New England Patriots: former players they will face in 2015
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Cassel
Now that Brandon Spikes is no longer on the Bills’ roster, Cassel is the only former Patriot on the team. Entering his 11th season, Cassel is long removed from his days as a backup in New England.
Cassel’s career would never be the same after Bernard Pollard crushed Tom Brady’s left knee on that unforgettable sunny September afternoon in 2008. The USC product had only attempted 39 passes in three seasons since being drafted in 2005; in 2008, he would go on to complete 327 of the 516 passes he attempted for 3,693 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Since 2008, Cassel has posted a winning record as a starter just once. 2010 was an outstanding year for Cassel, as he won 10 of the 15 games he started for the Chiefs, throwing a career-high 27 touchdowns and just seven picks.
Interestingly, Cassel has only faced his former Patriots teammates and coaches once in the seven years since he departed New England. That encounter was last season, when the Patriots spun up to Minnesota in Week 2. Cassel had one of the worst games of his career, tossing four picks in a 30-7 loss to the Pats.
Let’s just say that if Cassel manages to win the starting job this summer in Buffalo, the Patriots won’t exactly be shaking in their boots when they play the Bills.
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