Tampa Bay signs QB - any effect on Cassel?

[jmt57]

The Tampa Bay Bucs signed Luke McCown, who had been their 3rd string QB last year, to a two year $7.5 million contract, with $5 million guaranteed in 2009.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Luke McCown signs for chance to start

New Bucs coach Raheem Morris and general manager Mark Dominik envision McCown as their quarterback of the future. That's why they signed the 27-year-old to a two-year, $7.5 million contract, announced Monday, that will guarantee him $5 million in 2009.

With an assurance he will compete for the starting job, McCown decided to forgo a chance to become a free agent Feb. 27.

"It was made clear to me over the process, over the weekend and today, that I was going to get a shot to compete to be the starter and the leader of this team, and that's all I asked for, and I'm excited for that chance," McCown said Monday.

The move means the Bucs might not be interested in re-signing Jeff Garcia, who will be 39 and is set to become a free agent. Brian Griese and rookie Josh Johnson are the only other quarterbacks under contract. Griese is scheduled to earn $1.8 million next season and has a $300,000 roster bonus.

Adam Schefter writes that McCown's contract could be worth up to $14 million based on him making $2.5 million in salary both years, a $2.5 million signing bonus, and $6.5 million in other incentives.


My question is whether this signing is good or bad news for the Pats and Cassel?

Tampa Bay has been considered one of the primary possible destinations for Cassel. Does this signing mean Tampa Bay is less likely to go after Cassel, or are they just hedging their bets since they appear to not be interested in re-signing Garcia? If Tampa Bay decided not to go after Cassel, does that signicantly alter what the Pats might get for him, due to lower demand? And for Cassel, if Tampa Bay is out of the running, does that also lower his value - or does it increase, seeing that a QB with a lifetime record of 1-6 and a QB rating of 75 is getting $5 million guaranteed?

 

[Fencer]

Tampa Bay likes to collect QBs. Even so, this adds a perceived cost to them for any hypothetical transaction in which they acquire a Definite Starting QB.

Fortunately, it IS possible to trade for Cassell, overpay him for a year, and then see where you are. Some teams might choose to do that.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Good for Cassel, one less on the market for him though. You've got a rookie HC who's never been a Coordinator, he's going with a QB he knows well, it's a Safety blanket move and one meant to give the team some confidence. No big deal.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Tampa Bay likes to collect QBs. Even so, this adds a perceived cost to them for any hypothetical transaction in which they acquire a Definite Starting QB.

Fortunately, it IS possible to trade for Cassell, overpay him for a year, and then see where you are. Some teams might choose to do that.

Under Gruden they like to collect QBs. He's gone and the new Sheriff is playing safe rather than gamble on Cassel after trading away picks he'll need to rebuild his sucky team.

 

[mayoclinic]

Sounds like an insurance policy to me, but I'm just guessing. Depends how much is guaranteed and how much room TB has under the cap, neither of which I know off the top of my head. They could still go after Cassel, or just go with a low-ball option up front. I personally don't think I'd want to build my playoff-contending team around Josh McCown as my QB, but that's just me.

Not sure if it will hurt or help Cassel. Seems like a lot to pay for a 1-6 QB. Personally I'd rather pay more for an 11-5 QB with a proven record and better leadership, accuracy and intangibles.

 

[BradyManny]

The Tampa Bay Bucs signed Luke McCown, who had been their 3rd string QB last year, to a two year $7.5 million contract, with $5 million guaranteed in 2009.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Luke McCown signs for chance to start



Adam Schefter writes that McCown's contract could be worth up to $14 million based on him making $2.5 million in salary both years, a $2.5 million signing bonus, and $6.5 million in other incentives.


My question is whether this signing is good or bad news for the Pats and Cassel?

TB is definitely amongst the teams that would be better off rolling the dice and using some picks and money on Cassel. Guess they've decided against it.

 

[MrTibbs]

Players on that team HAVE TO KNOW they have absolutely NO SHOT to do anything with McClown as their QB. If I was a Bucs fan I'd be so depressed right now.

