What if Matt Cassel blows up?

[jtex316]

This is HIGHLY unlikely. But, play along - what IF he blows up? Will it be the end of the Tom Brady era in New England, like Tom Brady displaced Drew Bledsoe after 8 years?

The Patriots are still a solid, respectable team capable of playing at a high level on any given Sunday without Brady.





(modified to correct the name spelling in subject because sometimes I'm a dick like that)

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Good question Jtex.  I think if Matt Cassel remains the starter, he will have a decent year.  I seriously doubt he'll light it up. 

If he does light it up, then Brady easily becomes trade bait..... and a team needing a QB will pay through the nose to get him. 

[Fau Teixeira]

i agree with tommy .. bellicheck seems to hold no allegiance to any player present or past for anything they've done for his team .. once brady becomes more valuable as trade bait .. he's gone and there's always someone out there who will buy .. just look at the jets offseason

[YoFuggedaboutit]

i agree with tommy .. bellicheck seems to hold no allegiance to any player present or past for anything they've done for his team .. once brady becomes more valuable as trade bait .. he's gone and there's always someone out there who will buy .. just look at the jets offseason

OK, but Brady becomes trade bait if, and only if, Cassel has a mind blowing season. 

[Bubba]

I have already seen some fans talking about how Cassel's performance after Brady's injury. Seems Cassel might be the second coming of christ. 

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Cassel is an FA at the end of the season. The team could use the franchise tag. 

The only way I see him in a Pats uniform next year is if the prognosis for Brady returning next year is not good.

If Cassel does poorly he won't be signed for next year.  If he does well and Brady is returning, Patriots aren't going to pay starter money to a back up.  But if Brady is not looking good for next year and Cassel looks decent I expect that Pats will sign him. 

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I have already seen some fans talking about how Cassel's performance after Brady's injury. Seems Cassel might be the second coming of christ. 

He had a better game than Penny. 

[StL FinFan]

Against the Chiefs, anybody looks good, even the Dolphins.  I will reserve judgement until I see him play against a real defense.

[Brian Fein]

Something I mentioned yesterday, which is totally true:

years ago, when Bledsoe got hurt against the Jets, and they brought in some unknown backup QB, the Pats fans all thought the world was crumbling down.  That "unknown guy" was Tom Brady.

Same situation, different names.   The Patriots are a GOOD TEAM, not a good player.  They're not the New England Tom Brady's.  Matt Cassel just has to be sevircable, and the Pats will still win the division and get the first round bye.

Come back to this thread in December and tell me I was right.

[Fau Teixeira]

i disagree .. i think brady was special and i think cassel is going to stink up the place

[StL FinFan]

^ me too

[Brian Fein]

you all thought Brady was going to stink up the place too.  I went to Brady's first game, at Dolphins Stadium, and I remember thinking "oh yeah, Bledsoe's hurt, we should win easily" and then Brady came out and whipped our asses.

[StL FinFan]

Remember when they put Cassel in against the Dolphins last year?  I rest my case.

[Sunstroke]

I don't see Cassel stinking up the joint this season, but I don't see him as being anywhere near Brady's talent level either. Patriots still win 10 games, slide into the playoffs, but without Brady...no chance for a Super Bowl.

[dolphins4life]

This is ridiculous.

If Brady was in there, it would have been a blow out.

The Pats first two drives would have ended in TDs if they didn't fumble