Another decent game by the Patriots.  That’s two in a row!  There were a lot of positive signs in this game.  Defensively, they finally started getting pressure on the quarterback.  It seemed like Seymour and AD were back there all day.  Offensively, Cassel actually looked pretty comfortable.  In the first half he played particularly well.  And after a rough stretch in the second half (onside kick, int, int, failed 4th down attempt), the Patriots were able to drive down the field to re-gain the lead in the fourth quarter.  Which is great.

The Patriots just need to keep plugging along.  Cassel is a decent quarterback, he just needs more game experience so he can make those reads and adjustments faster and not take as many sacks.  If we keep going, hopefully he’ll be prepared and experienced when we get to December and January.

Wow, that game was just awful (Chargers 30 - Patriots 10).  Delta O’Neal looked terrible.  The offensive line was terrible.  The defensive line got no pressure at all on Philip Rivers.  And Matt Cassel looked pretty awful as well.  He didn’t seem to be able to throw it far enough for Moss.  The Patriots have a lot to work on.  Both lines need to play better.  And I think they need to seriously consider Kevin O’Connell as an option at QB.

A couple reporters from the 49ers beat were impressed with Bill Belichick’s knowledge of the 49ers at his press conference.  Just another example of his preparation for these games.

From Matt Maiocco’s blog

Here’s Belichick’s amazing answer:

“To a certain extent. Also the scheme and how they are going to play us. They have a lot of different ways of playing teams. You see a lot of different things from week to week. You can watch guys on film but their explosiveness, power, quickness, different moves - it’s different in person than it is watching it on film. You can certainly prepare for it and that is a good part of the preparation. But until you see it live, it’s a little different.

“We have seen a lot of these players — defensively, the whole secondary. Donald Strickland was in Indianapolis. Michael Lewis was at Philadelphia and Mark Roman was in Cincinnati. Nate Clements, we saw a lot of in Buffalo. Walt Harris was at Indianapolis and Chicago. We have seen Justin Smith. We have certainly seen Takeo Spikes and (Aubrayo) Franklin.

“We’ve seen a lot of those guys just not in that system. It’s a pretty veteran group they have on offense and defense. Guys like (Barry) Sims, Isaac Bruce, Arnaz Battle, Bryant Johnson and DeShaun Foster. Plus all of their specialists - those guys are an experienced group, too.

“They have a few young players in there but it is a pretty experienced team. Some have come up in their system like Eric Heitmann and Frank Gore. So, we have seen some of those guys just not in a San Francisco uniform.”

Belichick mentioned 15 players on the 49ers roster. And, furthermore, he did it all without notes. He knew all those players off the top of his head. And he does that every week - regardless of the opponent.

Meanwhile, Mike Nolan mentioned one Patriots player by name today. Well, he said “Wesley Walker,” but I’m pretty sure he meant Wes Welker.