It's time for the coaching staff to stop babying Matt Gutierrez. If we are to find out if Gutierrez is ready surpass Matt Cassel and be the back-up quarterback, he has to perform against first team defenses.
Cassel more than had his chance to prove himself worthy of standing in Tom Brady's shadow. He's been on the team for three years now and he hasn't developed as he should. For a player that USC head coach Pete Carroll said barely lost the starting job to Matt Leinart while in college, Cassel doesn't look like starting material.
Granted he was better last night. He led a couple of good drives, but penalties killed drives that Cassel led deep into Philadelphia territory. But one game doesn't make up for the total preseason or his years in the league. Cassel should be a lot better going into his fourth year.
As for Gutierrez, he led the team to two touchdowns, and maybe in the process giving lifelines to C.J. Jones and Chad Jackson. Gutz was efficient, completing 14-of-20 passes for 217 yards. But that was against no better than the second string Eagles defense.
Lots of players can shine against inferior competition. Gutierrez proved during last year's preseason. What can he do against the elite? Maybe his performance goes down a little. That would be expected. But if Gutierrez can hold his own and move the offense, then that shows he's ready.
Brady is irreplaceable. But the team has to be ready because anything can happen. That includes having a back-up QB ready to start in a pinch. The last time the Patriots needed one to fill-in for an injured starter, he stepped in for Drew Bledsoe and led the team to their first Super Bowl win. Gutierrez won't replace Brady, but he needs to be ready. But no one will know for sure until he performs against the best of the best.
Keywords: C.J. Jones, Chad Jackson, Drew Bledsoe, Matt Cassel, Matt Gutierrez, Matt Leinart, Philadelphia Eagles, Tom Brady
