When Tom Brady went down last season, the Patriots were left for dead. However, backup Matt Cassel emerged by throwing 21 touchdowns and led New England to a 11-5 record.

Cassel was particularly impressive down the stretch, throwing for 14 of his scores and posting three 300-yard performances (two over 400 yards) over the team's final seven games.

The Patriots thought enough of Cassel to place the franchise tag on him. However, when it became clear that Brady was going to be ready for the start of the 2009 campaign the team dealt him to Kansas City along with veteran linebacker Mike Vrabel for the Chiefs' second-round draft pick.

He recently inked a six-year, $63 million deal that has $28 million in guaranteed money and will pay him $40.5 million over the next three seasons.

While I am not totally dismissing that Cassel has potential, I am going to recommend staying clear of him if possible. Here are some reasons why:

NEW COACH - Todd Haley, the Chiefs' new head coach, is the former Cardinals offensive coordinator and has worked in the Cowboys' organization too. He is expected to use a ton of shotgun formations like Cassel excelled in last season, but the overall system is different and will take time to adjust to. Kansas City retained Chan Gailey, who is more of a smashmouth football type of guy, so some sort of hybird system is possible. Either way I am thinking some adjustment time should be expected.

KC FAR FROM NEW ENGLAND - Aside from the coach, the entire persona of the Chiefs is different than that of the Patriots. In New England, everyone is just an interchangable part of a bigger puzzle. Meanwhile, in Kansas City coaches and personnel have continued to turnover over the past decade as the franchise hasn't won a playoff game in that span. Cassel will have to be the man here.

GONZO GONE - I still can't figure out what the Chiefs were thinking when they sent tight end Tony Gonazlez to Atlanta. He was by far the team's best weapon in the passing game and coming off a monster season. His departure takes some of the luster off of Cassel finding a home and locking down a starting job.

FEW WEAPONS - Outside of Dwayne Bowe, the Chiefs have few options for Cassel to throw to. Mark Bradley has never amounted to much and newcomer Bobby Engram is merely a role player at best. Larry Johnson (who I am not crazy about either) is a big question mark at running back too.

BRUTAL SCHEDULE - While they may get the Broncos twice, the rest of the Chiefs' slate is less than appealing. They have two match-ups with the Ravens and Steelers and play the entire NFC East.

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FINAL TAKE - Cassel may have a starting NFL job, but he should still be looked at more as a high-end fantasy backup until he proves that it was him and not the system that led to 2008's success. I would draft him accordingly in the mid-rounds of your draft. Chances are though, based off last year's effort more than one owner in your league will overpay to get him.

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Here are some injuries that fantasy owners will want to keep their eyes on for Week 14:

QUARTERBACKS
Ben Roethlisberger (knee) - no limitations in practice on FRI
Matt Schaub (knee) - probable and expected to start at GB
Matt Hasselbeck (back) - doubtufl; Seneca Wallace likely to start

RUNNING BACKS
Marion Barber (toe) - missed third straight practice; not looking good
Joseph Addai (knee) - added to report on FRI; a game-time decision
Clinton Portis (knee/back) - game-time decision; doesn't play until 8:15
Steven Jackson (quadriceps) - probable; could see increased work
Brian Westbrook (knee, ankle) - expected to start vs. NYG
Marshawn Lynch (back) - ready to face MIA; listed as probable
Ryan Grant (thumb) - should see "normal workload" according to coach
Willis McGahee (illness) - returned to practice FRI
Kevin Smith (shoulder) - limited in practice, but probable vs. MIN
Deuce McAllister (suspension) - will be active, but behind P. Thomas

WIDE RECEIVERS
Anquan Boldin (back) - set to start on SUN vs. STL
Laveranues Coles (thigh) - questionable, yet he should go vs. SF
Derrick Mason (shoulder) - practiced w/out limitations on FRI
Anthony Gonzalez (shoulder) - late addition to injury report
Mark Bradley (calf) - has been ruled out for Week 14
Koren Robinson (knee) - will start vs. NE, but not a great play

TIGHT ENDS
Kellen Winslow (ankle) - ruled out w/high-ankle sprain

DEFENSIVE LINE
Kevin Williams (suspension) - expected to play on SUN vs. DET
Pat Williams (suspension) - expected to play on SUN vs. DET
Gaines Adams (knee) - questionable for MON night vs. CAR
Adewale Ogunleye (shoulder) - status unclear for Week 14
Fred Robbins (shoulder) - Counting on him to return vs. PHI

LINEBACKERS
London Fletcher (foot) - did not practice FRI; questionable
D.J. Williams (groin) - not expected to play vs. KC
Gary Bracket (fibula) - out for Week 14 vs. CIN

