Coach Belichick hates the pre-season, rarely letting starters get any significant playing time.  QB Matt Cassel has stepped out of Tom Brady’s shadow this August and has been putting up huge numbers.  Cassel has completed 27 of 46 passes (58.7%) and has thrown for 421 yards with 3 TDs and no pick-offs.  Cassel has also rushed 11 times for 63 yards (5.7 ypc).  Belichick is showing alot of faith in Cassel as his back-up.  Cassel hadn’t started a game since high school when the Patriots drafted him last year.  Now that’s what you call scouting!

Rookie RB Laurence Maroney is tearing it up in the pre-season.  He has rushed for 94 yards on 15 carries (6.3 ypc) and has been just as good as advertised.  Maroney will back-up Dillon to start the year, but he might push him for the job during the season.

Rookie TE/FB Garrett Mills has looked good in the pre-season, catching 7 passes for 88 yards (12.6 avg).  Mills should be one of the many, many targets for Tom Brady this season.