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Ever wonder what a coach might say about a quarterback competition the day before he announces a pecking order?

You're in luck!

USC coach Pete Carroll stopped by for a chat with the Pac-10 blog on Monday, the day before he announced on his Web site that Aaron Corp would emerge from spring practices No. 1 on the quarterback depth chart, ahead of true freshman Matt Barkley and Mitch Mustain.

	Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
	Pete Carroll boasts an 88-15 record since arriving at USC.

That bit of stolen thunder aside -- and the announcement was mostly a foregone conclusion -- it's never a bad time to talk with a coach who's 88-15 in eight years at USC and has finished ranked in the top four of the AP poll seven consecutive seasons.

After all, he's got a new book deal to benefit his charity, A Better LA, and a new Web site for kids.

And he's got a football team that likely will be favored to win its eighth consecutive Pac-10 championship and again compete for a national title.

Word on the street is you guys have an intense quarterback competition going on over there: Where does that stand?

Pete Carroll: Guys have really battled hard and done well. We're pleased with the play at the quarterback position. The competition is going to continue. We'll name a guy who's going to start the spring game for us and then the competition will just continue. We've got to call something here after a month of playing. We'll find out what happens when we get back to camp in the fall.

You've told me in the past you prefer to anoint a quarterback as early as possible to allow him to develop into a clear leader: How will that be a part of the decision in the fall?

PC: We'd like to do that [name a starter], but you've got to do the right thing and let the competition play itself out. What that means is, in the past when we named Matt Leinart over Matt Cassel, it meant that Leinart was going first and Cassel was battling him. The competition remained on. It will be the same situation. It's a very hard-fought, close competition and in fairness it's going to take longer to know exactly what we are going to do for the long haul.

It seems like running backs Curtis McNeal and Marc Tyler have asserted themselves this spring: Have they done enough to eclipse the established guys?

PC: I don't think there's any question Curtis McNeal has. Marc Tyler has been hurt most of the spring -- he's only had a couple of days when he's full speed. He's done well. But McNeal has taken advantage of the opportunity to be out there every day and he's really been effective.

<!--more--> You guys are pretty much rebuilding your front seven: How has that gone so far and who is having a great spring?

PC: Malcolm Smith, Chris Galippo and Mike Morgan, our linebackers have really jumped to the front and given us really good play. They've been out there every day battling. They give us good speed and athleticism and they've all played the last couple of years. Now they take over, they look like they are going to be really nice players for us. We're really excited about them. [Defensive end] Everson Griffen has had his best camp by far. Armond Armstead, we moved to strongside defensive end, has had a great camp too.

It seems like, on paper, this is your most experienced and talented secondary. How good is this secondary going to be?

PC: Led by Taylor Mays, such a solid guy playing in the middle back there, and Kevin Thomas had a great year at corner playing for us last year. Shareece Wright was a starter for us before he got hurt, and Josh Pinkard returns and he started at corner last year and is playing safety now and can play some corner for us. Also, [safety] Will Harris who's started a bunch of games is back. So it's as good a secondary as we've had since we've been here. We have really high expectations for these guys to be aggressive and really be a factor.

What does Rocky Seto, promoted this offseason to defensive coordinator, bring to the defense?

PC: He's been around since the outset of this program, so Rocky brings us great continuity and really in-depth direction of the littlest things that we are doing to the biggest things we are doing. He's been a big factor. He's had a great spring with these guys. I think we are as good as we've ever been at hawking the football, which is great. He has the most background of anyone I've been around in our specific stuff. He gives us great insights and great leadership there.

With Jeremy Bates and John Morton now running the offense: What have they changed this spring?

PC: Nothing has changed. Nothing's changed on defense really. We're just continuing to try to recapture the spirit of the offense and make sure we're utilizing our personnel well. The familiarity between Jeremy and the rest of the guys has been going along beautifully. When you're developing a quarterback, a lot of the focus goes to the quarterback position and Jeremy has done a good job of making sense of all that, so those guys have performed well. And we've also continue to do our installation like we have to do to keep this thing going. They've gotten along great. Jeremy has called all the plays in our scrimmages and our practices that isn't normal scripted stuff so he can work at it and practice at it, too. He's totally up to speed and has done a great job so far.

