Maybe Matt Cassel was a product of the New England system last year.  To do what he did under those circumstances showed moxie, especially when you consider how long it’s been since he was a starting quarterback.  Fortunately for Cassel, he will be operating another pass-friendly system.  Losing Tony Gonzalez is a blow, but Dwayne Bowe is one of the best young WRs in the game.  Mark Bradley showed signs last year and Bobby Engram was brought in to work the slot.  If Larry Johnson can return to some form of his old self, he’ll take some of the pressure off of Cassel.

He could have a rough go of it from the beginning facing Baltimore, Oakland, Philly, NY Giants, Dallas, Washington, San Diego, Jacksonville, Oakland again, Pittsburgh, and San Diego again.  Don’t give up on him though as he faces Denver in Week 13 and has a soft fantasy playoff schedule of Buffalo, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.  After that tough start, Cassel could be a buy low candidate.  Clearly he’s a backup fantasy QB this year unless he proves otherwise.  I would expect him to be drafted somewhere in the 9th-12th round.  I’m expecting 3400 yards and 18 TDs from Cassel in 2009.

Originally published at LestersLegends.com.