Vikings and Cassel: $30 million big ones

[PatsFanSince74]

[Ian, merge this into another thread if you want, but I do think it constitutes "new information."]

Well, this is definitely in the "rumor" category (link at bottom), but it suggests that a "market" is being created for Matt's services. The Vikings are at the top of my list of teams who are a QB and a couple of seasons away from being serious contenders (once they look themselves in the mirror and convince themselves that Jackson isn't going to take them to an SB). Their owner is pouring money into building something lasting and they now have a serious coach.

This all tells me that there's little likelihood that the Pats have any real alternative other than franchising Matt if they want to keep him. There's no way he'd even take the two year, $20 million deal that has been floated by folks out here in recent days. It also suggests that he'll know that the tag is forcing him to leave serious money on the table, with the ever-present possibility of serious injury every time he steps on the field. Even the $14 mill under the tag won't make him a happy camper.


"It's looking more likely than ever that the quarterback the Vikings will target is the Patriots' Matt Cassel, who could cost $30 million in guaranteed money as well as first- and second-round draft picks. The Vikings' first-round pick is expected to be between Nos. 21 and 23 overall this spring."


http://www.twincities.com/dailydose/ci_11426121?nclick_check=1

 

[ctpatsfan77]

This all tells me that there's little likelihood that the Pats have any real alternative other than franchising Matt if they want to keep him. There's no way he'd even take the two year, $20 million deal that has been floated by folks out here in recent days. It also suggests that he'll know that the tag is forcing him to leave serious money on the table, with the ever-present possibility of serious injury every time he steps on the field. Even the $14 mill under the tag won't make him a happy camper.

To be clear--Cassel CAN sign the franchise tag and still renegotiate a longer deal with the Patriots; it's not an either/or situation.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

To be clear--Cassel CAN sign the franchise tag and still renegotiate a longer deal with the Patriots; it's not an either/or situation.

Understood. But, if he's playing while negotiating, he's still risking a career-ending or -limiting injury every play.

 

[BelichickFan]

The Vikings need to win now, they really have two choices - Cassel or an old guy. The $$$ are irrelevant IMO, if you want a good QB you pay him big money. Would they prefere a Garcia or Warner and their picks or a Cassel, that's the question.

 

[FanSince81]

After watching Delhomme last night, I wouldn't be surprised if the Panthers went after Cassel.

 

[Deus Irae]

The Vikings need to win now, they really have two choices - Cassel or an old guy. The $$$ are irrelevant IMO, if you want a good QB you pay him big money. Would they prefere a Garcia or Warner and their picks or a Cassel, that's the question.

I'm pretty sure that Warner's performance yesterday made it all but certain that he'll be back in Arizona next season.

 

[cblesz]

After watching Delhomme last night, I wouldn't be surprised if the Panthers went after Cassel.

That is a valid point. In fact, after watching most quarterbacks, several teams could be interested. Even those willing to draft a college QB in the first round. To me, THAT is a gamble. It always is. I would prefer someone who has shown they can play at the NFL level and succeed.

I would certainly take a 1st and 2nd round pick for Cassel. The Vikings pick would be perfect for the Pats as we know they do not like drafting in the top ten and prefer the latter stages of the first round.

 

[BelichickFan]

I'm pretty sure that Warner's performance yesterday made it all but certain that he'll be back in Arizona next season.

Yeah, I just threw out a name of an old FA. Garcia is one. Collins is interesting, not sure where the Titans are going. They could bring him back or not.

 

[JoeSixPat]

You got to think that the Panthers are now in the market for a QB as well.

 

[cblesz]

By the way, your link does not work...

 

[SVN]

[Ian, merge this into another thread if you want, but I do think it constitutes "new information."]

Well, this is definitely in the "rumor" category (link at bottom), but it suggests that a "market" is being created for Matt's services. The Vikings are at the top of my list of teams who are a QB and a couple of seasons away from being serious contenders (once they look themselves in the mirror and convince themselves that Jackson isn't going to take them to an SB). Their owner is pouring money into building something lasting and they now have a serious coach.