Running the Pac-10 blog, it seems like a rivalry has developed between the SEC and USC: Any chance we're going to get a matchup between the Trojans and an SEC power any time soon?

PC: I don't know. We've played a bunch of SEC schools over the years -- well, not a bunch -- we've played SEC schools and when we do we enjoy that matchup [USC went 4-0 in home-and-home series with Auburn and Arkansas, winning by a combined margin of 167-48]. There's nothing we can do about schedules that are already set. At the end of the year, if we are fortunate enough to play against those guys, we'd look forward to it.

Are you learning to live with the BCS process, or are you ready to lead a march on Washington to get the system changed?

PC: I don't have a better system for it. I advocate a playoff. Everybody in America wants a playoff -- in any sport, at any level, no matter where you are, to find out who the champions are. We want to do the same thing.

Heard about your new book deal that's going to benefit your non-profit, A Better LA, anything you want to get the word out about?

PC: We've been hard at it to help fight the violence and things that are going on in the streets here and make sure we're doing our part. We've been very active for a number of years and have worked hard to continue to generate funds for the foundation, so we do have a book thing we are working on to bring proceeds to "A Better LA" and to enhance our fundraising efforts as we go along.

Reader reaction was passionate and plentiful to my Sunday afternoon post about the controversial Matt Cassel trade.

The New England Patriots sent their backup quarterback and linebacker Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs for the 34th overall selection in this year's draft.

But ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported the Patriots could have struck a much sweeter deal.

Mortensen explained the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wanted to swing a three-way trade in which the Broncos sent their 12th overall pick to the Patriots and quarterback Jay Cutler to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers would send their first- and third-round picks to the Broncos. The Patriots would send Cassel to the Broncos.

But the Patriots did business with the Chiefs.

Based on subsequent reports, it appears the Buccaneers and Broncos got into the mix too late.

Even so, the Patriots still missed out on a better deal. It's incumbent upon the selling team to maximize its asset. If they didn't know the Buccaneers and Broncos were that interested, then the Patriots misread the market.

Readers also declared the 34th pick is more appealing to the Patriots than the 12th pick would because of the salary-cap hit that goes along with it. If so, then why were the Patriots happy to draft a franchise player 10th overall last year? Linebacker Jerod Mayo was defensive rookie of the year and could anchor their defense for a decade.

And even if the Patriots didn't want to draft at No. 12, turning that commodity into multiple later-round picks wouldn't have been unfathomable.

But enough musing from me. Take a look at what the readers had to say:

Mike from Parts Unknown writes: Tim, I think you are an idiot. Anyone who suggests in his best Oliver Stone that this decision has anything to do wtih what BB thought was best for the Patriots has not been paying attention. Undoubtedly, Belichick saw execution risk in doing the more complicated three team deal, and decided to take the bird in the hand with the Chiefs. You don't want to hear that and just want the sensational, freaking idiotic angle. The notion that BB would take a worse deal and not appreciate that he could use the number 12 pick as a chip, at worse, and would instead prefer the 34th pick is laughable. You are lucky to have a job in this economony.

<!--more--> Chris in Boston writes: Hey Tim, I am just having a tough time coming to grips with this trade. I mean even Matt Schaub got Atlanta 2 second round picks. I don't mind the 2nd round pick as opposed to everyone talking about the 12th, however I believe the Pats could gotten maybe another 2nd rounder next year.

JT from somewhere in the Northeast writes: Nice job summarizing the prevailing feeling here in NE over Cassel/Vrabel to KC.

