Bits from Belichick

sigh i would have loved the hear that O Connel was going to get a chance at qb but to be honest i really didnt expect it. Ill still be hoping to see Crable against denver hopefully he can generate a pass rush but i doubt it....

Cassel is better than Brady and he barely costs anything against the cap. Watch for Brady to get cut in the off-season and Cassel to step up BIG TIME.

McDaniels was all kinds of fired up during that "dicsussion".

sigh.....I agree Andrew. I also wish we could exchange our defense with another teams

So Bill, what you're telling me is to not arrange my Sundays around watching a 6-10 football team? Got it. See you in 2009!

It's good that Belichick has confidence in Cassel, but does the rest of the team? Because honestly, I don't feel like they are playing as hard as they did when Brady was out there. It seems that the rest of the team doesn't have the same drive and I really wish some of the big names would step up and lead this team. Watching that game the other night, I don't feel that Cassel was the problem.

What is Bill Belichick thinking? He says our best chance to win is with Matt Cassel. Has he been watching the game films? Obviously we have a huge problem with Matt Cassel as QB, the whole NFL knows! Coach Belichick has decided he will go down with the sinking ship like a good captain should. What he does not know is that he is bringing everybody down with him, the whole Patriot Nation. What a good skipper would do in this situation is to plug the whole, stop the bleeding and save our ship by getting Cassel out of here. I have lost all confidence in Bill Belichick, he should be replaced. Sorry Bill!

Text of conversation at halftime heading to the locker room:
McDaniels: I know in practice situations Cassel looks great, but under fire in a live game he looks lost. He really doesn't have enough experience. Should he have been our number two QB this year, one heartbeat from the starting role?
Belichick: Sometimes you have to make bold decisions.
McDaniels: Cassel is like the Sarah Palin of back-up QBs.
Belichick: I’m a maverick

So, seems as though you & your media cohorts are up to trying to run the local football team again. Many media folks casting doubt about what the people in charge seem to think. As usual,your MEDIA TONE, comes across as you guys know what we should really do about anything. So who do you think we should pick as our QB this week? I'm sure he will be better than who we have , according to the media.( Don't forget those useless Brady comparisons, they really help)
While your at it , why don't you rustle up some fresh meat for that defenseive group we have now. I'm sure you can find 11 or 12 guys who can do much better than the bunch we have now

Cassels is brutal....Period. I agree that he is not getting the protection that Brady gets, but he also can't read opposition defenses fast enough (if at all) when he does. If I see him panic and tuck the ball to try a 1 yard rush when a reciever is open one more time, I am going to swallow my tongue. Maybe it is time to try someone else.

Cassel is a free agent after this year. So, if he continues to struggle, nothing is gained except a better draft position. We'd still have a mediocre backup. And if he somehow manages to improve, we'd lose him. (Why give him a raise in pay when we have better prospects at QB in the wings?)

Seems to me it'd be better to develop the other quarterbacks while Tom is out. Maybe this isn't the year to try to put the then best QB on the field each game. Maybe this is a year to develop a reasonable backup QB who will be under contract for a while. Also, with a lot of expiring contracts coming up over the next two years, developing younger players and having some better draft picks would be helpful.

Dear Frank - WHAT? Did you watch the game on Sunday night? Cassel is terrible. This offense is built around making good, quick decisions - something he is clearly not capable of. How many times did he not make it through his progression in time to see a wide open receiver? Like Ben Watson in the end zone? Cut Tom Brady? You've got to be out of your mind. Bring on Matt Gutierrez!

SIGH!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH............Let me coach! I can do a better job. How about starting with a spread formation! Score some points.

Cassel's not the biggest problem.
A pass rush and better game plan would go along way in making Cassel and the defensive backs look better.

Yup, good to know all that stuff, Bill. I'll tune in next year when we have some balls to make changes, real decisions, get back to being creative on offence and defence, and stop wasting our time by watching the McDaniels Pop-Warner game plan.

By the way, if Cassel gives them the best chance to win, how are the other two QBs they have even in the NFL? Boy, has the loss of Brady exposed the lack of ability in some of the people on the sidelines or what?

