Matt Cassel

And in ’08 the offense was led by first time starter Matt Cassel.

New England lost their last two playoff appearances to division rival the New York Jets. Last year was the first in three Brady-led seasons the Patriots run percentage was greater than 44 percent. It’s an encouraging trend.

Continue reading "Patriots On the Run in 2011 and Beyond"

It was just Randy’s second year with New England that he saw QB Matt Cassel, LB Mike Vrabel, and DL Richard Seymour, three players with 20 combined years of service with the Pats, traded for draft picks and salary cap relief. 

Continue reading "Stayings or Goings Part 1"

aller in need of protection, but right now I would be in favor of the team treating Brady more like Matt Cassel last year. 

In 2008, New England had the sixth-ranked rush offense. But more importantly, they attempted 513 rushes, averaging 32.1 rush attempts per game. The Pats aren’t far behind that pace with 29 attempts per game this year, but three less attempts per game over a season is 48 attempts. Those attempts would become pass attempts, putting Brady in harm’s way more and more. That’s a scary thought considering the Pats are just 30 pass attempts from exceeding last year’s total of 534. 

Continue reading "The Cassel Treatment"

But it wasn’t the same with Matt Cassel playing in place of Brady. Tom is back, and the stakes are high as he tries to replicate Manning’s performance. 

Brady is in the same

Continue reading "Game of the Year"

e compare him to LB Mike Vrabel, a Belichick favorite until Bill traded Mike to Kansas City with QB Matt Cassel for the 34th pick overall. 

Based on the viewpoint of these experts, Matthews would be a perfect fit in New England. 

Continue reading "In the Minority about Matthews Jr"

I reached the conclusion that the primary reason why the Patriots traded QB Matt Cassel and LB Mike Vrabel for Kansas City's second round pick was to free up more money under the salary cap. The latest rumor I heard is after Denver was contacted by one team about a three-way trade, they called the Patriots offering the 13th pick overall for Cassel.

Continue reading "Early Returns on the Trade"

Was Matt Cassel worth a first round pick? I’d say so, but no team would give the Patriots a first rounder this year. My guess was a 2010 first round pick plus a later round pick in this year’s draft, possibly a third rounder, would had been the average offer. 

Continue reading "Cooking up a Patriots Mock Draft"

To read any of my previous musings, click here.

1.) Matt Cassel was traded alongside Mike Vrabel yesterday, and while I anticipated a bountiful return from the Kansas City Chiefs, all New England received was a second round pick. Really? That’s it? When I heard the Pats were only receiving a single Chiefs pick in return, I immediately assumed it was their first round pick (number three overall), and even then my initial reaction was, “good deal for KC”. After months of supposition that New England would obtain multiple high picks, the Pats gave up their suddenly prized backup for a single second round pick. It appears the franchise that is always one step ahead of its competition just got hosed. This is the same

Continue reading "The Sports Don's Sunday Musings: Volume IV"

l-caller that will be 31 by the start of the season, or do I spend more for a long-term solution in Matt Cassel?

Yeah it's a tough economy, but draft picks don't cost anything.

Once the trade is completed, the Vikes will sign Rosenfels to a new deal. It will be a substantial raise, but well below starter's money. Rosenfels probably will get five to several million per year. A trade for Cassel though, besides the cost of a first round and second round pick (at least if you ask me), Cassel probably would demand a $10 million per year deal.

Continue reading "Three Points"

To no surprise, the Patriots attached the franchise tag to QB Matt Cassel. And in even less of a no-brainer, Cassel accepted the one-year tender of $14.6 million.

Don't go shopping for that fleet of candy apple red Hummers yet, Cassel. You'll get paid, just don't expect the sum you signed for.

Continue reading "Cassel, Your Tag is Showing"

knee reconstructed following knee surgery.

And what about his mobility? We know he can't run like Matt Cassel, but Brady was one of the best at sliding around the pocket to buy enough time to make the throw. I expect Brady to be a little off for the first part of the season, much like Indianapolis' Peyton Manning was before he got over the mental hurdles and played like an MVP candidate.