Mike in Vermont writes: The pats needed space in the salary cap, They are giving up a back-up player and a line backer that is old, coming off surgery, and his numbers are down, For the possibility of 4 draft picks that could all be starters this year or next. Best case senerio I agree. But this allows the Pats to be flexable

Kurt from Parts Unkown writes: Hey Tim, I've been a die hard patriots fan for a while now, and I cannot assume that this trade could have been so badly favored to us without a benefit. I cannot brace the thought that Belichick left Pioli with a "parting gift" of this stature. I can't understand what exactly his plan is, the pieces just don't fit. Considering he just cleared $20 million in cap space with this trade, you can only assume that he must have a plan to pick up some free agents. But my question is, who? He traded Mike Vrabel, a move that will subsequently get us younger. Well look at the LB's on the table. We can't get much younger with a guy like Ray Lewis. There are also no players that, even combined, could be worth anything that we lost money wise in making the trade. I mean, who is there for DB's, Dre Bly? There is not one guy in a position that we need that would be worth $20 million. I just don't know. But then again, do we ever know with Bill?

Timmy in Boston writes: Belichick took a 7th round pick and turned into the 34th overall pick - I think it is too early to evaluate this trade because we need to see what BB does with the extra cap space made available. Belichick has a plan and you have to trust the proven record of Bill. Go Pats.

Chris in Vancouver writes: I'm sorry, does ANYONE understand this? The only explanation for this deal I've heard (Cassel, Vrabel to Chiefs for 2nd rounder) is that the Pats cleared up alot of cap space and didn't want a high first round pick due to rookie pay. So why didn't they take this Bucs-Broncos-Pats deal and take a 12th round pick (and the other picks in the deal, whatever they were) and trade down if they didn't want it. This seems flat out stupid. Or, more honestly, its fixed.

Bruno in Washington D.C. writes: Hi Tim: Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe is reporting that Denver's #1 pick for Cassel was never on the table. It only came out AFTER the KC trade, so the Pats never had that option. Personally, I think there are people in Denver and Tampa that are being disingenuous - especially Tampa that has to explain why they traded a #2 for Winslow when they could have gotten Cassel. Which begs the questions, who is going to throw to Winslow? And, do you really think Bill Belichick would give away value? The casualty in this mess is Denver. Their franchise QB feels unwanted and McDaniel has PR fiasco before they've even had a practice.

Mr. Anonymous from Detroit writes: Something about this deal stinks!1 The NFL comissioner needs to look into this deal and void it. There were teams out there offering more then a #2 draft pick.

Martin in Clearwater, Fla., writes: Not sure why there is a conspiracy theory going on with the Cassel trade. This deal was already in the works before Friday. That is the ONLY reason to explain why Vrabel was in Kansas City Friday taking a physical!!! Why aren't ANY of these so called reporters pointing that out???, or is it easier to make it look like Pats are cheating again?

Mr. Anonymous from Tulsa, Okla., writes: Wow, the Cassel trade info. confirms my suspicions...the Pats MUST have been able to get a better trade than a 2nd rounder for these guys. The cap room justification is a red herring. It doesn't matter to which team Vrabel and Cassel were traded, the cap room cleared is the same, right? So why not get a better pick? If the Pats didn't want the expense of drafting at 12, simply trade the pick...even if the Pats got robbed to trade out of 12, they would most certainly end up with a lot more than a single pick at 34. I have to think they must have realized the questionable value/circumstances of this trade would get out, so surely there is nothing underhanded going on here...is it possible that there is some other component to the trade that was not disclosed? And if so, why wasn't it disclosed?

Zack in Sunderland, Mass., writes: I totally agree with your assessment of the fishy trade of Vrabel and Cassel to the Chiefs. The 12th pick is more valuable no matter what and the Pats could in turn trade that pick for more of Belichicks coveted 2nd round picks. The Pats need more depth due to our numerous injuries through the season. The Pats need a shut down corner, we were always at our best with at least one shut down corner (Ty Law, Asante Samuel even if he cost us a Superbowl due to a dropped interception) and we have a better chance to get that with more picks. Also if I were the Patriots I would hate trading Cassel to KC because it was KC who took out Brady.

Peter from Parts Unknown writes: Regarding the Cassel trade and the Patriots passing up the first round pick: Isn't the rather obvious answer to this puzzle that there was, in fact, no firm first round offer from the Broncos?

