Check it. A quick review. About two weeks ago against the Jets, Matt Cassel becomes the first player to pass for 400 yards and run for 60-plus. The following week he throws for 415 yards, becoming the first Patriot to throw two consecutive 400-yard games.
Yeah, it's quite impressive for a guy starting for the first time to accomplish these feats and all that. Sure, whatever. That's not what this is about.
Because Cassel is a free agent at the end of the season and likely will sign with another team, coach Bill Belichick is gonna get his money's worth from Cassel while he's still with the Patriots.
It would one thing if Cassel was a restricted free agent. He would still have value as a trade chip. That's not the case. Cassel has the freedom to go wherever he pleases to be a starter while New England will be left empty handed when Matt moves on. So while he's still wearing blue and silver, Belichick will wear him out.
It's too late to go after the record for most attempts in a season, but there's still a few records out there Cassel and eclipse. How about the record for most pass attempts and completions in a game, a record held by former Patriot Drew Bledsoe? It's gonna go down. How about extending the record of consecutive 400-yard games? Yeah, you know it! Can Cassel break the record for most touchdowns in a game by one player? Belichick will sure try.
If you think the thought is absurd, you better recognize. They set out to break records last year and the TD passes and TD receptions standards were raised. If Belichick wants to do it again, he will. He only wished Cassel was this good to begin the season. Tom Brady's name in the record books would drop to second place.
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels changed the offense from two tight ends to four wide outs as Matt improved. The next level will be a combination of the run-and-shoot and the now famous spread option that's rampant throughout college football. Someone tell New Orleans QB Drew Brees that Cassel will be breathing down his neck for Dan Marino's single season record for passing yards. He's about 600 yards behind right now, but figure in a few more 400-yard games and Cassel will be neck and neck with Brees.
Are there any drawbacks to such an aggressive aerial attack? Absolutely. Cassel's arm might turn into butter. Belichick is alright with that as long as Cassel's arm falls off after the season. It wouldn't be the Patriots problem. They still have Brady for next year. Whoever gets Cassel's overcooked noodle would have to deal with rehabbing the arm back to use.
A little advice for Cassel. Keep several bags of ice nearby at all times. Your shoulder will need it every week. 43 attempts Sunday, 51 the week before. It may take that many attempts, if not more, to beat a high scoring Pittsburgh team. As for the game against the Arizona Cardinals? That will be a shootout with Gatling guns.
It might be a strain on Cassel's arm but that won't be Belichick's concern. He worries about the targets, a.k.a. the receivers, tiring out.
But Belichick's resourceful. He still hasn't broke out LB Mike Vrabel as a tight end much. Guess who will be a full-time two-way player soon?
