Could Cassel possibly be starting QB over Leinart next year for the NFC Champs?

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

There is strong indication and likley IMO that Warner will retire this offseason and that leaves room open at the starting position for the Cards to be looking for a QB to take over the reigns.

I believe the Cards are not thrilled from what they have seen from Leinart thus far and may be sitting Matt another season or at least have some serious doubts if he is capable of being #1 and I also heard sometime last year that Matt and coach Whisenhunt are not exactly having a happy marriage which led to Warner playing all season

With that being said,Wouldnt it be ironic if Cassel actually gets signed by Arizona and starts over his old college buddy who kept him on the bench at USC? - I definately could see some possibilities

Arizona would probably have to dish out a #1 and a #3 draft picks for him though

 

[ctpatsfan77]

There is strong indication and likley IMO that Warner will retire this offseason and that leaves room open at the starting position for the Cards to be looking for a QB to take over the reigns.

I believe the Cards are not thrilled from what they have seen from Leinart thus far and may be sitting Matt another season or at least have some serious doubts if he is capable of being #1 and I also heard sometime last year that Matt and coach Whisenhunt are not exactly having a happy marriage which led to Warner playing all season

With that being said,Wouldnt it be ironic if Cassel actually gets signed by Arizona and starts over his old college buddy who kept him on the bench at USC? - I definately could see some possibilities

Arizona would probably have to dish out a #1 and a #3 draft picks for him though

I don't think MFC is going to go anywhere where he isn't the clear-cut starter. And given that Leinart and Cassel are, by all indications, quite good friends, I think that might be the last thing he wants to do. [That's not to say he won't go there, but it'll definitely be a factor.]

 

[jmt57]

Was there a point in time when Casey Weldon backed up Brad Johnson? If I recall correctly Johnson was Weldon's backup at Florida State, and they both played for the Bucs, but I'm not sure if they were on Tampa Bay's roster at the same time. That's the only other same-team college and pros, backup-starter combo I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[Mogamedogz]

Warner will be back at a much cheaper price. They still have to pay Boldin, Dansby, and Dockett. Plus they need to add a legit pass rusher to their defense.

Cant see this happening.

 

[brdmaverick]

Never say never, but I believe there is no way this would happen. After using a top ten pick to get Leinart, I don't think they would surrender A.)draft picks and B.)a lot of money to get Cassel.

It is fun to ponder and a good theoretical situation considering the different paths they have taken through their football careers thus far.

 

[Triggerfish]

Well, I'll say it....never happen! I have a feeling Warner comes back on a 2 year deal or so. Some kind of low salary contract with bonuses for starting X amount of games, etc. Whisenhunt comes from the old school mentality of "the best guy gets to start" nethod. They'll give Leinart his shot again in the pre-season, and if he stinks it up, they'll put Warner in just like this year. I can't see any circumstances which would lead Arizona to pursue Cassel. I think their organization still believes they have their franchise QB in Leinhart, and they wouldn't be willing to pay a QB of similar talent and experience to start over their #1 pick. If Warner doesn't come back, they might look for a reliable veteran and maybe even possibly spend a mid-round draft pick on a QB, but bringing in Cassel really makes no sense for them.

 

[CanadianPat'sFan]

Warner will be back at a much cheaper price. They still have to pay Boldin, Dansby, and Dockett. Plus they need to add a legit pass rusher to their defense.

Cant see this happening.

I agree Warner will be back. Here is a story I stumbled across

Analysis: Warner likely to return to Cards

Cassel does not want to go to a place that he would have to compete for a job but it would be funny if Cassel sat behind Leinart in college and then start in front him in the pro's Maybe Cincy is looking to lite a fire under Carsons ass

 

[farn]

I don't think MFC is going to go anywhere where he isn't the clear-cut starter. And given that Leinart and Cassel are, by all indications, quite good friends, I think that might be the last thing he wants to do. [That's not to say he won't go there, but it'll definitely be a factor.]