Dave in Montreal writes: i think that there are 2 issues to think about. With financial times the way they are I believe that the owners are going to be very reluctant to dish out "normal" first round money especially in a year where the first 15 picks or so will be based more on team needs than on actual rankings of players. In effect, there is no difference between pick 5 and 12, however, the usual money will be differnt. In taking a second round pick, the Pats will get a "system" player that they will be able to sign. Issue number 2 is that the Pats now have their "franchise player" status back.

David in Minneapolis writes: There is something else that was involved in this trade and it happened under the table between Pioli and the Patriots. What that is, I have no idea, but I do believe that Pioli played an "off balance sheet" card for this deal. Maybe his silence on a controversial topic? Who knows, but that is the only plausible explanation. Any suggestion that the Patriots "prefer 2nd rounders" is just so absurd that it doesn't even merit consideration.

Former Trojan Matt Cassel’s continuing success with the New England Patriots prompted USC coach Pete Carroll to recall Cassel’s pro-day workout, when he went from unknown backup to draftable commodity.

“He was an underdog,” Carroll said. “He had such a phenomenal day. They flooded him afterward - all the scouts came up to get his name and phone number. It was really his moment.

“I remember his mom in tears watching the response from his workout. … He had a day out here that was all but perfect. It lit everybody up, and that’s where it started.”

New England took Cassel in the seventh round of the 2005 draft, even though he never started at USC. He has stepped in this season for injured three-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady to help push the Patriots to the brink of a playoff berth.

At USC, Cassel sat behind Matt Leinart, who came off the bench Sunday to guide Arizona’s only scoring drive in a 47-7 loss to New England. When a reporter suggested the Cardinals should have started Leinart, Carroll joked: “I don’t think they could have done much worse.”

More from the USC blog:

• USC football: Taylor Mays mulls NFL draft decision
• USC football: Post-practice tidbits, injury updates
• USC football: Gable might leave USC after season
• USC football: Carl Smith, injury updates from Saturday
• USC basketball: Markas returns, scary incident behind him
• USC football: JC recruit joins kicker/punter mix
• USC football: Targeting Derrick Williams
• USC football: Byers returning; will Sanchez follow?
• USC football: Carl Smith isn’t the QB coach … yet

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

There might still be some Matt Cassel doubters out there.

Among NFL insiders, however, the New England Patriots quarterback is viewed with a high degree of respect. Their admiration of Cassel has only grown with the way he has carried himself the past 10 days.

"If you loved him before, you love him a little more today," ESPN analyst and former Tennessee Titans general manager Floyd Reese said.

With a heavy heart, Cassel on Sunday threw a career-high four touchdown passes in a 49-26 road victory over the Oakland Raiders. Earlier last week, Cassel's father was found dead. The funeral wasn't held until Tuesday.

"You could see the pain in his eyes," former NFL executive Michael Lombardi said after watching behind-the-scenes NFL Films footage of the Patriots' week. "It's just very, very dramatic."

Sunday might be remembered as the signature performance of Cassel's breakout season.

Cassel briefly left the team and missed an important practice, but -- on the same field Brett Favre famously threw four touchdown passes the day his father died in 2003 -- he was sensational. Cassel would've finished with even more prolific numbers Sunday had the game not been so lopsided.

"To have the wherewithal or ability or gumption or whatever it takes to be able to pull off what he did was indeed special," Reese said. "There's a lot of us in the football world who think we're pretty tough, but when something like that comes along it brings you to your knees. For him to be able to pull it off was a special performance."

<!--more--> The Patriots are in a three-way tie atop the AFC East, but they don't control their own destiny like the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins do. Even so, at 9-5 with two games to play, Cassel has proven he can be more than Tom Brady's proxy.

Cassel will be a free agent after the season. The Patriots could put the franchise tag on him, which means they would retain him for another season but have to pay him an average of the NFL's top five salaries at his position.

If Cassel hits the market, there will be no shortage of suitors. What he did Sunday increased his bargaining power with the Patriots and the many other teams that covet battlers.

