The Patriots made a move at quarterback. But it did not involve Chris Simms, Daunte Culpepper or any other proven NFL veteran. Nor did it involve a move to their 53-man roster.

Instead, New England signed quarterback Matt Gutierrez to their practice squad, adding another arm and another player who knows the Patriots system.

Gutierriez signed with the Patriots in May 2007, played five games last season, completed one pass for 15 yards, and was released this summer, at a time when some thought New England would keep him over Matt Cassel. The Patriots went another way then, just as they have done now.

But the bottom line is, the Patriots do not have a quarterback on their active roster or practice squad that has ever started an NFL game. Green Bay headed into this season with a similar predicament, keeping Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn and Brian Brohm on their roster, none of whom had ever started, and it worked out all right for the Packers. The Patriots hope for the same.

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