Jan 05 2009
What to Make of Matt Cassel?
New England Patriots QB Matt Cassel had what is likely the hardest job in the entire NFL this season, replacing 2007 MVP Tom Brady. All Brady did last year was break the record for most touchdown passes in one season and lead the Patriots to an undefeated regular season.
Tough job? Probably the toughest shoes to feel on such a short notice, not to mention Cassel did not start a game since his senior year in High School. Cassel was to be a career back-up in the NFL, and also was the back-up to Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer at USC.
And what has Cassel done with his first shot at being “The Guy” in New England? Took the team to an 11-5 record and just missed the playoffs. Not to mention the fact that everyone thought the Patriots would be a .500 team when this season was over.
Cassel was to be a free-agent at the end of this season, and after his season with the Patriots was a complete success, was expected to be a top free-agent. New England had another idea for him and will reportedly give Cassel the Franchise tag and pay him $14 million in guarenteed money.
This seems to set the return time-line for Brady back at least to next season if not further after his terrible knee injury that ended his season. Brady has had to deal with a hard healing process that has had a few set-backs already and has seemed to force the Patriots to re-sign Cassel.
Is it a sign of things to come for the Patriots? It would seem highly probable that when or if Brady returns, he will have competition for his job. It is hard to argue against Brady’s 3 championship rings, but how many QB’s have suffered the same injury and returned to the same form?
J.M.Saucedo
