Theory on why Vrabel was included on the deal

[condon84]

Is it possible that the reason Vrabel was included in the deal was so that we could clear cap space with the intention of the Chiefs cutting him during preseason/training camp so we could resign him at a cheaper price? Assuming also Vrabel agrees and is willing to play along. THis would explain why it seemed like we didn't get enough compensation for Cassel.

 

[Joker]

It immediately cleared 4 mil + in cap for the Pats

in case nobody has been looking, we DO have a rather extensive list of players headed into free agency

 

[naclone]

Is it possible that the reason Vrabel was included in the deal was so that we could clear cap space with the intention of the Chiefs cutting him during preseason/training camp so we could resign him at a cheaper price? Assuming also Vrabel agrees and is willing to play along. THis would explain why it seemed like we didn't get enough compensation for Cassel.

the reason vrabel was included in the deal is because he simply has more value to the Kansas City Chiefs than he does to the New England Patriots and he was basically a throw in.

Vrabel isn't the player he once was on the field but he's still the same guy in the locker room and that is valuable to a young team that Pioli wants to adopt the Patriots Way.

We likely would have released Vrabel yesterday if not for the trade. and we'd likely be sitting here right now with Matt Cassel on the roster with his $15 million cap charge, no Vrabel and no #34 overall.

That's the reality of the situation.

I like where we are much, much better.

 

[Rob0729]

Is it possible that the reason Vrabel was included in the deal was so that we could clear cap space with the intention of the Chiefs cutting him during preseason/training camp so we could resign him at a cheaper price? Assuming also Vrabel agrees and is willing to play along. THis would explain why it seemed like we didn't get enough compensation for Cassel.

Why would the Pats humiliate Vrabel twice to clear cap room? Whenever a veteran who has put in 7 years of service to a team is traded away, it is a bit of a slap in the face to the player (no matter how unintetional). For the team that traded for him before he even played a down to cut him would be the ultimate slap in the face.

Seriously, you are thinking too much. This theory makes no sense. I don't think the Pats would do this. I don't think the Chiefs would agree to this even Pioli. I don't see Vrabel ever agreeing to this.

 

[brdmaverick]

everyone who keeps saying that Vrabel is not the same player he used to be is using a cop-out response.

Look, the answer may be true, but if Randy Moss loses a step, he is still a great receiver.

Mike Vrable was a Pro Bowl LB in 2007. You don't just drop off the face of the Earth aftewards. Even if he did have a down 2008, he has a good chance of revertting to his 2007 ways after an offseason of rest.

 

[Rob0729]

everyone who keeps saying that Vrabel is not the same player he used to be is using a cop-out response.

Look, the answer may be true, but if Randy Moss loses a step, he is still a great receiver.

Mike Vrable was a Pro Bowl LB in 2007. You don't just drop off the face of the Earth aftewards. Even if he did have a down 2008, he has a good chance of revertting to his 2007 ways after an offseason of rest.

Players in their mid-30s do fall off the face of the Earth a lot. Let's not kid ourselves. Vrabel had a subpar year last year. The excuse was that he was injured. Maybe it is true or maybe he is just old. Maybe he will never fully recover from his injury from last year.

Whether Vrabel rebounds, it is doubtful he will rebound to his 2007 form. The guy is going to be 34 when the season starts and he is likely to be winding down his career even without his season last year.

I am not a huge fan of this trade, but think Vrabel's Pro Bowl quality days are behind him.

 

[JSn]

everyone who keeps saying that Vrabel is not the same player he used to be is using a cop-out response.

Look, the answer may be true, but if Randy Moss loses a step, he is still a great receiver.

Mike Vrable was a Pro Bowl LB in 2007. You don't just drop off the face of the Earth aftewards. Even if he did have a down 2008, he has a good chance of revertting to his 2007 ways after an offseason of rest.

Vrabel and others were exposed to how deficient our defense is if the offense can't be up by two touchdowns in the blink of an eye. It's easier to sack a QB when he simply can't afford the running game anymore.

2007 = Read and React (read the scoreboard, rush the passer)
2008 = Read and React (read the play, react too slowly)

And I really like Vrabel, but man did I want to kick him the nuts for holding in the Jets game...

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Vrabel and others were exposed to how deficient our defense is if the offense can't be up by two touchdowns in the blink of an eye. It's easier to sack a QB when he simply can't afford the running game anymore.

2007 = Read and React (read the scoreboard, rush the passer)
2008 = Read and React (read the play, react too slowly)

And I really like Vrabel, but man did I want to kick him the nuts for holding in the Jets game...

Good analysis!

