Patriots QB Matt Cassel makes media rounds

I wish that Pat's could keep both guys! Cassel is a class act.

i hope cassel gets a huge contract somewhere; he deserves it more than up-and-coming qb in the league.

WOW - words of wisdom

what a professional - that's class.

An absolute class act and a great kid. Can you imagine Vince Young, Matt Leinart, or any of these other hot shot young qbs saying similar things?? Cassel is mature beyond his years. He will be missed.

I love Matt Cassel, especially after this season where he led us to an 11-5 record despite all our hardships. I would love him to stay on the Pats and be a backup to Brady, but that's selfish. He has proved that he can one day be a big-time QB and deserves to go somewhere, land a big contract, and be a starter. Good luck Matt, thanks for everything!

I hope he stays but we'll take him here in Toronto. The Argos need a good QB. Not sure how we get around the CFL salary cap though. Many a former Patriot have played here: Bethel Johnson, Michael Bishop and Robert Edward's good knee.

Nice headline - "willing to accept backup role"
Good thing that means absolutely nothing, I don't see any way Matt Cassel is going to be a backup. The Pats aren't going to franchise him for 14 mil for him to carry a clipboard. Either Brady is healthy and Cassel gets traded or Brady is not healthy and Matt's our starter. I can't see any situation where we'd be playing Brady and still holding Cassel on our payroll. Matt is clearly a starter in this league, or at least deserves a chance to start somewhere else.

Fight On Trojan! Nice work.

Cassel did a great job under trying circumstances this season and deserves a big payday. But the Patriots also deserve something for developing him into a very good QB. So here's hoping that Scott Pioli gives BB one last parting gift and trades for Cassel giving us a couple of picks or a pick and an impact player (not that KC has many of those!). I know, I know, I'm dreaming but somewhere out there is a GM who will make a deal for Cassel. Don't forget we fleeced Miami a couple of years ago for Welker. We can do the same and get a truckload for Cassel.

I like Cassel. He has the ability to carry on the Patriot legacy both in talent and character. Unfortunately, the dollars don't work in the Patriots favor. The Patriots are all business. Cassel should take the best offer. I wish him well. He gave us a great season.

Cassel did a great job under trying circumstances this season and deserves a big payday. But the Patriots also deserve something for developing him into a very good QB. So here's hoping that Scott Pioli gives BB one last parting gift and trades for Cassel giving us a couple of picks or a pick and an impact player (not that KC has many of those!). I know, I know, I'm dreaming but somewhere out there is a GM who will make a deal for Cassel. Don't forget we fleeced Miami a couple of years ago for Welker. We can do the same and get a truckload for Cassel.

If I were the Detroit Lions and needed a solid character guy to build my franchise around, Matt Cassel would be the Man.

What are you talking about by saying "he will be missed" Look at the stats, Cassel is almost identical to what Brady was in his first year. Brady had a superbowl team and Cassel only had half of a team. The other half was in the trainers room. Brady is the one that has to earn a starting spot. Patriots have to stick with Cassel until he loses HIS job.

Matt Cassel is such a class act it would be nice to have both Cassel and Brady, but is that really fair to Matt? Matt should have his own team where I am sure he would excel. It wold be great for the Patriots to have Matt as a back up but wouldn't that be a waste of talent? Think he will end up in Kansas City ????????????

I don't know about you, but personally I'm sick and tired of Cassel's huge ego. It's always me me me. We need team guys like TO in New England...not this jerk.

More seriously though....if I were Cassel I'd consider resigning with NE for a year at a significant raise to see how the Brady situation works out, rather than sign with some other less attractive/stable organization. I know the odds are against it, but I hope something gets worked out.

I Love this kid. Is he a TEAM player, or what? Who know? He might be back in there sooner than one might like to believe. AT least opposing teams now know that the Pats can swap Brady with Cassel and still win.

Matt Cassel will be on NFL Total Access tonight at 7 pm for those of you with NFL Network. Just a heads up.

Matt is a real team player. He is the complete opposite of T.O. New England has options and so does Matt C.

Cassell is the man...not sure what those other qbs would say tho. Could actually be something similar considering it's Tom Brady he is talking about.

Brent from MN, yeah but I live in the real world, if Brady's ready, than it's goodbye to Cassel!

