Cassel confident customer

SAN JOSE, Calif. - It was Bill Parcells who once said of confidence: "Confidence is born of only one thing - demonstrated ability."

Well, now that Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel has demonstrated the ability to make plays and get the ball downfield to Randy Moss, as he did last Sunday in a 30-21 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, his confidence should be boosted.

"I felt good about how I played," Cassel said yesterday, prior to the Patriots' first practice at San Jose State. "There are still things that I want to work on, but hopefully I'll build on that and continue to grow and continue to get better."

The Patriots are hoping that Cassel can carry the momentum from his career-best performance (22 of 32 for 259 yards) to this Sunday against San Diego. Chargers coach Norv Turner said Cassel has progressed from his first start against the Jets.

"There's going to be an adjustment," said Turner. "There's going to be an adjustment when you lose a guy of Tom Brady's stature, of his ability and his leadership and all the things he's accomplished. I think you see improvement. I've seen confidence over the last four weeks and it was kind of a coming-out game against San Francisco. Matt looks like he's getting a real feel for what they are asking him to do."

Cassel, who has completed 67.3 percent of his passes, said he has settled into a groove in terms of being the starting quarterback after being thrust into that role after Brady's season-ending left knee injury in the opener.

"I definitely feel a bit more comfortable," said Cassel. "The butterflies have gone down a little bit, and you kind of get into a routine and figure out how you want to approach each and every week. That's just a growing process, and the more you do something, the more comfortable you become in the role."

Running back Sammy Morris said Cassel has never lacked confidence. "Matt is a confident quarterback, a confident guy," said Morris. "I think getting the actual performance that he wanted, or moving forward, closer to the performance that he wants, is definitely big for him."

Jordan sits out

The Patriots practiced without running back LaMont Jordan, who left last Sunday's game with a right leg injury, and two other players.

Jordan was listed on the practice participation report as having a calf injury.

He was joined by linebacker Eric Alexander (hamstring) and wide receiver Kelley Washington (right ankle). Cornerback Lewis Sanders, who did not practice last week because of a hamstring injury, returned but had limited participation. Running back Laurence Maroney (shoulder) had full participation.

For the Chargers, All-Pro running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who is trying to overcome a hyperextended toe, was one of three players, along with wide receiver Chris Chambers (ankle) and linebacker Jyles Tucker (hamstring), not to practice yesterday.

Turner said Tomlinson seems to be improving. "It's swollen and it's sore. It's gotten better and I think he's getting close," said Turner.

Tomlinson, who has averaged only 3.7 yards per carry this season, admitted he has been playing at less than 100 percent. "As a runner, you need pretty much everything that you have as far as your legs are concerned: feet, toes, knees, hamstrings," he said.

"Obviously, when you are hurt as a runner, it hurts you. But it's football, and as long as I've been playing, there's no way that I can expect to not ever be hurt. I've got to play through it and that's just part of being a football player."

No Brady update

Patriots coach Bill Belichick did not offer any real comment on Brady's surgery Monday, saying the team did not want to get into a situation of giving a daily update.

When asked whether Brady would still be around to help out Cassel and backup Kevin O'Connell, both of whom have said how helpful it has been to have Brady in meetings, Belichick intimated that Brady's rehabilitation schedule will dictate that.

"As I said before, his first responsibility is to do what he needs to do and we'll take it from there," said Belichick.

His kind of QB

Count Vince Wilfork as a fan of Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, at least when he's not facing him. While Rivers's fiery personality can rub some opponents the wrong way, Wilfork said he likes the way Rivers, who is tied for second in the NFL in TD passes with 11, conducts himself.

"I think he has a little swagger to himself and you can't blame him," said Wilfork. "I like a quarterback like him. It's out of character. A lot of guys see quarterbacks and you see the Tom Bradys, the Carson Palmers, and the Peyton Mannings. He's totally the opposite. He's getting pumped up like he's an offensive [or] defensive lineman. He shows a lot of emotion out there on the field, so I think a lot of people see that and think differently toward him.

"To me, I like to see a guy pumped up because it shows he enjoys what he does. He does it well."