Chester Taylor and a first-round draft pick

[E Belichick Unum]

In an attempt to get Matt Cassel, some people believe the Vikings would have to trade running back Chester Taylor and a first-round draft pick to the Patriots. Taylor has one season left on his contract, then would be free to leave. If he were traded, the Vikings would have to pick a running back high in April's draft as a backup to Adrian Peterson. -- Pioneer Press

This is from the Pioneer Press, it is the only mention in a column of notes related to Minn sports.

There isn't a whole lot of support for Matt Cassel with the Minn fanbase.

 

[primetime]

Why would the Patriots want Chester Taylor? He's a lot like Sammy Morris and Lamont Jordan. If you're looking at a pick and player, I think the Patriots would want a EJ Henderson or Antoine Winfield type, but I think there are better deals out there anyways for Cassel.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

This is from the Pioneer Press, it is the only mention in a column of notes related to Minn sports.

There isn't a whole lot of support for Matt Cassel with the Minn fanbase.

Oh?

ESPN.com poll: Would you want your team to pursue Matt Cassel in the offseason?

Massachusetts 76%(!)
Minnesota 71%
Michigan 65%
Missouri 61%
Washington 58%
California 56%
North Carolina 56%

 

[j00fek]

no

no

no

 

[E Belichick Unum]

Why would the Patriots want Chester Taylor? He's a lot like Sammy Morris and Lamont Jordan. If you're looking at a pick and player, I think the Patriots would want a EJ Henderson or Antoine Winfield type, but I think there are better deals out there anyways for Cassel.

I am still a little dubious of the Pats getting a #1 for Matt, for that to happen there will have to be some bidding. I know that Schwab got two #2's, but until it happens I kind of think the answe will be a #2, a #3 and a conditional 2010 pick. MN and Tampa would be the best spots for him, which probably means neither one will make an offer.

 

[E Belichick Unum]

Oh?

ESPN.com poll: Would you want your team to pursue Matt Cassel in the offseason?

Massachusetts 76%(!)
Minnesota 71%
Michigan 65%
Missouri 61%
Washington 58%
California 56%
North Carolina 56%

I've been doing the geek thing and logging onto the discussion boards. Most of the people who contribute haven't seen Matt play. The boards are mostly against trading the team's #1 for Matt Cassel.

 

[mgcolby]

I am still a little dubious of the Pats getting a #1 for Matt, for that to happen there will have to be some bidding. I know that Schwab got two #2's, but until it happens I kind of think the answe will be a #2, a #3 and a conditional 2010 pick. MN and Tampa would be the best spots for him, which probably means neither one will make an offer.

I still don't understand how folks still think a #1 isn't likely. It will be the starting point and will only go up, not down. To many teams need a QB and the draft class is weak at the position.

A 1st and 3rd or a mid level guy is where it will probably end up costing a team.

 

[Rob0729]

I am still a little dubious of the Pats getting a #1 for Matt, for that to happen there will have to be some bidding. I know that Schwab got two #2's, but until it happens I kind of think the answe will be a #2, a #3 and a conditional 2010 pick. MN and Tampa would be the best spots for him, which probably means neither one will make an offer.

I don't know. I think it may be more likely they get a first and something than #1 or at least #1 value (Like KC giving their second this year and a second next since their second this year is almost a #1). This is a QB starved league and this year is a bad year for QBs in the draft and free agency (at least unless you want a one year stopgap). I think several teams will be desperate for Cassel.

 

[jmt57]

On this Viking website, Purple Pride, the QB position dominates the conversation. In fact, it is almost the only topic of conversation.

"The Official Tarvaris Jackson Thread" has 2326 replies, and the "Favre-to-Vikes could still happen" thread has 264 replies. That's just in the main forum - in the draft/FA forum there's another thread titled "QB stability tops Vikings coaching staff's priority list" that has 616 replies.

From a few of the comments I read many seem to have the feeling that much of Cassel's success was due to the receivers (Moss and Welker are indeed far better than Berrian and Rice/Wade) and the Pats offensive line (did they not watch last year's SB?) Funny, I thought they were the team with the great o-line, with Hutchinson, McKinnie and Birk.

 

[mgcolby]

On this Viking website, Purple Pride, the QB position dominates the conversation. In fact, it is almost the only topic of conversation.

"The Official Tarvaris Jackson Thread" has 2326 replies, and the "Favre-to-Vikes could still happen" thread has 264 replies. That's just in the main forum - in the draft/FA forum there's another thread titled "QB stability tops Vikings coaching staff's priority list" that has 616 replies.

From a few of the comments I read many seem to have the feeling that much of Cassel's success was due to the receivers (Moss and Welker are indeed far better than Berrian and Rice/Wade) and the Pats offensive line (did they not watch last year's SB?) Funny, I thought they were the team with the great o-line, with Hutchinson, McKinnie and Birk.

If they trade for Cassel and sign TJ whosyourmamma. Move Berrien to the two slot and they will have one hell of an offense to go with an already good defense.