Continue reading "Team of the Decade"

The price for Matt Cassel has gone up. I don't know if Cassel was fed the "I would back-up Tom Brady because the Patriots is his team" line or if these are his true feelings, but it sends a message out to the league that New England doesn't have to trade either quarterback. They could have the best depth at the position in the league with two Pro Bowl-caliber passers on the roster. So if your team needs a franchise QB and you can't draft either Matt Stafford nor Mark Sanchez, acquiring Cassel will be at a premium price.

Continue reading "Swirling Trade Winds in Foxborough"

e will be back this year and the Patriots will again be a Super Bowl contender.

Cassel Would Sit -Matt Cassel is making his rounds through the media after winning the Vizio Top Value Performer Award (congrats, Matt!). When asked about a quarterback competition between himself and Brady, Cassel said the Patriots are Brady's team and he would accept a back-up role. Spoken like a true Patriot. He's seen other players sacrifice for the team's best interest and he'd do the same if he had to. His willingness to step aside for Brady if Tom is healthy isn't an indictment on Cassel's competitiveness. We saw what he's made of in '08. He's just being the best teammate he can be. It's unselfish players like Cassel and the rest of the roster that makes the Patriots such a great team.

Continue reading "Short Takes"

e helping a two-time Super Bowl MVP reach greater heights is impressive, the job McDaniels did with Matt Cassel is Josh's crowning achievement. He took Cassel, who hadn't started a game in eight years and threw just 39 passes in the NFL, and turned him into a productive, efficient passer over the course of 16 games. Beyond Cassel's final statistics, the dramatic difference between the passer Cassel was in his first start in comparison to his dominant finish (8 TDs 1 int in his final three starts) is why McDaniels is preparing for his introductory press conference.

Continue reading "McDaniels Leaves the Nest"

When I heard that LB Jerod Mayo received 49 of 50 votes for Defensive Player of the Year, I asked two questions: 1. Who got the one vote, then later, 2. Who the hell voted for Keith Rivers?

I won't argue Rivers won't be a good player down the road. In limited playing time, he had 37 tackles with an interception. But to compare a player that only played seven games versus someone who started 16 is illogical. Even if Rivers' number were projected to 16 games he's far behind Mayo's production. Sorry Rivers that you got your jaw broke by Pittsburgh Steelers WR Hines Ward, but that's football.

Continue reading "Stray Votes"

According to reports, the Patriots plan to franchise QB Matt Cassel. Doing so wouldn't surprise me because it gives New England leverage.

Naturally the pessimists jumped to the conclusion that something is wrong with QB Tom Brady's recovery from his knee surgeries. A report said because of the infection, it sets Brady back to the point he might miss the 2009 season. If that's the case, then slapping a franchise tag on Cassel is insurance if Brady can't return for '09.

Continue reading "Tag! You're Going Nowhere"

But they will have to make tough decisions on players like QB Matt Cassel, S Rodney Harrison, and LBs Junior Seau, Rosevelt Colvin, Tedy Bruschi well before the draft.

It's a long off-season.

Continue reading "The Drive in '09"

QB Matt Cassel has thrown eight touchdowns and one interception in his last three games. Overlooked is the effectiveness of the running game that averaged 181 yards in that span. Keeping this momentum through the end of the season would be good to carry into the playoffs, if they get in.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 17"

Get an early lead, build on it, then put your adversary away.

No one knows how QB Matt Cassel will play with a heavy heart. The coaches might take the game out of his hands and put it on the

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 15"

This season is the chance Matt Cassel had been waiting eight years for. He was finally starting and after about a month of regaining his feel, Matt was playing great and showing everyone the player he's always been.

Continue reading "It Will Be An Emotional Game Sunday"

Earlier this season Matt Cassel led some drives that were 10-plus plays. These kind of drives wear down defenses and breaks wills.

That didn't happen last week. All day New England struggled, even in third and short situations. They mustered one yard in two third and shorts and two passes fell incomplete.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 14"

As bad as that loss to the Steelers was, I hope for a rematch. 

Yes, Pittsburgh out-everythinged the Patriots on Sunday. It was a completely convincing win. The Steelers showed why they rank first in a handful of defensive categories. We saw first hand why they are the best team in the AFC. 