"It shows you he handles adversity because that's a situation, whether you're a football player [or] an ordinary American, when you lose a loved one like that, it's so hard," said Lombardi, who writes for the National Football Post. "It's unfortunate.

"He handled it very, very well. Every game regardless of this adversity, he's improved his stock tremendously."

Three months ago, many football experts figured Cassel would fail. When Brady suffered a season-ending knee injury on opening day, Cassel hadn't started a game since high school. Billed as the clipboard holder to the stars, Cassel backed up Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at Southern California.

Cassel has blossomed from virtual novice to certified conductor of the very Patriots offense Brady ran.

"Where they are right now is they are running the same offense they ran in the Super Bowl last year," CBS Sports analyst and former Washington Redskins GM Charley Casserly said. "Overall, you've seen the guy progress throughout the year. You've seen him improve his decision-making, improve on his reads, improve on his accuracy. His running is a real asset for him. So the arrow's pointing up there."

When GMs and personnel directors evaluate his season, they will have much to be impressed with. He had back-to-back 400-yard games. He has rushed for 232 yards.

And, although it was a mournful time, executives will remember his game in Oakland.

"I have no idea how you would quantify that," Reese said, "but if somebody was thinking 'I'm willing to spend an exorbitant amount of money on a young quarterback,' and negotiations feel like they're getting out of hand, you reflect back on something like this and think 'It's going to be worth it. He's worth the risk.'"

Cassel

If New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel can throw for 400 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, then he will become the first NFL quarterback to have three straight games with that many yards.

If Cassel does passes for 400 yards in any of the Patriots' five remaining games, then he will join Dan Marino as the only ones to have recorded three such games in a season. Marino did it twice, delivering four 400-yard games in 1984 and three in 1986.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees also can join the club. He has two 400-yard games this year, too, and is challenging Marino's record for yards in a season.

To give an idea how prolific Cassel has been the past two weeks, here is a comparison with Tom Brady's best two consecutive games during his record-breaking 2007 campaign:

• Brady (Weeks 11 and 12): completed 65 of 93 attempts for 753 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions for a 115.6 passer rating.
• Cassel (Weeks 10 and 11): completed 60 of 94 attempts for 815 yards and six touchdowns with one interception for a 108.2 passer rating.
  

Matt Cassel (QB, New England) had the biggest game of his career and was impressive even in defeat. Call it a moral victory. He piled up 400 yards on 30-of-51 passing with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. He added 62 yards on 8 carries, making him the first NFL player to gain 400 yards throwing and 60 yards receiving in the same game. He led the Pats back from an 18 point deficit at halftime, but they eventually fell 34-31 in overtime. No worries. The best game of his career was enough to win over the Sports Guy.

Lofa Tatupu (LB, Seattle) made 9 tackles in a 26-20 loss to Arizona.

LenDale White (RB, Tennessee) carried 14 times for 52 yards in a 24-14 victory over Jacksonville.

Terrell Thomas (CB, NY Giants) had a career-high 5 tackles, one for a loss, in a 30-10 win over Baltimore.

Justin Fargas (RB, Oakland) carried 17 times for 57 yards in a 17-15 loss to Miami.

Willie McGinest (LB, Cleveland) made 5 tackles in a 29-27 Monday night victory over Buffalo.

Steve Smith (WR, NY Giants) caught passes for 12 and 5 yards in the victory over Baltimore.

Frostee Rucker (DE, Cincinnati) made 4 tackles in a 13-13 tie with Philly.

Mike Patterson (DT, Philadelphia) assisted on a pair of tackles in the tie with Cincy.

Brian Kelly (CB, Detroit) had 2 tackles in a 31-22 loss to Carolina.

Shaun Cody (DT, Detroit) made a tackle in the loss to Carolina.

Sedrick Ellis (DT, New Orleans) had a tackle in a 30-20 win over Kansas City.

Lawrence Jackson (DE, Seattle) assisted on a tackle in the loss to Arizona.

