ESPN: Cassel has accepted the franchise tender [merged]

[Patjew]

yeah but the lowball idea assums that all the teams looking for a qb ar all going to work together to drive down the price. if you lowball for cassel then you run the risk of another team getting him and u being in the same quarterbackless situation. think about it from chicago and minni's point of view if chicago lowballs and minni doesn't then minni gets cassel and chicago has to face the consequences and vise versa. i am not saying its not possible i am just saying its dangerous for other teams to take that approach.

I was just going to say the same thing!

It only takes one or two quasi-desperate teams to make things work in the Pats favorite. And we all know that NFL teams often make decisions based on emotion rather than rationale. No way to several teams "band together" to keep the asking price low.

 

[WhiZa]

Can't understand why people are saying this is a good development and will stoke more of a bidding war. I think the opposite is true: teams know the Pats now potentially have a 15 million dollar albatross if no deals have been worked out already and will lowball us accordingly.

Not exactly. If no deal is done the pats can cut Cassel and there is no effect to the salary cap. This allows them to try to work out a deal even if it's for a 7th round pick. Some team will pull the trigger. If no one wants to trade for him then we are just back to where we would have been if Cassel went to FA.

 

[DarrylS]

Perhaps I have been drinking the kool aid too long.. but the way I see this playing out is a classic BB move..

1. slap the tag on early
2. Cassel signs the offer early..

Why??

Because there is a deal already in place that satisfies Cassel and the Patriots.. there is a tendency to make this more complicated. There has been no delays, no posturing, no internet yak or rumor.. just actions.. usually in this franchise that indicates that all of this is very intentional and beneficial to the patriots and Matt Cassel.

If not why not tag him on the last day?? There was no need for any of these actions, without a plan in place..

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Not exactly. If no deal is done the pats can cut Cassel and there is no effect to the salary cap. This allows them to try to work out a deal even if it's for a 7th round pick. Some team will pull the trigger. If no one wants to trade for him then we are just back to where we would have been if Cassel went to FA.

I don't believe that's true. As several posters have pointed out, by signing the tender, it is guaranteed AND counts against the Patriots' salary cap and Cassel gets the money even if he is injured, his skills diminish or a team cuts him for salary cap reasons. Right now it counts as $14.5 million against the Patriots roster unless he negotiates a new contract with the PAtriots or is traded to another club. That's why he signed it so quickly. Can you blame him. Here's a 7th rounder who was making the NFL minimum of $500K (roughly) for 4 years who gets a chance to multiply his salary by 28 times, and it is guaranteed.
Why would the Pats take a 7th rounder in a trade? If they had let him go via free agency, they would have likely gotten a 3rd rounder back as a compensatory pick. They will trade him to the highest bidder (likely an NFC team) in a deal that benefits the Patriots and Cassel, to the extent that he will get a new contract that in the long run will pay him even more than the franchise tag does. I still think there will be a dark horse team that comes out of nowhere to deal for Cassel (Washington??) All it takes it a desperate owner/GM trying to grab some of that Patriots pixie dust....

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Report: Cassel has accepted the franchise tender (merged)

This sucks. Now the Patriots can not sign anyone of much value in free agency. 14 million is more then Brady ever made in one year. I thought the Patriots were team first.Cassel is not worth 14 million.

How does this change anything? Even with Cassel not signing the tender offer, that money is taken off the Pats' cap.

All this does is gives Cassel $14.65 million right now rather than waiting for a trade or all spring and summer to sign the tender before camp. If Cassel knows that he is being traded, it just allows him to live in luxary waiting. If Cassel knows the Pats are going to keep him, then he can practice with the team and become a millionaire now.

Cassel did risk one thing. What if there is a team who is willing to trade for Cassel without making a long term deal and Cassel doesn't want to play for this team? He has no say. It isn't totally crazy that a team would trade for Cassel without a new deal. If a team is unsure that Cassel is the real deal, $14.65 million is far less than $25-30 million in guarantees. Cassel would be a RFA in 2010 if it is an uncapped year or can be franchised again if not. The team can get him to stick around at least one more year or recoup what they gave the Pats if someone signed him if he is the real deal. If he isn't, they only hurt their cap for one year. I don't think this will happen, but it isn't out of the realm of possibility especially with some of the most likely contenders for Cassel having tons of cap room.

