tedylb

For you Pats pros who prefer football talk to name-calling:

We've been blessed these past six years to keep Brady in the line-up. He's been banged around a lot, and he's a tough dude. But, God forbid, if he ever went on IR, would our team still be contenders? I haven't seen Cassel do much more than hand-off in garbage time. In other words, do you think he'd be another Steve Young or Rodney Peete?

cstjohn17

If Tom goes down, can Matt step up?

No, the Pats ask Brady to do an awful lot on his own. Unless the defense becomes dominant the Patriots need Brady to be on top his game.

Mainefan

I have a feeling that after a couple of games under his belt, Matt will be a very good and perhaps outstanding quarterback. If Brady goes down, please God no, our biggest problem at the end of the season, when Brady has recovered, will be holding on to Matt. I hope he has a long term contract.

tedylb

CST-I agree with you. But let me frame it another way: Cassel just mopped up at USC also. Is that why they signed Vinnie? Does BB have any confidence in Cassel, or do you think the team is looking elsewhere-draft or FA?

gomezcat

It's so rare that a backup can do what Steve Young or Brady did. As tough as the competition was, remember that he couldn't win a starting job at USC.

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cstjohn17

No, they can add a veteran FA as the 3rd QB or get a late round draft pick for the practice squad. Cassell is an ok backup, he may be able to win a game or two if Brady goes down but realistically the Patriots would be dead without Brady.

The backup QB always gets a lot of love, I remember Bishop was "the next great thing". Lets not get carried away with Cassell and make him better than is really is.

everlong

If Brady went down I think you would see more of the 2001 offense. They would do more screens, quick passes, run the ball more, play field position. Cassel would be asked to manage the game much like Brady did his first year.

The 2001 Patriots had guys at other spots who could take some of the load. Smith had a very good year, Brown and Patten were outstanding, etc. They would need some of the guys who look to Brady to do everything to do the same. If those players don't step up Cassel would be in trouble like any first year QB. If he gets some help I think he could manage the game and I think he has good upside.

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PATRIOT64

If Brady EVER goes down on IR anywhere near the beginning of any future season those infamous famous words will be said in April of the following year " As The First Pick In The (add year) Draft The Patriots Select"

Va_Pats_Fan

I can't agree with that assessment. Our D held teams to less than 14 points a game, on average through the regular season. I am very confident that a Cassel led O would average more than that.

PATRIOT64

What part of that statement is realistic? - Does that mean because we had a great defense LAST year,Its going to be just as good this year? - If our offense can't do anything and the defense is on the field more than they should be those stats are meaningless,plus the fact that we don't even know who is coming back next year,Asante,Rodney,Tedi,Seau and maybe some others may be gone by way of cutting them or retirement,The NEXT season is never the same,even if the core of defensive players remains.

IMO if our 2 starting receivers are Gaffney and Caldwell you BETTER have Brady out there-Cassel as QB with those 2 guys?- GET REAL!