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Tennessee Titans: what backup QB Matt Cassel has to offer

By Crissy Froyd

Dec 13, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Matt Cassel (16) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Matt Cassel (16) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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When Matt Cassel was added to the Tennessee Titans roster this offseason, there were mixed feelings. Some believe that Cassel is far past his prime, and has nothing left to contribute to an NFL team.

But, there is one thing that Cassel has to offer to the Titans that the team has lacked for years now – veteran experience at the quarterback position.

Drafting young quarterbacks and then throwing them straight into the fire shortly after they’ve made their way to the NFL seems to have become a common trend with the Titans in recent years- starting around the time that the Jake Locker era was coming to a close. With the team’s last true veteran figure being Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tennessee has been essentially experimenting with a mixture of inexperienced and rookie quarterbacks. Finally, Marcus Mariota seems to have panned out – but he was without a true guide until Cassel was introduced to the team.

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Acquired from the Dallas Cowboys on March 10, Cassel is heading into his 12th NFL season and currently stands at No. 2 on the unofficial quarterback depth chart.

Last season with the Cowboys, Cassel threw for 1,276 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. The quarterback finished the year with a QBR of 70.6. Overall, Cassel hasn’t flashed a great amount of potential since his time with the New England Patriots, and the early half of his four-year stint with the Kansas City Chiefs.

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It appears that Cassel is ready to embrace his role on the team as a mentor, even if he doesn’t see much action himself.

“Your mindset is (that) you have to be prepared to play,” Cassel said shortly after being signed. “But I also do understand the situation here. It is not one of those things where you are going in to compete for the starting job. You are going in to get yourself better and learn a new offense and get yourself ready to play.”

“But at the same time, you have to do whatever you can to help the team and the organization. Sometimes when you are in the back-up role it is understanding how to help the other player be the best he can be.”

Cassel will be in competition for the official backup spot against Alex Tanney during training camp before the beginning of the 2016 season.

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