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Offensive participation

Email|Link|Comments (5) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff September 22, 2008 08:30 AM

A look at the snaps played by skill-position players on offense in the Patriots' 38-13 loss to the Dolphins:

TE David Thomas -- 55 of 61 snaps

QB Matt Cassel -- 53 of 61

WR Randy Moss -- 53 of 61

WR Wes Welker -- 48 of 61

WR Jabar Gaffney -- 44 of 61

RB Kevin Faulk -- 24 of 61

RB Sammy Morris -- 23 of 61

WR Sam Aiken -- 15 of 61

RB LaMont Jordan -- 15 of 61

TE Benjamin Watson -- 11 of 61

FB Heath Evans -- 9 of 61

QB Kevin O'Connell -- 8 of 61

WR Ray Ventrone -- 6 of 61

TE Russ Hochstein -- 2 of 61

TE Mark LeVoir -- 2 of 61

(snaps include an illegal contact penalty on the Dolphins, as well as a roughing-the-passer penalty)

ANALYSIS: TE David Thomas led the team in snaps for the second week in a row. With TE Benjamin Watson returning from a right knee injury, Thomas remained the primary tight end, with Watson eased back into the mix. ... WR Randy Moss played every snap until the final two drives, when he was pulled as the game was decided. ... WR Sam Aiken was the team's fourth receiver, getting some time in various packages. ... QB Matt Cassel was replaced for the final two drives, with Kevin O'Connell coming on. ... Offensive linemen Russ Hochstein and Mark LeVoir twice came on as tight ends on third-and-1, and the Patriots converted on running plays both times.

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5 comments so far...

Watson eased back alright with a missed tackle that led to an easy sack of cassell.

Posted by reza September 22, 08 09:10 AM

David Thomas is out there a lot but he failed to make that catch in the down on the 15 yard line. Can't blame Cassell for that one.

Cassell needs to step up his tempo and take some chances on getting the ball to the receivers earlier. Also, he is mobile so he needs to move around more in the pocket. I am not convinced he can't get the ball down the field quicker with the recievers that the Pats have.

You see Pennington do it and he had 3 or 4 broken plays. He's been with the Fins for only a few weeks, where Cassell has been with the Pats for much longer.

Posted by Mike September 22, 08 09:24 AM

Hey Mike,

I’m counting on you to start pushing for O’Connell to start. This is an easy one for all of us see as necessary, so please do your best to write us in that direciton. We need someone who can handle pressure and scramble out of the pocket with intent to get the first down by air or ground, and Cassel has proven he lacks the confidence to do either. I’d rather spend the season pulling for a potential future star -- even if it means a 5-11 record, than eek out an 8-8 record behind Matt. He’s a good kid, but we all know he lacks what we need. System be damned (as proven yesterday), it’s time to give talent and potential it’s due. Please make our case!

Patriots Nation

Posted by Wayne C September 22, 08 09:34 AM

I'm not sure there were that many participants on the offense. I'm sure the defense was playing short handed, too.

Posted by Chris C September 22, 08 10:47 AM

Chris C, haha...... I was thinking the same thing, it was offensive allright!

Posted by Steve September 22, 08 03:23 PM

DO NOT HIT THE SUBMIT BUTTON MORE THAN ONCE!

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Mike Reiss, Christopher L. Gasper and the rest of the Globe team provide regular updates –and a behind-the-scenes look– on the daily happenings of the Patriots.

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