Continue reading "Another Shot at the Steelers for the Patriots"

Good thing about Sundays is all the talk stops. It's put up or shut up time.

Yeah, that's a direct stab at Pittsburgh Steelers reserve safety Anthony Smith. I repeat: Reservesafety Anthony Smith. He esentially guaranteed a win over the Patriots, the second year in a row he's made that promise.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 13"

 

I know the temptation is to not mess with success. The offense is clicking now that Matt Cassel has a full grasp of what he’s doing from the pocket. Stretching defenses thin has worked very well for the Pats as the passing game consumes yards chunks at a time. 

Continue reading "Where Have You Been, BenJarvus?"

And they have come for Matt Cassel. 

The NFL world is a blaze with talk of Matt Cassel. He has silenced all critics with back to back 400 plus yard games. He has emerged as a leader and has given the Patriots a legitimate chance of making the post season in a year that seemed that all hope was gone. 

Continue reading "Building a Cassel"

This was bound to happen.

For the second week in a row, QB Matt Cassel threw for 400 yards and three touchdowns. This from a guy that looked so bad against San Diego that practically all fans were calling for his head. Now Cassel is at the head of the class as every Pats fans' favorite player. It's at the point that now people think New England should re-sign Cassel and trade Tom Brady.

Continue reading "The Cassel-Brady Debate"

Check it. A quick review. About two weeks ago against the Jets, Matt Cassel becomes the first player to pass for 400 yards and run for 60-plus. The following week he throws for 415 yards, becoming the first Patriot to throw two consecutive 400-yard games.

Continue reading "Getting the Most Out of Cassel"

Is this game against Miami a must win?

Personally I hate that phrase because it suggests that if a team loses the game, there's no hope for the rest of the season. I don't think that's the case for the Pats. They stand at 6-4 and while one loss hurts their chances of reaching the playoffs, it doesn't completely kills their chances of advancing to the second season.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 12"

essed are you by their performance playing without Tom Brady? 

Bill Romanowski:Well I think Matt Cassel has done a very good job. Are they the same team? No, but I’ll tell you what.

Continue reading "Romanowski on the Patriots"

Did QB Matt Cassel's performance on Thursday remind you of something? Does the spread formation throughout the second half and the big numbers bring you back to a moment in Patriots history?

Continue reading "Cassel to Follow an Old Path to the Playoffs"

Sometimes more playing time is all one needs to show they have what it takes. It worked for QB Matt Cassel and RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Even Guyton earned his way onto the field. Woods could become the next feel good story for the Patriots. Woods will have the opportunity to erase the memory of being stripped of a fumble is Super Bowl XLII. Either Woods steps up or Vince Redd comes out of nowhere and becomes the newest darling of the team.

Continue reading "Patriots Mounting Injuries Aren't Funny"

Sunday was what I invisioned Matt Cassel would be once he was running the full offense. Yes, the offense is still short pass-heavy, but Cassel did look long and tried to connect on a few big plays. Cassel will complete these deep passes soon enough, but it's important to know he will utilize it when he sees the opportunity.

Continue reading "Looks Like We Got a Quarterback"

Without consistent heat, Pats QB Matt Cassel could have the time to pick the Bills secondary apart.

WR Josh Reed -He's Buffalo's version of Wes Welker: a quality slot receiver that consistently moves the chains. Reed excels in finding soft spots on zones and keeps Buffalo's offense humming. Just because the Bills spread the ball around (five players have at least 20 receptions) doesn't diminish Reed's contributions. Without Reed working underneath, it doesn't open up the deep routes to Lee Evans.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 10"

So who covers Clark now?

It Was All a Blurr -It's possible QB Matt Cassel hasn't seen this much speed on one team. For a young passer, it could make his head spin. Maybe it takes a few series for Cassel to get comfortable, but the game has to slow down for him.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 9"

I'm surprised that QB Matt Cassel was voted as the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. Sure he completed 75 percent of his passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns, his best performance this season. But he doesn't do this without his teammates.

