Urgent

A couple interesting options out there while Doug Flutie negotiates his broadcasting opportunities:

Kerry Collins - great back-up QB option - aging, experienced QB, hoping for a chance to start so he's been out there in free agency a while. Big, acceptable accuracy, fits the Pats system.

Jay Fiedler - experienced QB, Dartmouth guy, AFC East knowledge. A serious injury has held him out, but the Pats wouldn't necessarily need him Week One.

Tommy Maddox - very experienced, expendable with the development of Ben Roethlisberger. Would be fine for a game or two in relief, playing the don't-lose-the-game role.

The starting opportunities for aging vet QB's are few right now.
Minnesota, with aging Brad Johnson, journeymen Mike McMahon and JT O'Sullivan, and rookie Tarvaris Jackson is a possibility.
Cincinnati, while Carson Palmer heals, a vet could compete with Anthony Wright, Doug Johnson, and Craig Krenzel for the chance to start.
Washington, with aging Mark Brunell and Todd Collins and inexperienced Jason Campbell and Casey Bramlet could be a possibility.

But, New England offers a relatively secure veteran back-up job, between Brady and Cassell.

Other interesting situations:
Rohan Davey in Arizona. Arizona has Kurt Warner to start, and Matt Leinart waiting in the wings. John Navarre and Davey will compete for the third position. Davey was never a good fit in New England, but he should at least know the system, and would be vetmin cheap. Highly unlikely that he returns, but he'll likely be out there.

Kliff Kingsbury and Brooks Bollinger, NY Jets. The Jets are carrying Pennington, Ramsey, and rookie Kellen Clemens, plus Kingsbury and Bollinger. The Pats spent some time developing Kingsbury. Bollinger started 11 games last year, but is likely gone.

Shaun King, Detroit. Detroit, after trading Joey Harrington, still has four QB's on the roster: King, Jon Kitna, Josh McCown, Dan Orlovsky. King would seem to be the odd man out. Another possible vetmin guy.

BelichickFan

I'd vote for Cassel over all of them except Fiedler and Collins. The rest of those guys suck.

RayClay

I like Fiedler and Maddox.

Don't like a guy with the emotional problems of Collins, (alcoholism), sitting on the bench.

Maddox was a backup, stepped in and played very well.

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AzPatsFan

I'd add another candidate ...Gus Ferrotte. He's been a QB on a super bowl club and will soon be unemployed... He's proved he is no longer a full time starter to build a team around, but he could have a great season or two still...

Remix 6

frerote signed with Rams. Collins wants to start somewhere. Fielder i'll take. Maddox did not play well at all when he had chance last season..sorry but he even got threatened by steeler fans .. blew the Jags again for them

maverick4

I'm with you. Cassel looked pretty good and can probably hold his own as a backup.

Also, I'd rather spend playing time on Cassel and continue to develop him as a young, improving asset, than play a mediocre old guy just because he's been in the NFL for a long time.

A.C Vegas

If we Sign Mr. "XFL" Tommy Maddox I'll cry he gets lucky and has about 2 or 3 good games them poof he's gone and your going to lose

VJCPatriot

Collins has the talent to start and WIN a few games if Brady were to go down. I was not aware of any of his off the field issues.

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smg93

I think Cassel went a long way in the Miami game to prove that he can come in for a game and stick in long enough to win one assuming he had the first team playing with him. His problem will come when teams know that he's going to be a starter because of an injury to TB. As teams get to see him more, they will game plan for him. That's when we'll really see if Matt can lead this team for an extended period or not.

MrTibbs

Out of the names mentioned as a "veteran" backup I'd take Collins out of that bunch. He looked decent against us opening night last year.