 

[Rob0729]

Seriously, do you think anyone wants to go to into the season with Luke McCown as their starting QB? The guy couldn't win the starting job last year. Why would he win it now?

McCown is just a back up with starting experience. That is pretty valuable in today's NFL. That is why he is getting paid.

I don't think this will affect Cassel's chances of going to Tampa.

 

[Brettlax3434]

it shouldnt effect cassel.

 

[upstater1]

$3.75 million a year over 2 years is about $1 million more than a good backup's salary. This isn't a really big contract. On the other hand, it's in-between a well paid backup's salary and a low-paid starter's salary.

For instance, I just read this in the Nashville Tennessean about Kerry Collins:

"The Titans are reportedly prepared to offer impending free agent Kerry Collins a raise [Collins made about $2 million last year]...Incentives in the deal could allow Collins to earn more, but in terms of base value it would make him one of the NFL's lowest-paid starting QBs - if he was starting. It's a backup's salary."

 

[j00fek]

Seriously, do you think anyone wants to go to into the season with Luke McCown as their starting QB? The guy couldn't win the starting job last year. Why would he win it now?

McCown is just a back up with starting experience. That is pretty valuable in today's NFL. That is why he is getting paid.

I don't think this will affect Cassel's chances of going to Tampa.

:ditto:.............

 

[CanadianPat'sFan]

Under Gruden they like to collect QBs. He's gone and the new Sheriff is playing safe rather than gamble on Cassel after trading away picks he'll need to rebuild his sucky team.

This is how I see it and I smell TB grabbing a QB now with there first few picks. I am a bit disappointed though I kinda want Cassel to go to the NFC (we still have Min, Chi and Was among others though). The new man in town is going to free up the QB roster spots Gruden was infatuated with for ST....which is what most NFL clubs do. He had like 6 or 7 at one point last off-season.....was he going to open up a store or something???

 

[mgteich]

McCown got $3.75M a year (plus incentives) for a backup QB who will compete with whoever else they bring in. They wanted at least one QB that the coach wanted.

Someone posted that Cassel is worth. Sure, but $11M more?

The question is Cassel's market value. I don't think we will find out his value until the transaction takes place.

The Tampa Bay Bucs signed Luke McCown, who had been their 3rd string QB last year, to a two year $7.5 million contract, with $5 million guaranteed in 2009.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Luke McCown signs for chance to start



Adam Schefter writes that McCown's contract could be worth up to $14 million based on him making $2.5 million in salary both years, a $2.5 million signing bonus, and $6.5 million in other incentives.


My question is whether this signing is good or bad news for the Pats and Cassel?

Tampa Bay has been considered one of the primary possible destinations for Cassel. Does this signing mean Tampa Bay is less likely to go after Cassel, or are they just hedging their bets since they appear to not be interested in re-signing Garcia? If Tampa Bay decided not to go after Cassel, does that signicantly alter what the Pats might get for him, due to lower demand? And for Cassel, if Tampa Bay is out of the running, does that also lower his value - or does it increase, seeing that a QB with a lifetime record of 1-6 and a QB rating of 75 is getting $5 million guaranteed?

 

[Fencer]

Silly me. I was assuming $5 million plus salary.

Yeah, $3.75 million is too small to worry about.

 

[NEGoldenAge]

Perhaps the new system in place is better suited for his specific strengths and weaknesses?

 

[billdog3484]

if they go with McCown, that is one sad state for the Bucs

 

[madmike77]

Weird signing. He hasn't really shown anything to prove he can be a starter. But that's a lot of money to throw at a backup.

 

[BradyBranch39]

I think it does in fact take the Bucs off of the Cassel market.

 

[JSn]

I wonder if it's a bargaining chip for a Cassel move.

 

[SeymourTrophies]

Perhaps the new system in place is better suited for his specific strengths and weaknesses?

I guess they're running the ball every play then. I hear he has a mean hand-off.