Matt Cassel sat backup for Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC. He turned pro in 2005 and continued the trend his first three NFL seasons sitting behind New England’s seemingly invincible Tom Brady. But when Brady limped off the field after a hit to his leg in Saturday’s opener against Kansas City, Matt Cassel, who attempted only 15 passes in ’06 & ’07 combined, actually got to play almost an entire game. Apparently Cassel got good use from the extra first-team reps he took in the off-season. Cassel went on to complete 13 of 18 passing for 152 yards and a touchdown (with a 51yd long), leading the Pats to a 17-10 victory. Not to shabby.

But with news of Brady’s season ending injury, Cassel’s decade long position has been turned upside down. “Career backup” Matt Cassel suddenly has a job he hasn’t had in nearly ten years: starter.

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As quoted by the AP:

“Since I’ve been here and been around Tom, he’s always popped back up,”… “I didn’t know (how serious it was). I just buckled my chinstrap and the guys rallied around me. I felt their support.”

But this time Brady didn’t pop back up. Nor is he going to. Tom Brady’s been placed on New England’s injured reserve, which means Matt’s got the keys to the Superbowl winning castle. True, Cassel hasn’t played an entire game that mattered since he was in high school. But does he have what it takes to lead the Patriots back to victory? Only time will tell. But one things sure: it’s one week into the NFL season and Cassel has better stats than Brady, Palmer (99yds, 0 td, 1 int) and Leinart (backup/didn’t play). Who saw that coming?