Matt

Gutierrez

Scott Pioli can’t get enough ex-Pats. Gutierrez, at least, is familiar with the Chiefs’ shotgun-heavy system. He’ll push Tyler Thigpen and Brodie Croyle for the second quarterback job behind uncontested starter Matt Cassel.

Gutierrez, 25, made the Pats as an undrafted free agent out of Idaho State in 2007. He lost the battle to back up Tom Brady to Matt Cassel in 2008, then Kevin O’Connell when Brady went down. Gutierrez won’t be a hot free agent.

The Pats may really want to consider Chad Pennington...or Damon Huard...or Doug Flutie, as their backup QB situation has a lot of questions. Gutierrez, who relieved an also-ineffective Matt Cassel, was sacked three times and lost a fumble.

He backed up Matt Cassel, but easily outplayed him. The Patriots are reportedly very high on Gutierrez and they may be ready to give him the backup job.

Cassel’s once promising stock has crashed and the Pats seem poised to open with Matt Gutierrez as Tom Brady’s backup. Rookie Kevin O’Connell has been bad too, but his draft status keeps him safe. Banks ranks the Pats’ backup crew third worst in the NFL, ahead of only Detroit and Green Bay.

Gutierrez would be a more logical addition than Daunte Culpepper, Chris Simms, or anyone else that doesn’t know the system. The Patriots were supposedly once high on Gutierrez, but let him go two weeks ago.

Gutierrez would likely be the choice over rookie Kevin O’Connell if Matt Cassel gets injured or struggles mightily as Tom Brady’s replacement. His familiarity with the Pats system also gives him an advantage over street free agents.

Cassel will have to compete with Matt Gutierrez and rookie third rounder Kevin O’Connell for the backup spot after a season in which his progress was obviously stunted. However, a rebound in training camp and pre-season games could lead to renewed interest around the league.

The team chose to keep Matt Cassel over him, which is a surprise. Gutierrez still has practice squad eligibility, so he could be headed there.

It’s quite possible that Gutierrez, not rookie Kevin O’Connell, would get the call Sunday if Matt Cassel gets hurt.