(Celina Fang/The Associated Press)

Warming the bench for three Heisman Trophy winners (Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Doug Flutie) and a two-time Super Bowl MVP (Tom Brady), Matt Cassel has been a perpetual understudy.

The retiring of Doug Flutie makes Cassel the presumptive backup behind Tom Brady.

New England coach Bill Belichick said Matt is way ahead of where he was last year, but acknowledges that Brady’s backup will not be decided until some real football gets underway.

Cassel confident as Brady’s backup [SouthCoastToday.com]