We have no idea how the league views Matt Cassel. We do, though, have good clues how Bill Belichick views Matt Cassel. Clues like giving him a 4-year contract after first viewing him at rookie minicamp; letting the previous year's #2 walk to keep him on the roster as the world's rawest rookie; carrying only 2 QBs last season; only bringing in a UDFA and an AARP to camp this year. The Patriots clearly like him and trust him, and he's heading into his third year of absorbing this offense and studying to be a Tom Brady mini-me.
Now I certainly don't expect Tom Brady to suddenly get rung up on charges of dog fighting, horse poaching or alligator smuggling. But picture a Matt Hasselbeck-type scenario, where your QB is out for a significant stretch but expected back at full strength before playoff time. If your QB depth consists of Testaverde and Gutierrez, kiss your season goodbye.
Cassel's signed through 2008. You'd have to dazzle me to get me to part with him this early.