QUARTERBACKS
STAYING: Tom Brady, Matt Gutierrez, Kevin O’Connell
GOING: Matt Cassel
From the beginning of training camp, it seemed like this would become the Battle of the Matts: Brady certainly isn’t going anywhere, and the Pats will hold on to O’Connell, a third-round pick this year. So it was up to Cassel, entering his fourth year, and Gutierrez, in his second, to duke it out for the No. 2 spot. Despite being given every chance, Cassel has just plain struggled, while Gutierrez looks confident running the offense. The one fly in the ointment could be if a veteran quarterback becomes available; Kansas City’s Damon Huard has experience in the Pats’ system and is a somewhat forgotten man for the Chiefs. If that happens, New England may have to either make a decision on Gutierrez, or O’Connell may come down with a mysterious Foxboro Flu, which places him on injured reserve.