Projo Pats Blog

J.T. O'Sullivan, the 49ers' starting quarterback, was a member of the Patriots' practice squad during the 2006 season. At the time, O'Sullivan was already a journeyman, having been drafted by the Saints and from there going to the Packers, the Bears and the Vikings before landing in Foxboro. His short stay in New England came during Matt Cassel's second season as backup quarterback. While Cassel stayed in New England, O'Sullivan continued to bounce around, serving last year as a backup to Jon Kitna in Detroit, and then ending up in San Francisco this season.

O'Sullivan earned his first starting job when Alex Smith, the former number-one draft pick who went bust in San Francisco, was put on injured reserve in the preseason. With Mike Martz in control of the San Francisco offense, O'Sullivan has had the chance to utilize the downfield passing game, going to receivers like Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson. O'Sullivan started out as one of the real surprises of the season, playing well in the 49ers' first three games against the Cardinals, Seahawks and Lions.

Here's what Bill Belichick had to say about O'Sullivan yesterday: "I think the same things that attracted us then are why he is playing now. He's athletic, good arm, is a very mobile guy in the pocket and can make all the throws. He has a strong arm and can get the ball down the field. He has a good touch on the ball and can stay alive with his feet. He's been very productive for them." Belichick also declined to say whether Deltha O'Neal will keep his job as starting cornerback this week; he had positive words for veteran backup Lewis Sanders, indicating that there could be a change under contemplation. (projo PatsBlog)

Niceties aside, you can bet that Belichick will be studying the game film of O'Sullivan in Sunday's loss to the Saints. The first-year starter took six sacks, was intercepted twice in the end zone and a fumble. As the San Francisco Chronicle's Nancy Gay writes: "There's a blueprint for taking apart the 49ers' offense, and it starts with attacking the guy under center for the 49ers." That's similar to the blueprint that the Dolphins used for shutting down Cassel and the Patriots. For both young quarterbacks, taking sacks has become an issue. Cassel has been sacked nine times for losses of 42 yards, while O'Sullivan has taken a remarkable 19 sacks for 98 yards in losses. He has also lost three fumbles on the young season.

Still, O'Sullivan's numbers are pretty good overall -- a 90.0 passer rating. His 8.67 yards per pass attempt compares very favorably to Cassel's 6.22, indicating that the 49ers are taking a more aggressive approach with their first-year starter than the Patriots are taking with theirs.

While it is unfair to compare Cassel with Tom Brady, or to other established stars in the league, it is maybe more interesting to compare him with O'Sullivan, the man who was once behind him on the Patriots' depth chart. This week, we'll get a chance to see how both of them handle the heat that the opposing defenses will definitely throw their way.

A STRONG TRACK RECORD: Under Bill Belichick, the Patriots are 6-2 following a bye week, and they are riding a five-game winning streak under such circumstances. (Boston.com)

DOWNWARD TREND: The Patriots have gone from scoring touchdowns on 70 percent of trips inside the red zone in 2007, to 36.4 percent so far this season. (Boston Herald)

SETTLE DOWN: 49ers tight end Vernon Davis raised some eyebrows late in San Francisco's loss at New Orleans last week when he began yelling toward his own sidelines after making his first catch of the game, in the fourth quarter. Davis said he was just fired up, but head coach Mike Nolan promptly yanked him out of the game. (49ers.com) The 49ers highly compensated tight end has just five catches for 87 yards so far this season.

COACHING CASUALTY NUMBER TWO? Speculation is building beyond its already fever-pitch level about the future of Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin. Both ESPN and the Oakland Tribune are reporting that Kiffin's firing will happen today, and that Al Davis is interviewing offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, offensive line coach Tom Cable and advance scout Paul Hackett as possible replacements.

A PAINFUL VICTORY: Many more wins like this, and the Steelers won't have anyone to send on the field come playoff time. Pittsburgh pulled out a tough overtime victory last night over the Baltimore Ravens, but not before they lost rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall and guard Kendall Simmons for the season. (Pittsburgh Tribune Review) Additionally, special teams player Andre Frazier went to the hospital with a spinal injury suffered during the opening kickoff. (Cincinnati Enquirer) Ben Roethlisberger, who was sacked three more times and has now been dropped 15 times on the season, played a gutsy game and got in his teammates' face at halftime.

ANOTHER T.O. MELTDOWN? After his self-focused comments following the Cowboys' loss to Washington, Terrell Owens is on watch from critics who are waiting for him to disrespect Tony Romo the way he disrespected Jeff Garcia and Donovan McNabb. Last night on ESPN's "NFL Countdown," former Cowboys running back Emmett Smith -- who just two weeks ago fawned all over Owens, calling him the best receiver in the NFL -- said it was time for T.O. to be quiet. (profootballtalk.com)

A HORRIFIC TOLL: Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Richard Collier, who was shot in the week before the season opener, had much of his left leg amputated because of a blood clot that developed in his leg, and he is paralyzed from waist down. (First Coast News)

THE PRICE FOR SMITH: The league has suspended Jets safety Eric Smith for one game and fined Smith $50,000 for the helmet-to-helmet hit he leveled on Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin on Sunday. The play, in which Smith appeared to launch himself into a defenseless Boldin, was termed a flagrant violation of safety rules. (projo.com) Boldin, fortunately, was resting comfortably at home yesterday, though the Cardinals released no other information about his condition.

NOT READY TO COME BACK: Panthers tackle Jordan Gross, who suffered a Grade 3 concussion during Sunday's game against the Falcons, will probably be out at least two weeks as he recovers. (Charlotte Observer)

CARSON PALMER UPDATE: ESPN's Chris Mortensen said last night that the Bengals signal caller, who missed Sunday's loss to the Browns because of an elbow injury, is very iffy for this week against the Cowboys.

ALMOST THERE: Former Patriots wide receiver Donte' Stallworth, who has yet to play in his first season with the Browns because of a quad injury, was "real close" to ready to go on Sunday. (Clevelandbrowns.com) If true, that means that Cleveland's bye this weekend should be more than sufficient to get Stallworth active in Week 6.

LAWYER MILLOY INJURED: The former Patriots cornerback took a knee to the rib cage during Atlanta's loss on Sunday to Carolina, and his status is unknown for the Falcons' next game, against the Packers. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

DOING HIS ALMA MATER PROUD: Running back Danny Ware had the weekend off, with his New York Giants enjoying a bye, so he went down to Georgia to watch his former college team play Alabama. After the Crimson Tide's victory, Ware was arrested for allegedly standing in traffic, drunk and oblivious to the drivers that had to swerve to avoid hitting him. (Athens Banner-Herald)

JOEY PORTER ON THE NATION'S FINANCIAL CRISIS: That's right, the Dolphins' fool-turned-prophet linebacker is sharing his thoughts about the stock market crash, and he's basically advising folks to hide their money, fast: "I'm about to go dig a hole in my back yard and put it in my back yard where I can see it. I don't like this stock stuff. I don't like not being able [to rely on] this bond and that bond. Everything's funny. I don't trust nothing." (ESPN) Come to think of it, the Red Sox used to have a guy kind of like Porter, name of Carl Everett.

BEWARE OF IDLE HANDS: Speaking of the Dolphins, running back Ricky Williams admits that he was tempted to smoke marijuana during the team's bye week. (Miami Herald) Here's what Williams said: "Coach told us we had Friday off, so automatically your mind, which is so constrained since training camp began -- every day is a grind, it's a grind, it's a grind -- and then Coach says `you're free.' And the mind says, `I'm free, what can I do?' So there was definitely an urge. But I just thought about what I have to lose and it was easy. The urge didn't last very long.''

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