When does the 2009 season open? Are the Celtics playing yet?

outside being a mediocre QB at best, Cassel in not a leader. He doesn't bring a sense of confidence or the fired up attitude of a true competitor. He has NO field vision whatsoever and holds the ball way too long. I don't think he'll improve given his limited skill set. I'm writing this season off and Coach is too if he keeps this bum in there. Why not see what O'Connell or Gueiterez can do? You gotta love how well Matt Ryan is doing in Atlanta!

Last I checked, Cassel has yet to play a down on the defensive side of the ball. Where are the team leaders, the captains of the defense when times get tough?
It's almost the heart of the team died when Brady went down and no one has stepped up to be "the man" or "men" driving this team. I'm also wondering about
our defensive-minded coach who every expert and fan has acknowledged as being the best in the business....did he suddenly lose the edge to stop the competition with his creativity and smarts? It's almost as if the Pats to a man
and coach have begun to mail it in, especially after Miami and now San Diego.

It was foolish of the Patriots to be in the position of not having a back-up for Brady, and that's exactly the position they left themselves in. It was foolish. It's also obvious the relative value of the coach vs. the QB. Kraft better open the vault and hold on to Brady as long as he can, assuming he regains the desire to play that was lost after the SB loss.

2 guys are driving down the road in a truck. Suddenly one of the tires goes flat.
The driver's friend asks, "Shouldn't we stop and change the wheel?"
"Nahhh," says the driver. "It's normal. The wheel still works fine. Just wait and see."
Further down the road, another tire blows and the first bad one comes off the wheel.
"Okay, NOW can we stop and call AAA for help?" asks the friend.
"Nope. Not necessary. The other tires can do the work."
A third wheel blows out, the truck swerves and crashes into a bridge abutment. The friend is killed, and the driver sustains massive injuries: two broken legs, and a broken arm.
Then the ambulance arrives and the EMT asks the driver if he needs help.
"Nahhh. It's just a flesh wound. All I need are a couple of aspirin and I'll be fine"
Coach Belichick seems determined to drive the truck until the wheels fall off. This is NOT a winning formula for success. Many members of the team are too old, too worn out, and too slow. And Belichick is too stubborn to do anything about it.

Chas,

I agree. Develop the younger players, including O'Connell. This year isn't the patriots year. At best they finish 9-7 or 10-6 and lose in the first or second round of the playoffs.

I'd rather finish 7-9, get a better draft pick and give the young guys a year to get themselves going. Putting social security guys like Bruschi out there doesn't do any good.

Put in O'Connell, enough said. He's got the arm strength to get the ball downfield and give Moss a chance to make a play, which Cassel has failed to do thus far. Also, I'm pretty sure O'Connell can also handle the short passing game that Cassel has been asked to do thus far, so it appears to be a win-win situation.

Dear Tom Brady:
We miss you!
love,
everyone

Hey Greg, maybe Bill doesn't like his passenger and is looking to get a new truck?

Plenty of teams with solid defence can win games with 10 points. It isn't Cassel coughing up the 30+ points a game.

I said it during the pre-season, and I'll say it again: Cassel doesn't seem to have a head for football. After 4 years with the Patriots, you'd think he would learn how to feel pressure, make adjustments, and so forth. But some things like good judgement under fire just can't be taught. Let's try O'Connell and see if he does a better job handling the pressure.

you all sound like a bunch of hypocrites...give cassell a chance to get into a groove. It's ridiculous that everyone turns on coaches, players, and a team so quickly. Give me a break...

Belichick is so pompous. To think you can go with a QB who has not played since high school is a joke. Belichick has such a huge ego. By playing Cassel he is absolved of all coaching responsibility. If the team fails the blame goes on Cassel if the team wins he is a super genuis coach. Such a chicken. 5 games in
He could have Culpepper, Sims, Holcombe, Harrington ready to go. The team totally quit behind Cassel in San Diego when he couldn't get it in from the 1 yd line. It is a joke and fans should be mad. Where is Ron Borges on all this?

Brady pocket presense, quick reads and just plain football smarts...
is it possible Brady has made this team look better than they really are all this time??

"He could have Culpepper, Sims, Holcombe, Harrington"
there is a reason why NONE of these guys have a job right now. THEY STINK! Explain why any of them would make this team better. Cassel does not play defense. He doesn't play on the O-Line, D-line, D-back. If you dont have time to throw or even find the open guy and if your defense cant stop the other team then you are not going to win. It is that easy folks. Maybe some of you wagon jumpers need to try out for an NFL team next year and see how it goes.

