When the 2009 regular season kicks off, Tom Brady will be 32-years-old. Sure, compared to Brett Favre (39), Kurt Warner (37), and Kerry Collins (36 in December), that is pretty young. However, not all quarterbacks stay for 14-plus years. Especially ones who have already won three Super Bowl rings.
Matt Cassel, on the other hand, will be 27-years-old when the 2009 regular season starts. At first, Matt Cassel didn't look too good. However, in recent weeks, he is starting to show that even players who haven't started since high school can play at a good level when surrounded by a good team.
Which one do the Patriots go with next season though?
For Starters
When Tom Brady first took over for the New England Patriots in 2001, he started 14 games while playing in 15 of them. During those 15 games, he compiled 2,843 yards, 18 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and had a completion percentage of 63.9 percent. He ended the year with a 86.5 QB Rating.
Matt Cassel, so far in his 11 games played and 10 games started has compiled 2,615 yards, 13 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a completion percentage of 66.3 percentage. He has a QB Rating of 90.5 right now.
Scrambled
Tom Brady was never really a runner. He had two seasons where he ran barely over 100 yards. No, the face of the New England Patriots did not run much. Tom Brady's skill much like people are used to with a quarterback always comes to when and how to throw the football.
However, Matt Cassel, in just 11 games, is only one yard below the 200 mark. This kid scrambles all over the place. He seems to know how to work with what is given to him. If the pass rush is on, he is gone.
For the Record
In 2001, the Patriots went 11-5 and clinched the AFC East through a tiebreaker with the Miami Dolphins. Want to know something else? This is the year the Patriots won their first ever Super Bowl.
Now, in 2008, the Patriots are 7-4 and are in second place in the AFC East. Matt Cassel's fault? He helped, that is for sure. Especially when has done something not even Tom Brady has done. He threw for 400 plus yards two games in a row. Can history repeat itself?
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about 1 month ago
If the Patriots choose to keep Cassel instead of Brady, they are out of their freaking minds. Brady is a three-time Super Bowl champ and the face of the franchise. Cassel has had a little over half of a very good season. Let Cassel go to another team and establish himself.
from about 1 month ago
Nobody can be sure that Tom Brady will be the same after he comes back. His recovery has already been delayed and they stated he might not even be at a full 100% until mid-next-season.
However Cassel would do well on another team. Do the Patriot keep a quarterback who is going to be 10-years-pro come next season? Most quarterbacks retire at 13 or 14 years pro. Not everybody is as stubborn as Brett Favre. Time will only tell.
about 1 month ago
Nobody can guarantee that Tom Brady will return and be the same player he was before. Also, it is not a question of whether Tom Brady is good, it is a question of who will last longer and be better in the long run. I am a great believer of investing in the long term. Cassel has shown he has a lot of potential, could even be better than Tom Brady if he works at it, can Tom be better than 3 time winning Super Bowl Tom? I think Tom should retire, anyway lately he seems to be more interested in modeling (not just his girlfriend's modeling). Although, I don't recommend that he do that for a living, there is nothing more infuriating than knowing that true skill, knowledge, dignity, sophistication and education are rewarded less than some bubble-head taking her/his clothes off.
from about 1 month ago
I agree. Tom Brady doesn't exactly seem to have his mind on football. But do you really blame him? Only 11 passes into the 2008 season and he was injured for the whole year. I wouldn't want to think about football too much either.
The real question is will football be his main focus when/if he gets back to his full potential?
about 1 month ago
Funny the only woman commenting on the article seems more interested on throwing mud at Tom's girlfriend than addressing the point of the article. Women will never change. petty and catty as always, and you beetches wonder why you'll never rule the world.
about 1 month ago
Matt Cassel. Brady is just a washed up has been who this year had a similar season to his former college (U of M 3-8) man. Man He couldn't finish it last year and now there is just no hope for him. He would make a good toll booth attendant somewhere out in the middle of nowhere so he wouldnt't have to have much human interaction man.
18 days ago
As a physical therapist, my experience tells me that Brady is not going to come back at 100% after this injury. I've seen people have difficulty returning to jogging and backyard sports after an injury like this, nevermind playing professional football. Cassel has proven himself as a talented addition to this team, and he has improved every time he has taken the field. The games we've lost this year can be largely blamed on our defense and special teams. The fact that Brady may be increasingly prone to further injury, the fact that he has fewer playing years left, and yes, the fact that he HAS seemed to be somewhat distracted by the superstar lifestyle he's leading should all be taken into consideration (and I am not just saying that because I'm a woman, Katie.) I wouldn't be surprised to see Cassel stay, and I think he'd do well.
17 days ago
I don't think anyone here has football knowledge. it's not about long term short term gain. Its about football instincts. If you look back at 2001, you could see Brady had Raw talent. Cassel on the other hand makes bad choices. Don't get me wrong, statistics prove brady had his mistakes too in 2001 compared to cassel this year but not only did brady have to step in and be a leader right away, but he led them to a superbowl. if cassel can do that his first year then goodluck.
but theres also other things to think about.
1. cassel has alot better Offensive coordinator in Josh Mcdanniels then Brady in 2001.
2. cassel is doing bad for having such a good coordinator... if not the best in the league.
3. Brady next year will be proof that Josh Mcdaniels has alot to play in this shceme.
4. Brady has at least till 38 till he retires. the patriots won't give his talent away till then.they will learn from what the green bay packers gave away in farve. Matt cassel will stay and learn another year before he even wants to leave.
16 days ago
Lets put down popularity and past achievements for a moment here.
A. The contracts - If Matt Cassel stays in New England they can pay him considerably less than what they are paying Tom Brady, and instantly enter the free agent market to address their aged defense.
B. The trade value of Tom Brady - the Patriots can absolutely fleece a team with current players and draft picks and solidify their chances in 09 and the future.
C. To give up Cassel and forego these two possibilities, you are investing that opportunity cost in to Brady's recovery and where he is in his 32 year old career.
D. The people who make these decisions in New England are not in to marketing and popularity, they go on to teach at Harvard Business School and have shown that they can cut ties with very popular players.
If Joe Montana can be moved after a career-threatening injury, so can Tom Brady.
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