Continue reading "A Team Award for a Vintage Win"

QB Matt Cassel and the O-line have the opportunity to put up points against the league's 30th defense.

A few things I'm looking for:

Keep Away - The offense needs to score points, but take it slowly. A ball control attack keeps the ball out of the hands of the Denver offense.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 7"

ile the Patriots did rush for more than 100 yards against San Diego, 29 of those yards came from QB Matt Cassel on seven carries.

How about Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis? That's what scouts say about the former Ole Miss Rebel. His scouting report reads, in part, that BJGE is a "durable workhorse and a secure ball handler." Sounds like a Bill Belichick kind of guy.

Continue reading "A Young Stallion"

For all those who think QB Matt Cassel is underperforming and should be replaced, how about we compare apples to apples. It's obvious he's not Tom Brady so give that comparision a rest. How does Cassel stack up against other backups?

Continue reading "Pick Your Poision"

People thought about it before. Right now they aren't afraid to say it. With the next loss, it will be a demand.

Make a change quarterback. Cassel's not doing the job.

Yeah, Great idea. That will solve all problems. Now who do you put in?

Continue reading "Any Bright Ideas?"

ay you can be back to help the team this season beyond informative phone calls to your replacement, Matt Cassel. Based on his last performance, Cassel listened well.

I didn't realize it, but Cassel passed for 259 yards Sunday, a career high by far. He continues to complete passes at a high percentage and he displays a much needed short memory. Even after throwing two interceptions, Cassel threw into tight locations, putting the ball where the receivers can make plays.

Continue reading "Get Well...Whenever"

ngs before the Red Sox eliminate the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim:

There were two things that QB Matt Cassel did that I really liked. 1. He threw the ball away. That throw-away was during a first half drive that reached the red zone. Instead of forcing a pass into coverage or holding on too long and taking a sack, he avoided a negative play. It kept the team in position to come away with some points, a K Stephen Gostowski field goal. 2. Matt tucked the ball and ran. Though he only gained five yards on four carries on the day, developing the feel of when to abandon the play and get as many yards as possible will be valuable in the long run. It may be the first step towards gaining that sixth sense known as pocket presence.

Continue reading "Quick review"

nse, show us what you're made of.

The defense knew they had to be the backbone of this team as QB Matt Cassel felt his way around leading the offense. They did for two wins against the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets, including impressive goal line stands in each game.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 5"

Boston Globe make up the visual of Moss discussing preparations for the San Francisco 49ers with QB Matt Cassel in the locker room?

I get the feeling people are waiting for Moss to fail. I won't go as far as they want Randy to fail, but they do think when the going gets tough, Moss folds like a tent. They point to examples during the Miami game: There's Moss sitting all by himself, isolating himself from the team instead of trying to rally the troops. Look at Moss with his head down, obviously disappointed that he's not getting the ball. See that incompletion? It was a catch-able ball. That was because Moss didn't go after that pass.

Continue reading "The Randy Rules"

lost to unranked Oregon State.

Not impressed? Asking how does this relates to New England besides Matt Cassel is a USC product?

I'm just trying to put Sunday's loss in perspective. Even the best teams lose.

Continue reading "Back to School"

After two games, it looks like QB Matt Cassel has been asked to not screw it up. Pretty much every pass has been underneath or behind the line of scrimmage. "Manage the game" they all say.

Continue reading "Personalized Playbook"

QB Tom Brady came in, won his first game, then was spanked by the Dolphins. In that regard, QB Matt Cassel's career is mirroring Brady's first two starts.

In that 2001 game, the Brady passed for 69 yards in a 30-10 loss that seemed worse than the final score indicated. The defense did a no-show as well, allowing 209 rushing yards.

Continue reading "There's Something About Miami"

He'll make a play here and there, but won't make any critical plays

Step by Step: QB Matt Cassel will make gradual progress as he continues to take care of the ball and advance the offense. There could be more chances downfield as they test Miami's young secondary

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 3"

his week in favor of their back-ups, but then I saw these comments by Miami LB Joey Porter about QB Matt Cassel on ESPN:

I just know he's not a Tom Brady. So if it's not Tom Brady, it shouldn't be that hard.

