For all those fans and teams chomping at the bit to take the place of the Brady-less Patriots as the class of the NFL - sorry to disappoint you but the Patriots remain the team to beat. They are odds-on favorites in the AFC East, and still the class of the AFC.
Matt Cassell is not Tom Brady - Matt is Matt with his own unique strengths, and the other 52 guys on the team are the same - with some notable improvements. Look for a control type of game from the Pats this year mixing short passes - screens, draws, and a much improved running game due to a more balanced attack with 4 sets of fresh legs in their most impressive backfield in 10 years - the offensive weapons are back and led by Moss and Welker --- The Defense is better, and they have the best front three D Line in the NFL with their trademark 3-4. And if opposing teams crowd the line, Matt has a very strong arm and they will be burned by Moss who can still stretch the field. Until somebody knocks them off, the Pats remain the team to beat in the AFC, and in the NFL. And lest somebody thinks Coach B will not rely on Matt's arm, just the opposite -- In fact, look for a more balanced attack under Matt's leadership mixing run and pass, making their passing attack highly efficient and their running game vastly improved ---- and 50% of the time you will still see a 4 receiver set....same as Brady.
For this week ---- I see the Pats in a cakewalk beating the Jets by 17.
Key stats today: Matt C 22 for 30 No Ints 2 Touchdowns Pass 55% Run 45%
Favre 2 interceptions; Pats rushing 225 yards Pats 33 Jets 16
For those that think I am delusional, tell me your prediction and then check back in with me on this blog after you have seen Matt and the Patriots play later today.
Christina Parker
Jessica Trainham
Back in Time: November 21
NBA's Slow Starters 
Comments (8) Add A Comment
My opinion.....hmmm.....
Well there is no way anyone can truly say that a guy who hasn't started a football game since high school is gonna be able to come out and perform. Coming in relief is one thing, guys do it all the time. My boy Jason Garrett came in relief for Troy in some big games and performed well. I didn't see anyone calling Jerry to make him the starter elsewhere.
He has had a week to realize the pressure of an entire season is now on his shoulders. I am not gonna sit here and say he can do it or can't. The NFL is a fickle league, something unbelievable occurs almost weekly. Cassell being a good QB in this league would be unbelievable.
Your Pats barely squeked out a win against a team with a Huard playing QB in relief of Brodie freakin Croyle. Not exactly a sign of a team that is the class of the AFC.
You are a Pats fan and you feel the need to backup your team, I get it. If you are wrong you move on, if you are right you will think you are a genius.
The truth is nobody truly knows if Cassell can handle this pressure, he has never had to deal with anything close in his life. Till he proves otherwise....
Nickb23
Arlington , TX
Total Comments (6214)
Actually Coach B and his staff believe Matt can easily handle the pressure and they are as good a judge of talent as anyone. Coach B said this week in Foxboro that Matt is far ahead of, and more experienced than Brady was when Tom stepped in for Bledsoe. And it is not as though Matt has been sitting around doing nothing for the past 4 years in Foxboro. Nobody stays with the Pats - as a starter or a backup - for 4 years without having something meaningful to offer. I am not a genius - I have just seen Matt about 20 times over the past 4 years - and I like what I see - and he is not trying to learn the Pats offensive system - he knows it was well or better than Brady. We shall see. SHould be entertaining in the Zoo they call New York. I think Brett and the Jets are under far more pressure today. If Brett and the Jets cannot beat the Pats with no Brady, then their grand Favre experience will be heading down the tubes.
Larry B
Total Comments (5472)
I agree with your opinion about the pressure on the Jets. My wife made a comment that Favre and the Jets lucked out and I told her pretty much what you said. If they lose to Brady it is no big deal, if they lose to Cassel it is huge.
I realize that the Pats kept him for a reason, but I don't get why a team that is getting old at alot of positions felt the need to draft a QB in the third round (which was a stretch for this guy). If they trust Cassel, did they really need another project at QB in the third round.
I am interested to see what happens, obviously I don't keep up with the Pats like you, but I did watch a franschise take more than 10 QB's to finally replace Troy Aikman. I find it hard to believe that it is just that easy, regardless of their front office genius.
Nickb23
Arlington , TX
Total Comments (6214)
There is also no way anyone can truly say that a guy who hasn't started a football game since high school CAN'T perform at a high level. He has been mentored by Brady for 4 years and you have to learn something. Belicheck will work the game plan around Matt's strengths.
Sometimes people listen too much to what the media says. If the so called "experts" say the Pats are done, then there will be those who take that as fact. Yes, I'm a homer and I don't care who knows it. I was willing to give Rodgers in Green Bay the chance to show how good he can be and I'll do the same for Cassell.
G O P A T R I O T S !!!!!!!!
smoothsandy -You…
Springfield, MA
Total Comments (1678)
The game was a lot closer than I though - Matt was ok but missed 2 open TD's including a wide open Moss. But. he went 16/23 70% and did not make any mistakes ---- so he did his job. The Pats back did come up big running in the second half and Brett did throw the expected INT. I think the Pats still can win the AFC East -- but they will get some real competition from the Bills Beyond getting into the playoffs, it is too early and will depend on how fast Matt matures ---- He has too good opponents coming up in Miami and San Francisco to improve, and then he has a bye week before he faces his first stiff test at San Diego - That will be TOUGH to staty with them/ Pats have 3 HUGE hurdle games in Dan Diego, Colts and Steelers and two tough division games against the Bills, but the rest of their schedule gives them a chance in every one of those other games. For them to do better will require that Matt takes his game up a few notches ---- The Pats were 60% pass and 40% run today --- but only 165 passing yards and no TD's and no long TD plays Cannot draw much from the outcome - Matt a lit to learn and a long way to go. The D played well, but they were not playing against an explosive offense ---- I believe the Pats will go 4-0 to start with wins against Miami and SF, but I do not think they are up to beating the Chargers at San Diego with the offensive output they shown thus far
Larry B
Total Comments (5472)
The point, though, is that without Brady the AFC East has become competitive now. YOU, however, refuse to admit even THAT.
Only an observation...
DC Sports Nut: Rock…
Total Comments (2575)
No one in New England is foolish enough to think that this year is going to be a cake walk, and no one thinks that we aren't going to have our issues...So I'm not sure what your comment is implying Redskin fan, alot of New England Fans were holding our breaths and we're happy this one went our way. We lost our star, but we didn't lose the entire team.
RNPATS FAN
Alexandria , VA
Total Comments (1)
18 wins. 1 GIANT loss.
I'm STILL celebrating ...
NY Giants…
Hoboken , NJ
Total Comments (70)
Comment
Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.