stevedogc

My apologies from the start if this has been talk about already. But it seems like people are talking more and more if the Pats will use the franchise or transition tag of Cassel next year. And the reason used most against it was that the Pats would not pay a back up, or eventual back up over 10 million for 1 season. But I also have heard that the 2009 season will be an uncapped year. If so, then the risk to tag Cassel should be alot less. Why not tag him, and see if we can trade him to a team who wants him. If we cant, then we can withdraw the tag, or if Cassel agrees before hand, then we have him for 1 year. Be it for alot of money, but if there is no cap, then its seems like a safe back up plan if Brady is out til week 6 on the PUP list.

cstjohn17

No, won't happen. Please answer these questions before responding:
1) Why would the Patriots put greater than $25M at one position? 14.5 for Brady and 10+ for Cassell
2) Why would any team trade for Cassell? They would still have to sign him to a long term deal. Lets say no one steps forward, his money is guaranteed the Pats have to pay him.
3) Why would Cassell 'agree' to play nice? This is his one and only shot to sign a free agent contract. If the Pats waive $10M in his face he signs it in two seconds flat and laughs all the way to the bank.

Is Cassell Joe 'freakin' Montana or something?

Sean Pa Patriot

Do we have to worry about this now, by my calender the season is not over yet.

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We going to take it one game at a time

ctpatsfan77

A number of points:

• It's Cassel. Cassell plays for the Celtics.
• No point whatsoever in using the transition tag--all it gives you is right of first refusal.
• The money isn't guaranteed until the player signs the franchise tender.
• A lot is going to depend on Brady's rehab.
• There is no one else the Pats need to use it on more. [That's not a reason to use it, but it takes away a reason not to use it.]
• The Pats would almost certainly not be asking for 2 1s. I could easily see them agreeing to a pair of 2s like the Falcons got for Matt Schaub (who, at the time he signed, had six fewer wins than Cassel does now), or maybe even a 2 and a day two pick.

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DaBruinz

Stevedog - Whomever said that 2009 would be uncapped is WRONG. It is 2010 that is the uncapped year, as it stands right now.

Also, the Franchise tag for a QB next year is around 14.7 million (give or take). The Patriots are not going to tie up $29 million in the QB position.

Also, if Cassel signs the franchise offer before its revoked, then the Pats are obligated to pay him that amount.

xmarkd400x

Most likely at the end of the season Cassel gets a handshake and a pat on the back from the Patriots. If there is some way to extract value, then they will. Otherwise its, at best, some compensatory picks the year following.

ctpatsfan77

FWIW, if I had to guess, I'd say that the FO is trying their darnedest to come up with a tradeable contract that keeps Cassel under their control without hamstringing their cap in future years. I'm not saying it'll happen--I'd say the odds are much better that he'll hit FA unfettered than not--but I don't think anything's out of the question at this point.

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maverick4

I would rather sign Cassel to a 3-yr deal with little bonus, as soon as possible. Something like 3 years, 8 million, which gives us more time and leverage to trade him if need be, plus insurance against a Brady set back.

Urgent

...they say our love won't pay the rent,
and before it's earned, our money's all been spent...

Hey, it's cold out there.
Bundle up.

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PatsFanSince74

I agree with the poster who said that it's still early to be talking about this, but it is going to be a big decision when the time comes, especially if there is any question as to whether TB will be full throttle in 2009. Things are looking better on that front everyday, but we won't know for sure until he's truly "back."

Matt is developing into at least a solid and maybe even a pretty good NFL starter. If he continues that development and especially if he helps the Pats get into the Playoffs, there will be several desperate teams with QB problems who will ante up to get him, probably in the $10MM plus range. The cap will still be in place next year, so paying $25MM plus for two QB's will probably be "doable" (I'll leave the math to Miguel), but it will certainly entail shorting other positions, where we have holes.

So, some tough decisions ahead, but let's focus on the Jets and the rest of the season first.

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