Continue reading "Thank you, Joey Porter"

ekend, after every analyst and reporter suggested who the Patriots should sign as a back-up to Matt Cassel (someone even suggested Jeff George. Jeff George!), New England brought Matt Gutierrez back into the fold. First he was signed to the practice squad, but quickly was elevated to the active roster. He was the emergency quarterback Sunday and almost became the back-up.

Continue reading "The Back-up Plan"

QB Matt Cassel hesitated on a few passes. If he threw it on time to WR Randy Moss deep, that would had been a score (but Moss still should had caught that pass - bounced off his chest). There was a curl ran by Wes Welker that could had been a first down. And finally TE David Thomas beat the coverage but Cassel held on a beat too long. By the time he threw it, Cassel had to throw a bullet. If Cassel released it on Thomas' cut, the required touch would had floated the pass over LB Calvin Pace's hand and to the target just before LB Eric Barton arrived. That's 14 points the offense missed out on, not including the other trips into the red zone.

Continue reading "Monday Morning"

end is his greatest accomplishments are behind them.

Coming from the other end of the spectrum is Matt Cassel. He's far from becoming a legend, but at least he has a future to look forward to. Cassel wasn't anything special, but played solid from beginning to end. He left a few plays on the field, but Cassel didn't make a mistake that cost the Pats a win. The good news: with more time, he will get better.

Continue reading "Satisfying"

most an hour's worth of work, I'll gonna go straight to my few points:

Training Wheels? - This is Matt Cassel's fourth year. He knows the offense. But his strengths are different from Tom Brady's. A lot of plays will be the same, but others will be exchanged for what Cassel is comfortable with. There probably will be more screen plays, but that doesn't mean downfield passes are out of the attack.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 2"

It extended a drive that resulted in the 10-yard touchdown pass from Matt Cassel to Randy Moss. Even more relevant, the receiver on the play was Kelley Washington.

I have to admit I was scratching my head over who caught that ball. But when I saw the name on the back of the jersey, it hit me. "Oh yeah! Kelley Washington! Wait a minute...Washington's playing offense?"

Continue reading "On offense"

Enter Matt Cassel, the stately quarterback from USC, who at best can be called unproven but who more realistically should be labeled a greenhorn (Cassel hasn't started at quarterback since his senior year at Chatsworth High School in 1999). A bit wet behind the ears? Perhaps. But certainly up to the challenge? Lets hope so.

Continue reading "Reaction to the Brady Injury"

52 other players that will make a difference this year.

And the difference-makers start with Matt Cassel, the guy all Pats fans (myself included) felt should had been cut before the season. It's understandable. Based on what we saw in the preseason, Cassel looked like garbage for the most part. But the coaches knew that he was making the right decisions most of the time. It's the kind of insight we lack because we don't know the plays, we don't see the whole field, and we don't see how he performs in practice.

Continue reading "It Becomes Official Today"

on Brady's last drive and a 4th-and-2 during a drive that ended in a 10-yard touchdown run by Matt Cassel.

How about that first Miami game? After Cassel threw a pick-six to Dolphins DE Jason Taylor, the first unit was ushered back into the game to score one more touchdown. That's like, "How's that salt in your wound? Well have some tequila for your whiner's margarita!"

Continue reading "Eye to the future"

We are a day closer to knowing who will be on the final roster. 14 players were cut, two placed on injured reserve, and one on the reserve/injured list. It goes as follows:

Cuts:DL Titus Adams, CB Fernando Bryant, TE Tyson DeVree, S Mark Dillard, C Mike Flynn, RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, QB Matt Gutierrez, LB Victor Hobson, LB Vince Redd, CB Mike Richardson, T Stephen Sene, S Antwain Spann, DL Santonio Thomas, G John Welbourn

Continue reading "Cuts and a bust"

He will have to settle for the practices squad.

QB Matt Cassel- Somebody gots to go. Based on the play of Kevin O'Connell, New England knows they can't store O'Connell on the practice squad. Matt Gutierrez out-played Cassel big time last year but just edged him this year. Cassel's time as run out.

