I believe we are about to have some great examples of both in the NFL.

After one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks of all-time went down with a knee injury and former USC backup and New England’s forgotten backup quarterback Matt Cassel came in the question has appeared again. How could New England’s backup QB have been a backup quarterback in college?

If you haven’t heard Cassel’s story by now it’s very interesting. He played behind two Heisman Trophy winners at Southern California; riding the bench as both Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart won college football’s biggest individual honor before his eyes.

Four years ago the Patriots drafted Cassel in the seventh round, a pick that went relatively unnoticed until now because Brady has started every single game since the Drew Bledsoe injury that opened the door to the “Tuck” rule, Adam Vinateri’s brilliance, and three Super Bowl titles for the Patriots.

So will sitting on the bench help him?

He kind of reminds me of Tony Romo. Romo is one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks and he sat for years on the bench while Drew Bledsoe led the immoble Dallas offense.  (It’s amazing how much Bledsoe is still affecting all this).

Meanwhile in Atlanta Matt Ryan stepped right in after being drafted #3 overall in the NFL Draft. His first pass was everything the Falcons could’ve ever hoped for, a touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins. Meanwhile tonight on Monday night football four young quarterbacks will all play.

Is it better to sit your young quarterbacks (Aaron Rodgers, Jay Cutler) or play them right away (JaMarcus Russell, Tavaris Jackson)? Both Jackson and Russell have had time to learn their offense but a lot less time than anyone first thought they would before they stepped in.

So will sitting benefit Cassel? I personally believe it will because he’s learned from the best of all-time.

A Quick NFL Draft Point:

Patriots did this the right way: This is important to me. New England drafted Cassel and groomed him to become the player he is today. Who knows how good he is but we do know that he is ready. Few teams actually do this the right way but New England did and that will benefit them for the rest of the year. I’m not saying Cassel will lead them on a Brady like Super Bowl run but I am saying that if anyone can lead New England to the playoffs then Cassel is probably the most prepared to do so.

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1. Peyton Manning: Yes above Brady. Manning has great seasons even when he has a down year, and although Tom Brady was breaking records last season I still think Peyton is the better player.

2. Tom Brady: Is it an injustice to have Brady #2? Perhaps after breaking the NFL passing touchdown record last year. but there’s no doubt that the guy is a flat out winner.

3. Ladanian Tomlinson: LT is still the NFL’s best running back but AP is catching him fast. Regardless who’s making the list everyone has to at least have him in the top five.

4. Bob Sanders: Sanders is the NFL’s best defensive player. He has made Indianapolis one of the NFL’s best defenses after they struggled for years on that side of the ball.

5. Randy Moss: Did you see what this guy accomplished this year? To me it just showed how bad the Oakland Raiders passing game is. Moss is easily the NFL’s best wide receiver.

6. DeMarcus Ware: Ware does it all for the Cowboys on defense. He pretty much runs the defense and he is still learning, that’s the scary thing.

7. Terrell Owens: Back to back Dallas Cowboys. He completely changes defensive gameplans. Even with all the Cowboys’ weapons he is what makes their offense run smoothly.

8. Champ Bailey: The NFL’s best cornerback, even at age 30. He hasn’t lost a step at all, which is impressive. When he is on the field quarterbacks stay away from throwing at him.

9. Adrian Peterson: This guy had more rushing yards in a single game (296) then any player in NFL history, he has to be in the top 10. I’m not sure if he has a Sophomore slump ahead of him or not (with that passing game he probably will), but you’ve got to love how he plays the game. He does it all.

10. Walter Jones: I have for a long time thought that Jones deserves a lot more credit than he gets. Shaun Alexander’s record breaking season a few years back is all due to Jones run blocking skills.

11. Steve Smith: Another guy that completely affects defenses gameplans. When he is on the field he is as dangerous as anyone in the NFL.

12. Jared Allen: He led the NFL in sacks last season and now he’s playing for Minnesota after KC traded him before the draft. Great news for Vikings fans.

13. Antonio Gates: Easily the NFL’s best tight end. He makes defenses pay all the time with matchup problems and his pass catching threat is what really makes San Diego’s offense go.

14. Brian Westbrook: This guy will do anything to win a football game. Catch passes. Run the ball 25 times. I wish I could have 11 of him on the field every time I picked a team.

15. Dwight Freeney: He always forces offensive lines to double team him, allowing Indianapolis’ defense to be aggressive when they need to. He really doesn’t get enough credit.

16. Ed Reed: If I could pick one safety in the league to make a big play at a moment where I needed a big play I’d take Reed in a heartbeat. The kid has a knack at making big plays.

17. Reggie Wayne: He easily became the NFL’s most under appreciated receiver last season when Marvin Harrison went down and the Colts offense never lost a beat.

18. Albert Haynesworth: He’s the best defensive tackle in the league. He was having a great season last year before he got injured.

19. Shawne Merriman: This guy is one of the best linebackers in the league, no doubt. He makes big plays and seldom misses a tackle. He’s been running San Diego’s defense since the day he was drated.

20. Mario Williams: Take that Mario Williams haters! Thought the Texans made the wrong move taking him over Reggie Bush? Everyone did. Well everyone was wrong.