 

[Rob0729]

Perhaps I have been drinking the kool aid too long.. but the way I see this playing out is a classic BB move..

1. slap the tag on early
2. Cassel signs the offer early..

Why??

Because there is a deal already in place that satisfies Cassel and the Patriots.. there is a tendency to make this more complicated. There has been no delays, no posturing, no internet yak or rumor.. just actions.. usually in this franchise that indicates that all of this is very intentional and beneficial to the patriots and Matt Cassel.

If not why not tag him on the last day?? There was no need for any of these actions, without a plan in place..

Well, this does make some sense. If there is a deal in place, it also gets Cassel money now rather than waiting a month to get signed and traded. He can start living like a millionaire now rather than waiting.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Wow - 6 pages of threads overnight. There must be a lot of "mea culpas" from those who mocked the idea of Cassel signing the tender and swore it would never happen.

 

[AzPatsFan]

All you junior GMs here, nary a one thought that BB has now solidified and fixed the Depth at another position on his emerging Juggernaut.

There is not another club that has the depth at the most important position, QB that the Patriots now do, but none of you seem to notice, in your urge to quickly break it up, so you play Jr. GM. There are but two or three positions that need further depth for 2009, and the Patriots arer already the deepest and most talented Team from 1-53 on the Planet.

We jr GMs say that we need a Safety and ILB and and a OL. Not in any of those positions is there a gapping hole, without at least a qualified and proven NFL starter there. But we are looking for a future Star or someone to groom for a year or three from now.

None of you junior GMs can think of how BB might fill those positions. Like say USING three draft picks in the top 54. Duh!
Guess what? They all fit under the CAP too. Can't possibly have that could we? Meanwhile you junior GMs are plotting to acquire either a broken down TE, a headcase RB, or a guy who would cost more than SeyMonsta, and hasn't proved he can play on a 3-4 line, at all. Any one of which would bust the CAP wide open.

Did I mention to you that the Patriots were the FOURTH ranked Offense and the TENTH rated (8th in Points allowed), Defense despite playing 8 newcomers, on Defense. What do you think they might do when they have a year's experience, even without a single additional change?

 

[patchick]

I just think the Patriots are going to keep Cassel. 30 million on two players? One will not play. Cassel will be making almost twice as much as Brady. I doubt that will be a problem for Brady but for alot of players it would be.What if Brady is healthy and the Pats keep Cassel? A 14 million dollar clip board holder?

Check out your math. You have Cassel making $14 million, that amount being twice as much as Brady, and the total of the two equaling $30 million. This is the peril of paying too much attention to annual salary in a long-term, big-money contract.

Anyway, here's my summary of what we've heard in this thread: Cassel's decision means little from the Pats' perspective, since the amount of the tender was already deducted from their cap. From Cassel's perspective he gains security against injury or the withdrawal of the tender, but loses the ability to talk freely with other teams without the Pats' specific approval and the possibility of signing w/out the Pats OK for 2 #1s. It also raises some theoretical but unlikely possibilities like the Pats trading Cassel against his will under the one-year contract, or a team having to shell out more than 2 #1s. It says nothing whatsoever about Brady's health.

In other words, it's mildly surprising but REALLY NOT A BIG DEAL AT ALL.

Sound right?

 

[Rob0729]

This is bizarre. I'm starting to worry about Brady now.

At this point there is no indication of this. It could be any one of a number of things:

1.) A trade is already agreed to which would require Cassel to be signed and traded anyway. This probably gives Cassel money now rather than waiting. The Pats might have worked out a deal with Cassel that they only give him a piece until he is traded.
2.) Cassel and the Patriots are on the same page on what teams are in the trade race and where he might go. Again he did would have signed to get money up front rather than waiting for a month or two or three to get his money when he ultimately gets traded.
3.) Maybe he figures that it would force the Pats to make a trade quicker because in these finacial times, Kraft may not want to write a check for $15 million for a player who has played his last down for the Pats.
4.) The Pats could have asked Cassel to sign the tender knowing that since they are the hated Patriots another team, the media, and/or the player's union might decide to make waves about the Pats "cheating the system" by franchising Cassel only to trade him eventhough it happens a lot including twice last year.

