Speedloading via the 2009 Draft

[Spiral]

A couple of ifs: if the Patriots can franchise Cassel and wrangle a #1 from somebody; and if the Patriots get a decent compensatory pick for Asante (which they should, given the $$ of the contract), then the Patriots could have two #1s, two #2s, and two #3s in the upcoming draft. That wouldn't be rebuilding or re-loading. That would be speed-loading.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

A couple of ifs: if the Patriots can franchise Cassel and wrangle a #1 from somebody; and if the Patriots get a decent compensatory pick for Asante (which they will, given the $$ of the contract), then the Patriots could have two #1s, two #2s, and two #3s in the upcoming draft. That wouldn't be rebuilding or re-loading. That would be speed-loading.

Fixed your post for you.

On the flip side, they would almost certainly trade at least one pick out into 2010, because they'll have as many, if not more, needs then.

 

[BelichickFan]

I think the #1 for Cassel is a little optimistic but your concept is correct. If we get something decent for him on top of what we've already got we should be able to bring in a top draft class.

 

[Richter]

That would be the best case scenario, but I'm not sure the Patriots will be able to get that much value back for Cassel. It would be nice to finish reloading hte defense with early round picks spent on a top pass rusher, an athletic strong safety type and another corner, along with a couple young offensive linemen to groom.

 

[billdog3484]

QB's, well, good quarterbacks are not easy to find. Cassel is definitely a rare player. he has no real game footage except for this year, and he has done an exeptional job so far in my opinion. teams are desperate for QBs. we may have something to work with here. it is definitely going to be interesting, but i think we can get a lot of value out of him this offseason. theres no way we can keep him

 

[patsfaninpa]

One other thing that can help his trade value. If some of the top underclassmen
qb's stay in school. I'm thinking Sam Bradford - OU(3yr So.) and M. Stafford(Jr.)

 

[Sivy]

they are not going to franchise cassel.

 

[signbabybrady]

they are not going to franchise cassel.

why not? you just going to let him walk to say the Jets or Bills??

It may be tough to get top value back in a trade for him if you do franchise him so a one might be a little optimistic as teams would know you cant afford to keep him at that rate but you should be able to get someting of value back I would say a 2-4.

 

[mgteich]

Why not? Even if MINN gave us a seventh in trade, the patriots would be ahead by not having him in the conference. I think that allowing his agent to approach non-division teams to propose trades would likeyl bring us a 2nd.

they are not going to franchise cassel.

 

[Richter]

why not? you just going to let him walk to say the Jets or Bills??

It may be tough to get top value back in a trade for him if you do franchise him so a one might be a little optimistic as teams would know you cant afford to keep him at that rate but you should be able to get someting of value back I would say a 2-4.

Besides, they can always offer him to the 49ers, who seem to be total idiots at this point and still need a QB? If the Niners go on a little run and finish with the 8 or 9th pick, why not roll the dice with the franchise tag and offer Cassel up for a their pick? That could land us one of the top pass rushers in the draft this year, like Orakpo or Everette Brown if he comes out.

 

[mgteich]

I have learned not to speculate on compensatory picks. Only adam and miguel understand the process, and I haven't seen a post from them. In any case, your point is well taken. Even with a first, two seconds and a third, we are is a position to re-load. I expect that any pick from Cassel would be traded in 2010. Three picks in the top 65 is huge, given that we have no immediate needs except safety.

A couple of ifs: if the Patriots can franchise Cassel and wrangle a #1 from somebody; and if the Patriots get a decent compensatory pick for Asante (which they should, given the $$ of the contract), then the Patriots could have two #1s, two #2s, and two #3s in the upcoming draft. That wouldn't be rebuilding or re-loading. That would be speed-loading.

 

[signbabybrady]

I have learned not to speculate on compensatory picks. Only adam and miguel understand the process, and I haven't seen a post from them. In any case, your point is well taken. Even with a first, two seconds and a third, we are is a position to re-load. I expect that any pick from Cassel would be traded in 2010. Three picks in the top 65 is huge, given that we have no immediate needs except safety.

Really a postion with two starters like Sanders and Meriweather is a need but no other position is a need.

I believe Sanders is a FA so you would be right about that being a need but I am not sure that would be the only one. I would say we have a need for a RB, WR, TE, LBer, CB and Safety. Some more than others WR being at the bottom TE being at the top.

