Matt Cassel checks in

i hope matt cassell and tom brady meet in the superbowl next year. the kid is class act 1st rate patriot

I don't pretend to KNOW Matt Cassell, but by all appearances could his big upcoming payday happen to a more deserving NFL player?

Maybe there is something to this karma thing I hear so much about...

Man, I don't get the media. The guy asks, very respectfully, can we not talk about what went on last week. Does the media honor that? Absolutely not! Let's just find a way to make the question a "borderline" question. Then it can continue to be about what the media want it to be about, not what the player wants it to be about.

No matter what happens from here on in, this season has been such a great experience to watch the transformation of Matt Cassel. I really hope he ends up having a long and successful career, whether it be here or wherever he ends up (well, unless it's with The Jets - sorry, Matt).

Geesh Jim in SC, overreact much? I didn't think the media or the question was bad. It was on every fan's mind, will he play and when will he get to practice. Nobody knows how we would act in that situation, i found it an interesting question. Sports stars have to accept they have to be more open becuase they are talked about so much.

Matt, youre one year on the field for the Pats has been a memorable one...now lets go out and win 6 in a row and solidify that legacy of yours!!

I have to be honest - in the pre-season, I was thinking "if Brady ever goes down, we're done!" Yes, I'm eating my words and will be the first to admit it. He stepped up and took over with little starting experience. But he proved himself and has been key every week. I have to admit - the weeks they lost, it wasn't solely on his head, he didn't have the defense backing him the way they should have, but add to that an injury every week. Considering what they've been up against this year, the Pats are doing fine. If it's not a playoff or super bowl year, then so be it. Maybe it would be better not to make the playoffs this year and give everyone a chance to heal for next season.

We need more role models like Matt Cassel. For what it is worth, Matt has earned my respect both on and off the football field. He is a class act, and I join the many fans, friends, and supporters who wish him well.

I've said it in blogs on this site since week 3. Get Cassel into a rhythm and managing some games and watch him flourish. He's got the poise he needs to get it done. The rest comes with experience and confidence.

I was right, again.

There are times when I wish that the media would just shut-up. Today was one of them, no respect for the request of of Mr. Cassel. Borderline my butt!

Matt - You have made me not even miss Tom Brady (well almost!) I look forward to the Pat's games just as much - and sometimes I even forget that Tom is not playing. GO MATT!! Go Pats!!

Alex - Where do you think Tom will be playing next year? I suspect Matt will be the Pats starting QB. Tom Bledsoed another great Pat's QB when he was hurt and now it is Matt's turn. You must be wondering what Tom is thinking about these days. I have noticed him turning is more at Boston events! Interesting!! I do not think the team would have faired any differently with Tom at the helm this year as the defense has been so poor. How many points did they give up to Oakland? Wow! I think Matt is a great QB and has a lot of Tom's winning ways. He is the future QB for the Pats...no doubt.

Matt is the man, definitely. Wish him nothing but the best. Thanks for making this season memorable, and for helping us remember what the Patriots were before they became what they ARE. You deserve every great thing that should be coming your way!

or the Dolphins...

Dolphins suck

Can we stop with the "Cassel should start over Brady" crap already? Every time the Pats paste a crappy team like the Raiders, the yahoos come out and start saying we don't need Brady. Seriously...we do. If Brady were at the helm, this team would have already wrapped up the division. Matt's been fantastic as a back-up, but he's not Tom Brady. Brady beats the good teams, Matt has yet to do that.

Doesn't the rest of Patriots Nation trust Brady to put in the time and effort it will take to make a complete recovery? I do.

I think the Pats would have been at least one win better w/ Brady, either the Jets or the Indy game. That difference would be fighting for a bye, instead of praying for help to win the division/wild card. Cassel has had a great year, and is in line to get a well deserved payday, but I'd take a healthy Brady over the next 3 or 4 years easy. (Healthy is the key word there)

Three Ringed....
Of course Tom will put in the rehab time. However he had a serious knee injury and an even more serious complication and he'll be nearly 32 by the time he's at full strength. MC is 26 and his best is yet to come. You can't compare Cassel now to Brady now. At this point in the 2001 season who seriously thought Brady would replace Bledsoe past the season? The thought would have been ridiculous.

I've said if, that's IF MC takes the Pats to the playoffs and wins a game or two, they need to seriously consider their options. Brady or not, this team with this defense is not Super Bowl material. Brady might have made a difference in maybe two games this year (two they should have won anyway and no fault to MC). The other three games, the Pats got their butts kicked on both sides of the ball and Tom would have made little difference.

How will the Pats make the massive upgrades they need on defense, which has been on shaky ground for a few years now. Brady was good in 2001 but remember the Pats won that game because the D punched the Rams in the nose and intimidated them out of their game. Until they get back to that we will not see another ring, Brady or not.

MAtt has been fine this year, but BRADY IS THE MAN

Seeing him this season and reading just a little of his story, I have to say Matt Cassel is indeed a class act and great role model--and I'm a New Yorker! Go Matt, we need more like you!

I'm going to pat myself on the shoulder here because after Tom Terrific went down, I just knew that Belichick would coach up Matt Cassel and he would improve game by game. Does he remind you of a young Tom Brady or what? I was even hopeful that by the time the playoffs came around the Pats might just be there. If we happen to miss out on the playoffs or bow out early, it certainly won't be Matt's fault, and in fact the whole organization deserves our thanks and respect. A lot of other teams would have folded up their tents on the season and some would have even lost the locker room. The Pats have truly become one of, if not THE, model franchise in sports today. Who would have thought that 20 years ago?

In some ways, this has actually been a more enjoyable season than last year. I know that sounds bizarre, but no incessant spygate stories this year and less jealousy fueled hatred from fans and reporters from other cities. Plus, each game just means so much more than just rolling over team after team. Now of course, if Brady comes back next year, we improve the defense, and we start 10 - 0 then BRING IT ON!!!

Isn't it entirely possible, perhaps even probable, that Brady opens next season on the PUP list. Yes, he will start for the Patriots again, but that re-hab is a challenge without complications. I think we can all acknowledge the possibility of complications given the whole staph (sp?) infection thing.

I would not be shocked if Cassel gets franchised. Brutally expensive against the cap and it will undoubtedly delay the organization from throwing money at some much needed defensive talent. But do we really want to start the first six games next season with O'Connell? It took Cassel six games to find his stride.

Matt Cassel has absolutely exceeded all expectations from Pats fans. He is a true professional. He is also the top pick in the next draft and he deserves it.

The Pats aren't idiots. Brady will start next year and Cassel will be franchised for one season for security. C'mon, get real folks!

Brady will start next year and Cassel will be franchised as insurance.
Simple. So stop the speculation.

It would be shocking if the Patriots franchised Cassel merely as 'insurance' considering how much it would cost. The Patriots will need salary cap flexibility to sign players on defense more than they'll need to keep Cassel as the #2 quarterback for one more year. O'Connell will be the #2 in 2009 and Cassel will be playing for the Lions (or the Jets, or the 49ers.)