As I'm sure you've heard by now, the Patriots have given MVP quarterback Tom Brady the boot. Ever since stealing former USC quarterback Matt Cassel in the seventh round of the 2005 draft, the Patriots have been dying for him to replace Brady, who showed signs of age and overall ambivalence in Sunday's AFC Championship Game.
As Brady found comfort in the arms of a foreign supermodel, Cassel remained behind to rally his teammates after another devastating near-loss.
"This is Matt's time," said one teammate, who quickly checked to see if he'd gotten the quarterback's first name correct.
Yes, the Patriots have been preparing/hoping for this moment ever since vice president of player personnel director Scott Pioli called Trojans head coach Pete Carroll to ask for a list of quarterbacks who would never see the field. Cassel, who threw 33 career passes at USC while backing up Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, seemed like a good fit.
Patriots officials are also comfortable with third-string quarterback Matt Gutierrez, who led Idaho State to a 2-8 campaign in 2006 after spending four years as a backup at Michigan. Gutierrez's principal at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., was Brother Christopher Brady, who happens to be Tom's uncle.
The Patriots think the fact that Cassel and Gutierrez haven't thrown a meaningful pass in seven or eight years might actually help their cause against the Giants' improving secondary (yes I know Cassel held down the fort for a few snaps against ASU in 2003).
Cassel last started a game in 1999, so there's a good chance he'll be fresh for Super Bowl XLII. No one will forget his clutch performance during a preseason victory over the Bengals in Aug. 2005. From that moment on, Brady has been looking over his shoulder, much like his predecessor Drew Bledsoe.
Cassel has waited three years for the opportunity to marginalize Brady's career. Now, the time has arrived.
