Are the Bucs targeting Cassel?

[JSn]

I know, I know...

They're clearing cap space like mad. What if they decide to target Haynesworth and Cassel in a likely unprecedented off-season?

I found a link to some expert opinion, but you have to pay. I only know the article includes Matt.

It would definitely shine a light on the Bucs, and the ratings for the game in the UK would be OFF THE HOOK!

Scout.com: More cap savings, but now what?

By releasing five high-priced veterans on Wednesday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did clear more cap space. So what is their strategy? Bucsblitz.com’s Matthew Postins believes that it could signal the Bucs’ intention to be major players in free agency. Find out who the Bucs could go after right here.

 

[tombonneau]

Re: Are the Buc's targetting Cassel?

That was my initial thoughts. Really, with all this cap space, it's not unrealistic that the Redskins could do the following:

Sign Haynesworth
Trade for Cassel
Re-sign Antonio Bryant
Sign TJ Housh
Sign Devery Henderson
Sign one of Ray Lewis or Bart Scott

That would be a hell of an offseason and could realistically happen.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Re: Are the Buc's targetting Cassel?

Redskins?
Umm the topic is about the Buccaneers.

My guess is that they will make a big pitch to Haynesworth. I'm not sure about Cassel. Haven't heard any rumors of the Bucs interest in him at all. Which is weird but whatever.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Are the Buc's targetting Cassel?

At this point, it's not clear that the "management" team in Tampa Bay has any clue what they're doing.

As scary as this sounds, right now, the Lions might have better long term prospects.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Re: Are the Buc's targetting Cassel?

What I've heard: Luke McKown is their man and they don't want to spend the money on Cassel.

EDIT: Jim Bates is a well known defensive guru who appears to have plans to rebuild the defense into something like he had in Miami that gave Tommy fits all those years, that will require some money.

 

[The_Riddler]

Re: Are the Buc's targetting Cassel?

It makes sense, they need a franchise QB and always have and we have one for them.

They have over 60 Million to make this happen. They can't draft Sanchez or Stafford and they've seen enough of McCown to know that he's a #2 at best. Like I said, I think Matt will be wearing pewter in 09........

I would ask for their #1 but if I was BB and they balked, I would simply as for their #2 and a high conditional 2010 based on Matt's performance.

 

[fair catch fryar]

Re: Are the Buc's targetting Cassel?

What I've heard: Luke McKown is their man and they don't want to spend the money on Cassel.

Sounds crazy, but how about McKown and their #1(19th overall) for Cassell. McKown would be a good insurance and competition for O'Connell and at 7.5 million for 2 years his contract is doable for the Pats.

PS - I'm just shooting from the hip with this, but I'm getting anxious to see how this all plays out.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Are the Buc's targetting Cassel?

What I've heard: Luke McKown is their man and they don't want to spend the money on Cassel.

Do you really think the Bucs are going to go into the regular season with Luke McCown as their starting QB or at least into training camp with him as the clear cut starter?

Come on. The guy has 238 career pass attempts (only one last year which was incomplete) with 9 TDs and 10 INTs and he is a five year veteran who has played a total of 12 career games. They are better off resigning Garcia over annointing McCown as their starter.

If McCown is their starter, I would bet they will be lucky to win 5 games. About half the teams have #2 QB who are as good or better than McCown.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Are the Buc's targetting Cassel?

Sounds crazy, but how about McKown and their #1(19th overall) for Cassell. McKown would be a good insurance and competition for O'Connell and at 7.5 million for 2 years his contract is doable for the Pats.

PS - I'm just shooting from the hip with this, but I'm getting anxious to see how this all plays out.

McCown in a trade? Why? This is not his older brother Josh who has had a few productive games in his career while in Arizona. This is his less talented brother Luke. Josh had more TDs in his crappy season in Oakland in 2007 than Luke has had his entire 5 year career. If McCown is getting $7.5 million over two years, he is getting overpaid by about $6 million.

I can see why the Bucs would resign him with the uncertainty at the position, but I wouldn't want to pay him what he is getting to be a Patriots back up. He does have starting experience that helps as a back up, but O'Connell is the #2 guy and I wouldn't want another young veteran who is getting paid a lot to hinder his process. I definitely do not want him part of a deal for Cassel.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Are the Buc's targetting Cassel?

Sounds crazy, but how about McKown and their #1(19th overall) for Cassell. McKown would be a good insurance and competition for O'Connell and at 7.5 million for 2 years his contract is doable for the Pats.

