Ten Years For Matt

Vikings QB Matt Cassel didn't have the best game of his career against the Pats yesterday. He threw four interceptions in his team's 30-7 loss.

No matter what happens, Cassel should take pride in knowing that he has lasted ten years in the NFL. This is a small miracle, considering he never started a game at USC. He played behind Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart.

Palmer was the overall first pick in the 2003 draft. He has played 123 games with a line of 2,930/4,682 for 33,739 yards and 213 TD's.

Leinart is out of the NFL. He was the tenth overall pick in 2006, but played in only 33 games and showed a line of 366/641 for 4,065 yards and 15 TD's.

Cassel is with his third team after the Pats drafted him in the seventh round of 2005. He got his chance to play when Tom Brady got hurt in the first game of the 2008 season and lead them to a record of 11-5. He was traded to Kansas City after the season where he landed a big contract. He lasted four years before he signed with the Vikings and has played the last two seasons.

Coach Belichick has often said that it doesn't matter what you did in college or where you got drafted. It only matters what you do with your opportunity. Cassel is a great example of perseverance and never giving up.