I like EJ but I agree, he's not without objective criticism. In the first game against the Dolphins last year, he drove the team to the red zone twice and then became timid, he should have hit Woods in a slant for a TD, instead he short armed the throw because he was feeling pressure. The second one he was comfortable hitting Fred short of the markers on 3rd down, the play went nowhere, granted the play sucked but he should have felt the need to be more aggressive in that situation. We won the game but it was closer than it should have been.
What EJ really needs, IMO, is someone that can give him confidence in his game, and that he needs to take care of certain opportunities or else he would become just another guy playing the position.
Regarding the premise of the thread, I read that Cassel can become the next Alex Smith but I don't really see it, what I can see happening is EJ becoming him, therefore winning the starting position.