It could be that the reports that Brady has suffered a setback are true. But it is far to early to tell this now. We gotta see what happens at the start of the new league year and whether Cassel is shopped at all.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Okay, it's 14 pages, so I'm not reading to see if anybody took this particular dump on everyone's mood, then got reamed for 3 pages...

But in response to the question "why" there is one very simple and very unpopular explanation.

I do not say it is the only explanation, nor do I say it is in any way proven; although, in the fan information vacuum, it is as likely as any. What information is provided is always poo-pooed anyway, whether supportive of or detrimental to, this possibility:

What if the Pats' staff isn't at all sure whether Tom will be ready to go on day 1?

The franchise tag puts them exactly where they want to be, with Cassel available to actually play if need be, or available to trade if need be.

Again, I stipulate that I'm not sure whether someone's floated this one.

I don't claim it's the only or even the most likely explanation.

I'm only pointing out that it is consistent with one scenario that has not been proven wrong, and of course cannot be proven wrong until we see who's on the field day 1.

PFnV

 

[Rob0729]

Wow - 6 pages of threads overnight. There must be a lot of "mea culpas" from those who mocked the idea of Cassel signing the tender and swore it would never happen.

I didn't think he would do it myself. He does give up some leverage here. I don't think it really makes a lot of sense unless he really thinks:

1.) he definitely will be starter of the Patriots next year or
2.) he wants his money now because either a trade is already done in principle or he feels comfortable the Pats won't screw him over in a trade and allow them to take the lead.

I can't see the former because if Brady was that bad, someone would have the story other than a BS website who thinks Brady's career is probably done, but there is already a trade in place to trade Brady to the 49ers. It is most likely the latter. Hopefully, it means a trade and new contract for Cassel is already in place.

 

[patchick]

But in response to the question "why" there is one very simple and very unpopular explanation.

I do not say it is the only explanation, nor do I say it is in any way proven; although, in the fan information vacuum, it is as likely as any. What information is provided is always poo-pooed anyway, whether supportive of or detrimental to, this possibility:

What if the Pats' staff isn't at all sure whether Tom will be ready to go on day 1?

The problem with this answer to "why" is that the Pats' staff did nothing whatsoever. The act was taken by Cassel, so it's Cassel's motivations that matter.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

>>>>>>>>>>>From Cassel's perspective he gains security against injury or the withdrawal of the tender, but loses the ability to talk freely with other teams without the Pats' specific approval and the possibility of signing w/out the Pats OK for 2 #1s.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>...

Actually, IF the Pats intend to trade him, they probably already have given Cassel and his agent David Dunn permission to speak to other clubs with respect to a contract for Cassel and/or compensation needed to pry him away.. It's not tampering if the club gives permission to seek a trade ala Deion Branch. It allows Dunn to do some of the heavy lifting and come back to the Patriots with a) new long term contract acceptable to Cassel and b) possibly the right mix of drafts picks or picks and players needed to make it happen.
I've read that agents only get 2% of player contracts on franchise deals compared to the usual 3%. That means Dunn earns 2% of $14.65 million or $293K on Cassel's contract. If he can negotiate a $30 million deal or more( keep in mind the guy got Aaron Rodgers $65 million), he'll earn $900K or more. It is certainly in his best interest to get Cassel to someplace that wants to give him a nice long term contract....Win-win all around.

 

[OhExaulted1]

Okay, it's 14 pages, so I'm not reading to see if anybody took this particular dump on everyone's mood, then got reamed for 3 pages...

But in response to the question "why" there is one very simple and very unpopular explanation.

I do not say it is the only explanation, nor do I say it is in any way proven; although, in the fan information vacuum, it is as likely as any. What information is provided is always poo-pooed anyway, whether supportive of or detrimental to, this possibility:

What if the Pats' staff isn't at all sure whether Tom will be ready to go on day 1?

The franchise tag puts them exactly where they want to be, with Cassel available to actually play if need be, or available to trade if need be.

Again, I stipulate that I'm not sure whether someone's floated this one.

I don't claim it's the only or even the most likely explanation.

I'm only pointing out that it is consistent with one scenario that has not been proven wrong, and of course cannot be proven wrong until we see who's on the field day 1.

PFnV

If you go to your User CP and click on Edit Options then scoll down to Thread Display you can change your thread veiws from 10 to 40. Just a suggestion, it cuts down on pages.

 

[Rob0729]

Okay, it's 14 pages, so I'm not reading to see if anybody took this particular dump on everyone's mood, then got reamed for 3 pages...

