When Matt Cassel was first given the chance to play quarterback for New England instead of long-term injury victim Tom Brady he was viewed as a stop-gap until the Patriots brought in a more experienced starter.
However after throwing for more than 400 yards for the second week in a row, his 415 yards in Monday's 48-28 win over the Miami Dolphins included three touchdown passes and one rushed touchdown, Cassel appears at home in the role.
The 26-year-old was given a tough task keeping up the standards set by twice Superbowl Most Valuable Player Brady, whose calm authority and outstanding passing has been the core of New England's successes in recent years.
The job would have been difficult for an experienced veteran but Cassel had to step up in September despite having yet to start a game in three years with the Patriots and having not begun a game since high school.
He found it tough early on when defences attacked him and has now come through the learning process.
At Dolphin Stadium on Monday, Cassel looked every bit a leading quarterback as he led the Patriots to a victory that put them clear second in the AFC East.
"I think you just become more comfortable as you play," he told reporters. "As I talked about earlier in the season, a lot of it has to do with game speed.
"You cannot simulate game speed in practice. So as much as you want to say you're ready and you've stepped on the field ready to go, the fact of the matter is it takes you a little time to adjust to that game speed.
"Now I feel like I've gotten a few games under my belt. I feel a lot more comfortable out there."
Cassel, a seventh-round draft pick in 2005, did not enjoy the glittering college career most NFL quarterbacks experience.
He spent his collegiate career at the University of Southern California as back-up to Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer, now with the Cincinnati Bengals, and Matt Leinart (Arizona Cardinals).
Confident guy
Pats coach Bill Belichick, not noted for effusive praise of his players, agreed Cassel was maturing with every game.
"Matt's a confident guy, he's a good football player and every time he walks on the practice field or into a meeting ... he just keeps learning and keeps improving," said Belichick.
"I don't think there was ever a lack of confidence. I think anyone gains it, young or old. You go in there and you're successful and you gain more confidence, whether a rookie or a 10-year veteran.
"He understands things that went wrong and he corrects them and we usually don't have that problem again. He very seldom repeats mistakes and he usually executes the plays better the more times he runs them," added Belichick.
The key to New England's brilliant run last season, when they were unbeaten until defeat by the New York Giants in the Superbowl, was Brady's almost intuitive understanding with wide receiver Randy Moss.
Cassel replicated that on Sunday with three touchdown passes to his team mate.
"Matt is getting in a comfort zone and the same time he is getting in his we are getting in ours," said Moss.
"I think we are getting a feel, the other 10 of us, for how he plans. He's stepping up and we are behind him."
