With Cassel tagged - Is the front office on hold?

[Box_O_Rocks]

On hold? No.

Next up:
-- RFA/ERFA tender announcements.
-- Release announcments.
-- Extension announcements.
-- Trade announcements.

Free Agency signings will come in their own good time.

 

[BradyManny]

If Miguel's number's are even close to being right, he has the Pat's at $3.9M under the cap after franchising Cassell.
They wouldn't even have enough to sign the rookies this year. I believe last year's rookie pool was $4.3M.

So the short answer is, NO.

This is why I hope Cassel is traded as soon as February 27th. Heck, I'd love it if some desperate team somehow forked over 2 firsts for him and got him outright but guess I don't see that happening.

 

[Jimke]

On hold? No.

Next up:
-- RFA/ERFA tender announcements.
-- Release announcments.
-- Extension announcements.
-- Trade announcements.

Free Agency signings will come in their own good time.

The current salary cap situation might mean that we give

Woods a second round tender and pass on Alexander and Britt

for the time being. We could re-sign a low level player by

tweaking a contract.

 

[AzPatsFan]

This is why I hope Cassel is traded as soon as February 27th. Heck, I'd love it if some desperate team somehow forked over 2 firsts for him and got him outright but guess I don't see that happening.

Why??? So you can play jr. GM? And trade for an over-the-hill TE, without any spare footballs to catch; or a headcase RB; or a $10,000,000 guy to see if he can play in the 3-4, when he has never done so, before? Who doesn't have a clear position to play?

No Thank You.

My prediction? The Pats can afford to keep the best #2 QB, in the league in Cassel, for their 2009 Super Bowl run. BB being burned once in 2008, won't do it again. With the uncertainty about Brady, they can afford the "Insurance" for 2009.

If you view it in that light, then it all falls into place. BB has moved methodically, and as soon as possible, to do so.
They have found a guy who can play; and is willing to sign, and just did. A guy who is competitive enough, to think he can win a few Super Bowls, even if the alternative is to ride the pine for 2009.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I can see the Pats trading away one or two of those picks for better picks next year - for example, trade away one of this year's thirds to somebody for next year's second.

So What? They don't need more than three anyway, LB, DB, OL.

 

[mgteich]

THE ANSWER IS NO!

1) We need to see the final 2009 cap numbers, after adjustments.

2) Sign to no-brainer re-signs: Evans, Paxton, Lew Sanders.

3) The first decision will be regard which of three RFA's to tender and at what level (Woods, Alexander, Britt). It presumed that we will tender our only ERFA Ventrone.

4) I expect that we are discussing extensions with Green and Vrabel (and maybe Light). All three would free up cap monies. These monies are essential to fill holes and re-sign more of our free agents.

5) I would expect the patriots to secure a veteran QB, while pursuing trades for Cassel. Even if the veteran QB contract was $4.6M for one year (I prefer a 3-year deal), this would free up $10M, enough to sign the rooks, Player 52, Player 53, the IR, the Practice quad, and have a reserve fund to replace players during the year. There should be enough left for a late signing, trade or extension.

 

[cstjohn17]

Unless we work a trade for Cassel can the front office make any moves?
Will their be $$$ for FA signings,maybe resigning Wilfork,ect. If we did keep both where does that leave us.
I'll admit I know nothing about the salary cap.
thanks

Prepare to be under whelmed... it is likely Cassel won't get traded until right before the draft. Not a lot of money left for anything except for a few veteran minimums. They better nail the draft.

 

[mgteich]

So, which is better for the patriots
1) ALTERNATIVE ONE
Pick up the very best free agent out there for under $5M for 2009.
Have $10M of cap money available.
2) ALTERNATVE TWO
Tie $29M in the QB position, paying the backup more than the starter.
Struggle to sign even veteran free agents and rookies.

You are out of touch with reality. We cannot have Cassel on the 2009 roster without losing players and having a worse team than last year.

Why??? So you can play jr. GM? And trade for an over-the-hill TE, without any spare footballs to catch; or a headcase RB; or a $10,000,000 guy to see if he can play in the 3-4, when he has never done so, before? Who doesn't have a clear position to play?

No Thank You.

My prediction? The Pats can afford to keep the best #2 QB, in the league in Cassel, for their 2009 Super Bowl run. BB being burned once in 2008, won't do it again. With the uncertainty about Brady, they can afford the "Insurance" for 2009.