 

[Phlash]

I sort of like this idea for a trade. He's 29, which isn't young by NFL RB standards, but he doesn't have much tread on his tires. Also, he's put up a pretty great season by anyone's standards with 1200+ yards at 4.0 ypc w/ 42 receptions, and the next year put up 800+ yards rushing at 5.4 ypc. He's pretty good imo, to have as a rotational guy. The first round pick + him is quite a good deal for the Patriots imo.

 

[killerrob]

I also think we will get at least a first. There is no reason to accept less, Cassel is fine with playing in New England for another year and it allows us not to rush Brady back. Teams will know that and have to belly up a first to get us talking.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I also think we will get at least a first. There is no reason to accept less, Cassel is fine with playing in New England for another year and it allows us not to rush Brady back. Teams will know that and have to belly up a first to get us talking.

He's fine with being put in a gilded cage for a year and getting $14M+.

That's not particularly fine for the Patriots.

 

[KCSVEN]

If I'm a Minnesota fan a straight up #1 would be a no brainer, they likely would need to throw in a 3. It's not so much about the stats as it is is watching the play of Cassel and the last half of the year he improved his touch, his decision making in whom to pass to AND when to run, showed pocket presence and stood in until the last moment to get the pass off. He only still sucks at long passes. Once GM's look at the tapes they'll clearly see he is not a system QB:

Also, let's look at the 2000's #22 draft picks:
2000 Seattle Chris Mcintosh T
2001 Giants Will Allen DB
2002 Jets Bryan Thomas DE
2003 Bears Rex Grossman QB
2004 Bills J.P. Losman QB
2005 Ravens Mark Clayton WR
2006 49ers Manny Lawson LB
2007 Browns Brady Quinn QB
2008 Cowboys Felix Jones RB

OK, which player would you say "NO I wouldn't trade him for Cassel? " Look at the 3 QB's picked? Minny has a nice defense, a great RB and a terrible QB, Cassel makes them one of the NFC favorites, how could any Minny fan not want to do a trade and give up the #1 pick? What are the alternatives: Farve? HA! If Warner leaves the Cards, maybe, but that's a 1 year possible solution not a franchise QB and if he comes back it's probably with the Cards.

This trade also gets him not only out of the division but out of the conference, which I think we'll be very glad for that fact going forward. WIN, WIN.

 

[farn]

no

no

no

Chester Taylor ? Maybe Chester Taylor of 2002... Yes to the #1. No to Taylor.

 

[farn]

If I'm a Minnesota fan a straight up #1 would be a no brainer, they likely would need to throw in a 3. It's not so much about the stats as it is is watching the play of Cassel and the last half of the year he improved his touch, his decision making in whom to pass to AND when to run, showed pocket presence and stood in until the last moment to get the pass off. He only still sucks at long passes. Once GM's look at the tapes they'll clearly see he is not a system QB:

Also, let's look at the 2000's #22 draft picks:
2000 Seattle Chris Mcintosh T
2001 Giants Will Allen DB
2002 Jets Bryan Thomas DE
2003 Bears Rex Grossman QB
2004 Bills J.P. Losman QB
2005 Ravens Mark Clayton WR
2006 49ers Manny Lawson LB
2007 Browns Brady Quinn QB
2008 Cowboys Felix Jones RB

OK, which player would you say "NO I wouldn't trade him for Cassel? " Look at the 3 QB's picked? Minny has a nice defense, a great RB and a terrible QB, Cassel makes them one of the NFC favorites, how could any Minny fan not want to do a trade and give up the #1 pick? What are the alternatives: Farve? HA! If Warner leaves the Cards, maybe, but that's a 1 year possible solution not a franchise QB and if he comes back it's probably with the Cards.

This trade also gets him not only out of the division but out of the conference, which I think we'll be very glad for that fact going forward. WIN, WIN.

Good point... but remember : BB is not emotionally unstable, while most GMs obviously are. Morons pick weird players at #22. BB's success rate would be better (not to say that a few of those players aren't fine players).

 

[KCSVEN]

For the Pats it's another chip to use or trade depending on what they get, I'm looking at it from Minnesota's position, what are the odds they can get someone that will help there team more over the next few years than Cassel? Based on the history of the draft it seems not very likely. Since Cassel is a backup on the Patriots they don;t need a franchise player in return so it seems to work for the Patriots and for the Vikings.

 

[KillahBUD]

I can't understand why everyone is thinking so low.We all know the Hoody will try to maximize the value for as long and get as much as he can.I say no to that deal with the Vikings.If They would trade a 1st and 3rd for Allen a DL who can rush the passer why would we settle for less with the best qb on the market up for grabs.With Bradford staying it only can help us as well

 

[tanked_as_usual]

nahhh........chester taylor has nothing on kevin faulk.......don't need him

 

[Jared]

I would be thrilled with that. I mean a first alone I'd take straight up. First plus a pretty good RB? Why not? Though if Taylor came, I wouldn't be shocked to see Maroney gone. (Though I admit I don't know off hand how much Maroney is costing us)