Matt Cassel is a good QB and for sure a class act. No doubt about either. However, he is not Tom Brady and anyone who thinks that he is equal or better than Tom Brady should really rethink that. I wish him well but TOMMY IS THE MAN!!! Go Pats in 2009...

I disagree with most of you. If you're a competitor, you want to play. You say that you appreciate everything Tom has done, but that you intend to keep working hard and proving that you are the best QB to lead the team. And that if the coach selects Brady to be starting QB, you will accept that (though not necessarily agree with the decision) and do what's best for the team for as long as you are a member of the team.

I think that Matt is the better option of the two. Tom is never going to be the same QB that he used to be. His own rehab coach believes this. so what do we do, bet everything on someone we simply "hope" will play good again or on the one that just proved he is capable of winning against some pretty heavy oppositon?

Matt is a class act but everyone forgets that he would never be in this position if the Pats hadn't taken a chance on him and developed him. Add to that he got to study under one of the best and least selfish QB's that has ever played. Offer him a solid two year deal (10 mil a year and put all the uppfront cap hit money in the first year) and then deal him next year when you know Brady is back heathly.

Cassel is a super classy guy, and he proved himself to be a great leader and QB this past season. We still don't know what Brady's status is and personally, I'd like to see the franchise tag placed on Cassel to help secure a strong 2009 season for the Pats.

I know I'm crazy but maybe we look at trading Brady. Look at what Cassel did, he got better and better every week. I think his #'s were better than Brady's the first year.(except Superbowl)Also you got to think of ages of these guy's. Brady is 32 and Cassel 26. And look at Cassel's legs, he runs. Just think what we can get for Brady. I think this could help the Pats for years to come. I'm the biggest Brady fan of all, but I'm a bigger Pats fan

Trade Brady, keep Cassel. Cassel is younger and faster, and Brady is coming off a bunch of surgeries. We'll get more for Brady then we would for Cassel, and our secondary is not very good. Brady is still amazing, and he will be wherever he goes, but i want them to keep Cassel.

Hope he gets to play with a team he can call his own, maybe we'll meet again down the road. Keeping him and Tom would be selfish and not so Bellishick like. Let the kid find his destiny and get paid, he deserves that and more.

the pats would be wise to hang onto Cassel as long as possible in the event T.Brady is not 100 %. If any organization knows what it's doing it's the N.E.Patriots.

I almost didn't bother to post, because I would simply be parroting what everyone else seems to be saying...that Matt Cassel is a class act. Call me a homer if you will, but class seems to permeate throughout this franchise. Despite missing the playoffs, I am extremely proud of what Matt and the 2008 Patriots accomplished this season.

In a perfect world, I would love to have both QBs' on this team! However, everyone should know that Cassel is saying all the right things in these interviews. Sounds like Cassel is going to play ball and help the Patriots out. I think, when the time comes, Cassel will do what's in the best interests for him and his family.

"I think his #'s were better than Brady's the first year.(except Superbowl)"

He also had Randy Moss and Wes Welker and who did Brady have?

How about a two QB set? Screw the "wildcat offense" we will have the "WildPat offense"
:-)

Teams like Dallas and the Lions really need a QB like this that can talk to the media without creating a controversy. He did an excellent job of avoiding any discussion about the franchise tag and turned everything back to working hard and being appreciative of every opportunity to play for the team. I am sure coaches like Wade Clark dream about having a guy like that in the locker room. Is that a sales pitch/strategy by Cassel? Clearly yes. But it is the correct one to best market himself to the NFL teams that need him.

And I'm only using Dallas as an example. Not suggesting they would try to acquire him.

I think Brady would look better in a JETS uniform for their first two draft picks. Put Gizelle in the stands and he won't be looking at the receivers anyhow. I think his intencity has gone down the drain. He'll just get killed behind the Pats turnstyle offensive line.

I'm not just saying this because I like Matt Cassel, but why should he sign a huge contract, much of it not guaranteed to go somewhere else, while he could sign a good contract (say 10 million guaranteed over 5 years) to stay here in New England? If he wants to win Super Bowls, this is the place.

Just have to wait & see if BB actually Franchises Cassel. Then & only then will we have an idea as to where Brady is in his rehab & how important Cassel is going to be next season. Gotta give Cassel a lot of kudos. That's certainly the way the Patriots organization likes their players to respond. No doubt it puts him in a positive light here amongst New England Fans, including me. If he is in fact Franchised, it sure leaves a lot more discussion out there, can't wait to see how it all unfolds. "Tundra Talk" could be more exciting than the "Hot Stove".

