O'Connell's style of play compared to Brady - does it matter?

[ctpatsfan77]

I don't agree in general with you, but do agree with this when applied to O'Connell. I think QBs are drafted all the time with the hope that they develop enough to turn around for a high draft pick. O'Connell was drafted into a situation where the starter will be pushing 35 when his rookie contract is up. Brady is already a lock for the Hall today and should push himself up the all-time list in the next 4 years. He seems like someone that would pursue other interests rather than draft his tired, beat up body through training camp until he is 38 or 40.

If O'Connell turns into a QB worth a high draft pick in 2011, I think the Pats will be in the market for just such a player. Convenient, huh?

That may be a bigger mystery now than exactly when Belichick's contract expires (thank God we're not dealing with that nonsense too ). Earlier this year, though, Brady did say that he thinks he "has another decade" of football in him. Whether he'll want to play that long is obviously another matter.

 

[jeffbiologist]

That may be a bigger mystery now than exactly when Belichick's contract expires (thank God we're not dealing with that nonsense too ). Earlier this year, though, Brady did say that he thinks he "has another decade" of football in him. Whether he'll want to play that long is obviously another matter.

I cant think of a better spin on losing a SB than to keep TB's interest up. If he were to win the SB like 5x in a row he would likely lose interest sooner(ala MJ). Part of sports is dealing with losing, let us as fans deal with and get over that as quickly as possible. KC come quickly.

 

[C'Bad Bolt]

He was not a runner at SDST, he had a bad OL and was running for his life alot. The team likes his arm, his head, and can live with and mold the rest. I dont think its necessary for the backup QB to emulate Brady(there are worse guys though!), but I am sure they have the idea that they want to mold a guy that can play "their system" rather than reworking the whole gameplan. That said, I am sure they will try to exemplify his assets and limit his liabilities. His youthful legs will allow him to not process into a 4-5 route read, but thats not saying we WANT a mobile/change of pace type of QB.

I went to SDSU and am a huge O'Connell fan. True, he ran more out of necessity than by design, but he did take off sooner than he needed to on many ocassions. He had pretty good receivers to throw to when they were healthy; Jeff Webb (Dolphins), Chaz Shillens (in Raider camp, good game last week), Ortiz and others. The top three tight ends at SDSU got hurt in practice before the season began and that pretty much crippled the offense and limited his options.

I was bummed the Patriots got him, but I will always pull for him to do well. He is a really nice kid too. Not some arrogant prick like Jeff George or Chad Johnson.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I think we were all gaga for cassell at first because he scrambled and made things happen. when IMO he was forced to stay in the pocket he was discovered for the lifer backup he is.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Except he scrambled twice after protection broke down and gained positive yardage each time, instead of taking a sack...

The fact that he isnot scrambling is a sign of QB maturity; he is trying to use all eleven men on Offense and actually to run the Offense.

Sucks that in the the eleven, Bill is giving him a lot of turkeys...

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Yup, they all look good before playbooks expand and demands they adhere to them increase and opponents get even a condensed version of a book on them...

Tom wasn't drafted to be Drew's backup. He was drafted to potentially provide a bridge to the kind of offense BB preferred to run - one that takes what defenses are giving (because he can read them and process information on the fly) and limits mental mistakes. They already had a pretty decent backup on the roster in Huard, but Bill apparently didn't feel he was viable as a possible transition player let alone a replacement. Remember, the book on what a Patriots QB needed to be (it was more a wish list given Drew's presence) was firmly outlined in writing prior to Tommy being drafted. **** Rehbein must have sensed something in discussions with Tom that he didn't in Rattay, and that told him Brady was the one Bill should draft. In fact he was losing it as round after round on day two passed with Brady still on the board and Belioli not pulling that trigger...

Bill has long hoped to be in a position where he could develop young QB's as potential trading capitol. Those who don't thinnk that is a worthwhile endeavor need to argue it with BB, not the rest of us. Bill also reiterated this week on WEEI that the days of having a Young developing behind Montana are gone in the cap era. Talent today demands compensation, and given the dearth of quality starters at that position, they have the leverage to get it.

Brady is on record saying he wants to play into his late 30's - but what does he know... Baring injury I think his next contract will pay him in double digits through 2015 or so. There would be no money to keep a viable starter on the roster as a backup given that simple scenario. They will draft the potential replacement one day, just not last April. O'Connel is something of a hedge fund given the increasing demand for starters, the lack of supply of same, the fact that Cassel will be gone after this season, the uncertainty over whether Gutierrez will develop sufficiently to be a viable backup and the projected lack of quality candidates entering the 2009 draft.

 

[GrogansArmy]

I'd love for us to do what the steelers did: use maddox (?) and Kordell and swap them in and out depending on situations. Use Brady when we know the defense sucks at pocket passers and use O'Connell when we know the D sucks at bootleggers.
















Kidding! kidding! sheesh