No conspiracy: Pats, Chiefs were perfect partners

[mcsully]

Hey everyone ... thanks for the support on the column. I got a bunch of e-mails this morning from people who KILLED me, saying this was a horrible deal, and I had no idea what I was talking about. Here's one, unedited:

when have the patriots picked a decent 2nd rounder lately.do you guys even research be fore yoy open your traps. YOUR ARTICLE ,FOR LACK OF A BETER WORD, STUPID!!!!!

don

I then politely reminded Don that the Patriots had their share of second-round stinkers, but there was also Terrence Wheatley, Deion Branch and Matt Light, as well as second-round picks they turned into Wes Welker and Corey Dillon. That's what I've had to deal with this weekend.....

The key for me is that people cannot look at this deal as an isolated incident. It's part of a larger approach. And when you figure in all the extra cash, more draft picks and the fact that it now appears they are confident that Brady is good to go, it's a good move.

Well Branch and LIght are definitely the cream of the crop when it comes to 2nd round picks. And I have no issue with them trading draft picks for vet players (hoping we get lito Sheppard actually) but there have been more misses than hits. Wheatley is an unknown and it would be unfair to judge him.

People should point out to you that other teams received 2nd round picks for Culpepper (with his blown out knee) and Feeley.. Both aren't even in the same league as Cassel.

Here's the problem that might be right around the corner. If Denver trades cutler for anything better than a 2nd round pick, PEOPLE are going to blowup again over this trade..

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

Well Branch and LIght are definitely the cream of the crop when it comes to 2nd round picks. And I have no issue with them trading draft picks for vet players (hoping we get lito Sheppard actually) but there have been more misses than hits. Wheatley is an unknown and it would be unfair to judge him.

People should point out to you that other teams received 2nd round picks for Culpepper (with his blown out knee) and Feeley.. Both aren't even in the same league as Cassel.

Here's the problem that might be right around the corner. If Denver trades cutler for anything better than a 2nd round pick, PEOPLE are going to blowup again over this trade..

Why is it a problem if people "blowup again over this trade"?

What people do is their own perogative as long as Belichick continues to do his thing, which is winning football games with Brady.

 

[mcsully]

Why is it a problem if people "blowup again over this trade"?

What people do is their own perogative as long as Belichick continues to do his thing, which is winning football games with Brady.

BB is a great coach, no question about it.. BUt this is his 1st season without Pioli.. And basically his first transaction without him. I would say he's not starting out great. Especially if another qb, on the same level of Cassel (Cutler), nets your AFC rival more draft picks.

 

[Joker]

BB is a great coach, no question about it.. BUt this is his 1st season without Pioli.. And basically his first transaction without him. I would say he's not starting out great.

LMAO....this is great comedy...unintentional, but great nonetheless

 

[mcsully]

BB is a great coach, no question about it.. BUt this is his 1st season without Pioli.. And basically his first transaction without him. I would say he's not starting out great.

LMAO....this is great comedy...unintentional, but great nonetheless

I'm going to laugh my ***** off in a few years when people review the draft and say we should have drafted player X.. And I'll say "if BB held off one day and made the trade with Denver and TB we'd have him".. Kinda like the jets still complaining about not getting Ed Reed..ehhehehehe..

 

[Joker]

well, you go ahead and wait...and while you're waiting, pick up Michael Holley's great read, Patriot Reign....could help to familiarize you with how the Patriots organization and specifically Bill Belichick actually operate

and while you're at it...read up on the NFL draft value chart...the flexibility the Patriots have in this draft is EXCELLENT...they can move all the way to the 10th slot using their 1st 2 and the 23rd....just what players you're going to be laughing about seems ridiculous.

 

[mcsully]

well, you go ahead and wait...and while you're waiting, pick up Michael Holley's great read, Patriot Reign....could help to familiarize you with how the Patriots organization and specifically Bill Belichick actually operate

Read it..And thats the funny thing. The book is all about building a contender not for this year but for every year.. And maximizing your assets, such as players being versatile.

And what i find amazing now that he (holley) has lost any inside info he used to have.. Especially with Michael Smith now working with ESPN..

Listen do I know how the inner workings of the deal went down.. NO.. But i've done a lot of deals over my time, regarding assets, and on the surface the deal doesn't look all that good for the pats.. IMHO BB/pats did not maximize their asset (cassel)

 

[Lifer]

This is why the Patriots are the best run franchise in sports. They trade a QB WHO WAS NOT GOING TO PLAY and a linebacker who they probably would have ended up releasing and in the process freed up 20 million and got a #34 pick, giving them 4 picks out of the first 58.
Nobody got hosed in this deal. Both Belichick and Pioli know value. A great day for both teams.

 

[psychoPat]

Fine article by Chris ... as we've come to expect.

Surprised that previous respondents haven't pointed out
this key to understanding the entire transaction:

I think people tend to forget that Cassel essentially had veto power over any trade. Any team interested in him would only trade for him if they could sign him and he could easily tell them to beat it.

Cassel didn't sign a long-term deal, fellas.

KC bit that bullet.
ONLY KC would bite that bullet.

 

[jeffbiologist]

Well, when I see guys like Bart Scott being signed for ALOT more $$ than was due Vrabel I will certainly be watching and comparing how he does out there in KC this year. Never mind stats, if he STARTS every game he is worth that salary. I dont have a problem with the Cassel trade, its the ushering out of Vrabel that bothers alot of people. That article has no facts either way and is a simple homer perspective.