'Bri said:
So you guys are hoping for Matt Cassel part II here?
Odds are this is an unwise decision. We love the story of Brady and other backups that turned into something special, but most of them don't. There's a reason they are backups and the time NOT playing affects their game too much.
This is why I'm not overly interested in Hoyer and am keeping Mallett stashed instead of pursuing a Hoyer type to replace him.
Brady is 35, an age where QB's typically decline and Belichick used the highest pick he ever has on a QB when he selected Mallett. Mallett has the natural talent than guys like Cassell and Hoyer lacked and will likely have three years learning behind Brady. I think his situation is much more similar to Aaron Rodgers than Cassell.
I like Mallett and was sorry NE drafted him because right now he might be in a Jake Locker type of situation if he was taken by another team.I own Mallett in one league and I fear that Brady may hold on longer than many expect. Yes he is 35 and in theory, no one can defy father time - but viewing him on the field and in every interview I see of him he comes across as a very young 35 (which probably means nothing but people age at different rates and it would not shock me that he reaches his goal to play until he is 40).
If Brady does not age out as expected, then Mallett could be a wasted roster space on your fantasy bench for 3+ years (which would be worthwhile if he turns out to be the next Rodgers, but not if he is the next Whitehurst). The alternative is that he is traded, but people's enthusiam for Matt Flynn cooled considerably after he signed with Seattle, perhaps Mallett's upside could be limited by his destination if he leaves NE.