But in response to the question "why" there is one very simple and very unpopular explanation.

I do not say it is the only explanation, nor do I say it is in any way proven; although, in the fan information vacuum, it is as likely as any. What information is provided is always poo-pooed anyway, whether supportive of or detrimental to, this possibility:

What if the Pats' staff isn't at all sure whether Tom will be ready to go on day 1?

The franchise tag puts them exactly where they want to be, with Cassel available to actually play if need be, or available to trade if need be.

Again, I stipulate that I'm not sure whether someone's floated this one.

I don't claim it's the only or even the most likely explanation.

I'm only pointing out that it is consistent with one scenario that has not been proven wrong, and of course cannot be proven wrong until we see who's on the field day 1.

PFnV

It is a possible reason, but unless Brady is definitely going to miss a large portion or all of the season, it is stupid for Cassel to sign the tender IMHO. What if Cassel signs the tender and doesn't try to shop himself around and Brady is back by mid-training camp and misses at most 1-2 games. Then Cassel has to hold a clipboard for the season and hope he is as hot of a name next year and the free agent market and the draft is as devoid of QB as it is this year. That is a big gamble for Cassel unless he knows Brady is going to miss half or more of the season.

I still think if that was likely, Curran wouldn't be backing off his story at least a bit and the only one saying Brady would miss significant time is a Barstool Sports wannabe. I could be wrong, but I doubt we would have heard from Michael Smith or the Globe that Brady is on track recently. Even if it was a planted story by the Pats, what is Patriots' agenda to float that one around if they have no intention of trading Cassel?

 

[Rob0729]

Here's Mike Reiss' take:

The move is expected because it secures Cassel's future, as he would be guaranteed $14.65 million. Cassel earned a base salary of $520,000 in 2008.

The Patriots can still trade Cassel.

Because any trade essentially has to include two elements -- Cassel agreeing to a long-term contract extension with the club acquiring him, and the club acquiring him agreeing to trade compensation with the Patriots -- this doesn't change much.

ESPN: Cassel accepts tender offer - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

It is a possible reason, but unless Brady is definitely going to miss a large portion or all of the season, it is stupid for Cassel to sign the tender IMHO. What if Cassel signs the tender and doesn't try to shop himself around and Brady is back by mid-training camp and misses at most 1-2 games.

There could be another reason. You can't franchise a player for the sole purpose of trading him. Based on Goodell's history of slapping the Patriots, the team probably want to avoid any hassles. By leaking a story that he is behind in rehab, it gives them political cover to say that they are franchising Cassel as insurance when in fact they are locking him up (required first step)prior to trading him . When TFB comes back on schedule, or is reported to be, they can trade him without fear of recriminations from the league. It sounds paranoid but this is the commish we're talking about...
If there is a leaked story in the next two weeks reporting that Brady is seen throwing and moving well five months after the inital surgery, it will give credence to my theory. If not, well then I've just another anonymous
Internet poster blowing smoke out of my.........

 

[VJCPatriot]

I don't think it's a bad thing, Cassel needed to sign the tender before he could be traded anyways. I see both the Pats and Cassel moving quickly here to resolve the situation as soon as possible. I have little doubt that Cassel and his agent have been given permission to seek out trades/negotiate contract offers. Hopefully everything will be put in place for a trade by the 27th of February. Getting San Frans #1 would be outstanding but we'll just have to see how the market shapes up for Cassel over the next 2 weeks.

 

[dhamz]

Two things have happenned this week:

1 - The Patriots made a business decision not to let a valauble asset walk away for at best a 3rd round comp pick. This is a no brainer.

2 - Matt Cassel, very likely on the strong advice of his agent David Dunn, made a business decision to ensure his worst case is 14+ million. When compared to Cassel's earnings to date this is a no brainer.

It wasn't about Brady.
It doesn't mean they are keeping Cassel.
It doesn't mean that a deal is agreed upon to trade him.
It wasn't the boards always popular theory - some master plan by BB, the mad scientist pulling everyone's strings.

This was just step 1 and 2 of the process by which Cassel and the Patriots will sort out his future this off-season. All it was is both the Pats and the Cassel/Dunn side made a business decision in their own best interest. It didn't change much and you can be sure both sides did exactly what the other expected them to do.