mgteich

I think Jeff Blake is also out there.

spacecrime

That's teh thing. he Pats have traditionallly (if sucha word exists relative t the Pats) kept a vet wo would go in should #1 QB get hurt, and a developmental QB.

The question is: If Brady got hurt and they had Cassel and Ferotte or Fiedler or someone, who would go in? If the answer is Cassel, then there is no need for the Vet.

The need for a vet is to step in and play if the QB gets hurt.

If Cassel is #2, then #3 will be a young guy, not an old one.

The only need I see for a vetis second level disaster recovery. That is, assume Brady get hurt. Okay, Cassel is in and we have our deelpmental QB. Now we need a vet to backup Cassel.

I just don't see preparing for an event with two layers of occurrences.

But if Brady gets hurt AND then Cassel gets hurt, there will be vet FA QBs avaialable. Unlike NTs or LBs, there are always vet quality QBs available sitting home waiting for a call.

I don't see them carrying four QBs. Last time he did that he did not have quality players for the last four-five roster spots. Now he has players for those spots.

I think it will wither be:

1. Brady-Cassel-young QB
or
2. Brady-vet QB-cassel

and my money is on No.1

Pats726

Fiedler may be an option....but I have to wonder if the Pats would have 5 QBs in camp. The last time they had 5, was 04, when there was Brady, Davey, Kingsbury, Kitna and Miller, who was unable to practice....I know Kitna didn't stay around long and I believe it was mentioned that 5 QBs was one too many (for camp/practice purposes...) So with Mortenson and Bramlett
there are 4 already. Although with Fiedler injured...he would NOT be ready...

PatsChick87

This gets my vote too! Should Brady go down I'd bet Cassel would be ready to step in, and having another developing QB, as our 3rd, would be a greater return on investment than any of the above mentioned Vets.

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dryheat44

I believe Damon Huard is available. If so, I'd prefer him. We know how good he is at running the scout team offense.

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jimmyjames

Exactly. You have to have someone who can mimick other teams QB's and Cassell and another young guy would probably not be able to pick up other teams' key sets fast enough to be effective in practice. The investment in a vet is not just tied to playing if the star goes down.

Sean Pa Patriot

Huard is in KC, and has a chance at the number 2 there, beside, Huard wont come back here because he had to work a little to much...

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We going to take it one game at a time

dryheat44

A chance at #2? Unlikely. The Chiefs have drafted a QB each of the last two years. I can't imagine they're going to cut one of their QB of the future candidates to accomodate Huard, although it is possible that they carry four.

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patchick

I'm with you on this. Backup QB roles include:

1. Stepping in to sub for the starter
2. Scout team QB
3. Developmental prospects with long-term value
4. Clipboard/sounding board/extra pair of eyes for Brady

Most of us assume that Matt Cassel will fill role #1, which also makes him a lock for role #3. That leaves the scout team and support roles, which are better filled by a vet than a raw rookie. It might be different if, say, the Pats had drafted a highly regarded rookie QB who slipped to the middle rounds -- you'd want to keep him protected on the roster. But Bramlet or another UDFA or camp release should do fine learning on the practice squad while a mid-level vet takes the roster slot.

Flying Fungi

You are thinking of Kurt Kittner--as opposed to Jon Kitna.

http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/NE/7499858

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