 

[jeffbiologist]

As a starter on a BB defense in one position alone he should be worth at least a 3rd-4th rd pick because he was not over valued and he didnt miss games. Vrabel should be worth MORE because of his versatility(ILB,OLB,TE)and even if he lost his starters job would provide invaluable character, knowledge and experience as a backup even for that $$.
I made a post a month or so ago suggesting that there may be some veterans that Pioli favored over BB and lent for imminant trades. I suggest Vrabel was a Pioli guy from the beginning and that he was a bone thrown to SP....the real question is WHY? I dont buy the fall off in play, Bruschi made $2M/yr last year and played less than 50% of the snaps and he wont be cut. There is something else going on here.

 

[JSn]

Good analysis!

heh, even a blind squirrel finds the odd nut, I guess.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

Is it possible that the reason Vrabel was included in the deal was so that we could clear cap space with the intention of the Chiefs cutting him during preseason/training camp so we could resign him at a cheaper price? Assuming also Vrabel agrees and is willing to play along. THis would explain why it seemed like we didn't get enough compensation for Cassel.

That would only make sense if we took a cap hit if we cut him and by trading him and resigning him later we get him cheaper without taking that hit for cutting him.
Sounds far-fetched, but at least your thinking

 

[condon84]

That would only make sense if we took a cap hit if we cut him and by trading him and resigning him later we get him cheaper without taking that hit for cutting him.
Sounds far-fetched, but at least your thinking

THat's what I was thinking. Kinda like how the Pistons dealt Antonio McDyess last season before the deadline to make a trade make sense (money wise) and then that team that received him cut him immediately so he could resign with the Pistons before the playoff run. NBA teams do this regulary so it's not far fetched to think that Pioli and Bill agreed to it if they could have Mike be on board. It sounds far fetched, but this trade sounds so ridiculous that something has to be up.

 

[PatsDeb]

Is it possible that the reason Vrabel was included in the deal was so that we could clear cap space with the intention of the Chiefs cutting him during preseason/training camp so we could resign him at a cheaper price? Assuming also Vrabel agrees and is willing to play along. THis would explain why it seemed like we didn't get enough compensation for Cassel.

Would you play along if you were Vrabel? No way this was the deal. I think for whatever reason (lingering injury, slowing down, too much $$) BB decided Vrabel had to go, perhaps Pioli knew BB's thinking, and they both worked a deal each thought was to his advantage. We'll see during the regular season who got it right. Hopefully it was us.

 

[Theplayer]

a find is ridiculous how so many are believing that Vrabel was a throw in...His salary was not that high for what he brings to the table, The guy played hurt last year...but is FAR from done.

 

[NoCal Patriot]

This was a "Golden Parachute" to Mike Vrabel from The Patriots.He could have been cut but He was thrown into this trade and He keeps his contract and The Patriots end up with cap room.It's a win for The Patriots, a win for The Chiefs, and a win for Mike Vrabel.

 

[Lamanai]

Vrabel had a $1.0 million bonus due on March 2nd, and an overall cap hit of $4.3 million. If the Pats had designs on cutting him, it should have happened before 3/2. By trading him to KC, he still gets his bonus (true?) and salary instead of pounding the pavement looking for a comparable contract.

I think the Pats did right by Mike Vrabel.

 

[Fumblerooski]

Reminds me of the McGoo deal a few years back to Cleveland. Not a popular move but one that had to be made at the time. It is a business and sooner or later, all players become overpaid and expendable. Pioli obviously was an insider and probably knew Vrable was going to be released anyway for cap reasons. Could Tedy be far behind?

One thing I will never question is BBs ability to evaluate his players.....we fans with all due respect do not have the highly trained eye to determine when a player loses a step or two. The Pats need to replace Mike Vrable with another vet LB...there are several on the market right now.

Goodbye Mike.....you did your job here well for many years and we will miss you!

 

[OhExaulted1]

It immediately cleared 4 mil + in cap for the Pats

in case nobody has been looking, we DO have a rather extensive list of players headed into free agency

Seymour
Green
Faulk
Neal
Wilfork
Bruschi
Hobbs
Woods
Mankins
Watson
Kaczur
Gostowski
Aiken
D.Thomas
L.Smith
O'Callaghan
Banta-Cain
Yates
Connolly
Levoir
Spann
Gutierrez
Ventrone
Guyton
Richardson
Redd
Devree
Adams
Green-Ellis
Robertson

There's some I probably missed and the bottom tier will change as we go, but pretty much that's a summary of contracts that expire at the end of the season. I don't know how many will be Restricted FA's, but I don't believe anybody at the top of the list would qualify. (Thanks Miguel, you rock)

 

[WhiZa]

If Vrabel agreed to resign with the Pats for less, then he should of just done so instead of getting shipped around like a circus animal

 

[sg14]

This is a pretty interesting thought,,

I do think it is ALL about money, if both of these guys were cheap, they would both be here still,,

This was a "Golden Parachute" to Mike Vrabel from The Patriots.He could have been cut but He was thrown into this trade and He keeps his contract and The Patriots end up with cap room.It's a win for The Patriots, a win for The Chiefs, and a win for Mike Vrabel.