The Student News Site of Westborough High School

The Lobby Observer

The Student News Site of Westborough High School

The Lobby Observer

The Student News Site of Westborough High School

The Lobby Observer

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There's a New Cassel in Town

By Nick Farrar

When doctors reported that New England Patriots’ face of the franchise quarterBack Tom Brady had tore his ACL in season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs when safety Bernard Pollard hit the prolific gunslinger as he released a deep pass, many fans felt as though season was over. How could the Patriots win without Tom Brady, their leader and field general, to command the offense?

Waiting on the wings was the most unlikely of surprises of the 2008 NFL season: second string QB Matt Cassel. In college Cassel played behind Heisman trophy winners Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer at the University of Southern California, tallying a mere 35 pass attempts in his four years with the Trojans, but was taken in the seventh round of the 2004 draft by the Patriots. Even though the Patriots won the game against the Chiefs, the damage had already been done. With a less then stellar second game loss, New England was ready to lay down and pray for next year and the return of their “Golden Boy.”

Not willing to succumb to his doubters, Cassel played brilliantly in week three gaining 400 yards passing  against rival New York Jets. Even though the Patriots lost in overtime, Cassel earned respect.  Cassel was no longer just a glorified backup to Tom Brady.  Since the Jets game, Cassel has continued his rise from backup to proven starter anything but quietly, racking up over 3,200 yards and 18 touchdowns.

When Brady comes back healthy he will most likely get his starting spot back. But Cassel should be a hot commodity on the free agent market at the conclusion of the season for teams in desperate need of stability.

Cassel said after the Jets game, ” Any time you can come back from a 24-6 deficit, it’s a building block and something every team should be proud of…I hope I’ve earned the confidence of these guys on the team throughout the course of the year.” Many fans have said they now feel comfortable enough to allow Cassel to take the lead.

With another big game for Cassel against the Miami Dolphins, the playoffs are now in sight for the Patriots. But with a tough loss against the Steelers the Patriots chances of making the playoffs are running low. Not only will the pressure be on Matt Cassel, but also on play makers like Randy Moss and Wes Welker. They will have to step up and shoulder the load.  The aging defense will also have to hold tough in the final weeks of the regular season.

With a new quarterback at the lead the Patriots are looking to come up big and march, not limp, into the playoffs.

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