Cassell signs with Pats. Brady traded to KC. We all love and appreciate Tom Brady and this takes nothing away from him. However, this team has proven time and again that they aren't afraid to make unpopular moves. Why keep Brady with all the uncertainty when you can trade him while is value is highest? Pioli knows he needs help and Brady brings the much needed veteran leadership that team needs.

Cassel was great this year at times and is an extremely classy guy. That said, anyone suggesting trading Brady to keep Cassel is high. Cassel had all the toys this year...Moss, Welker, Pats O-line. I'd find it difficult to believe that a Vince Young or a Matt Leinart wouln't have put up similar numbers with the offensive team that the Patriots had this year. Remember, this was the greatest offense in history last year. A lot of that was Brady but a lot of it is the quality of receivers. The O-line was losuy in a few games early on this year, but they held together strong from the middle to the end. An I don't buy the Brady won't be the same argument. He's never een mobile anyways, so that's not going to kill him. I wish the Cassel the best, but I think he'd put up very ordinary numbers on an ordinary team. Itsounds like most people who post here just strting watching the Pats this year

tb....I said I "wish" they could keep both. I know they will get rid of Cassel if Brady is ready. They should, as Brady is the better qb. MN needs a qb. Oh wait, we have T-Jack, he is the man. LMAO!

I love how everyone buys this line. Has anyone ever heard of negotiating? This is the perfect line to take when trying to bluff the Patriots out of placing the franchise tag on Cassel. He claims that he would accept the backup role, which if he did, would totally screw the Patriots with the salary cap. It is a game of chicken which Cassel will eventually lose because the market is ultimately what matters most and the Patriots will get value for him. That being said I like the kid and he deserves the money he will undoubtedly get, but not as much as he would get on the open market.

Sorry, with due respect for the season that Cassel had, and it was far more than anyone expected, in fact, IMO, I would say that possibly over 90% of Pats fans thought he never should have made the roster for game 1.

I still don't believe that he is a bona fide number 1 quarterback in the majority of the NFL team rosters. He just happens to be a pretty good fit on THIS team but I serioiusly doubt he would play as well with a different team, and I still feel he is missing some important ingredients to his game.

In either case, he did a remarkable job and we, as Pats fans, should be grateful for what he did for the team.

If Brady is healthy enough to play, I am not sure that Cassel would be the right fit for number 2.

Steve you are an idiot.

The Pats will likely wait and see how Tom's knee is healing. If it is progressing by late spring, I'd count on the Pats to trade Cassel for draft picks. Though I'd love to have Cassel as a backup, he could be traded now for at least 2 very good players in the draft. The Pats maximize value that way.

What!! are some of you nuts? I can't believe that some would like to trade Tom Brady, have you not been watching the NFL the past 7 years! please get real. I am pretty sure BB has never said "there's not another quarterback I'd rather have" about Matt Cassel. Can't wait to see Brady back on the field! Not to diminish the season Matt Cassel had this year, he was certainly impressive. Brady's the man!

Matt Cassell has been THE story for the Pats this year. It was a real pleasure to watch him grow in stature and level of skill from game to game. A fan doesn't get to see that kind of thing very often. Made the season very interesting while actually advancing the team toward the playoffs. I wish him the best.
I am growing weary of the role the Patriots have slipped into: that of being the talent mill for the NFL.
Selfishly, would love to keep a bunch of these expatriots closer to home.

Cassel is younger, bigger, more athletic, and has shown that he can learn and run this offense. He was improving his footwork as the season went on. The guy can, if needed, run for first downs or when the situation dictates. He has a canon for an arm. And his upside is still well before him. There is no way I let this guy get away. If Brady's progress falters or he re-injures his knee, we are going to need Matt Cassel to be there. Brady is a little better at the deep ball and his reading skills are the best in football, so he's obviously the Number One. But if I'm management I have to find a way to sit down with Cassel and his agent to hash things out.

Jim,
Cassel played great and could have a solid career, but Brady is one of the greatest to ever play. You don't trade Brady until he's old and has nothing left. A year ago he had the greatest season of any QB ever, you don't trade the best player in football.

while it is true that Tom Brady has led this team magnificently, it is also true that intense injuries like the one he suffered have left many great players worse for the wear. He will never be the same. He will never be as good. The great "Tom Brady" with his 3 superbowl rings is a thing of the past. It is time to move on to someone who can handle this franchise for the next several years. Take a deep breath, say goodbye to Brady, wipe the tears away, and bring on Matt Cassel!

