Crazy Like a Fox or More Evidence of the Long Term Effects of Concussions

Sorry, Tom, it just isn't working out anymore. Cassel had one good year so you are obsolete. I hear the used car lot down the road is hiring.

Hall of Fame Quarterback Warren Moon is actually suggesting that the Patriots would be better off keeping Matt Cassel and trading Tom Brady. I think he got hit one time too many. The funniest thing about this statement is that there are some out there who actually agree with him.

It's ridiculous taking time to debate this statement considering how outlandish it is, but here it goes. Matt Cassel will be a pretty good NFL quarterback, but it's crazy to base one good season as fodder for trading one of the best quarterbacks ever, who by the way is still only 31. One good season, even if it compares to Brady's first campaign, does not make you the next Tom Brady.

In baseball, how many times have we seen a pitcher have a fantastic year, get the big bucks, and then never come close to duplicating that success ever again. I'm all for trading a player when his or her value is high because high draft picks are necessary to sustain a successful franchise, but Tom Brady is not just another quarterback.

Here is how the two each stacked up in their first true season.

Brady '01

86.5 passer rating
15 games
264 completions/413 attempts = 62.1 completion percentage
3,764 yards 18 TD/12 INT

Cassell '08 (so far)

90.5 passer rating
238 completions/359 attempts = 66.3 completion percentage
2,615 yards 13 TD/8 INT

Eerily similar but keep in mind:

1. Having Tom Brady stats for one year doesn't make you Tom Brady. Back in '01, nobody could have expected Tom Brady to become one of the best quarterbacks of all time. It is rare for rookie quarterbacks to succeed at the pro level, let alone become top tier Hall of Famers. Simply, lightning doesn't usually strike twice.

2. Tom Brady is not Drew Bledsoe. While Bledsoe was an above average quarterback he never possessed the skill set and leadership ability of Brady. Plus, Brady can actually move a little bit while Bledsoe needed a Rascal to get around. There's no way anybody can compare Brady replacing Bledsoe to Cassel replacing Brady.

3. Cassel has the likes of Randy Moss and Wes Welker to throw to. In '01, Brady had Troy Brown, David Patten, and Terry Glenn. Enough said.

4. Most importantly, if Brady leaves so does Gisele. That fact alone should be enough to keep him around.