Maybe, if by "competition for O'Connell" you mean "getting stomped by O'Connell every single day."

 

[mayoclinic]

Re: Are the Buc's targetting Cassel?

Sounds crazy, but how about McKown and their #1(19th overall) for Cassell. McKown would be a good insurance and competition for O'Connell and at 7.5 million for 2 years his contract is doable for the Pats.

PS - I'm just shooting from the hip with this, but I'm getting anxious to see how this all plays out.

It not only sounds crazy, it is crazy.

 

[JSn]

Re: Are the Buc's targetting Cassel?

McCown as trade incentive is like "I have the clap" as a pick-up line. Nein!

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Are the Buc's targetting Cassel?

McCown as trade incentive is like "I have the clap" as a pick-up line. Nein!

Well, I like my chances to score with that line than I like the Pats chances of scoring with McCown filling in for Brady in a game.

 

[jmt57]

Re: Are the Buc's targetting Cassel?

The Bucs have gone on record as saying that they want to bring in another QB. The feeling with fans and media in the area was that it would either be someone like Byron Leftwich via free agency, or in the draft a Josh Freeman or Nate Davis. There had been zero buzz among the fans and media about bringing in Cassel. Of course, that was prior to the release of the five players yesterday. And as seen by those roster moves, the fans & media are not on the same page with the new management; nobody saw this coming although the signs ('we're going to get stronger, faster') were certainly there.

It's hard to tell what their plan is at QB; McCown is getting more than most backups but less than almost any starter. I'm thinking they'll bring in another JAG at QB and see if he can get it done; if he can't, they'll draft a QB in the first round next year. They'll spend that money this year on players that fit the new schemes, especially on defense.

Cassel going to Tampa Bay does make sense from the perspective of need and having cap space, but I'm just not convinced that is where he is headed. I could be wrong; we'll find out soon enough.

EDIT: regarding trading McCown, I don't see that helping either team. Tampa Bay just signed him and paid him a $2.5 million signing bonus a few days ago; why would they throw that away?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Re: Are the Buc's targetting Cassel?

Do you really think the Bucs are going to go into the regular season with Luke McCown as their starting QB or at least into training camp with him as the clear cut starter?

What I think? The new management down there is looking to put their own imprint on the club and a trade for Cassel will take valuable draft picks they want for other positions...they think McKown/McCown is enough to get them through 2009 so they can draft a top QB in 2010.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

What I think? The new management down there is looking to put their own imprint on the club and a trade for Cassel will take valuable draft picks they want for other positions.

I have to agree, It is doubtful that Tampa Bay is thinking about success in 2009. They would be happy with rebuilding the foundation and firming up other areas in 2009 so they could be playoff contenders in 2010.

 

[fair catch fryar]

Re: Are the Buc's targetting Cassel?

It not only sounds crazy, it is crazy.

Alrighty then. I'll take that as a no. The 19th pick would be good enough for me, I just figured another backup QB wouldn't be a bad idea. I don't know too much about McKown, but you guys have told me enough.

 

[PATS68]

Re: Are the Buc's targetting Cassel?

I was just in Tampa on vacation. I turned on sports radio and there is ZERO buzz about Matt Cassel. All the talk was about Luke McKown and the fans seemed to be happy that he will be the starter. They also had a couple of, "Bucs insiders" who also said that McKown will be the starter.

So I don't see Matt Cassel in Tampa. What I possible see for Cassel is a trade with KC with their 2nd and a 4th this year and a 2nd next year that could be a 1st based on how he plays. I would take that deal.

 

[Metaphors]

Re: Are the Bucs targetting Cassel?

I have to agree, It is doubtful that Tampa Bay is thinking about success in 2009. They would be happy with rebuilding the foundation and firming up other areas in 2009 so they could be playoff contenders in 2010.

Also agree. I thought TB was a sneaky candidate for Cassel but now it looks like they are on the 3-5 year plan. You need the franchise QB in place by year 3, not now. It could be that they plan to try and buy success immediately with their cap space, but I'm skeptical.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Are the Bucs targetting Cassel?

Also agree. I thought TB was a sneaky candidate for Cassel but now it looks like they are on the 3-5 year plan. You need the franchise QB in place by year 3, not now. It could be that they plan to try and buy success immediately with their cap space, but I'm skeptical.

Well, it's not like they can hoard it; at a minimum, they must spend 90% of their cap space; if they don't do it themselves, the NFL will take the extra money they should have spent and distribute it to the players on the team.

That's not to say they'll definitely sign Cassel, of course.