If you view it in that light, then it all falls into place. BB has moved methodically, and as soon as possible, to do so.
They have found a guy who can play; and is willing to sign, and just did. A guy who is competitive enough, to think he can win a few Super Bowls, even if the alternative is to ride the pine for 2009.

 

[AzPatsFan]

So, which is better for the patriots
1) ALTERNATIVE ONE
Pick up the very best free agent out there for under $5M for 2009.
Have $10M of cap money available.
2) ALTERNATVE TWO
Tie $29M in the QB position, paying the backup more than the starter.
Struggle to sign even veteran free agents and rookies.

You are out of touch with reality. We cannot have Cassel on the 2009 roster without losing players and having a worse team than last year.

Dream on! What worse Team? Who do we lose? I would say it is you that has no touch with Reality. I have patiently outlined how they sign everyone they need to sign, even Seymour, draft a bundle of defensive picks to add to the awesome 2008 rebuilt Defense, (9 NFL players!) and have plenty of insured Quaterbacking for their 2009 Super Bowl run.

You on the other hand worry about useless veteran FAs, and post 2009 needed signings. 2010 will take care of itself. The Pats would like to re-sign Woods, Wright and Green, and they can, and probably Seymour too. Alexander and Britt will be lucky if they get offers at all, and not paycuts or walking papers.

Just what $5 million dollar FA will help them?? Double that number for Suggs, Dansby or Peppers, or any body of that level. So Pray tell... Who? OTOH, It is not hard to sign the rookies.

Unless you didn't notice 50 players (including Cassel) are now under contract. The CAP is met, with $4 million to spare, for Woods, Wright and Jarvis, and their added moneys, on top of what they earn now, say another $1 million or so. The rookies will actually save against the CAP, and ADD cap room. Leaving more than sufficient money for the season, injuries, PS, etc.

I don't understand why you think having an inadequate backup QB is either reality, or to be prefered. JP Loserman? Please! Wrecks Grossman? Double Please. Kevin O'Connel?? maybe in 2010 or 2011.

 

[carolinatony]

"Dream on! What worse Team? Who do we lose? I would say it is you that has no touch with Reality. I have patiently outlined how they sign everyone they need to sign, even Seymour, draft a bundle of defensive picks to add to the awesome 2008 rebuilt Defense, (9 NFL players!) and have plenty of insured Quaterbacking for their 2009 Super Bowl run.

You on the other hand worry about useless veteran FAs, and post 2009 needed signings. 2010 will take care of itself. The Pats would like to re-sign Woods, Wright and Green, and they can, and probably Seymour too. Alexander and Britt will be lucky if they get offers at all, and not paycuts or walking papers.

Just what $5 million dollar FA will help them?? Double that number for Suggs, Dansby or Peppers, or any body of that level. So Pray tell... Who? OTOH, It is not hard to sign the rookies.

Unless you didn't notice 50 players (including Cassel) are now under contract. The CAP is met, with $4 million to spare, for Woods, Wright and Jarvis, and their added moneys, on top of what they earn now, say another $1 million or so. The rookies will actually save against the CAP, and ADD cap room. Leaving more than sufficient money for the season, injuries, PS, etc.
"



I didn't know we had 50 players under contract. This is GREAT news.

What I don't understand is SOMEONE KNOWS how Brady is and if he will be ready for opening day. This is the biggest secret in Football in years.
I am AMAZED how well the Pats keep a secret! They keep it more quite then the Pentagon.

 

[mgteich]

I understand your plan well.

You indicated that there is no cost to signing rookies, the Practice Squad, Player 52, Player 53, the IR, and a reserve for in-year replacements. That is your position. The fact that these have been significant costs every year since the first year of the salary cap shouldn't concern you.

Your plan uses $3.9M to sign all needed replacements, and the after-draft costs listed above.

The fact that you think that there will be a cap effect of $1M for the signing of Wright, Woods, and Green simply shows your ignorance. You compare each of them to their 2008 salaries and indicate that the increase cap cost in $1M or so. You do realize that the 2009 cap cost of Wright and Woods is $0.00 and that it will likely take $3M of cap cost (perhaps a bit less). Perhaps you understand Green's bonus structure well enough to think that we will be able to extend him before March 1 and save enough to make up for Wright and Woods.

And what about the rest of the patriots UFA's? Do you think that Meriweather and Spann are fine at safety with no backups. Or perhaps, you believe that low level 1sts, 2nds and 3rd round draft choices can be expected to start in their rookie years? And certainly Moss and Welker can play until they drop with great Aiken and Washington's as their #3 and #4.

