Cassel leaves Patriots after father's death

[Pats2006]

RIP,  good thing he was able to see his son the bench warmer start in a NFL game!





SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - The father of New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel has died.

Coach Bill Belichick said Wednesday that Greg Cassel died Monday night and Matt has left the team. Belichick said he didn't know when the player would return.

Greg Cassel was a script writer in California, and the Patriots were practicing at San Jose State this week for Sunday's game at the Oakland Raiders. The team stayed on the West Coast after last Sunday's 24-21 win in Seattle.

Matt Cassel is from Northridge in the Los Angeles area and his father and mother Barbara divorced when he was 14.

[DZA]

Sad news for even people who hate the Pats. 

Hope he is able to return and have a decent finish to the season ! 

[MaineDolFan]

And this guy has to play in Oakland this week of all places.  If I know my home town, and I think I do, some real classless things are going to be yelled down at Matt's way this week. 

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

And this guy has to play in Oakland this week of all places.  If I know my home town, and I think I do, some real classless things are going to be yelled down at Matt's way this week. 

From the irrelevant stats department:

The Raiders are 0-1 when facing a QB whose father died the preceding week. 

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Sorry to hear this.  My prayers go out to his family.  He'll probably be back in time for the next game. 

[Defense54]

Matt really impressed me this year. I'm glad his father got to see his success. He obviously did a great job raising a good young man.  I almost want to root for him to come back Farve style ...........But I can't. 

[NADS]

From the irrelevant stats department:

The Raiders are 0-1 when facing a QB whose father died the preceding week. 

Nice take, Hoodie.  So will Cassell light the Raiders up like Favre did?

[Phishfan]

I hate to hear this. Even as someone who loves to hear bad news about the Pats, this just isn't something you wish on someone though.

[NADS]

Kinda like Ted Rogers dying right before the Bills-Fins game in the Rogers Centre. I feel worse for Cassel's dad than the QB because the kid finally gets a chance to play and is doing well then this happens.  Sucks either way.  Pats (Randy Moss) will probably step it up for this game.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Nice take, Hoodie.  So will Cassell light the Raiders up like Favre did?

Who knows..... my gut says Kevin O'Connell has a mediocre game but the Pats win anyway because the Raiders just suck. 

[Brian Fein]

Is Cassel definitely OUT for Sunday?

[SportsChick]

No, but he's not with the team right now.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Is Cassel definitely OUT for Sunday?

Of course not.  Do you think BB is going to tell the Raiders which QB to prepare for.

My prediction is he won't play.  But that is just my speculating. 

[Brian Fein]

It would be good for me in a coupla ways if Cassel does not play.

1.) maybe the Patriots could lose to the Raiders.  (haha, yeah right)  This would give the Dolphins a game up on the Pats should the Fins win, and cost them nothing should they lose.  It would also help them with the "common opponents" tiebreaker

2.) I'm playing against the Patriots' defense in fantasy this week.  I'd love to see the Raiders put up a ton of points because the offense can't hold the ball for more than 1:20 before punting.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Cassel has returned to practice today and is expected to play on sunday.  ignore my previous prognostication about KO'C.