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Bob Sanders (knee) - returned to full practice FRI; questionable
Champ Bailey (groin) - not expected to play vs. KC
Cortland Finnegan (hamstring)- expected to play vs. CLE
Nate Clements (thumb) - questionable following minor surgery
Nick Harper (ankle) - returned to limit practice on FRI; should play

LATEST PLAYER NEWS (KFFL.com)

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Let's take a look at some injuries to keep your eyes on heading into Sunday's action:

QUARTERBACKS
David Garrard (back) - looks good to go for Monday night
Matt Schaub (knee) - making progress; could play Monday
Marc Bulger (concussion) - expected to start vs. Mia

RUNNING BACKS
Brandon Jacobs (knee) - listed as questionable, but expected to start
Steven Jackson (quad) - barring setback he should be active vs. Mia
Reggie Bush (knee) - expected to get 18-20 touches vs. TB
Willie Parker (knee) - back-to-back full practices; questionable
Clinton Portis (knee) - 50/50 shot of playing; look for him to go
Steve Slaton (chest) - practiced fully on Friday; safe to play
Jonathan Stewart (heel) - no limitations in Friday's practice
Selvin Young (groin) - going to be a game-time decision; not 100%
LeRon McClain (ankle) - limited on Friday, but is probable

WIDE RECEIVERS
Greg Jennings (ribs) - returned to full practice FRI; probable
Roddy White (back) - listed as questionable; should start
TJ Houshmandzadeh (back) - practiced FRI and will start vs. Bal
Plaxico Burress (hamstring) - will not play vs. WAS
Laveranues Coles (thigh) - appears to be a go vs. DEN
Eddie Royal (toe) - listed as questionable; expected to play
Derrick Mason (shoulder) - listed as probable; should start
Mark Bradley (calf) - officially a game-time decision
Josh Morgan (groin) - practiced FRI, but still questionable

TIGHT ENDS
Kellen Winslow (shoulder) - questionable vs. Ind
Zach Miller (groin) - limited all week, but likely to go

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Green Light, Yellow Light, Red Light – STOP!!! There are some appealing names each week on the waiver wire, I supply my weekly take on whether these players should be considered or not.

QUARTERBACK
Joe Flacco (BAL) - Flacco and the Ravens are looking like they are for real. I am not ready to put the rookie signal caller in the same class of Matt Ryan, but he's certainly worth a look as a your backup QB down the stretch. He has thrown for multiple scores in two straight games and passed for one and ran for another in the week before that. If he's still around give him a shot.

Shaun Hill (SF) – Hill is a guy that is still available in 84% of the fantasy leagues ran at CBSSports.com and after watching him on Monday night (minus the clock mishap), I was pretty impressed. He threw for 217 yards and 2 TD's. The Cards' caused problems for him in the second half. New head coach Mike Singletary has said he wants to stress the run, but Hill is another decent backup option.

Matt Hasselbeck (SEA) – Welcome back Mr. Hasslebeck! Can the veteran breathe some life into Seattle's dismal offense? Anything can help, but be cautious here. This is not the same guy and he hasn't played in six weeks. I will recommend making a move for him if you need some help at the position, but I would let him earn his way into your line-up.

RUNNING BACKS
Cadillac Williams (DEN) – It may finally be time to pull the Cadillac out of the garage. The official announcement is expected Wednesday, but indications are is Williams is ready to play. With Earnest Graham and Warrick Dunn both a bit banged up, he could be pressed back into action. That sounds appealing enough for me to take a stab at him, buy he's far from a given.

Tatum Bell (DEN) – The Broncos running game is a mess right now. Selvin Young could come back, but is likely out for Week 11 and that leaves rookie FB Patrick Hillis as the team's primary options. Bell did play in the system and is a prime spot to get looks. Still, I'm not sold how long he will be the man or what his success will be. He will draw a lot of interest, but my guess is he's overrated. Watch your luggage!

Michael Bush (OAK) – The Raiders are a mess right now and Al Davis is messing with the play calling. Bush made nice contributions in Week 10 vs. the Chargers  (8 carries, 30 RuYd, 5 catches 43 ReYd), but the backfield is murky to say the least. Bush is somebody to keep an eye on, but don't jump the gun just yet. McFadden could still come back from his turf foe and Fargas is still the starter for now.

WIDE RECEIVERS
Josh Morgan (SF) – There has been a ton of hype surrounding Morgan in San Francisco and this week he finally started to show some signs of it catching 5 balls for 54 yards and a touchdown. The former Hokie is exciting and with Hill at the helm and Mike Martz calling the plays I am intrigued by him as a second-half roster option. I'm not naming him a starter just yet, but can add depth to your roster.