No team in the history of the NFL ever spent more on a franchise player than you would spend on Cassel, and all that for a backup!

Dream on! What worse Team? Who do we lose? I would say it is you that has no touch with Reality. I have patiently outlined how they sign everyone they need to sign, even Seymour, draft a bundle of defensive picks to add to the awesome 2008 rebuilt Defense, (9 NFL players!) and have plenty of insured Quaterbacking for their 2009 Super Bowl run.

You on the other hand worry about useless veteran FAs, and post 2009 needed signings. 2010 will take care of itself. The Pats would like to re-sign Woods, Wright and Green, and they can, and probably Seymour too. Alexander and Britt will be lucky if they get offers at all, and not paycuts or walking papers.

Just what $5 million dollar FA will help them?? Double that number for Suggs, Dansby or Peppers, or any body of that level. So Pray tell... Who? OTOH, It is not hard to sign the rookies.

Unless you didn't notice 50 players (including Cassel) are now under contract. The CAP is met, with $4 million to spare, for Woods, Wright and Jarvis, and their added moneys, on top of what they earn now, say another $1 million or so. The rookies will actually save against the CAP, and ADD cap room. Leaving more than sufficient money for the season, injuries, PS, etc.

I don't understand why you think having an inadequate backup QB is either reality, or to be prefered. JP Loserman? Please! Wrecks Grossman? Double Please. Kevin O'Connel?? maybe in 2010 or 2011.

 

[BradyManny]

Why??? So you can play jr. GM? And trade for an over-the-hill TE, without any spare footballs to catch; or a headcase RB; or a $10,000,000 guy to see if he can play in the 3-4, when he has never done so, before? Who doesn't have a clear position to play?

No Thank You.

My prediction? The Pats can afford to keep the best #2 QB, in the league in Cassel, for their 2009 Super Bowl run. BB being burned once in 2008, won't do it again. With the uncertainty about Brady, they can afford the "Insurance" for 2009.

This post is full of contradictions.

For one, the Pats cannot afford to keep the best #2 QB in the league. Per Miguel's page they are 3.9 milli under the cap - that number will get smaller with ERFA and RFA tenders, and with contract escalators, not to mention the rookie pool was greater than 4 million last year.

So in short, no, they simply cannot afford to keep Matt Cassel.

Second, you said they were burned last year at the backup QB spot, yet you want to spend 14 million to retain the guy who was last year's backup QB.

Third, one reason why this team fell short of perfection in 07 and short of the playoffs in 08 is because of issues on the defensive side of the ball. There are no solutions to this issues in the 2009 draft. The solutions will either come within the team (which is highly possible) or via draft and trade.

The harsh reality is that once we trade Cassel, we still won't exactly be cap rich. But we'll have enough breathing room to grab a vet or two, which the team should and will do.

 

[mgteich]

You marvel that Brady's availability to start the season at near 100% is a great secret. Perhaps that is because the start of the season is more than six months away and NO ONE knows the availability of Brady for the beginning of the season.

=======================================================

I didn't know we had 50 players under contract. This is GREAT news.

What I don't understand is SOMEONE KNOWS how Brady is and if he will be ready for opening day. This is the biggest secret in Football in years.
I am AMAZED how well the Pats keep a secret! They keep it more quite then the Pentagon.[/QUOTE]

 

[Brettlax3434]

A Patriots beat writer recently phoned a Bucs beat writer to gauge his thoughts on Tampa's interest in franchise player Matt Cassel.

We'd guess the Pats beat writer was Mike Reiss (Boston Globe). The Bucs' beat writer, Stephen Holder, admits this is all speculation, but came away from the talk feeling that the New England reporter "definitely" thinks the Pats want to trade Cassel. Beat writer-to-beat writer phone calls don't usually qualify as news, but no one has a better idea of the teams' thinking.
Source: St. Petersburg Times

-Rotoworld.com

 

[BradyManny]

I didn't know we had 50 players under contract. This is GREAT news.

Its not overwhelmingly happy news. A portion of that 50 is developmental guys and guys targeted for the PS. Just a quick perusal shows me that between 8-12 of those guys don't end up on the 53 come next fall, with some of them hopefully landing on the PS.

The Pats are tight against the cap without Cassel's 14 million on the books. They are in a very unenvious cap position with him on the books.