB, Miami (FL)
Dallas Cowboys: Beau Bell, ILB, UNLV
Indianapolis Colts: Xavier Adibi, OLB, Virginia Tech
New England Patriots: John Greco, OG, Toledo
New York Giants: Brad Cottam, TE, Tennessee
Washington Redskins (comp): Thomas DeCoud, S, California
Cincinnati Bengals (comp): Dexter Jackson, WR, Appalachian St.
Atlanta Falcons (comp): Philip Wheeler, OLB, Georgia Tech
Baltimore Ravens (comp): Tashard Choice, RB, Georgia Tech

i bet you know that NFLdraftcountdown has only predicted 1 correct Patriots draft pick out of 10+ years of drafts? Go look at his archives, the guy dont know what hes talking about.

Charley Cassery AKA BB's favorite friend said -during- the draft OConnel was rated very highly by some teams, and the Pats agreed, a 3rd round pick for a QB are you kidding me? With Tom Brady on the team and many other holes needed to be filled?

 

[Brady to Brown]

Joe Flacco is developing before our eyes. He will take this team into the playoffs, not sure we could say the same thing about a healthy Boller or a Troy Smith. The coaches knew what to do. Start him, get his feet wet, let him learn and develop. They're already commenting about his coolness and maturity even at this point. That all comes with playing.

Flacco looking good. I go back to Belichick mentioning him earlier this week or late last week. I can't remember what Belichick was talking about, he mentioned Flacco and it surprised me.

 

[BRiZ]

Cassel is boring to watch. O'Connell starting definately would make this season more entertaining

Maybe put O'Connell in for red zone purposes, since he can do something with his feet. Can't settle for FGs all day.

not only does Cassel stink but i cant stand looking at the guy and listening to him talk, hes like a brainwashed robot!

OConnell is so much more fun to watch play, heck even if he were to struggle at least it would be entertaining, Cassel is a boring disaster!

 

[ALP]

i bet you know that NFLdraftcountdown has only predicted 1 correct Patriots draft pick out of 10+ years of drafts? Go look at his archives, the guy dont know what hes talking about.

Charley Cassery AKA BB's favorite friend said -during- the draft OConnel was rated very highly by some teams, and the Pats agreed, a 3rd round pick for a QB are you kidding me? With Tom Brady on the team and many other holes needed to be filled?

what is your point?

what rounds were ryan and flacco taken in?

cassel is the starter, and he should be...

he has gone 2-1, and his only loss came on a day the defense decided to take off....

 

[Scooter_McGruder]

Oh, my, if only we had Joe Flacco, he of the ~55 QB rating and 0/2 TD/INT ratio. We'd be all set!

 

[ALP]

not only does Cassel stink but i cant stand looking at the guy and listening to him talk, hes like a brainwashed robot!

OConnell is so much more fun to watch play, heck even if he were to struggle at least it would be entertaining, Cassel is a boring disaster!

ohh great, so now BB should decide his starting QB dependent on who is funnest to watch...forget about anything else...forget about actually trying to win football games...who does that anyways

shoot, i think having light in at QB would be the funnest thing....or maybe wilfork...and then we run a lot of option...

 

[PatriotDynasty_12]

Don't worry Briz, you'll be crowned a God on here once O'Connell starts and leads this team to a Super Bowl victory. You'll revenge Chad Jackson!

 

[BradyToMoss]

what is your point?

what rounds were ryan and flacco taken in?

cassel is the starter, and he should be...

he has gone 2-1, and his only loss came on a day the defense decided to take off....

Exactly (2-1)

Defense 17 - KC 10
ST/Defense 19 - NYJ 10
Miami 38 - Defense/Cassel 13

 

[Brady to Brown]

Oh, my, if only we had Joe Flacco, he of the ~55 QB rating and 0/2 TD/INT ratio. We'd be all set!

Flacco looks good from where I am sitting. This Steelers defense is good.

He is no Tom Brady but its early days.

 

[BRiZ]

what is your point?

what rounds were ryan and flacco taken in?

cassel is the starter, and he should be...

he has gone 2-1, and his only loss came on a day the defense decided to take off....

the defense has gone 2-1 not Cassel.

we lost the Dolphins game because the D played bad. Cassel has been equally horrible in all games, 2 TD passes in 3 games against the worst teams in the league? Whats the over / under on number of TD passes against the might 49ers this week? Hope the D shows up...

NFLDraftcountdown has never really gotten any pats pick correct over the years so how can you take his rankings and picks seriously? Im just saying that GMs and coaches like BB probably have much different rankings, and it was mentioned that some teams had OConnell rated as a first round grade, doesnt surprise me he does look good. Looks like a sleeper pick in a draft.

 

[Wendel]

Exactly (2-1)

Defense 17 - KC 10
ST/Defense 19 - NYJ 10

No Cassel obviously won those games.

People are using the fact we're 2-1 to justify him starting? Just like Lovie Smith's "We're 9-0 and Rex is our quarterback"