I know the Raiders are awful, but nothing there inspires confidence.

For all we know the defense is playing the same as they did last year (yes, I know Asante Samuel is no longer around) but last year the Pats were racking up points at such an incredible rate, it changed everything. The time the defense was on the field, the pressure it put on the other teams offense. Most of the time the opponent was playing from behind…..we can try and paint it in different colors but THE MAIN REASON why the Patriots are struggling this year is TOM BRADY ISN’T PLAYING.

Athletically, Cassel certainly seems to have what it takes, but the field vision and snap judgement is nowhere near it needs to be for this team to live up to its offensive potential. I suppose that’s what separates a career backup from a HOF starter.

But I think even if they had played a good offensive game, they still would have lost, as there was absolutely no defensive pressure on Rivers and the cornerbacks were playing softer than butter left out overnight. You give even a scrub 5-10 seconds to get a pass off and they’ll make something happen. Very, very frustrating to watch.

bottomline is, with Cassell the Pats might be able to beat the weaker teams (Chiefs,49ers,Jets) but they are going to have a real tough time beating (or even playing with) some of the stronger teams. This is what I expected when Brady went down. We might have tried to fool ourselves (Brady is only one player, Pats still have a good team…blah…blah..blah..) I think deep down we all knew better.

If we must play the “Blame Game” I’d have to go with Belichick. Maybe he got lulled into thinking Brady was indestructible. A VETERAN backup QB should have been on the roster. Pats still might have sucked, but it sure is frustrating watching Cassell hold the ball forever. He makes Bledsoe look like a quick decision maker…..

In 2005, they plucked Hobbs and Sanders–decent players–in the earlier rounds, but the emphasis that year pretty much was the offensive line.

In 2006, the draft was ALL offense (and they really missed on a lot of those picks–almost all of them, in fact, should Maroney not pan out in the end).

In 2007, they spent two of their top four picks on trades for wide receivers (Welker and Moss), and therefore came away with only Merriweather on the defensive side of the ball.

Bottom line: they let the core guys on the defense–the playmakers from the Super Bowl years–get too old, and they tried to plug the gaps with some free agent signings, like Thomas (who hasn’t been used effectively the entire time he’s been in Foxboro–why is he not lining up outside and just rushing towards the line of scrimmage on every down?).

Last year, the offense covered up for the fact that the defense was 11th in the NFL in defensive passer rating (but the Giants were able to exploit that weakness in the critical moments of the Super Bowl).

This year, the offense can’t cover for the defense.

As mediocre as the O-line has looked since the playoffs last season, the offseason of 2008-2009 simply has to be one dedicated almost exclusively to defense, and pass defense specifically (more pass rushers and DBs–guys who can actually make plays).

I also think that if Crennel gets fired by the Browns, Belichick has to bring him back. Age is one big problem with the defense, but I think coaching is a problem too–ever since RAC left, the defense just hasn’t been the same.

As for the rest of this season, I want to see ALL of the rookies play, a lot, so the Pats can see just what they have there; and I do think it may be time to get O’Connell a look at QB, since they burned a 3rd round pick on him–a pick that could have been used to bolster the weak pass rush or DB corps……may as well see what the kid can do.

I’m not sure I’m ready to excuse the recievers’ juggling as a result of “stress”. They’re better than that.