jsull87

that is rediculous logic in the case of crable... the guy got injured. by that same line of thought if mike was glowing about brady all pre season he was an idiot because how much did brady do this year. crable had 2 interceptions and a sack in pre season. i think that is not a bad showing

Patriotic Fervor

Well, if you're in the minority, just how vast could it be?

Anyway, all these posts seem to project the idea that the Patriots tagged Cassel (at 14M+) just so they could get rid of him.

I don't think so.

If there is a front office in this sport that shows any inclination of knowing exactly what it's doing, it's this one. There's no wing-and-a-prayer with this. Belichick has always had a firm grasp of the market, and it's value for players of all positions. That's why he's as successful as he is in these endeavors.

The argument, "franchise Cassel - a 7th rounder himself - so he doesn't just walk, for 14.6 million", is spurious. As the league stands today, he (Belichick) knows what Cassel's worth is, and just who might be serious suitors for the man at the value the Patriots deem he is worth.

That assumes they actually want, and have plans, to trade him.

This, however, may be a totally erroneous assumption.

What I think may be happening is, they've told Cassel's agent to shop around, and tell the Pats if there's an offer out there that they can't refuse. In the interim, they've doubtless assured said agent that their preference is to keep the kid, and are more than willing to work out a long-term deal for him, one advantageous to all parties concerned.

It's a mistake to think every time the franchise tag is invoked it's a one-and-done type thing. While it happens a lot, yes, it's not holy writ come down from Mt. Sinai. The Patriots seem to like Cassel and his long-term prospects, and likewise, Cassel seems to like the Patriots and their long-term outlook.

As has been said before, good QBs are hard to come by under any circumstance, and while the present cap-space conundrum does make free-agency shopping a bit problematic, they are in very good shape draft wise.

And even with the present dour cap-space outlook, the final chapter in this sage obviously has yet to be written.

And remember - you can never be too thin, too rich, have too much memory, or have too many good quarterbacks.

Somehow, I feel Belichick is quite aware of all this, and will, by story's end, put all the doubting nay-sayers in their proper place.

My bottom line: Unless an offer comes down the pike that simply blows the Patriots away, Cassel signs long-term, and stays.

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JoeShmoe

I agree 100% and have also said the same repeatedly. I think ideas of a first are wishful thinking...

fair catch fryar

I agree. There is always a need for a QB somewhere and with all the changes in FO and coaches this off-season, someone, somewhere will overpay at some point after the draft. May not end up being a 1st round pick this year, but it will include multiple picks.

Patjew

You don't think that it can conveyed that more than 1 team are intersted in Cassel's services?

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Clonamery

Hello...so much sense right here.

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mgteich

If Cassel signs long-term for the patriots, he would get starter money or he wouldn't do it. Everyone would guess the meaning for the team. Personally, I would then not then be counting on Brady extending. It simply isn't good business sense to pay two starting quarterbacks when your starter should have another 5-6 left.

SunnyDenmark

some thoughts:

1) BB can always bluff and say he has a 'higher' offer from KC - do you think Pioli would deny he was interested in Cassell when called by another teams FO to confirm this? (So BB would not be 'exposed' as lying).

2) re: some people think Cassell would rather just sit here in NE as TB's backup and take the easy franchaise tag money. Or he or agent will ask for too much money in a possible trade.

I can't see Matt wanting to hold a clip board for another 1 year or more when he can get a multi-year deal as a starter. Every pro athlete is always talking about how wanting to play (start) is very important. Especially as he now HAS starting experience and did quite well. Think he wants to go back to sitting on the pine? Especially as he was backup in USC all those years.

Plus I am sure his agent knows that the market for FA and draft QB's this year is very weak - old FA QBs (Warner, Garcia), JAG's or 2 Junior draft QB's (Flacco and Ryan were both Seniors). MAtt and his agent are bound to know that his value right now is at his highest and before all hell breaks loose if we go to uncapped situation in a couple years time.

3) re: other teams know NE needs to trade Matt due to Cap charge on 2 QB's. That also tells teams that NE is serious about making a deal which is a good thing for all concerned. TB's health at least shows it is a possibility to keep Matty (and there is cap space to do this).

Bottom line is it is a sellers market as far as potential franchaise QB's go (demand always exceeds supply). There are at least 5 (if not 10) teams that Cassell would be an upgrade at QB AND those teams have the cap room to pull the trigger. He will go for a first round pick OR at least multiple first day picks (like Schabb for two 2nd rounders). Book him Danno.

just my 2 ores worth (danish money).

E Belichick Unum

There are quite a few teams that need a solid QB. The Bucs, Vikings, Lions and Chiefs are in the first tier of teams that are desperate for one. The next group would be the Bears, Rams and Niners. This group just thinks it would be good, but not necessary to upgrade the position. There are a couple of darkhorse candidates we should look at also, the Jets might be wiling to invest two numbers ones if the alternative is to go with the JAGs they have on their roster, the Titans might decide that Collins is asking for too much and might get involved to create leverage against his demands, the Texans might decide they are that one player away.

Cassel's representatives are able to talk with all 32 teams and I am sure they have started doing so already. The Patriots are not going to carry both Brady and Cassel into training camp and the time after the combine offers them the most leverage with the tier one teams. Does Detroit decide they need an experienced QB, or a rookie? Do the Vikes decide they have to act quickly, they are the only team in the league obviously a QB away from the Division Championship Game. Tampa has a new coach and GM and may want to make a splash.

It only takes two teams to drive the price UP.

fair catch fryar

I know most of us are "jones-ing" for more NFL info. to talk about, but the Matt Cassel situation seems pretty straight-forward. Cassel will not see a dime of that franchise-tag amount. He will either get traded and sign a long-term(most likely) lucrative deal or sign a cap-friendly deal with the Pats that nets him more than 14 million in a couple of years. He isn't the disgruntled, selfish player with a "Get Paid" tatoo on his forehead. He seems like a grateful and appreciative player that made the most of his opportunities and has a little patience and insight to understand that he will be rewarded in such a way that he or any of his family will not have to work for the rest of their lives if they choose.