Quality time for Cassel, Moss

FOXBOROUGH - Matt Cassel said yesterday that one of the benefits of an extra week to prepare for Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers was he had a chance to take a breather from digesting the game plan and sit down with wide receiver Randy Moss.

"We had some time off to really sit down and elaborate on what we were thinking, both of us, and really get on the same page," Cassel said.

Cassel explained that what makes Moss such a great receiver - his intelligence, intuitiveness, and ability to read defenses - can also be what takes some time for a quarterback to adjust to. In many ways, playing with Moss is like jamming with a great musician; he can improvise quickly and it can be tough to keep up.

"He's a very, very smart player, and he knows really what he's trying to do on different plays," said Cassel. "Sometimes, though, if you don't know as a quarterback what he's thinking, then you kind of get lost sometimes in translation. You just kind of want to get on the same page with him because he's been around so long, and he's got a good feel for what he wants to do on certain routes, but if I'm thinking something else, obviously, it doesn't work."

Cassel said a good example of Moss's football acumen was the 51-yard completion against the Kansas City Chiefs Sept. 7 that was Cassel's first pass after Tom Brady was knocked out for the season.

"The play wasn't designed that way, but he made the adjustment on the run, and I saw him make the adjustment and it worked out well," Cassel said. "But there are little things like that where it's hit or miss sometimes because you don't know what's going on, but if you know, 'OK, this guy has inside leverage or something,' then you start to pick up on those things."

The fact Cassel approached Moss about the sitdowns showed he is embracing his role as a team leader. Cassel said self-confidence is not an issue for him at quarterback.

"I believe in myself. I have never really had a lack of confidence," Cassel said. "It is just getting out there and performing with those guys. I am a strong believer in, 'I wouldn't be in this position if the coaches and everybody else didn't have confidence in me as well.' That gives me a big boost."

Kicking back

The sight of Deltha O'Neal and Jonathan Wilhite booting a soccer ball in the locker room has become commonplace. The cornerbacks aren't auditioning for the World Cup, they're warming up for practice.

"I learned it from Wes [Welker]," O'Neal said. "I watch Wes and Randy and [Jabar Gaffney] do it, so I was like, 'Let me try it.' After a while, you get kind of warm doing it. It kind of warms you up for practice."

It's not a coincidence that it's the wide receivers and cornerbacks who spend the most time with the soccer ball - although kicker Stephen Gostkowski likes to show off his skills. Welker, a former soccer standout, has used the game to train for football. The translation is obvious.

"Good footwork. Growing up, I wish I would have played more and gotten involved more because a lot of guys I played with in college played soccer and their feet mechanics are real quick," said O'Neal. "You've got to basically run with a ball and you can't grab it or anything. Some people are like Barry Sanders with the soccer ball. They can make a person look stupid. They can do tricks and stuff, but as far as for a DB and a receiver, I think it's just a good way to get warm and a good way to keep the footwork good."

O'Neal watches soccer - he said his favorite player is Brazilian sensation Ronaldinho - but he's going to stick to football, not futbol.

Fewer options

Patriots coach Bill Belichick mentioned that the 49ers have been known to use running back Frank Gore in the same type of shotgun, spread-option look the Dolphins used to gouge the Patriots Sept. 21. He said the Patriots had to prepare to face such a look.

Chances are that Belichick and his staff have had a chance to study the unbalanced formations and pressure points of the option to where it will not be successful again against the Patriots. Nobody in the game is better at dissecting film and turning it into teaching points than Belichick.

"He's the best in the game," said nose tackle Vince Wilfork. "I've never been coached by any other pro head coach, but from what I hear from teammates that have been in different situations, it's as good as it gets. I don't want to test the water and try to figure it out. He's been doing it for a long time."

Limited participant

The Patriots had one addition to their practice report yesterday, as Welker had limited participation because of a groin injury. He was present for the start of practice, which was held in light shoulder pads and shorts or sweat pants. For the second straight day, wide receiver Kelley Washington (right ankle), cornerback Lewis Sanders (hamstring), and linebacker Eric Alexander (hamstring) did not participate in practice . . . Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter just sacked Cassel again, at least according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported that Elias determined that Porter should have been credited with a fourth sack when he stripped Cassel of the ball with 14:20 left in the fourth quarter of Miami's 38-13 win. The play was originally scored a 1-yard run for Cassel. A review showed Porter forced the fumble prior to Cassel reaching the line of scrimmage . . . The Patriots will practice today, then leave for their flight to the Bay Area.