All BB is doing is letting Cassell "showcase" his "skills" when he becomes a FA at season's end. Whatever "skills" he may have.

Meanwhile, O'Connell isn't going anywhere. What a perfect opportunity to develop a QB for the future! Brady's injury should have BB getting the snaps in for O'Connell not Cassell. "He gives our team the best chance to win." Are you serious? Really? I saw MC throwing balls into the dirt with a receiver 10 yards away! That pathetic display on the 1 yard line was enough to say "He is NOT giving the team the best chance to win"!! It's discernable how this team is not behind this QB. You can see it.

You guys are right. I can't believe Cassell gave up 30 points to the Chargers. Did you see the way he just stood there on the sideline while Rivers was bombing away for over 300 yards?

cassel doesnt keep the offensive on the field long enough for the D. cassel sucks. he reminds me of bledsoe. and i was a cassel supporter. vote for oconnel on nov 4

What on earth happened to Belichick. Cassel must have some incriminating photos stashed somewhere. There are High School Q.B.s that can read a defensive field much faster than this Clydesdale. Sacks, interceptions, ground balls, fumbles………..get this clown out of there. We are not talking about J.V. teams where all kids have to play because of school policy. This is big money and a professional business. No room for “let him get the hang of things”. The only thing he is going to hang is Pats Nation.

All the fair weather fans are coming out of the woodwork already!
Give the team a few games to adjust.

Do you think there might have been a reason why Cassel played behind Leinart and Carson Palmer at USC? If he's so good why wasn't he playing ahead of Leinart who's riding the bench at Arizona?
Bring in a winner - Matt Gutierrez, even if his name is hard to spell. He outplayed both of the others in pre-season.

Gutierrez showed more ability than Cassell too.

Either him or O'Connell would be a better option.

It's like BB is self-destructing.

It's perfectly clear now...Cassel has the Rams walk through tape.

By the way, for all his trophies, in prep school Matt Leinart at Mater Dei couldn't beat Matt Gutierrez at the famous De La Salle Prep. De La Salle also produced Maurice Jones-Drew and Derek Landri at the Jaguars, Amani Toomer on the NYG, DJ Williams Denver LB, etc.

If Cassel is our best hope that is scary. In Belichek we trust but he was the person who did not have an effective QB to take over. We have wasted 3 years with this guy who has not talent and no experience. Let's hope that half way through the season we will finally see O'Donnell

relax everyone! this team is clearly trying to find its identity. plenty of games left. by the way, the point is to be playing your best ball at the end of the year, not the beginning. remember last year?

If we simply forget the bad passes and focus on the fact that Cassell doesn't see the whole field, that should be enough to sit him. He had a wide open receiver in the End Zone and not only didn't see him, he didn't even look! He advertises where he's throwing {I haven't seen a pump fake or look to one side and throw to the other yet} and doesn't throw well when he does. Its now time to give O'Connell his shot. I know he's young, so isn't Mat Ryan and a few other Rookies and they're doing very well and obviously much better than Cassell. Hell, I could QB better today at 49, O'Connell is smart, a running threat and has a great arm so before its too late, put him in. If we used this approach when Bledsoe got hit, we wouldn't ever of had Tom Brady!

This guy has blown his wad, just like Brady's girlfriend. You idiot fans don't have a chance. You're a one man team and his luck ran out in week 1. Belicheat doesn't have any more magic since the "Mangenius" uncovered his diabolical plot to cheat against everyone. He's not the man you thought, and you'll see by year end when you end up in last place.

OK. So I know O'Connell can't become the QB right now because he's still too green, probably doesn't know the plays all that well and if he doesn't do well starting, we're screwed. So we have to keep Cassel in for now, but just watching O'Connell in the pre-season, he seems to be the man to replace Brady someday. And, worst of all, I have to endure this season watching Cassel screw up. Yes, there's plenty of blame to go around. What's with our offensive line? Have the Patriots given up on finding good secondaries? And, our defense seems to be demotivated by the offense's inability to score. But in the end, the captain is critical to a team's cohesion.

Its very easy to point the blame finger on Cassell. Are we forgetting the old farts that still play for the pats? What the pats need is new fresh talent neither Cassell or Brusci or the horrifying secondary line will do us any good. This season the pats need to try new things. They need to try Gutierrez or maybe another linebacker or corner. This whole team needs a fresh lift. I just feel bad for Welker and Moss. They are such talented and yet have no one to give them any support. Anyways is not just Cassell its EVERYONE. So just as easy it is to blame Casell I can say the same about the secondary that we dont even have and a defensive line that might as well go get social security checks.

