A friend of mine from Boston, who knows I went to USC, was asking me this week about New England's last draft pick -- USC backup quarterback Matt Cassel. During his college career, Cassel completed 20 of 33 passes for 192 yards. He had no touchdowns and one interception. His biggest play was recovering an onside kick that helped ensure the Trojans' 29-24 victory over UCLA at the Rose Bowl last season, preserving the Trojans' perfect record and Orange Bowl bid.
Why would the defending champions select a backup quarterback with just 33 college passes under his belt when 2003 Heisman winner Jason White of Oklahoma and Timmy Chang of Hawaii, the NCAA's all-time passing yardage leader, were available? I can think of a few reasons.
For one thing, although Cassel was second string for three straight years, the guys he sat behind won three BCS bowls, two national championships and two Heisman Trophies. How many quarterbacks would have started ahead of Matt Leinart or 5th year senior Carson Palmer? Few, if any. And Leinart barely beat out Cassel for the starting nod in 2003.
Cassel impressed NFL scouts during a workout at USC in March. And his size is ideal. What's not to like about a 6'5" quarterback with good mechanics?
Cassel will be content to sit and learn at New England. With the talent on that team, they can afford to teach and groom him for a season or two, gambling that he will develop under the right circumstances. The Patriots know that college success is not always indicative of NFL success. The past history of Heisman winning NFL disappointments has shown that the right situation can let a mediocre pro prospect shine (e.g., Eric Crouch, Chris Weinke, Danny Wuerffel, Gino Torretta), while the wrong situation can conceal a superb talent (e.g. Terrell Davis, Kurt Warner, Drew Bennett and, of course, Tom Brady) If Tom Brady couldn't start full time at Michigan, but as a sixth round draft pick, could eventually replace Drew Bledsoe and win three Super Bowl rings, anything can happen with a guy who was second-best to a pair of Heisman winners. And there is no team I would trust more to pluck a gem out of a late round than New England.
I still think they should have taken Matt Grootegoed, though.
Comments