PHOTO:
University of Southern California quarterback Matt Cassel poses with the national
championship trophy Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005, during media day, in Miami. USC plays
No. 2 Oklahoma on Tuesday night in the Orange Bowl for the Bowl Championship Series
title. (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter)
Patriots Select Another Brady?
Patriots
Insider Staff
Matt Cassel School: USC
Height: 6-5
Weight: 230 40 yard time: 4.82 Year: 5Sr
Quarterback
Matt Cassel, 6-5, 230 of USC was chosen in the 7th round of the NFL Draft by the
New England Patriots (230th overall).
Cassel is best known in USC circles
as the guy who waited patiently on the sidelines while both Carson Palmer and
Matt Leinart won the Heisman trophy as they lead the Trojans to success. He competed
with Leinart for the starting position, but had to watch patiently from the bench
as Leinart continued to lead the team to victory.
Cassel tried his hand
at several positions in an attempt to gain playing time, including stints at H-back,
Receiver and Tight End. Eventually he tried his hand at baseball after being drafted
by the Oakland A's. Cassel decided to return to USC to finish his college career
as a reserve on the roster behind Leinart as USC rode their success to the Rose
Bowl.
His competition with Leinart, and previously with Carson Palmer,
has similarities to Tom Brady's career at Michigan. At Michigan, Brady had to
wait and watch Brian Greise lead the Wolverines to a share of the national title.
In the following year, he had a quarterback battle with Drew Henson, who eventually
opted to play baseball rather than football. Brady eventually won the starting
role, but not until he beat out Henson in a close competition.
In spite
of not seeing much playing time at quarterback, Cassel wasn't bitter about his
experience at USC, and expressed his appreciation for the chance he's been given
by the Patriots.
"It's been a long process but I'm fortunate to have
been able to work hard and put myself in this position," said Cassel in a
conference call with the New England Media.
Cassel is expected to compete
with the two other reserve quarterback already on the roster, Rohan Davey and
Chris Redman.
More on Cassel can be found here:
USC
Pro Day: USC
Pro Timing Day
Pro Day Pictures: Photo
Gallery
Search All Cassel Stories: Matt
Cassel Info
NFL 2005 Combine: Scout
Combine Info
Official USC Bio: USC
Trojans
Related:
Exit
Interview: Matt Cassel :: Spring
ball battle at QB
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