 

[Krugman]

I dont know why they couldnt get a # 1 for MC,if he keeps playing the way he does,how many teams in the NFL would jump at the chance to upgrade their QB situation?I can think of several,and some teams (49'ers come to mind)have drafted QB's high in the first round and still are not happy with them...Cassel looks like the real deal.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Really a postion with two starters like Sanders and Meriweather is a need but no other position is a need.

I believe Sanders is a FA so you would be right about that being a need but I am not sure that would be the only one. I would say we have a need for a RB, WR, TE, LBer, CB and Safety. Some more than others WR being at the bottom TE being at the top.

Since we'll have Maroney, Boston Legal, Faulk and Morris, I'd let RB slide to UFA again and put OL as a high pick.

Safety
OL
TE
CB
LB pass rusher (developmental college DE via UFA)
Punt/Kick returner

LB may be moot if skinny legs Crable looks good off season; we also have Redd and Ruud (ILB)

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I have learned not to speculate on compensatory picks. Only adam and miguel understand the process, and I haven't seen a post from them. In any case, your point is well taken. Even with a first, two seconds and a third, we are is a position to re-load. I expect that any pick from Cassel would be traded in 2010. Three picks in the top 65 is huge, given that we have no immediate needs except safety.

I'm not Adamjt13, but I have read his posts, and understand them fairly well.

Seriously, though, given how quiet the Pats were in the major FA market this year, I can't see any way they don't get a 3rd for Samuel. (FAs signed to vet-minimum deals don't count, and vets like LaMont Jordan that were waived by their former teams don't count, either.)

 

[JSn]

Essentially, any team thinking of spending a #1 on a college QB would be willing to grab Cassel with it instead, unless he takes a nose-dive from here on out.

If it's a really high #1, (say like 3rd-5th) they might trade down for low #1 and an extra #3, adding even more value to the draft. Trading down worked out nicely on Mayo.

So it could be two #1's, two #2's, and 3 #3's.

That smells like OLB, Safety, and more CB's. Maybe a TE, but defense seems a little easier to get right in the draft (based on some reading, more-so than direct observation).

We don't seem to need WR's or RB's.

If we could land even one more player who is Mayo-esque in what he brings to the team on D, pref in the secondary, we'll have a pretty good run next year.

Still have high hope for this season, but I'll admit I'm feeling shaky about Sunday's match-up.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

I have learned not to speculate on compensatory picks. Only adam and miguel understand the process, and I haven't seen a post from them. In any case, your point is well taken. Even with a first, two seconds and a third, we are is a position to re-load. I expect that any pick from Cassel would be traded in 2010. Three picks in the top 65 is huge, given that we have no immediate needs except safety.

About Comp picks..

First off, the unknown formula for awarding the picks, is based mostly on the size of the contract that your UFA signed with his new team AND how many FA you signed verus lost.

So the Pats were not going to get any comp picks last year because not only did they not lose anyone significant, but when they signed Thomas & Stallworth, etc (Moss and Welker would nto have counted because Moss was a trade and Welker was a restricted FA).

This year is very different:
The Pats did not sign any significant FA, and they lost Samuels (whose contract numbers are much higher than those garnered the losing team a 3rd rd comp pick last year). Others who might garner lower round picks are Randall Gay & Donte Stallworth.

So the Pats can pretty much bank on a 3rd for Samuels, and even if they do not franchise Cassel, is is going to demand $$ to garner the Pats another 3rd round comp pick in the 2010 draft.

 

[Patslifer]

Cassel has always been a team player. I can see him trying to help out the franchise who gave him a chance, and allowing a deal to be worked with a non conferance team, that would allow him big bucks, but also allow us something for him in return.

I think Minn is the logical choice for Cassel. We should be happy with a second round pick for him.

 

[DW Toys]

Cassel has always been a team player. I can see him trying to help out the franchise who gave him a chance, and allowing a deal to be worked with a non conferance team, that would allow him big bucks, but also allow us something for him in return.

I think Minn is the logical choice for Cassel. We should be happy with a second round pick for him.

I can see a first rounder if MC plays decent for 2009. Flacco and Ryan were the exceptions this year in QB play, but I still think a QB with some live NFL snaps is a better investment (look at Brett F. as that model). How well have Lienert, Young and Russell worked out (all recent #1's)? Do you gamble your franchise if a young QB like Cassel can be had for less than Russell or Ryan are making?

What about Maroney? I think that he could be gone if the right offer happens.
We need a Safety and a TE that can make plays (what ever happened to the Dave Thomas experiment?).
We could have a few solid picks in 09 but how does this draft stack up? Anyone know?
DW Toys

 

[mgteich]

I agree with DW Toys (mark the date on the calendar. We need a safety and a tight end.