US – Friday, September 3

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Matt Cassel walks off the field after last Sunday’s Patriots-Raiders game. Days after the death of his father, Cassel led New England to a 49-26 victory. 

No question

Cassel: ‘I always felt like I was going to play’ against Raiders

As far as Matt Cassel was concerned, there was never a doubt.

While Patriots’ fans waited and watched and wondered if Cassel was going to be lining up under center last week just days after the death of his father, the New England quarterback said Thursday he never even considered the alternative.

“I always felt like I was going to play,” said Cassel, who threw four touchdowns in a 49-26 win over Oakland. “I took some time away last week, and then came back and was able to get enough preparation in to go out there and play. I think that’s what my father would have wanted.”

Being around his teammates was a big boost for Cassel, who credited them — and the preparation process — for providing a much-needed diversion from more important matters.

“It was a good distraction last week, there’s no doubt,” Cassel said. “Being around my teammates and having this secondary support factor with a family away from home definitely helped.”

After the funeral on Tuesday for the 57-year-old Greg Cassel, the Patriots quarterback returned to New England Wednesday and began preparing for the task ahead — the Patriots meet the Arizona Cardinals Sunday at 1 p.m. at Gillette Stadium in another must-win game for New England.

The events of the last week are simply the latest challenge in an astounding season for the 26-year-old. On the field, he’s gone from the fringes of the 53-man roster at the start of training camp to the center of a team in a final playoff push. Off the field, he’s had to deal with the mental stresses involved with being an NFL quarterback. When you’re a backup, you can move easily through a crowd without causing a stir. When you’re the man, you’re in the spotlight all the time, but the grind can be difficult to endure.

But he said Thursday that the more you do it, the easier it gets.

“You get stronger mentally, because you’ve been doing it for awhile,” said Cassel, who will start his 14th game as a pro Sunday. “In the beginning when you first become a starter, it’s pretty stressful, especially in the situation that I came in under. Then, as we move forward, you start to get a little bit more control. You start to get comfortable in your position, and you start to enjoy the game again and have fun playing it.”

Cassel said he’s learned a lot of lessons along the way.

“I’ve overcome a lot of adversity, and I think it’s [taught me] to keep pushing forward, and keep moving on, and don’t listen to people who are negative and work against you,” Cassel said. “Just continue to surround yourself with people that are positive and can help you and things will turn around for you.”

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