Continue reading "The Bubble"

The Patriots offense is not much without Tom Brady. Matt Cassel is a joke and has been for years, Kevin O'Connel is just a rookie, and Matt Gutierrez could be a solid back up but isn't that reliable. Even with Gutierrez, I still feel that if Brady goes down at all in the regular season there is no denying the Pats are in trouble. Let's also look at what we learned so far on the defensive end. THEY HAVE NO SOLID CORNER BACKS! Ellis Hobbs is ok but he isn't a number 1 corner, and guess what we have no other corner back to step in and be the number 1 guy. Then again we haven't learned about the corner back situation in the pre season, we knew this after Assante Samuel left the team.

Continue reading "Pre Season Problems For The Pats"

They win in the regular season.

And a week ago, when the Patriots struggled with Matt Cassel, the sky was falling. Tom Brady's foot is bothering him. It's an injury concern. We don't know how bad it is so it must be serious. If this is how New England plays in the preseason, then they are in trouble when the games become real.

Continue reading "Different perspective"

If we are to find out if Gutierrez is ready surpass Matt Cassel and be the back-up quarterback, he has to perform against first team defenses.

Cassel more than had his chance to prove himself worthy of standing in Tom Brady's shadow. He's been on the team for three years now and he hasn't developed as he should. For a player that USC head coach Pete Carroll said barely lost the starting job to Matt Leinart while in college, Cassel doesn't look like starting material.

Continue reading "Kid Gloves"

It's preseason game number three against the Philadelphia Eagles. And for the first time since the AFC Championship, the Patriots are at home. Yeah, it doesn't count against the record, but there's no place like home no matter the circumstances. Maybe familiar surroundings will be the difference for a handful of players raising their game. Or this could make the O-line find their comfort level. It could be the reason the defense imposes their will on Philly. No matter what happens, it's good to be home.

Continue reading "Happy Homecoming"

We've seen plenty of Matt Cassel. It's time for Gutierrez to step up and wrestle the back-up job from the incumbent Cassel. To be fair, in a game both teams are expected to play the starters for three quarters, Gutierrez should play the first half, Cassel gets his last stand in the third quarter, then Kevin O'Connell closes.

Continue reading "Ring the Alarm"

After the dismal performance by Matt Cassel and the underwhelming work by Matt Gutierrez, people were saying the Pats need a quarterback in case Brady gets hurt.

Brady getting hurt? Come on, if we were to believe the weekly injury report, then Ton Brady hasn't had a healthy day ever since he became the team's starter. Every week Brady is listed as probable with an unknown shoulder injury. Yet week after week he's in the starting lineup directing the offense and making the right throws on target. Brady started 110 consecutive regular season games. Add the playoff games (16 if my memory serves me correctly) and that's 126 consecutive starts by Brady.

Continue reading "First look at Brady"

What would complete all the movements will be the Buffalo Bills signing Matt Cassel after the Patriots cut him.

It's old news by now, but let's review. The New York Jets traded with the Green Bay Packers for quarterback Brett Favre for a conditional pick. To make room for the living legend, the Jets cut Chad Pennington. Taking advantage of Pennington's availability was the Miami Dolphins, who signed Chad for two years. Both passers with new addresses are expected to start for their new teams.

Continue reading "Better competition"

As long as he stays healthy the Jordan signing will be a solid pickup.

Quarterbacks: On a night Matt Cassel could had separated himself from Matt Gutierrez, Cassel fell flat on his face. Throwing as many interceptions as completions won't keep him on the roster. While it's easy to say Gutierrez out-played Cassel, Gutz had a number of roll-out plays that he connected with tight ends or ball carriers. Credit Gutierrez's decision-making for not forcing the ball, but he didn't move the offense. O'Connell showed surprising poise standing in the pocket while under a lot of pressure. Even when out of the pocket he kept his eyes downfield. O'Connell showed his well publicized speed by gaining 22 yards on two carries.

Continue reading "Go to the tape"

be particularly interesting.

The back-ups:Whether or not QB Tom Brady plays matters very little. Matt Cassel and Matt Gutierrez will try to get an edge in their competition. Kevin O'Connell

Continue reading "Near and Favre"