If Cassel is our best hope folks its time to start rooting for Mangini and the Jets. Cassel is very bad. We all know it except for bill. Fact is Bill needs Brady more than Brady needs Bill... Just look forward to next season. Cassel is soo bad that he makes the best receiver in the League look bad.. Message to Bill. Stow the Ego and bench Cassel..

Leaving Matt Cassel in is going to create animosity it already has. Did anyone see Randy Moss and some of the rest of the offense talking about how Matt Cassel just can't get it done. You can see it on the sideline, our own players are disgusted. Fingers are being pointed, games are going to be lost, this is a start of a major land fall. Randy Moss won't want to play here. What do you think that is going to create? I am telling you, this team is about to self destruct. Bill Belichick better do the right thing and get Matt Cassel out of there. A QB is a team leader. How many people think that Matt Cassel is a team leader? I'll answer that one for you all, no one! Matt Cassel, please! I am just a big pats fan, all my life. I love sundays, chance to watch our team play, always fun. But now, we have to listen to Bill Belichick tell us that this is our best chance to win. Clearly Matt Cassell does not have the knack for this sport and or the most importand role on a football team. Please Mr. Belichick, do us all a favor, do yours self a favor and get a clue. Are you Retarded? Give Us A Break? Now I am getting Mad. We are all Mad, get Cassel out of here, get em out of New England. He is Horrible.

for you all, no one

Casell is a BUM!!!!!!

Granted we all thought Cassell could do the job, but being so used to a player like Brady we're not willing to give him time to develop. He looks scared every play even when he gets good protection. We all hope O'Connell could do better but what happens if he doesn't, do we goto QB #3.

Hopefully Bill is lying and he really is going get some non-geriatric linebackers and maybe some DB's that run faster than a 4.8 40 because we will struggle with this D to even sniff the playoffs.

Lets just hope for 2009 and that Tom shows up healthy and Randy hasn't been put off by the lack of success he is going to experience this year. O and a whole new back 7 on D.

Okay I dont know where the "Cassel gives us the best chance to win" thought came from, atleast our other two quarterbacks played in college. Did we all forget Cassel was basically a backup thoughout his entire career in college. I know the boston teams always stress the motto of "Believe" but I dont know I can believe in a guy who before this season hasnt started a game since 12th grade to lead a team with such high expectations......

Unreal ... the 1st and goal drive ends in futility as Cassel somehow in the play-action can't see Big Ben Watson - the only guy in the entire left half of the endzone - waving at him furiously ... so he dives into a pile of 4 linebackers. A 50 yard pass and an interference call later, Rivers lines up on first down and, in play-action, lofts it to Gates for the TD ... less than 1 minute. Totally polar experience.

I agree, the defense has plenty of problems, but the whole team quits when a QB can't check off past 2 guys ... Brady could check off 5 in a hurry ...

I am watching the game (DVR) because I missed it Sunday. Everyone is saying don't point the finger at Cassel but he looked terrible! So did the D. But I am watching his deep (or 25+ yard passes to Moss -2 so far) and Moss has had to slow down!!! But the time he has slowed down Jammer is on or at least caught up. Moss had Jammer by a step and a half on the first pass but had to slow down significantly to catch. The PATS desperately need a guy who can throw hard. Cassels passes look weak! I may be wrong but after watching it over and over Cassell just does not seem to place the blame with velocity or accuracy. Just a thought.

I don't care whether Guttierez or O'Connell is next on the list, try one of them. Cassell hasn't had time to develop? What's he been learning for the last several years? Obviously, not much of anything. He plainly doesn't have what it takes. Maybe Guttierrez and/or O'Connell will show they're not the answer, but Belichick won't know unless he tries. Maybe that's what Belichick is afraid of -- to find out that none of his backups are worth it.

Last season I wondered why Cassel never got much playing time. It was apparent to me that: a) Brady was having trouble with his shoulder, and b) Cassel didn't have Bellichek's confidence.
I think what happened at the Super Bowl is that Brady couldn't throw long, and that eliminated Moss. Who cares if your WR is open 50 yards downfield if your QB can only throw 40?
Brady was/is an exceptional ball player, and the Patriots aren't going to replace him overnight. Cassel? Dunno. I'm pretty sure, though, that he and the entire team need backs to make the running game work, a line to give him time to throw, and the runners holes to run through, and a defense that doesn't give away 30 points per game.

