Cassel is AFC Offensive Player of the Week

Wow, with each accolade hit annual salary demand goes up a million

Matt Cassel has made watching the Patriots games more fun than ever. What a remarkable story he has become. A lot of people didn't give him much of a chance of making the grade but it's been great watching him mature and becoming good quarterback. I'm sure he'll get a good contract with someone next year.

I gotta bad feeling the heartless BIll B. is going to thrust a dagger into our collective hearts and trade Brady for some defensive studs... Say it ain't so.

Mr. Cassell has been spectacular, exceeding all expectations by many light years. He deserves congratulations and our everlasting admiration. But, next year, when this free agent becomes the starting quarterback somewhere else (without the benefit of having studied that team's playbook for four years), will he enjoy similar success without Mssrs. Belichick and McDaniels coaching him?

The Pat's'll sign Cassell because it looks as if Brady is out for next season and he's playing too well to let him go just to save a few beans.

Elo Gaines,

Belichik has cut stars before, but wont cut the best QB to ever play the game. What about signing and trading Cassel for some studs ?

I love how Cassel is sticking it to all the naysayers out there who were ready to cut him and fire B.B. after his first few starts. I know hind-sight is 20/20 but anyone who has watched more than a season of professional football should know that it takes most young QB's at least half a season just to catch up to the speed of the game. Sure Cassel could have failed and could still fail, but you've got to let it play out! I'm enjoying this season as much as the commenter above (maverysr) because there is no pressure involved whatsoever. After last year's emotional rollercoaster and when Brady went down this year, every win with Cassel has been a bonus!

brady seems to have lost interest, spends his time in new york and los angeles, isn't an active participant in the offseason anymore. sign cassel, he wants to play and cares about winning.

I remember a comment the Ben-Jarvus Green-Ellis made a few weeks ago "It was good to hear his voice, I just like the sound of his voice..". This was in regard to Brady making one of his first appearances in the Pats locker-room since his surgery. I have been a MAJOR Matt Cassel fan since he was drafted, hoping he'd get his chance, and enjoying the underdog aspect of his survival in the NFL. But, even with these recent performances, and that great feeling we have from his emergence, Tom is the only way to go, when he comes back. Even if miraculously the Pat's go deep into the play-offs, or even WIN the superbowl, Tom still has to be the choice. What happened last year with the offensive production was no fluke, and Tom (as Ben-Jarvus suggests...) brings a calming leadership to this team.... Tom still has 4-5 good years left in him.....

I think the Pats should keep Cassel. Because he can throw and he can run. Brady is more of a statue, a very pretty greek god of a statue but, even more vulnerable post injury. They could trade Brady and get players and draft picks that will would cement them as Super Bowl favorites for the next ten years. Imagine Brady to the 49ers for Patrick Willis and first round draft picks for the next few years. They would have the best two young linebackers in football. Then maybe they could get some consistent pressure on the opposing QB. Brady is great but, if Cassel can keep this up Keep Cassel!

Let's just enjoy the season...Cassel is taking care of the offense...who will step up on the defense??

I'll be the first to admit I was wrong about Cassel. He has been a wonderful story. I wanted the team to cut him because I saw nothing out of his pre-season games. Boy, I never admit this.....but I was wrong. Congrats to Matt Cassel. He deserves everything that has come his way.

Cassel is going to San Francisco. The place where his protoge Tom Brady watched Joe Montana play some football. :) That's where Cassel is going.

Brady is out for next season?

Brady doesn't care about football?

Where does this stuff come from????

Is Matt Cassel's mom posting here?

This kid is like an oak tree that keeps getting taller and stronger.He shows such maturity standing in the pocket and then choosing to run,an option the Pat's have not had in years.His poise is something.He's not a rookie,although he truly is.Like some of the commenters here have said it's a different year.A year that was supposed to be lost,and yet I'm having more fun this year watching since proberly 2004.Sound familiar,watching Brady coming in for Bledsoe and refusing to give the football back...........This kid,I'm sure is a keeper,the players respond to him.........He certainly deserves the player of the week...I'll miss him,if he goes.

Can the Patriots franchise Cassel ???

Brady or Cassell? I can't believe anyone is seriously thinking about this. If you really think the Pats should franchise Cassell then you know nothing about football, especially the salary cap issues. Cassell will get the money he seems to deserve, but it can't and won't come from the Pats because of the salary cap, unfortunately.