I hope he goes to a team and builds them up like matt ryan did this year. I'd love to root for him (almost) everywhere he goes, as he really put it all on the line this year- taking the hit to get the extra yards on QB scrambles (especially that one on 4th down in week 17 vs. Buffalo when the Pats really needed it). He's been nothing but a class act and he deserves to get paid and have a chance to start every week. And if the Pats decide to trade Brady, then I'd love to root for Matt Cassel as the Patriots QB in years to come. Good luck Matt wherever you go!

It would be fantastic to keep both qbs. I envy those teams with two able qbs; but, if they can project that Brady will be ready by August, then we could easily get a first and second by trading Matt.

I'm not worried about Brady's prognosis long term because it is his plant leg. If it were the right leg, I'd be worried because the right generates the power. Matt may be more atheletic, but Brady is the most accurate passer I've seen since Dan Marino and he has the 'cool under pressure' of Joe Montana. It'd be hard not to keep Brady if you can only have one.

Cassel is such a class act and a wonderful example to the teenage kids playing football. What a super guy, he deserves all the good things that await him.

Thanks, Matt, for everything you've done. I truly think you'll be in the top-10 (at least) QBs in the league. Great job in improving all year (especially from the St. Louis game on). Good luck and best wishes. Sign yourself a big contract after we trade you. That being said, for all of the other idiots out there who actually think trading Brady is a "good" option should have their heads examined (or have a proctologist go on a fact finding mission to find it).

Cassel still has one year of eligibility at USC. Maybe....

"WIldpat" offense? Let's sign MIchael Vick and we can play a 3 QB offense set.

you have got to love this kid. for all you guys saying let him go
what if...you know Tommy boy ....ya know goes down cause he cant get away from the rush that his front line cant hold back like in the superbowl and against the chiefs
knock on wood
If hes willing to stay Great he won't loose a load of value. he did a good job he will most likly get better in this system and hes got wheels and knows when to use them
go patriot nation

"Look at the stats, Cassel is almost identical to what Brady was in his first year. Brady had a superbowl team and Cassel only had half of a team. The other half was in the trainers room. Brady is the one that has to earn a starting spot. Patriots have to stick with Cassel until he loses HIS job."

Bud, you're the biggest idiot in Patriot Nation. Brady had a Super Bowl team his 1st season while Cassel had half of a team? please...The 2001 pats had nowhere near the talent that the current team has, injuries and all. Brady had no Randy Moss or Wes Welker in his 1st season first of all, nor did he have an offensive line that almost every player was a pro-bowler the previous season. Antowain Smith would be the 4th on the depth chart at running back on this team. As much as I respect and admire Cassel for the job he did this season, and he is absolutely a class act with a bright future ahead of him, I seriously doubt he would've won the 11 games he won this year with the 2001 team. granted, that team won games with defense and timely plays on offense, and they kept the shackles on Brady that first year and had a mostly dink and dunk passing game, but you are comparing apples to oranges when you attempt to compare Cassel's first season to Brady's.

yeah, a 3 time super bowl champion with a few super bowl mvp's, a league mvp, multiple pro bowls, and a spot reserved for him in canton should have to win back his starting job because his backup did an admirable job while he was out with a season ending knee injury...

what an assclown...

Much respect to Matt Cassel for one, the job he did this year and two, how classy a kid he is. Just watched the Comcast SportsNet interview and he really has a great work ethic and is class all the way. My only hope is he goes to a team (San Fran? Detroit?) that I don't already hate so they can immediately become my 2nd favorite team. Good luck to him!

Wow!!! I thought we were knowledgeable fans. After reading these comments I will never make that mistake again. Tom Brady is simply the best QB in Patriot history and will retire the greatest QB in NFL history. He will be ready in September and the Patriots will win the SB in 09/10 season. The idiot that said his rehab coach said he will never be the same...where did you get your inside information. Idiot!!!

Cassel had a great year and he did much better than anyone of us would have predict no doubt. Most of you that are suggesting Cassel should be the starter are also probably the ones who said the patriots need to cut him..... Mike Reiss even predicted he would be cut.