This is a load of crap. Cassell is a freakin joke, and bellechick is obviously suffering a crack addiction. This kid doesn't belong anywhere near a football field. O'Connell would be a step up. At least he's played QB before. Actually, he's played football before. Why bother watching this team if they're going to keep sending Cassell out there? The Krafts should start re-evaluating what they have in Bellichick. He's freakin' lost it. I think Kifflin's looking for a coaching job.

I think what happened at the Superbowl was the O-line couldn't protect Brady from a highly-motivated Giants defense, so he didn't have time to throw long.
Once again, the Patriots as a whole are too old, too slow, and too tired.
Time to reboot and try again.

Unbelievable you people, absolutely unbelievable. I was at the San Diego game and it was bad, but you can't blame Cassel for the defense. Cassel is no Tom Brady, but he is a capable NFL QB who is improving every week and gives the Patriots the best chance to win.

The fact that everyone is down on Belichick is incredible. We're barely a quarter of the way through the season after the unthinkable happened and everyone's calling for Belichick's head. BB is a great coach, one of the best in history, and by season's end he will have the Patriots where they need to be. The guy has taken us to 4 Super Bowls and brought 3 championships, have a bit of faith.

Regarding Frank's Comment on Brady...

You're an idiot!

I would like to volunteer to be Matt Cassel's recruiter because he needs a new job!
I was at the game and it was embarrassing!
We should have let the hometown kid, O'Connell play.. give the kid a bone since Matt was throwing it in the dirt. brutal.

You guys are all whiny bitches. Just root for your team and shut up.

Three problems with the Pats right now:

1. Cassel
2. Josh
3. Hobbs.

Take these three out and we might have a chance. Cassel can't read the field, and can't find wide open receivers in his progression. He can't feel pressure. Josh can't call an offense unless he has a whole offense full of stars, and anyone can do that. If I see another run play on second and long I think I will puke. Hobbs can return kicks, but that is about it. Our season is lost if we stick with these three. Might as well get some other players some time out there.

This team is 3-2. After 5 games in 2001, the patriots were 2-3.

Granted, Bledsoe started the first two games of that season. The problem right now is the defense. The first drive by SD set the tone. Why was their single coverage after a pattern of long bombs was established? Deltha O'Neil was stopping the outside, allowing the receiver to go inside with no safety help up top, what's up with that?
As far as Cassel goes, his biggest issue is his pocket presence. Tom Brady covered up the massive hole at the offensive line because of his ability to make throws moments before being driven to the ground. Cassel does not have that experience. O'Connel won't be any better without getting the experience. Who cares about his arm? Michael Bishop had a great arm too. Where the heck is he?

Cassel played against the WORST pass defense in the ENTIRE league and could only manage to put 10 points on the board. If that doesn't tell anyone (are you listening Bill?) how bad he sucks I don't know what will. He has no clue what it means to "check" when getting to the line. He has no clue how to see where all his recievers are after the snap. In fact after the snap all he does is look to his right and if he is going to pass, he telegraphs it. If a team wants to stop what little of a passing game he has all they have to do is stack the defense to his right, he NEVER looks left after a snap - NEVER! Wake up coaching staff.
By the way, I read McDaniels lips when he was shouting at coach Bill. He wanted to know why his calls were being ignored. Because his calls were not being used they were loosing. I think Cassel believes he knows more and makes his own calls. Again showing how bad he really is. Bench him, because if he stays in, they will be lucky to go 5-11 this year. O'Connell is a far better choice. Much better poise in the pocket, can read a defense, throws with zip on the ball and knows how to lead the recievers when he passes - all attributes Cassel doesn't have, has never had, nor ever will have.
And yes the D needs to be shored up. But I don't care how young or old you are, if you have to spend the majority of the game on the field you will get tired and you will give up plays. The QB is a leader in many regards. Keeping the offense on the field for as long as possible and dictating the clock is a key component to a winning team. Cassel has no clue how to do that, never will.

Sean,
Whatever drugs you are on please send to Boston, MA. Thanks bud
Ryan