If Cassel plays like a competent NFL starter...

[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]

Re: If Cassel plays like a competent NFL starter.....

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]

Re: If Cassel plays like a competent NFL starter.....

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.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: If Cassel plays like a competent NFL starter.....

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]

Re: If Cassel plays like a competent NFL starter.....

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?

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]

Re: If Cassel plays like a competent NFL starter.....

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]

Re: If Cassel plays like a competent NFL starter.....

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.

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]

Re: If Cassel plays like a competent NFL starter.....

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]

Re: If Cassel plays like a competent NFL starter.....

Why not offer him a three year deal this month?

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]

Re: If Cassel plays like a competent NFL starter.....

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.

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

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: If Cassel plays like a competent NFL starter.....

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.

I imagine that's what they said about Anderson...

Contract Information for Derek Anderson:

2/29/2008: Signed a three-year, $24 million contract. The deal contains $14.5 million in guarantees, including a $7 million signing bonus. Another $1 million is available through incentives based on Pro Bowls and performance. 2008: $950,000, 2009: $1.45 million (+ $5 million roster bonus), 2010: $7.45 million (+ $2 million roster bonus), 2011: Free Agent

Now, this deal was signed on the eve of FA rather than tagging him. I would imagine if they'd approached him earlier - say late November - they might have gotten him for less. He was supposedly seeking a 6 year deal when he settled for essentially $8M (from Cleveland). The dead cap on him if they trade him after this season will be <$5M.

If you offered Cassel a 3 year $20M deal with $5M in signing bonus and much of the rest in option or roster bonuses, the dead cap for trading him in 2010 would be $2.5M spread over the 2010-11 seasons. Signing a vet worth having for 2008-2009 would likely cost you close to that, so it might be worth a small risk to control his rights a little longer...

I think Cassel is a pretty smart kid with a healthy but highly manageable ego who knows had Tom not been hurt even with Bill's recommendation he'd have been lucky to get a legit shot at starting in the NFL going forward let alone on a deal that would have paid him much more than minimum for a look see...

His stock is rising, but ego aside that can change in a heart beat through no real fault of your own - including things like a blown ACL... Bird in the hand.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Re: If Cassel plays like a competent NFL starter.....

I also think the sooner they sign Cassel the cheaper he might be. Let assume we win on Sunday.

After they peel MC off the ceiling, BB and Scott explain to MC they are very concerned the TB might not be ready to go at the start of next season and they need to think long term, as they see it they have two choices:

1) sign MC to a long term deal

-or-

2) bring in Jeff Garcia for a two year deal. Matt, you will start next week againt the Dolphins but will go to being a back up after the bye.

And Matt if you sign on the dotted line we hand you a signing bonus check and you weekly pay triples. Or you can shop yourself as an FA on the basis of 2.8 games next year.

I bet if BB takes that allbeit a bit sleazy tactic we can get MC for a ham sandwich and a couple of subway tokens.

 

[Miguel]

Re: If Cassel plays like a competent NFL starter.....

I imagine that's what they said about Anderson...

Contract Information for Derek Anderson:

2/29/2008: Signed a three-year, $24 million contract. The deal contains $14.5 million in guarantees, including a $7 million signing bonus. Another $1 million is available through incentives based on Pro Bowls and performance. 2008: $950,000, 2009: $1.45 million (+ $5 million roster bonus), 2010: $7.45 million (+ $2 million roster bonus), 2011: Free Agent

Now, this deal was signed on the eve of FA rather than tagging him. I would imagine if they'd approached him earlier - say late November - they might have gotten him for less. He was supposedly seeking a 6 year deal when he settled for essentially $8M (from Cleveland). The dead cap on him if they trade him after this season will be <$5M.

IMO, it is important to note that Anderson was an RFA and was given the highest tender ($2.562 million). A team would have to give up a 1st and 3rd in return for signing Anderson away from the Browns. In other words, the Browns controlled Anderson's services when they and he agreed to the deal which ended him giving over $5.4 million than he was originally going to make this year.

 

[Miguel]

Re: If Cassel plays like a competent NFL starter.....

If you offered Cassel a 3 year $20M deal with $5M in signing bonus and much of the rest in option or roster bonuses, the dead cap for trading him in 2010 would be $2.5M spread over the 2010-11 seasons.

In order to be able to prorate a signing bonus in the 2011 season, the deal would have to be for 4 years (2008,2009,2010,2011)

 

[Miguel]

Re: If Cassel plays like a competent NFL starter.....

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

Can you please back this statement up?? I see nothing in the CBA that prevents a team from trading a player who is in the last year of his contract.

 

[Sicilian]

Re: If Cassel plays like a competent NFL starter.....

Can you please back this statement up?? I see nothing in the CBA that prevents a team from trading a player who is in the last year of his contract.

Sorry, that was a bit vague. I meant you can't trade him after the year. I assumed that's what was being discussed, as it would make little sense to deal him during this season.

 

[BionicPatriot]

Re: If Cassel plays like a competent NFL starter.....

Unless Cassel plays like an all-pro, he's not getting a big deal. You don't think other teams will realize the kind of talent around him? Cassel damn sure better be able to do about 20 TDs or else he really sucks. Not many offense are this stacked. I think unless he has a ridiculous season he should be able to re-sign.

 

[jcdavey]

Re: If Cassel plays like a competent NFL starter.....

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?

i don't think you guys could possibly justify franchising a guy at the qb position who throws 20/16 franchising a qb = gigantic 1 year guaranteed money

NE would probably just take the 2nd rounder sd gave em and trade for a veteran qb as insurance

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Re: If Cassel plays like a competent NFL starter.....

talk about looking way far ahead.

He hasn't even started and played a full game.

I'm just worried about tomorrow.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Re: If Cassel plays like a competent NFL starter.....

If he's even remotely competent the Jets will probably sign him.