This all tells me that there's little likelihood that the Pats have any real alternative other than franchising Matt if they want to keep him. There's no way he'd even take the two year, $20 million deal that has been floated by folks out here in recent days. It also suggests that he'll know that the tag is forcing him to leave serious money on the table, with the ever-present possibility of serious injury every time he steps on the field. Even the $14 mill under the tag won't make him a happy camper.


"It's looking more likely than ever that the quarterback the Vikings will target is the Patriots' Matt Cassel, who could cost $30 million in guaranteed money as well as first- and second-round draft picks. The Vikings' first-round pick is expected to be between Nos. 21 and 23 overall this spring."


http://www.twincities.com/dailydose/ci_11426121?nclick_check=1

there is no love lost between brad childress and BB so i dont think they will make this deal. i kinda hope for his own sake he doesn't go to minn because childress sucks.
i expect tampa ,maybe carolina now,SFO,detriot to be the front runners.

 

[BelichickFan]

By the way, your link does not work...

Works fine.

Edit - now it's not working for me. Weird.

 

[BelichickFan]

there is no love lost between brad childress and BB so i dont think they will make this deal.

Belichick isn't a child, he'll deal with Childress if that's who comes to him. However I don't expect the Patriots to talk trade, especially early. I expect them to put the non exclusive franchise tag on Cassel. Let someone sign him for two #1s or keep him well into the offseason.

 

[Deus Irae]

You got to think that the Panthers are now in the market for a QB as well.

The problem for the Panthers is that they have cap issues already.

 

[MassPats38]

It also suggests that he'll know that the tag is forcing him to leave serious money on the table, with the ever-present possibility of serious injury every time he steps on the field. Even the $14 mill under the tag won't make him a happy camper.

Cassel knows and has stated the Pats gave him his chance, so I cannot see him upset over taking $14.6 million for one season knowing he would be up for the same signing bonus the next year (that one-year salary will provide a degree of security in the event of injury).

He has not displayed a Samuel-type personality, so I would be surprised if the quiet, humble one suddenly shifts to "get paid" mode. As a QB and an offensive/team leader, shaking the franchise to benefit yourself does not make yourself marketable, so I would be amazed if Cassel protested one year with the tag. If the Pats try to trade him and the team looking to trade for him demands restructuring (the franchise value is a pretty big number to eat and provides only a one-year promise before free agency), that would be where I expect Cassel to protest. At that point, the Pats are no longer his team and he is simply a commodity, protecting his own interests and not those of his former team looking only to get the most it can in exchange for him.

 

[BelichickFan]

The problem for the Panthers is that they have cap issues already.

He's only signed through next year though, so there's savings from cutting him. His salary of over $5M would go away and any remaining bonus would hit their cap whether he's on the team or not. So the first $5M would be "free" to their cap.

 

[SVN]

Belichick isn't a child, he'll deal with Childress if that's who comes to him. However I don't expect the Patriots to talk trade, especially early. I expect them to put the non exclusive franchise tag on Cassel. Let someone sign him for two #1s or keep him well into the offseason.

Belichick isnt a child. Childress is. He doesnt miss an opportunity to diss or sneer about him. Even the last game before the eagles game he saw their injury report and said its like belichick injury report or something. So i dont think his ego which convinced everyone he developed mcnabb and can make Tjackson the same will prevent him from dealing with BB..

 

[Deus Irae]

He's only signed through next year though, so there's savings from cutting him. His salary of over $5M would go away and any remaining bonus would hit their cap whether he's on the team or not. So the first $5M would be "free" to their cap.

I actually wasn't talking about Delhomme. The Panthers have Gross and Peppers coming up, and not much room for re-signing them.

 

[BelichickFan]

I actually wasn't talking about Delhomme. The Panthers have Gross and Peppers coming up, and not much room for re-signing them.

Understood. They could get Cassel and cut Delhomme for close to a direct cap substitution if they wanted, though, the way long term contracts are often low impact for the first year or two.

Regardless, Carolina doesn't have their #1.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

By the way, your link does not work...

I just retried and it did work. Sorry for any inconvenience you're experiencing. The excerpt in my OP covers the main points tho.