Could Cassel possibly be starting QB over Leinart next year for the NFC Champs? - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

***Deus Irae*** · 02-04-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triggerfish

I think there are lots of teams who could potentially use Cassel. Cincy, Cleveland, Seattle, Minn, KC, TB, etc. etc. In my opinion, it would be taking a huge risk for the price he'll likely come at. I think he had a great season given the circumstances. If I were a GM, I'd be a little concerned that he's just another "flash in the pan" QB who will eventually come crashing back down to earth. I'd like to see him get a starting gig somewhere though, cause I'm pretty curious myself if he's the real deal or not.

Pittsburgh could use an upgrade at quarterback too. Maybe then they wouldn't need the officials in their pocket in order to win games.

***Deus Irae*** · 02-04-2009, 05:42 PM

Explosion in 3

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Triggerfish · 02-04-2009, 05:44 PM

LOL....good one. No thanks. We're covered just fine at QB. Know any good offensive linemen though??

I don't know. Given Tom's injury, I might be inclined to tag Cassel and keep him around. Tough call though. It's basically a risk vs. reward gamble either way. How's your salary cap looking?

stinkypete · 02-04-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianPat'sFan

Sorry I was referencing Cassel sitting behind Carson Palmer at USC before he road the pine behind Leinart. He did look good last year but then again so did Derrek Anderson two years ago so we need to trade him while his value is high.

I see almost no chance that the team keeps Cassel at a franchise tender. The cap figure of keeping both Cassel and Brady would sabotage the tram's ability to build for the 2009 season.

If the team could somehow sign him long term, with a more reasonable (but non-insulting) 2009 cap figure, I'd be all for that. No team I could think of ever lost because it had too many elite QBs.

***Deus Irae*** · 02-04-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triggerfish

LOL....good one. No thanks. We're covered just fine at QB. Know any good offensive linemen though??

I don't know. Given Tom's injury, I might be inclined to tag Cassel and keep him around. Tough call though. It's basically a risk vs. reward gamble either way. How's your salary cap looking?

There's plenty of room to tag Cassel and still sign a big name free agent. After that, it gets tough, even for lower level free agents, because of the CBA restrictions. My guess is that if we see Cassel tagged, he'll be moved very quickly. The Patriots tend to wait until the initial free agency frenzy is past, but I don't think they'll wait too long this season, because I think the team will likely target 1-2 spots on the defense for significant veteran help. I'm just guessing here, but I expect that the team will take a long, hard look at the free agent safeties available, and I'd expect them to at least make a courtesy call to Dansby and others to see if the linebacking can be upgraded for a reasonable price.