Also played: Fred Davis (TE, Washington), Sammy Knight (S, NY Giants), Billy Miller (TE, New Orleans)

Matt Leinart (QB, Arizona) didn't play, as usual. Does it strike anybody else as strange that after he got in for a few minutes in week two, he hasn't even been used in garbage time during three different games decided by 21+ points?

-- Adam Rose
Photo by Luc Leclerc/US Presswire

Matt Cassel (QB, New England)

LenDale White (RB, Tennessee) led the Titans with 14 rushing yards. That wasn't too impressive, but his touchdown was his 11th of the season. He also made a six yard catch. Tennessee excaped Chicago, 21-14, to remain undefeated.

Mike Patterson (DT, Philadelphia) only had one tackle, but grabbed his first career interception (complete with a 21 yard return) and recovered a fumble in a 36-31 loss to the NY Giants.

Justin Fargas (RB, Oakland) is doing the best under the circumstances, gaining 89 yards on 22 carries and 9 on a reception. He also had a fumble in the Raiders' 17-6 loss to Carolina.

Lofa Tatupu (LB, Seattle) made 9 tackles in a 21-19 loss to Miami.

Billy Miller (TE, New Orleans) nabbed 5 receptions for 65 yards in a 34-20 loss to Atlanta.

Reggie Bush (RB, Saints) is expected back from knee surgery for next week's game against Kansas City.

Willie McGinest (LB, Cleveland) made 7 tackles, one behind the line of scrimmage, in a 34-30 loss to Denver.

Sedrick Ellis (DT, New Orleans) made 5 tackles in the loss to Atlanta. He also got a nice writeup in the Times-Picayune.

Troy Polamalu (S, Pittsburgh) had 4 tackles in a 24-20 loss to Indianapolis.

Steve Smith (WR, NY Giants) caught a 12 yard reception in the win over Philly.

Terrell Thomas (LB, NY Giants) had 3 tackles in the victory over the Eagles.

Keary Colbert (WR, Seattle) made an 11 yard reception in the loss to Miami.

Lawrence Jackson (DE, Seattle) had one tackle in the loss to Miami.

Brian Kelly (CB, Detroit) made on tackle in a 38-14 loss to Jacksonville.

Also played: Thomas Williams (LB, Jacksonville)

-- Adam Rose
Photo by Elise Amendola/AP

• Ryan Kalil (C, Carolina)
• Deuce Lutui (G, Arizona)
• Sam Baker (T, Atlanta Falcons)
• Matt Cassel (QB, New England)
• Carson Palmer (QB, Cincinnati)
• Justin Fargas (RB, Oakland)
• LenDale White (RB, Tennessee)
• Reggie Bush (both as RB and Kick Returner, New Orleans)
• Lawrence Jackson (DE, Seattle)
• Mike Patterson (DT, Philadelphia)
• Sedrick Ellis (DE, New Orleans)
• Willie McGinest (LB, Cleveland)
• Keith Rivers (LB, Cincinnati)
• Lofa Tatupu (LB, Seattle)
• Brian Kelly (CB, Detroit)
• Troy Polamalu (SS, Pittsburgh)

Click here to vote for your favorite Trojans.

-- Adam Rose

Matt Cassel (QB, New England)

Reggie Bush (RB, New Orleans) is still a human highlight reel, but also still not an every down back. He returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown with ridiculous speed -- and a taunting wave. On offense he ran 10 times for 28 yards and made 7 receptions for 63 yards. The Saints lost to Washington, 29-24.

LenDale White (RB, Tennessee) split carries with Chris Johnson, but touched the rock 18 time for 59 yards and a touchdown.

Lawrence Jackson (DE, Seattle) had a big day. The rookie made 5 tackles, but, most impressively, had two sacks in a 33-30 overtime loss to San Francisco.

Troy Polamalu (S, Pittsburgh) overcame hamstring trouble to make 4 tackles and an interception in a 10-6 victory over Clevelend.

Keith Rivers (LB, Cincinnati) made 8 tackles in the loss to Tennessee.

