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• Quarterback Matt Cassel plays for the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League. According to Adam Schefter of the NFL Network, Cassel was traded from the New England Patriots to the Chiefs on February 28, 2009.NFL.com: Chiefs Complete Trade for Cassel

  Weeks earlier, the Patriots placed their franchise tag on Cassel.ESPN.com: Pats Place Franchise Tag on Cassel According to sources close to ESPN, Cassel accepted the franchise tag, which means he'll be guaranteed at least a $14.65 million contract in 2009 instead of becoming a free agent.ESPN.com: Sources: Matt Cassel Accepts Pats Franchise Tender

• Fast Facts

  1. Full name: Matthew Brennan Cassel
  2. Born: May 17, 1982
  3. Birthplace: Northridge, California
  4. Height: 6'4"
  5. Weight: 232 lbs
  6. Jersey:
     1. 16
  7. College: University of Southern California
  8. NFL Draft: Pick 230 in 2005 (New England Patriots)
  9. Only football player in history to back up two Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks (Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart)

• Franchise Tag?

  On January 4, 2009, ESPN reported that the Patriots were planning to use their franchise tag to limit Cassel's free agency options.ESPN.com: Sources: New England Patriots to Put Franchise Tag on Matt Cassel Later in the same month, Cassel told ESPN that he would be happy to return as Tom Brady's backup, saying "The Patriots have been Tom's team. He's built that franchise up with his own two hands."ESPN.com: Cassel OK with Return as Brady Backup

• NFL Career

  After playing a backup role to Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC, Cassel was drafted by the Patriots in 2005, where he would play behind Tom Brady. Cassel began his rookie year as the third-string quarterback, seeing limited action in two games. He would throw two touchdowns and one interception on the season. Through 2007, Cassel would continue his backup roll, getting into games only when the Patriots had a large lead.Patriots.com: Matt Cassel

  Cassel took over the starting spot for the Patriots during the 2008 NFL season when Pro Bowl quarterback and three-time Super Bowl winner Brady suffered a season-ending injury on September 7, 2008.Rotowire.com: Matt Cassel: Taking Over for Brady

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Kansas City Chiefs | Carson Palmer | Matt Leinart | New England Patriots | National Football League | USC Trojans Football | Tom Brady | Randy Moss | Tedy Bruschi | Donte Stallworth | Kyle Brady | Kevin Faulk | Asante Samuel | Rodney Harrison | Mike Vrabel | Wes Welker | Matt Light | BenJarvus Green-Ellis | Josh McDaniels

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