It should give us all pause that the last NFL QB to post back to back 400 yard games was the immortal Billy Volek - but I must say, Cassel's rate of improvement has been astonishing and he's been awesome to watch. For me, the measuring stick of how well he's playing is how well Randy Moss is playing. But I'm a bit surprised that:

- More hasn't been made already of how tough it will be for the team to make the playoffs - with only 2 home games left, and both against division leaders.

- How infrequently the defense has been able to come up with key stops since, oh, January 2005. (The best explanation I heard for Belichick breaking all of the offensive records last year: it kept our defense off the field.)

Since it's almost Thanksgiving, and I promised you book reviews, I'll dangle this recommendation. While some of the critiques in the Amazon reviews are on point, it is a hugely enjoyable and thoughtfully writen book on which to curl up on the couch during commercial breaks.

I don’t see anyway Cassel gets the franchise tag. A one year deal worth more than $12 million *just in case* Brady isn’t well? Brady doesn’t make that much money and it would lead to budget cuts at other positions. Either you sign Cassel long term and cut Brady loose or you let Cassel walk. I think Cassel goes elsewhere. It’s the only scenario that involves everyone making the most reasonable and likely choice.

Not fa nuttin’: Volek never started more than 8 games in a season. Cassel’s sample size is already larger. If you don’t like Cassel-Brady, you should probably shun Cassel-Volek, too.