Mark Bradley (KC) – Nine catches for 89 yards and a TD in Week 10 makes it three staight quality games for the Chiefs' wideout. He is red-hot and developed great chemistry with Tyler Tyigpen. The schedule ahead is favorable and Kansas City is playing competively. Bradley is a nice WR4 option as we head down stretch and could be used as a flex options if his targets stay at their current level.

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Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota - 30 carries, 192 yards, 1 TD, 3 catches, 33 yards
The Vikings running back entered the game against the Packers trailing Clinton Portis by 172 rushing yards for the league lead. He finished the day on top as the first back to reach 1,000 yards this season. Peterson's biggest carry was his last as he ran for 29 yards to score the game winning touchdown. The win puts the Vikings in a tie with Chicago for the NFC North title and puts Peterson in the race for league MVP.

Thomas Jones, RB, NY Jets - 26 carries, 149 yards, 3 TD
Jones and the Jets took advantage of a very bad St. Louis defense on Sunday by scoring 40 points in the first half. Brett Favre did not need to do much with Jones' performance and threw for just 167 yards with a touchdown and no (that's right, zero) interceptions. Dustin Keller caught 107 yards on six passes and scored the touchdown. But the day truly belonged to Jones who now has nine touchdowns this season after scoring just once all of last year.

Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans - 7 catches, 140 yards
If you look just at the numbers then it would appear that if any member of the Saints got a game ball it would be Drew Brees. He threw for 422 yards and two scores. But he also had three interceptions and one of his touchdowns was a 32 yard 'Hail Mary' at the end of the game. Sure, it counts for a good fantasy score but New Orleans still got spanked by the Falcons and Brees should get his share of the blame. Regardless, it was nice to see Colston have a big game.

Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville - 11 carries, 70 yards, 3 TD
After a couple of bad weeks the Jaguars finally put together their 'A' game to beat the Lions. Of course most teams don't need their 'A' to beat the Detroit but after losses to the Bengals and Browns, Jacksonville fans were really starting to worry. Nonetheless MJD made the most of his opportunities against a weak defense. Fred Taylor out-ran Jones-Drew by ten yards but never found the end-zone. David Garrard also had a good game with 238 passing yards and two scores.

Benjarvus Green-Ellis, RB, New England - 26 carries, 105 yards, 1 TD
The biggest surprise here isn't so much that Green-Ellis had a good game - he's a talented back. The real shock is that a single running back for the Patriots was actually given the ball 26 times. I haven't had time to do the full research, but it looks like the most carries for any one back this year was 16 by Sammy Morris. I don't think anyone carried the ball more than 26 times for the Pats since Corey Dillon. Times may be changing in New England without Tom Brady and BGE looks like the real thing. But don't be surprised if next week he's one of three guys who gets the ball eight times.

Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis - 6 catches, 114 yards, 1 TD
In one play against the Steelers, Wayne matched his receiving total from last week. In this one game he nearly matches his total from the previous three. To say that Wayne and the Colts offense has been struggling is an understatement. But they may just be getting started with a big win in the Steel City. Peyton Manning threw for 240 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Seven different receivers caught a pass and three different guys scored. The running game did not do much but few have been able to get very far against the Steelers. The Colts aren't going to win their division but they are getting on track for the Wild Card. Look out.

Tyler Thigpen, QB, Kansas City - 27/41, 266 yards, 3 TD
So the Chiefs have only one win on the season - don't blame Tyler Thigpen. In his last three starts the young QB has thrown for 710 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions. On Sunday against the Chargers he drove his team in the fourth quarter only to lose the game on a missed 2-point conversion. He hooked up with Tony Gonzalez 10 times for 110 yards and two of those scores. Third year wide receiver Mark Bradley had the other score and finished with 81 yards on nine catches. If the Chiefs actually had a running back this team may be talking about a win streak instead of another close loss.

The Game Used Sock Award
Jake Delhomme, QB, Carolina - 7/27, 72 yards, 1 TD, 4 Int
If not for DeAngelo Williams the Panthers might have lost to the hapless Raiders on Sunday. Williams ran for 140 yards and a touchdown including a 69 yards run. He was the only offense. Delhomme did all he could to give away the game. Seriously, seven complete passes? Or, well, 11 if you count the picks. And his one touchdown was just a three yard pass to Muhsin Muhammad. Heck, that should have been a run by Williams! Sure, the Panthers still won the game and head back home leading the NFC South. But Delhomme should have to wear his rotten socks on the plane - and sit alone.

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