Changes

From 2000 to 2004 Matt Cassel attended the [[University of Southern California]] and played college football for the USC Trojans. From 2001 through 2004 he backed up [[Heisman Trophy]] winning quarterbacks and NFL top ten first round draft picks [[Carson Palmer]] and [[Matt Leinart]]. In his total playing time with USC (he played in 25 games), Cassel completed 20 of 33 pass attempts for 192 yards and one interception. He also played backup tight end for the Trojans but only caught one pass for 12 yards in his playing time.     

From 2000 to 2004 Matt Cassel attended the [[University of Southern California]] and played college football for the USC Trojans. From 2001 through 2004 he backed up [[Heisman Trophy]] winning quarterbacks and NFL top ten first round draft picks [[Carson Palmer]] and [[Matt Leinart]]. In his total playing time with USC (he played in 25 games), Cassel completed 20 of 33 pass attempts for 192 yards and one interception. He also played backup tight end for the Trojans but only caught one pass for 12 yards in his playing time.     

== NFL Career ==

== NFL career ==

In 2005 the [[New England Patriots]] drafted Matt Cassel in the 7th round of the 2005 NFL draft. After a great preseason performance he made the team as the third quarterback on the Patriots roster<ref>http://www.patriots.com/search/index.cfm?ac=searchdetail&pid=12047&pcid=47</ref>. In his rookie regular season with the Patriots he played in two games and attempted 24 passes and completed 13 of those passes for 183 yards and 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Most of the action that he saw in 2005 came in the last game of the season vs Miami. In that game<ref>http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/live/NFL_20060101_MIA@NE</ref> he led the Patriots from behind to come within a two-point conversion of tying the game and sending it into overtime. Both of Cassel's touchdown passes came in the last six minutes of the game.... In 2006 Matt became the number two quarterback and the primary backup to [[Tom Brady]] on the Patriots roster. In 2006, he didn't see any real action but he did attempt 8 passes for 5 completions and 32 yards in forth quarter blowout situations.  

In 2005 the [[New England Patriots]] drafted Matt Cassel in the 7th round of the 2005 NFL draft. After a great preseason performance he made the team as the third quarterback on the Patriots roster.<ref>http://www.patriots.com/search/index.cfm?ac=searchdetail&pid=12047&pcid=47</ref> In his rookie regular season with the Patriots he played in two games and attempted 24 passes and completed 13 of those passes for 183 yards and 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Most of the action that he saw in 2005 came in the last game of the season vs Miami. In that game<ref>http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/live/NFL_20060101_MIA@NE</ref> he led the Patriots from behind to come within a two-point conversion of tying the game and sending it into overtime. Both of Cassel's touchdown passes came in the last six minutes of the game.... In 2006 Matt became the number two quarterback and the primary backup to [[Tom Brady]] on the Patriots roster. In 2006, he didn't see any real action but he did attempt 8 passes for 5 completions and 32 yards in forth quarter blowout situations.  

In 2007, he backed up Brady again but did not see much playing time. However, in 2008, Brady suffered a season-ending injury in the first game, forcing Cassel to start for the rest of the season. In 16 games (including the one in relief of Brady), he threw for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns. He led the Patriots to an 11-5 record and they narrowly missed the playoffs.

In 2007, he backed up Brady again but did not see much playing time. However, in 2008, Brady suffered a season-ending injury in the first game, forcing Cassel to start for the rest of the season. In 16 games (including the one in relief of Brady), he threw for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns. He led the Patriots to an 11-5 record and they narrowly missed the playoffs.

== References ==

== References ==

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== External Links ==

== External links ==

*[http://www.nfl.com/players/mattcassel/profile?id=CAS541133 NFL Stats]

*[http://www.nfl.com/players/mattcassel/profile?id=CAS541133 NFL Stats]