Both Sides: Why the New England Pats Should [not] Bench Matt Cassel

Once again we perch ourselves on top of the NFL fence and take a look at two sides to one question.

Everyone knows the New England Patriots lost franchise quarterback and last season's MVP, Tom Brady, in Week One, due to a torn ACL and MCL.

What most people didn't know was that the person who would replace him hadn't thrown over 50 passes in college and was drafted to the MLB before the NFL.

It's now Week Six and the Pats had an embarrassing loss last night to last year's AFC Championship opponent, the San Diego Chargers. What is there to do about a Super Bowl favorite, now being buried under the once horrible AFC East? Many people think it's to bench starting QB Matt Cassel.

Why the Patriots SHOULD bench Matt Cassel

OK, let's face it; Cassel isn't getting the job done. The Patriots are 2-1 when he is under center, but it really doesn't say much for how he has been playing.

Everyone knows the most important position on the field is the QB, and when yours isn't playing nearly as well as you had hoped, changes have to be made. Cassel has it made right now when you put things into perspective. I mean, an outstanding offensive line, an amazing WR in Randy Moss, and a solid core of mediocre running backs who can at least get the job done.

There is nowhere for the Patriots to go right now but up. The Jets are playing like they're on fire, the Bills have only suffered one loss, and even the Miami "Wildcats" have been more impressive on offense.

With that said, what's the worse that can happen? Kevin O' Connell looked like a solid draft choice, and they might as well throw him out there and see what he can do.

Many people think it's because the Patriots' coaching staff hasn't given Cassel the chance to throw the deep ball. In the third quarter of last night's game when Randy Moss blew by Quentin Jammer, you remember right? Well, Moss does too, because the ball went way over his head.

Why the Patriots SHOULD'NT bench Matt Cassel

OK, call it a bold prediction, but Matt Cassel will NOT throw for 50 TDs and become the NFL's MVP. So what did the Patriots honestly think he was going to do?

Cassel, in my opinion, has played exactly like he should be. The league is notorious for exactly being kind to QBs who have never played a snap. The Chargers had a good team, and not many teams would've taken them down, and the blame needs to go on the other side of the field rather than Cassel's.

That side would be the defense. The Pat's defense has been absolutely horrible and have not helped Cassel in any way whatsoever. Last time I checked out their roster, they didn't seem to have anyone seriously injured and should be playing great ball. Too bad they're not.

The final, and probably most important reason as to why they shouldn't, is what will O' Connell or Matt Gutierrez really be able to do that Cassel cannot? I don't see any Patriots QB throwing for more than 20 TDs this year, and they might as well let someone develop some chemistry with the team. So why not Cassel?

The Verdict

As surprising as this sounds, I honestly think the Pat's shouldn't bench Cassel. Switching out QBs at this point in the season certainly can't help them.

If one thing on this team needs to improve though, it's their defense. Matt Cassel can't do much when he is one the field every couple minutes because the porous defense can't stop anyone...or any formation.

Written By, Edited By, and Developed By Travis Rand NFL Bleacher Reporter