Carson Palmer (QB, Cincinnati) doesn't seem his old self. After a lousy game last week, he was only 16-of-27 for 134 yards and 2 interceptions in a 24-7 loss to Tennessee. He also injured his ankle in the second half.

Justin Fargas (RB, Oakland) have 97 yards in week one and was holding off rookie Darren McFadden pretty well. Then he pulled his groing in the second quarter this week against Kansas City and McFadden had a great day. Before leaving, Fargas had 43 yards on 9 touches in a 23-8 victory.

Lofa Tatupu (LB, Seattle) made 5 tackles in the loss to the Niners.

Steve Smith (WR, NY Giants) made catches of 11 and 8 yards, as well as a tackle after a turnover. New York won 41-13 over St. Louis.

Matt Leinart (QB, Arizona) saw mop-up duty in a 31-10 victory over Miami. He completed a 15 yard pass on 2 attempts. Kurt Warner seems to have the job on lock for now.

Fred Davis (TE, Washington) saw the first pro action of his career and made a 6 yard catch in the victory over New Orleans.

Frostee Rucker (DE, Cincinnati) made 5 tackles in the loss to the Titans.

Sedrick Ellis (DT, New Orleans) made 4 tackles in the loss to Washington.

Brian Kelly (CB, Detroit) had three tackles in a 48-25 loss to Green Bay.

Willie McGinest (LB, Cleveland) made one tackle in the loss to Pittsburgh.

LaJuan Ramsey (DE, Indianapolis) had a tackle in an 18-15 win over Minnesota.

Also played: Sammy Knight (S, NY Giants).

Monday Night Football: Mike Patterson (DT, Philadelphia) will be playing against Dallas.

-- Adam Rose
Photo by Rich Kane / US Presswire

Â
Â	John Cordes/Icon
Â	Playing behind Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, Matt Cassel never got a chance to start as a QB at USC.

Southern California coach Pete Carroll has been awaiting this game for what seems like an eternity.

No, we're not talking about USC-Ohio State.

"It's the matchup we've all waited for: Favre versus Cassel," Carroll joked with ESPN.com on his weekly conference call. "It's awesome, man."

For the first time in 3,217 days, Matt Cassel will start a game at quarterback. Not only must the New England Patriots backup replace a legend, he'll also have to face one. The Patriots visit the New York Jets in one of the most intriguing Week 2 matchups.

"He'll be ready for this thing," said Carroll, who coached Cassel at USC but never started him because of Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart. "It doesn't matter who you play. It just happens to be against one of the great all-time quarterbacks, which is bringing all kinds of hype and buildup.

"He's fortunate to have this chance. He's got the chance to beat Brett Favre, which would be pretty cool."

Carroll doesn't subscribe to the popular theory the Patriots will tear sections out of their playbook to accommodate Cassel, a fourth-year pro who has thrown only 57 passes in mop-up duty.

"I'm sure that they won't have to limit what they're doing too much, but they will some," Carroll said. "It'll call for everybody around Matt to do really well, too.

"Whereas Tom Brady could bail them out and just be the phenomenal player that he was, everybody's going to have to play for them to maintain the level of success that they've had."

Carroll didn't recruit Cassel out of California's Chatsworth High, the last place he started at quarterback. The Patriots fired Carroll after the 1999 season and he didn't begin coaching USC until 2001.

By that time, Cassel already had redshirted a season and could tell snaps would be scarce at quarterback. So Cassel asked to be use as a receiver and on special teams. He actually started one game as an H-back.

"This is the first game he's going to start in a long time because he's had the misfortune of being behind Heisman Trophy winners and then in the NFL behind the best quarterback that maybe ever lived," Carroll said. "He's had to wait forever. This is a kid that never gave in to that, persevered through all of that and continues to believe in himself.

"This'll be a great chance for him. I hope he plays within himself and gives himself a chance to be a part of those players."

But with news of Brady's season ending injury, Cassel's decade long position has been turned upside down. "Career backup" Matt Cassel suddenly has a job he hasn't had in nearly ten years: starter.