December 12th, 2008 
Matt Loede 
Posted in 
Despite practicing again today for the second straight day the Pats are declining to say if quarterback Matt Cassel will start Sunday when the team takes on the Raiders. Bill Belichick spoke to the media briefly before Friday’s practice at San Jose State and wouldn’t describe Cassel’s playing status.
“We’ll do our thing after practice and let you know,” Belichick said. Cassel was gone on Wednesday after his father passed away on Monday. Cassel was notified of his father’s passing on Tuesday, but stayed with the team before flying to Southern California to be with his family.
Though all indications are that Cassel will play against the struggling Raiders, Belichick and the Patriots have yet to say. If for some reason he does not go, rookie Kevin O’Connell would likely start.
“He seems to be doing really good,” teammate Ty Warren said of Cassel. “Guys in the locker room have been supporting him. He’s our family. What he’s dealing with is a difficult thing but we’re here for him.”
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