TheGodInAGreyHoodie

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...backups/1.html

30. New England: Matt Gutierrez -- Our sense is that Matt Cassel has played his way off the roster with his dreadful preseason, and that Gutierrez would be the Patriots backup if the season opened today. But don't discount the possibility that a late-August trade or signing could bring a Damon Huard (or someone of his type) into the fold, giving New England a little more of a comfort zone should Brady's sore foot continue to be an issue.

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BelichickFan

I don't think even the kool aid drinkers think we have a good backup QB.

blackglass3

Don Banks isn't agreeing with the haters, Don Banks has watched Casell's p!ss poor play.

TheGodInAGreyHoodie

He is not exactly oozing with complements regarding Matt Gutierrez either.

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Citing the Bible as proof of God is like citing comic books to prove the existence of Superman.

MoLewisrocks

Don is just falling into the mediot trap. They all feel they have to comment on situations they may know nothing of and therefore follow the lemmings (hense the comment he gets the sense...).

I guess it's no big deal that the Colts are 1-3 in the preseason without Manning and their million dollar backup Sorgi has yet to lead Peyton's awesome weapons into an endzone...

dhamz

He has Sorgi rated as one of the worst back-ups in the league as well.

BadMoFo

So should he just have left that space for the comments blank? Would that have made you happy?

Rob0729

Is anyone shocked about this? Matt Cassel has stunk this entire preseason. Even throwing to Moss and Welker, he has made bad throws and poor decisions. Gutierrez did well against the 2nd and 3rd strings of the Eagles last week, but has he proven he is a legitimate #2 QB yet.

Personally, I agree with Banks. Cassel is done. He hasn't done anything but make poor decisions and throw INTs without any TDs for two years. Gutierrez has the potential to be a very good #2 QB, but I don't think he is there yet.

I know I was mocked earlier in the preseason for this, but I do think there is a realistic chance that the Pats cut Cassel, add a veteran QB, and carry 4 QBs. The only way in this scenario they don't carry 4 QBs is if they IR O'Connell. IRing Gutierrez would be counter productive because he would have to either step up as the #2 QB by next preseason or his experiment would have to end.

Chevy

Gutierrez is a third stringer that rates #2 only by comparison. While he may blossom into a bonafide #2 (or even a starter if we're very lucky), as of right now he's way out of his league if he has to start.

As to the write-up by Banks .... if it offends you, then you must want to be offended.

MoLewisrocks

But he hasn't pre-emptively replaced him with Eli's former tub of goo backup or the rookie, so I guess he doesn't think it's as big an issue in Indy...

I just think the microscope this team operates under magnifies everything here beyond all reason. It's not just a bone bruise keeping Tommy off the field this pre season - it's fear of something worse transpiring if he trys to make plays behind a dysfunctional patchwork OL facing 4 tough defenses including 3 who gave us fits last season at full strength.

But the easy out attitude seems to be let's not even go there...let's just eviscerate the backup so many here love to hate because Bill drafted him even though he never started in college...