Tom Brady when he won his first SB he had No Offensive Weapons..... I admire Troy Brown, but he would be the 3rd receiver on this team and anyone of our 5 RB this year would of been an improvement.

Tom Brady desire! I will not pretend to know what he is doing in rehab, but I do know from being a Strength and Conditioning coach that you don't spend 8 hours a day 7 days a week rehabbing. I think it is safe to say he can work hard, rehab and still have time for a personal life and interviews and photo, no different than life before his injury...which if I remember correctly, he threw for 50 TD and won 16 games his last healthy season.

Patriot fans please wise up!! We are no longer the underdog. We are the City of Champions SOX,CELTICS, PATRIOTS

I Only Have one thing to say about Matt and Tom, I Trust BB will make the Right Choice. Go PATS in 09...

Matt is fooling you all. He is saying all the right things, playing the game of business and his stock is rising as a person, not just a football player. This makes him even more attractive. He's angling for that contract, SOMEWHERE.

I can't see trading Brady. I would throw away a season in giving Brady time to either get better or work his way back into shape and if we finally see he can't be what he was then it is addressed. He has EARNED that. He has this long time Patriots fan's respect.

C'mon, remember us? We were that Rod Rust 1-15 team, the embaressment of the league for a long time and many seasons. Look who helped get us here and enjoy the chmapionships and competitive seasons?

I am still shocked at all you guys saying trade Brady. Shocked. Do you understand what your saying? My goodness.

I'm just repeating what others have said, I think Matt is a classy guy who did a remarkable job when Tom went down and had a great year but this is Tom's team. Although Tom might not be fully recovered until 2010 he still deserves his job back. He is one of a handful of QB's that are the greatest to ever play this game. He is a first ballot hall of famer but he is not finished winning super bowls with the Patriots. I hope the situation with Matt will be resolved with either a trade or franchising him because he proved he can win in this league and I wish him the best.

Cassel just helped his stock go up BIG TIME. This display of humility and team-first atitude will make him a starting QB in 2010 or earlier. If Brady's back in top shape for 2009, Cassel will write his own ticket to a starting job anywhere for 2010.

Pats will pin the franchise tag on him to be safe, and then set him free.

Good. I'm glad Cassel recognizes greatness when he sees it and acknowledges that this is Brady's team. For all you "trade Brady, keep Cassel" fools, put it this way: If Kevin Garnett tore his ACL right now, and Glen Davis put up 20/10/5 numbers the rest of the way into the playoffs, but ultimately fell to Cleveland, would Garnett be expendable?

You know, Bill must be putting something real good in that cool aid . Or maybe this those Jedi mind tricks. What a class act this kid is . He better get his . Either highest paid back up or a very well paid starter else where. Even though they did not make the play offs this year was even more fun then the 16-0 season ... No wait thats not true . But it was a lot of fun to watch Matt mature. Being selfish I hope he stays . Though I know of at least 4 teams that could use him.

Great play, we should franchise him then trade him to the Panthers for Julius Peppers and a pick..

I think a lot of people are confusing "Class" with "Smart".

He's being smart by being humble. Not burning any bridges or rocking the boat. He sounds like a nice guy but I don't see where the "class act" is. He's looking out for his own best interests.

Cassell said he would accept the backup role if that is the situation he finds himself in. This does not mean he is looking to be a backup next season. What this does mean is he has a good attitude.

It woudl be nice to see Cassel come to Carolina. Delhomme needs to go, and Cassel's a yound prospect that has a lot of upside about him. Sorry Pat fans, I hate your team.

Are you Pats fans retarded? Brady might be the best qb ever and did anyone see the year that D. Anderson had in Cleveland after last years great season? I can see it now Brady gets traded and Cassel comes back to reality, then what to you do.

It seems like Cassel is happy in NE so hopefully they can work something out where both can stay. Getting rid of Brady would make trading the Babe to the Yanks look like a brilliant move..

i wish the moderators would just read some of these comments before letting them get posted.... trade brady? are you serious?
...theres "DUI" in america, and there also should be "TUI" - typing under influence...
whoever is saying brady should be traded should pay a big ticket... crazy people

BRADY ON A WHEELCHAIR > PEYTON MANNING+MICHAEL VICK+MATT CASSEL+DREW BREES crushed in a blender to make the ULTIMATE QB... (which in this case would still be a backup)

He would look real good in a Jets uniform