Are we going there now - MFC ? Wow. I had just recently gotten used to TFB. How amazing that he went from TC cut (even Reiss speculated) to the honored "F" middle initial.

Now, to tranform him into a couple of First F-ing day draft picks.

 

[Triggerfish]

I agree Warner will be back. Here is a story I stumbled across

Analysis: Warner likely to return to Cards

Cassel does not want to go to a place that he would have to compete for a job but it would be funny if Cassel sat behind Leinart in college and then start in front him in the pro's Maybe Cincy is looking to lite a fire under Carsons ass

I think there are lots of teams who could potentially use Cassel. Cincy, Cleveland, Seattle, Minn, KC, TB, etc. etc. In my opinion, it would be taking a huge risk for the price he'll likely come at. I think he had a great season given the circumstances. If I were a GM, I'd be a little concerned that he's just another "flash in the pan" QB who will eventually come crashing back down to earth. I'd like to see him get a starting gig somewhere though, cause I'm pretty curious myself if he's the real deal or not.

 

[CanadianPat'sFan]

I think there are lots of teams who could potentially use Cassel. Cincy, Cleveland, Seattle, Minn, KC, TB, etc. etc. In my opinion, it would be taking a huge risk for the price he'll likely come at. I think he had a great season given the circumstances. If I were a GM, I'd be a little concerned that he's just another "flash in the pan" QB who will eventually come crashing back down to earth. I'd like to see him get a starting gig somewhere though, cause I'm pretty curious myself if he's the real deal or not.

Sorry I was referencing Cassel sitting behind Carson Palmer at USC before he road the pine behind Leinart. He did look good last year but then again so did Derrek Anderson two years ago so we need to trade him while his value is high.

 

[Deus Irae]

I think there are lots of teams who could potentially use Cassel. Cincy, Cleveland, Seattle, Minn, KC, TB, etc. etc. In my opinion, it would be taking a huge risk for the price he'll likely come at. I think he had a great season given the circumstances. If I were a GM, I'd be a little concerned that he's just another "flash in the pan" QB who will eventually come crashing back down to earth. I'd like to see him get a starting gig somewhere though, cause I'm pretty curious myself if he's the real deal or not.

Pittsburgh could use an upgrade at quarterback too. Maybe then they wouldn't need the officials in their pocket in order to win games.

 

[Deus Irae]

Explosion in 3










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[Triggerfish]

LOL....good one. No thanks. We're covered just fine at QB. Know any good offensive linemen though??

I don't know. Given Tom's injury, I might be inclined to tag Cassel and keep him around. Tough call though. It's basically a risk vs. reward gamble either way. How's your salary cap looking?

 

[stinkypete]

Sorry I was referencing Cassel sitting behind Carson Palmer at USC before he road the pine behind Leinart. He did look good last year but then again so did Derrek Anderson two years ago so we need to trade him while his value is high.

I see almost no chance that the team keeps Cassel at a franchise tender. The cap figure of keeping both Cassel and Brady would sabotage the tram's ability to build for the 2009 season.

If the team could somehow sign him long term, with a more reasonable (but non-insulting) 2009 cap figure, I'd be all for that. No team I could think of ever lost because it had too many elite QBs.

 

[Deus Irae]

LOL....good one. No thanks. We're covered just fine at QB. Know any good offensive linemen though??

I don't know. Given Tom's injury, I might be inclined to tag Cassel and keep him around. Tough call though. It's basically a risk vs. reward gamble either way. How's your salary cap looking?

There's plenty of room to tag Cassel and still sign a big name free agent. After that, it gets tough, even for lower level free agents, because of the CBA restrictions. My guess is that if we see Cassel tagged, he'll be moved very quickly. The Patriots tend to wait until the initial free agency frenzy is past, but I don't think they'll wait too long this season, because I think the team will likely target 1-2 spots on the defense for significant veteran help. I'm just guessing here, but I expect that the team will take a long, hard look at the free agent safeties available, and I'd expect them to at least make a courtesy call to Dansby and others to see if the linebacking can be upgraded for a reasonable price.