MagicMarker

I was thinking if Cassel does a good job -- not Brady like -- but if he comes up with 20 TDs and 16 interceptions. What do we do then?

The league year ends in February and assuming Brady has surgery next month, Brady willl be four months along. Too early to say he's going to be able to play by the beginning of next season. He probably would, but too early to say for sure.

If that happens, I don't think we can let Cassel go. We'd have to franchise him. He'd be overpaid for a year, but what else could we do?

On the other hand, if Cassel does not show that he can step in and do the job, he's probably finished as an NFL player.

This is early to think about before he's even started a game, but our 2009 quarterbacking situation will be a topic on this board by mid-season. so why not start now?

Yorkshire Patriot

I really don't think our season rests on Cassel's shoulders, our running game and D have to elevate their performances to take the pressure off him and try to allow him to manage the game as best he can.

TheGodInAGreyHoodie

Why not offer him a three year deal this month? With a promise to trade him if Brady is healthy enough to start next year.

Say $6 million for 3 years.

Gets him some cash in his pocket today.

__________________
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Rob0729

Cassel won't be on this team if he turns into a competent NFL starter. Either the Pats will be forced to franchise him and trade him or let him go for nothing where he will get a deal to be a starter somewhere else.

The Pats cannot afford to have close to $30 million of the cap tied to the QB position. Brady's cap number next season will be just under $15 million. The franchise tag for a QB will be about the same. No way can the Pats afford to pay both Brady and Cassel around $14-15 million each against the cap.

The Pats will most likely bring in a veteran back up to back up Brady, but if Cassel plays well this season it won't be him.

patchick

Then we shout "hallelujah!," praise BB and SP to the stars, look forward to a nice comp pick, and give Matt a round of applause as he rides off to his new job as quarterback of the New York Jets.

MoLewisrocks

Because it's too early to?

I've gone on record saying there are two possibilities (neither of which involves applying the franchise tag at more than Brady will make in 2009...):

They can try to get an interim deal done with Cassel, one that doesn't involve a tremendous dead cap hit if he's traded yet remains attractive to him and another team willing to trade for him and lucrative to him if/when he starts or is traded to a team as a starter, but becomes costly to us if he isn't dealt before draft day 2010 while remaining a backup here.

Or they can thank him for his service which would have already provided tremendous value from a 7th rounder (albeit in exchange for pretty awesome coaching and exposure) and let him persue his future in FA.

What they decide to do will depend on lots of things we as fans can't begin to know, inclulding how they really feel about Gutz and O'Connell and how or if they continue to develop or how they feel about any other potential FA QB going forward and what Cassel has already shown them (which many here remain in denial over) and will continue to show them in the next 6-8 weeks. And how Brady's rehab truly projects.

They would only consider tagging him IMO as a pretty straight forward tag and trade looking not necessarily even for the first round compensation but for value and some control over where he goes if he looks above league average and Brady's rehab is going swimmingly and one of O'Connell or Gutierrez or some other QB elicits reasonable confidence as a viable #2 going forward.

Sicilian

What's the worst we could receive as a comp pick? something equivalent to a sixth rounder? If that's the case, not only do we get a good season out of Cassel, but we'd also be turning a 7th round pick into at least a 6th rounder. Not a bad return on our investment

pinvin

He will be a competent starter. Tommy will be ready for training camp. Cassel gets traded for a draft pick. Next year will be Tommy #1 - O'Connell #2 - Gutz #3.

wizwor

That's exactly what you do. The coaches know what he is worth. Sign him now. If he if fine and TB is fine, then we keep him as a backup or trade him. If he is not fine, you cut him. NBD.

Sicilian

Can't trade him. This is the last year of his contract.