New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel addresses the media during his postgame press conference from Qwest Field on Sunday, December 7, 2008.
(On the the importance of this game...)
It was a huge win. A huge win, a huge drive. Everybody stepped up. That is what big games come down to and we knew that that the season was on the line and we had to come up here and take care of business in order to put us in the position to still be in that playoff hunt. It was a huge drive and everybody understood and went out and we were able to execute and get points on the board.
(On being able to convert third downs in the second half...)
We had some left over from last week so we did a great job on third down. The offensive line did a great job on third down, people made some plays on third down.
(On what more you can say about Wes Welker...)
What can't you say about Wes Welker? He is the all around football player. He is a guy who you can rely on. He is a guy that I look to constantly in big pressure situations because I know that he is going to get open. He is a guy that everybody looks up to because he gives you 150% on every play.
(On the Seahawks blitzing a lot and being able to find Welker to beat it...)
Right you know where he is going to be and you know if they are blitzing multiple players then there is probably going to be one-on-one coverage in some capacity outside so we try to take advantage of that. All I know is that I have to beat the defender who is rushing with the ball. The reciever has to do his job of getting open.
(On if they expected Seattle to bring that much pressure...)
We knew that they were a pressure team. So we prepared throughout the week for the pressure. Until you get into any game you don't really know how much pressure it is going to be. It just turned out to be one of those games for them.
(On being able to consistently use the screen play...)
It was effective. They made some big plays for us when we needed them. Especially when those guys are coming at you as much as they are. You need to get the ball out quick and then make one guy miss. It definitely takes the pressure off us a little bit. Especially myself, not having to make all the throws down the field all the time.
(On the hard hits taken by Wes Welker...)
You don't ever want to see him get hit but it is part of the game and he is a tough guy and I am just anticipating him getting back up.
(On if he ever doubted this team...)
No not at all. You play for sixty minutes. That is our job, you come out and week in and week out you talk about playing for sixty minutes. So there is never a point in the game where you look down or feel like you aren't going to win the game.
(On if there was ever any thoughts of a pass down at the one yard line...)
I don't think so. I think that we had a good idea of what we wanted to and some good runs in the game plan.
(On Steve Sarkisian getting the job at Washington...)
I am happy for him. He is a great coach, he brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Very similar to Coach Carroll, he has a lot of charisma. He will do a great job here, he has a brilliant mind and he really works hard at what he does.
