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NORTON - With two brand new intermediate-range fairway woods in hand, Matt Cassel set out earlier this week to give the new sticks a test on one of the toughest golf courses in New England, the Tournament Players Club-Boston layout.

"I just picked up this hybrid because I don't have a 230 (-yard) club," the Patriots' backup quarterback said as he emerged from the Pro Shop at TPC-Boston. "Now, whether or not it's going to go straight or straight into the woods, that's another question. It's a difficult course."

Cassel was participating in the benefit tournament for the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, one of the rare breaks he's had in the Patriots' offseason conditioning program that wrapped up at the end of the week.

The TPC-Boston layout may be challenging, but it's a walk in the park compared to Cassel's quest for playing time in the NFL. It can be seen as a good thing to be the backup to one of the most successful and durable quarterbacks in the game, Tom Brady, because that means that he doesn't have to play much and he gets to bring home all sorts of nice jewelry.

But all athletes want to play - and all backup quarterbacks know that they are just a heartbeat from being thrust into a position of leadership and responsibility. "It's just one of those things that happen in sports that when your opportunity comes, you just have to be ready," Cassel said. "It happens a lot. I don't know how many people would know Tom Brady if (Drew) Bledsoe would have stayed healthy that year. It's the same thing. It's about seizing the opportunity, taking advantage of it, and putting yourself in the right mindset and being ready to go when you're name's called."

Brady became the Patriots' starter three weeks into 2001 campaign, the result of a hit on Bledsoe by the Jets' Mo Lewis that sheared blood vessels in Bledsoe's chest and sent him in a hurry to Massachusetts General Hospital. By the time Bledsoe was deemed ready to return to the field, Brady had already established himself as the new leader of the Patriots' offense.

Brady, meanwhile, has missed precious few plays since taking over for Bledsoe. He missed the second half of the 2001 AFC Championship Game because of an ankle injury and only a few garbage-time snaps since, which has made life relatively easy for whoever the backup has been.

Cassel, entering his fourth NFL season (and his contract year) out of Southern Cal, is facing a challenge for his role from San Diego State rookie Kevin O'Connell. But he said Monday that he isn't at all concerned about anything other than his own performance.

"You try to approach every year the same," he said. "For me, I try not to worry about whether it's a contract year, or my fourth year. The one thing I will say is that you start to learn things as you move on, and being my fourth year, I feel very comfortable in the system.

"I look forward to working with Tom again and learning as much as I can and being ready to go," he continued. "It's just one of those things you take it one day at a time, you go out and compete, and you get going, just like (reporters) do, competing against each other for the best stories. Me, I have to go out and compete with the other guys and try to put my best efforts out there each and every day to come out and show the coaches and everybody else that I'm ready to go."

Cassel has the unusual distinction of having been a career backup through his career at Southern Cal, where he was No. 2 behind both Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer, and with the Patriots behind Brady. His most significant playing time in the past decade, in fact, was in high school in Northridge, Calif.

"I feel fortunate and blessed to be in the position that I'm at," he said. "Being a backup isn't that bad a deal. To be able to learn from a guy who is going to go down in history as one of the top quarterbacks to ever play the game, it's not like I'm playing behind someone who hasn't proven themselves. You're competing every day against a guy who is the best in the game and I like the fact I get to do that, because it makes me better."

Yet when he entered a blowout game in Miami on Oct. 21, was promptly intercepted by Jason Taylor and the veteran defensive end returned the pick for a touchdown, he returned to the bench in a hurry and Brady went back in on the next series. Many believed that to be a signal that the Patriots would be in the market for a new backup in the offseason, and O'Connell's selection in the third round seemed to confirm that.

Still, it appears that Cassel will be allowed to compete for his job in training camp. Trade possibilities haven't been ruled out if he shows improvement in preseason games. "It's not the worst thing in the world," he said of the possibility of continuing his career elsewhere. "I've enjoyed my time here, but I don't look that far ahead. I worry about this year and putting myself in the best situation possible for me and the team, and I'll let the rest of it take care of itself. Whether it's here or someplace else, I don't know what the future holds."

For now, Cassel said he will enjoy the time off.

"My wife and I are going to take a little trip to Ireland and check out some of our heritage," he said. "Then I'll just come home, relax for a little bit, and get ready to go."

Then, when training camp convenes at Gillette Stadium at the end of next month, Cassel will return to the mindset of preparing for the possibility everyone would prefer to avoid - that one moment when the backup has to take the field and be ready to play as if he's been there all along.

"You never know when it's going to happen," he said. "It could happen in Game One, or it could not happen until next year or two years down the road. All you can do is prepare yourself for when it does come."

MARK FARINELLA may be reached at 508-236-0315 or via e-mail at mfarinel@thesunchronicle.com. Read Farinella's blog, "Blogging Fearlessly," at thesunchronicle.ning.com.