Comments on: You Make The Call

By: Looky Lou

Looky Lou — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:16:30 +0000

…….Jeff George is always looking for work…..Ryan Leaf is out there somewhere………..YES, I’m kidding

By: Corner Blitz

Corner Blitz — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:59:11 +0000

Scott, great article as usual. My opinion, I don’t have a problem with the lack of a veteran backup. Tom Brady has proven to be highly durable in his NFL tenure. Secondly, Matt Cassel has seen and studied this offense for 4 years. The coaches see him every day, and they know better than anyone the grasp he has on the offensive system. Thirdly, drafting quarterbacks, rather than other positions can pay dividends down the road, whether they play for your team or if they are used as chits to parley with other teams. Quarterback is the hardest position to acquire on a football team, and teams will pay a premium to acquire someone they believe can fit their system(see Johnson, Rob as an example). Lastly, from a salary cap standpoint it makes sense to lock in young players at multiple years at cap friendly rates. To do this at the QB position is cost effective from a financial standpoint and also from a system standpoint, where a staff can indoctrinate a player into playing and training the Patriot way. This year it frees up money so the team can bring in veterans to other positions where the need is greater, and giving the team flexibility in how it fills out it’s roster.

By: Pascal Garcia

Pascal Garcia — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:30:13 +0000

Scott
A point well taken. I see nothing but rejects in that list.
Guys who have tried and not made it big. I think that our new rookie seems like the one to keep and train with a lot of attention from now on. He has the upside and should get the extra time and work. But dump Cassel now. Don’t keep the newly-bearded, life-time backup one minute longer.

By: Timbuk4

Timbuk4 — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:51:48 +0000

I think that most starting quarterbacks in this league would quickly fall out of favor if they had to start in Foxboro in Brady’s place, certainly any marginally affordable ones. Is the upgrade worth denying ourselves a free agent WR like Welker or corner with the pay grade difference? I don’t think so.

Let’s not forget that a significant part of the backup QB job is preparing the defense and to be an extra arm in practice all through the summer. Do we really want some tired old semi-retired rag-arm throwing itself to pieces all through the summer? Better to wait for late-preseason cuts probably.

I think that you really do need a young arm during the week to get the team ready and we have some decent ones who are working hard.

Now, if the backups are getting practice squad (other team) plays to run against our 1st team defense all week, a shortened vanilla play book to operate in the preseason, and playing with a patchwork offensive line and CJ Jones and Ray Ventrone, they are not going to look great in the preseason. I remember how Michael Bishop seemed to easily outplay Brady in the preseason when they were both on the team. But wait, Bioli saw something in Brady that they didn’t see in Bishop and how did that end up?

I mean, if Ray Ventrone was close to starting at WR, I might worry about the WR position but he is no closer to starting than Cassel or any of the other QBs so the drama factor for me on this issue is “ZZzzzzzzzz….”

By: Fred

Fred — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:47:20 +0000

When you think about one flaw of this regime since 2000 was not being able to draft a QB capable enough to backup Brady. All misses: Rohan Davey, Kliff Kingsbury, Matt Cassell, is Kevin O’Connell the next miss? Looks like Brady was just plain luck.

By: Lance

Lance — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:42:48 +0000

To me what you need from a back-up is someone who can just move the offense – either score points or give the D some rest. Expensive back-ups are a waste of cap space (like old offensive linemen who get hurt).

I think Harrington could be the guy but for the money I’ll put myself in the minority (and open to ridicule) by believing the Pats already have that guy in Gutierrez. Seems everyone has judged him on what, 4-5 series and 2 bad decisions. Unlike Cassel, who when he walks on the field the entire O seems to hang their heads, Gutierrez’s presence makes the O look like they’ve got hot peppers in their shoes. The offense comes alive when he’s in there. O’Connell seems to have “it” too but Gutierrez can be a very good back-up if he cuts down his mistakes. He appears to be smart enough. 2 more games to see.

By: Britt Schramm

Britt Schramm — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:25:22 +0000

Good point, Scoot. The risk/reward with bringing in a new QB (outside of Redman) would probably be too great for Belichick to consider. But you got to figure at some point with things remaining the same that Cassel will play himself out of Foxboro just like Bishop and Davey before him. Some QBs, like Sorgi for instance, can make a decent NFL career just by executing the offense during the pre-season and in mop-up assignments during blowouts. Right now, I just don’t see that same type of quality in the current #2 QB.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:56:23 +0000

FYI, Mike Reiss just blogged that Brady participated in light practice today and did not appear limited in his movements.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:52:32 +0000

Redman makes sense to me, Britt, since he’s been here before. I wonder if he (or most anyone else who may be available) would provide enough of an upgrade in Belichick’s eyes that would cause him to shoo both Cassel and Gutierrez in the last couple of weeks.

Wait until James Garner Is God gets wind of my bringing up the latter. Have mercy, JGIG.

By: John

John — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:25:48 +0000

They missed out on Byron Leftwich. Jamie Martin wouldn’t be a bad vet backup.