It's a problem, to be sure. But it's a problem that every team in the NFL would like to have.
Two starting quarterbacks that both deserve playing time. As a Bears fan, I long for such a quandary. Hell, we haven't found a star QB since Sid Luckman! But I digress...
When Tom Brady went down, it was widely thought to be the end of the season for the Patriots. They couldn't win without Brady, so the common perception went.
But, um, then along came Matt Cassel. He passes. He changes everyone's mind.
Hey, he always looked like an NFL QB. It's just that when you have a future hall-of-famer like Brady on your squad, you're not going to get a lot of chances to show what you can do. I'm not saying that Brady's injury was good for the team, but...
Cassel has a QB rating of 90.5 with 13 TDs and 8 interceptions. He has completed 66.3 percent of his passes for 2,615 yards. He is coming off of back-to-back 400 yard passing games.
In short, he has been impressive.
Ah, but he is also a free agent after this season. So what to do if you're Cassel? What to do if you're the Patriots?
Brady will return next season, but I suggest the Pats re-sign Cassel anyway. Look, it's great insurance should Brady have any lingering affects from surgery or in case he goes down again. It's a luxury, but a sweet luxury, to have two solid NFL QBs.
While he may cost in the neighborhood of $4m, and combined with Brady's salary, that's a lot to pour into one position, he's worth it. But I wouldn't franchise him because then you run the risk that he could cost even more than Brady. And you can't have that.
But is returning in the best interest of Matt Cassel? I say yes. Sure, he could go somewhere else and start every game. But he knows the system in New England, has a great coach and terrific receivers. In short, everything to ensure his continued success.
Well, everything except he'd be back on the bench.
Once the killer beast has had a taste of blood, there's no turning back. Perhaps Cassel wants the opportunity to go someplace where he can be the man. There's no arguing that he deserves it.
Some have even suggested the Pats trade Tom Brady. Wow. That would have been unthinkable prior to the injury. To me, it's still unthinkable.
But it's interesting, to say the least. And speaking of interesting, Sunday will provide a real test for Cassel, as their opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers, have allowed the fewest yards passing per game of any team.
Cassel specializes in the short pass with his receivers turning those short passes into long gains many times. But how will he fare with another team that may have lesser ability at the wide receiver position? That's an open question.
Still, there's no denying that there will be a number of teams clamoring for his services if he goes out on the open market after this season. Come to think of it, it's a nice conundrum for anybody to have.
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about 1 month ago
who is voting for Matt Cassel, cmon guys be serious now..
from about 1 month ago
9-3 Brady but I agree it's surprising to even get 25% for Cassel. How soon people forget.
about 1 month ago
i do not think it is New England fans saying let brady go !! It is the sport's writers .
Brady is cemented in bean town and will go down as the greatest Boston sports figure ever .
As good as cassell is doing is is still out the door unless he takes back up money.
from about 1 month ago
I agree Thomas, you are absolutely correct. Just trying to generate some debate with the poll.
about 1 month ago
It's tough to say if Matt should stay or go. If he goes to another team and flops his first season (produces a losing season with bad stats), it could very well be the end of his career. If he goes elsewhere and does good (winning season, good stats), then he'll be good for a year or two, assuming he continues to be good. There's just to much speculation and to many people saying "he's been a back up to long..." for him to be accepted as a starter by another team. Just MHO of course.
The Pats would be wise to keep him as a back up for at least 2 more years. This would allow time for O'conell to grow into a back up QB position, and would also keep the Pats from having to franchise Cassel. It'll also keep him in the system should Brady go back down or not be ready right away. It's bad if the Pats have to Franchise him and pay him roughly 14 million (I believe it's that much). That makes it so he's making more than Brady is. Of course, if Matt can get a 2 or 3 year contract for roughly 7-9 million per year, then he's either even or ahead of the game money wise-and a head of the game if he gets a multi year contract. It's going to be a touch decision for him come the end of the season....and even worse for both him and the Pats if he makes a play off run.....
from about 1 month ago
It's too bad for the Pats that he's eligible for free agency after this season because he would be a great insurance policy. Personally I think he signs elsewhere - the money and chance to start will be too much.
from about 1 month ago
I agree 100%....and it really is to bad.
about 1 month ago
What will the Pats do when they trade Cassell and find out (much to their dismay) that Tom Brady is a psychologically damaged player who is still badly shell-shocked from the horrible physical manhandling he took from the Giants in the Super Bowl?
That embarrassing and brutal beating, combined with his current leg injury (some speculation on the possible permanence of it), have left him with a severely damaged psyche (perhaps permanent, ...as well).
There have been consistent nagging rumors that he routinely wets the bed and has been forced to wear adult undergarments (diapers) to assist him with this unfortunate and unforeseen "problem" that has recently developed.
He has also often been observed mumbling garbled sentences and uttering the names Strahan, Tuck and Pollard in his sleep during his prolonged stay at the exclusive (for rich brats) New England Clinic for Advanced Sleep Disorders.
So, ...I wouldn't be so quick to trade Cassell just yet. Lets see if Brady can get over the bizarre case of trauma he suffers from first.
I hear "they're" seriously considering naming Brady's unprecedented illness "the Busted Quarterback Syndrome," ...or BQS for all those fans of linguistic efficiency.
from about 1 month ago
Let me guess, Dracula, you're a NY Giants fan?
from about 1 month ago
Uh, ...nope!
Not my #1 team, but I do like em' though.
about 1 month ago
You just seemed a bit over the top on the Giants and against Brady, that's why I figured you were a Giants fan. Giants look awfully good again - the only team in the NFC that can beat them aer the Cowboys. Now that they have Romo back, they are good again.
about 1 month ago
I think the Pats should
1) absolutely keep Tom Brady as their starter. I can't believe people legitimately think that Cassel should be given the starting job over three-time Super Bowl champ and reigning league MVP Tom Brady.
2) absolutely do everything they can to re-sign Matt Cassel. Backup QB is one of the most underrated positions in the NFL. Look at my Eagles in '05 and '06. The first year when McNabb went down, we had Mike McMahon and missed the playoffs. The next year, Jeff Garcia saved our season and even won a playoff game for us.
I doubt Matt Cassel will want to come back next year. I wouldn't. I would want the chance to start for another team in the NFL. And I think Cassel will get that chance.
from about 1 month ago
Cody, I think people are concerned that Brady won't be the same QB after the surgeries. And I also think some people like what they see in Cassel. I think they recognize that Cassel will have the opportunity for more money and be able to be a starter if he leaves, so you're left with only Brady and if he's not ready or gets hurt again, it's bye-bye season w/o Cassel. Still, I agree that there's no way you can just take what Brady has meant to this team and simply discard it like yesterday's news. Some people sure have short memories it seems.
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