Same Old, Same New...Bellichick and Cassel Lead Pats to Top of AFC East

Bill Belichick and Matt Cassell are the old and new faces of the New England Patriots.

Belichick has been the most scrutinized and criticized coach in the NFL the past two seasons and Matt Cassel has the unenviable task of replacing the reining NFL Most Valuable Player, Tom Brady.

Belichick critics, of which there are many, began whispering that once Brady went down, so would the team. Belichick, they falsely claimed, climbed on Brady's back as the Patriots ascended to the top of the NFL.

Cassel, who had not started a game since high school, is now in charge of an offense that just produced one of the most productive seasons in NFL history. Needless to say, he has something to prove.

After the Patriots 23-16 victory over a competitive St. Louis Rams team, the Patriots are in familiar position atop AFC East, and the Patriots critics of eight weeks ago are once again silent.

Belichick has led the team to a 5-2 record despite an injury depleted defense, most specifically the secondary, as well as the injury to Brady. The Patriots have done it the same old way that they always have, with players stepping up when others go down.

The position of quarterback was the place where the biggest step needed to be taken. While sliding around in the pocket, picking out Wes Welker (seven catches for 79 yards), Randy Moss (seven Catches for 102 yards), and leading the Patriots to a fourth quarter comeback victory similar to the formula Brady used numerous times last season, Cassel showed that the step has been taken.

Matt Cassel is proving that there are more similarities than differences between himself and Brady. A comparison of the first seven games of both players career shows similar statistics. In the most important category—wins—Cassel edges Brady five to four.

As the second half of the NFL season begins, it seems as though the Patriots are in the same position they have been so many times with the same old coach and the same new quarterback.