O'Connell in before Gutierrez...

[patchick]

So the fact that O'Connell came in "before" Gutierrez is rendered utterly meaningless by the fact that Gutierrez never came in at all, right?

Anyway, that little backup QB dilemma. Everybody at least agree that O'Connell is a lock? Given that he was an ultra-raw prospect who required a complete mechanics makeover, so far so good. He's clearly NOT ready for the #2 role today, but seems to be on track for 2009. Assuming BB agrees, that means he's not necessarily looking for Mr. Right at QB #2, but Mr. Right Now.

Let's say that does point to an FA cut like Harrington or Simms. IF that's the case, then I think the course is clear: drop both of the Matts on cut day. If you're not planning to keep them, then use the slot to protect an extra player during the initial post-cuts flurry while you try to sign a veteran. The Matts' lackluster camp performance also makes it more likely that one or both will still be hanging around available to re-sign if necessary.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

So the fact that O'Connell came in "before" Gutierrez is rendered utterly meaningless by the fact that Gutierrez never came in at all, right?

One more time. Gutz was INJURED and MISSED the Wednesday practise session where they put in the offensive game plan. For that reason, he did not play. He was unprepared to play. BB rarely let's guys who can't get on the field on Wednesday play. Superstar experienced vets excepted.

 

[patchick]

One more time. Gutz was INJURED and MISSED the Wednesday practise session where they put in the offensive game plan. For that reason, he did not play. He was unprepared to play. BB rarely let's guys who can't get on the field on Wednesday play. Superstar experienced vets excepted.

Right, I know. In fact, that was precisely my point. The fact that Gutierrez never entered the game makes it crystal clear that O'Connell wasn't put it "before" him -- he simply wasn't playing.

But thanks for telling me "one more time."

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

The rookie made some glaring rookie mistakes last night trying to make something of nothing. You must have watched an alternate feed. He's being asked to do something very different, work with a limited playbook and if things break down try to make something happen without making costly mistakes. His mistakes were only costly once last night. But that was only because the third string and beyond Bucs D weren't making any plays late either. He is what he is - a prospect to be developed.

Cassel has been limited to working with a patchwork offense and line they didn't want Brady exposed to even if his foot didn't need resting. It's a crappy job but somebody has to do it. That is what being the backup to a durable HOF'er is mostly about. Not needing alternate playbooks for guys who are not at all like Brady. If they were to turn Cassel loose and tell him to just go out there and make something happen, he would look a lot like Gutz and O'Connel. He can run a little. They do not want him to. They don't really want the other two to either... It's something that you should only do in this offense in a game you have to win situation when the alternative is not working. This is preseason. Belichick is not auditioning for the improv. Which is why lots of seemingly flashy (but inconsistent) campers never seem to make the grade even as fans see such promise in them...

Thank You...

What I saw last night, was Cassel being thrown to the wolves. Did you even reckognize half the names on that line? Brady wasn't hurt, he was being kept safe from that line.

The int, that wasn't an int was a horrible throw by Cassel into triple coverage. He has not been good in this pre-season by any means.

HOWEVER, O'Connell was brutal. He stood back there fixated on a single reciever and only let the ball go when the receiver was looking at him (and thus was completely covered and took a nice shot for his troubles) by the time the ball got there.
O'Connell needs some serious "coaching up" (once agian proving what a putrid draft this was), he will be lucky to make the practice squad.

Cassell does not seem to be the answer either, look for the Pats to keep Gutierez as the 3rd QB, cut Cassel, dump O'Connell to the practice squad (or the imaginary IR), and sign a vetran QB (who will soon be cut by another club) to be Brady's back-up.

 

[arrellbee]

I have been anticipating that Cassel would be a solid NFL QB since he was drafted. His first appearances seemed to go reasonably well. However ...

There are some things that a QB learns over time with experience. There are other things in fundamental abilities that probably never get much better.

From my perspective, I have now come to feel that Cassel has a couple fatal flaws that mean he has no chance to be an NFL QB.

First is an apparent tunnel-vision where he doesn't see a 'rich' view of an area of the field. Last night's game had a solid example of this where he focussed in on his receiver crossing into the middle of the field and apparently had no visual clue of the defenders in the area. He led his receiver but the defender really didn't move hardly at all in his zone area and Cassel's throw hit the defender in the numbers.

Second is what seems to me to be a lock-in on one receiver - where he seems to have his head and eyes on the receiver for a long interval, if not even from the start of the play. This is fatal. Defenders will read him like a book.

Third - I have seen no evidence that he makes even two reads much less the more than two that solid NFL QBs have to make.

Like the old saying - 'you can't teach speed' - I rather think that you can't teach the abilities to see a 'rich' view of the field or have the scan capability to make multiple reads.

The Pats have kept a fatally flawed QB before for an extra year (Rohan Davey) so they may keep Cassel for another year anyway. But to my way of looking at it, he couldn't operate the Pats offense with any success at all.

 

[stcjones]

Did anyone listen to Schefter. He said the Pats are high on Gutierrez. He was out several days this week as others have said. He isn't going to get many snaps if any at all.

Shhhhh....don't let Mo Lewis know this....it will ruin his day!!!! Keep this to yourself!!!! Cassel Rocks!!!! Cassel Rocks!!!!

 

[stcjones]

The rookie made some glaring rookie mistakes last night trying to make something of nothing. You must have watched an alternate feed. He's being asked to do something very different, work with a limited playbook and if things break down try to make something happen without making costly mistakes. His mistakes were only costly once last night. But that was only because the third string and beyond Bucs D weren't making any plays late either. He is what he is - a prospect to be developed.

Cassel has been limited to working with a patchwork offense and line they didn't want Brady exposed to even if his foot didn't need resting. It's a crappy job but somebody has to do it. That is what being the backup to a durable HOF'er is mostly about. Not needing alternate playbooks for guys who are not at all like Brady. If they were to turn Cassel loose and tell him to just go out there and make something happen, he would look a lot like Gutz and O'Connel. He can run a little. They do not want him to. They don't really want the other two to either... It's something that you should only do in this offense in a game you have to win situation when the alternative is not working. This is preseason. Belichick is not auditioning for the improv. Which is why lots of seemingly flashy (but inconsistent) campers never seem to make the grade even as fans see such promise in them...

Take off the tin foil hat and step away from the mushrooms!!!!! Respect your opinion....but you are alone at the end of the bench right now!

 

[AzPatsFan]

Take off the tin foil hat and step away from the mushrooms!!!!! Respect your opinion....but you are alone at the end of the bench right now!

Mo has lots of people who agree with him including me. Your the type of fan who goes off half ****ed a the drop of a hat. IMHO, Cassel is #2 and will stay #2. I rthink he has been taking one for the team and done reasonably under the circumstances.

Gutz had an injury and then didn't play. Does that sound like the begining of a convenient excuse for an IR? It certainly does to me.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

Mo has lots of people who agree with him including me. Your the type of fan who goes off half ****ed a the drop of a hat. IMHO, Cassel is #2 and will stay #2. I rthink he has been taking one for the team and done reasonably under the circumstances.

Gutz had an injury and then didn't play. Does that sound like the begining of a convenient excuse for an IR? It certainly does to me.

Add me to the list that agrees with Mo. Cassel will stay #2, unless some vet that B.B. likes comes available.