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QB Matt Cassel, New England Patriots

HT: 6-5, WT: 230, Born: 5-17-1982, College: USC, Drafted: Round 7

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2008 Projections

CMPATTPYDY/APTDINTRSHYDY/RTDFPT
David Dodds9151046.900252.506
Chris Smith58486.0002105.003
Bob Henry9171227.2003103.307
Maurile Tremblay22362577.121372.3022

Best Case

Tom Brady has spent forever and a day on the weekly injury list and looked to be a bit nicked up last post season. The offensive line looked a bit porous against the Giants in the Super Bowl, so it's not a stretch to begin to wonder what would happen if Cassel had to get more than garbage time snaps. Given that the Patriots offense is stacked, even not knowing at all how well he could do, Cassel's weekly baseline could be higher than at least half of the league's quarterbacks. He's actually more mobile than Brady and could even tack on a few yards running the football, something Brady rarely attempts at this stage.

Worst Case

The obvious worst case is if Brady extends his consecutive game streak by another full season and Cassel holds a clipboard on the sideline. In this case, he would continue to lead the second unit on final drives and rarely get a chance to throw the ball. There is also the possibility that Kevin O'Connell surpasses him on the depth chart, and Cassel falls to emergency quarterback status or gets his outright release.

Outlook

Barring an injury to Tom Brady, Matt Cassel will rarely if ever be on the football field. He would probably fare OK should he have to replace Brady for any period of time but would obviously not be able to match Brady's historic offensive output (although Cassel could still put up numbers better than many other QBs in the league). In Survivor-style leagues Cassel makes a sensible handcuff to Brady in extremely deep leagues. In more traditional leagues, Cassel would be a platinum waiver claim the week Brady got hurt and would vault up the weekly quarterback rankings accordingly.


Relevant Articles

Email Update #35 - May 28th


2008 Schedule

WeekOpponent
1 Kansas City Chiefs
2at New York Jets
3 Miami Dolphins
Bye week
5at San Francisco 49ers
6at San Diego Chargers
7 Denver Broncos
8 St. Louis Rams
9at Indianapolis Colts
10 Buffalo Bills
11 New York Jets
12at Miami Dolphins
13 Pittsburgh Steelers
14at Seattle Seahawks
15at Oakland Raiders
16 Arizona Cardinals
17at Buffalo Bills


2007 Game Summaries

Week 3 - Cassel relieved QB Tom Brady in the fourth quarter but did not attempt any passes.

Week 7 - Cassel relieved QB Tom Brady on the first possession of the final quarter. He made only two pass attempts, including an interception to DL Jason Taylor which was returned for a touchdown. Cassel stared down his receiver for too long and Taylor easily jumped the route and ran it back for a score. Cassel did not return to the game following the pick.

Week 8 - Cassel entered the game in the fourth quarter, once the Patriots were up by 45 points. He looked much more comfortable than his previous appearance and led the Patriots on their final scoring drive, which he capped off himself with a 15 yard touchdown scramble.

Week 11 - Cassel entered the game in the fourth quarter as most of the New England regulars were sent to the bench with the big lead.