Schefter: Cassel misunderstood what signing the tender meant

[Rob0729]

Adam Schefter is on WEEI. He said that when Cassel signed the franchise tender, his people didn't know that when they did that the Pats could trade away Cassel to any team without his permission. He said that when he reported that signing the franchise tag allowed the Pats to trade Cassel anywhere, Cassel's people called him and said Schefter was mistaken. Schefter had to inform them that they were wrong.

I actually think this might have been the bigger bombshell than the Peppers thing and got brushed over. Unless I heard it wrong.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: Adam Schefter on Peppers and Cassel

Adam Schefter is on WEEI. He just made two pretty significant statements.

First, he said he is 99.9% certain that Peppers will not be traded to the Pats. He feels there are too many issues (compensation to Peppers and the panthers and all the upcoming free agents).

Second, he said that when Cassel signed the franchise tender, his people didn't know that when they did that the Pats could trade away Cassel to any team without his permission. He said that when he reported that signing the franchise tag allowed the Pats to trade Cassel anywhere, Cassel's people called him and said Schefter was mistaken. Schefter had to inform them that they were wrong.

WOW, have a little egg on your face David Dunn...

Given the size of the tag this season it could be worse, but his player will have to play for that price or deal with Pioli reasonably on a long term deal so he lost his client a ton of contract leverage. Matt can't afford to holdout financially or from a career standpoint - he's got to be there yesterday to get familiar with the staff and team and playbook. And Pioli is playing that card for all it's worth. Hence the teleconfrerence introduction vs. introductory PC and Haley alternately waxing poetic and babbling about a QB competition...

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

Re: Adam Schefter Cassel misunderstood what signing the tender meant

I guess we'll be able to confirm this if Cassel fires his agent soon? Sounds like a massive blunder for an agent who is due to collect millions from when Cassel signs a multiyear contract.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Adam Schefter on Peppers and Cassel

WOW, have a little egg on your face David Dunn...

Given the size of the tag this season it could be worse, but his player will have to play for that price or deal with Pioli reasonably on a long term deal so he lost his client a ton of contract leverage. Matt can't afford to holdout financially or from a career standpoint - he's got to be there yesterday to get familiar with the staff and team and playbook. And Pioli is playing that card for all it's worth. Hence the teleconfrerence introduction vs. introductory PC and Haley alternately waxing poetic and babbling about a QB competition...

He got lucky that Cassel went to the place he wanted to, but he may have cost Cassel millions. It is looking increasingly more like a possibility that Pioli will not negotiate a long term deal with Cassel and roll the dice going into the season to protect themselves against Cassel being an one year wonder and at worst have more bargaining power when he doesn't have as good as a year as last year.

I think Dunn was hoping to use the veto ability to force whatever team he got trade to to maximize a long term deal for Cassel. He gave that up and that blew up in his face so far.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Re: Adam Schefter Cassel misunderstood what signing the tender meant

Gee. I think I'd like to be an NFL Player Agent. Good money. Nice office. Hang out with Cheerleaders. VIP admits to the best clubs. Sideline Passes to NFL venues. Demonstrated Competence not required. Sign me up!

 

[Pat_the_Patriot]

Re: Adam Schefter Cassel misunderstood what signing the tender meant

Wow! You've GOT to be kidding me... ouch.

How do you not know THAT if you are an agent... what's more.. how does the kid not sign ANYWAYS?

Seriously... that's life changing money for him and his family... lol, the rest will fall in just fine.

 

[patchick]

Re: Adam Schefter Cassel misunderstood what signing the tender meant

If this is true it is simply astonishing, and the agent should face discipline. You have to know the CBA as well as the average messageboard poster!

In fact, it's such a fundamental mistake that I'd be hesitant to believe the story at all...except. Except a lot of us were astonished that Cassel signed the tender immediately, rather than taking the opportunity to shop around, establish his value, and pick his own trading partner.

He's mighty lucky he's not wearing a blue lion right about now.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Adam Schefter Cassel misunderstood what signing the tender meant

If this is true it is simply astonishing, and the agent should face discipline. You have to know the CBA as well as the average messageboard poster!

In fact, it's such a fundamental mistake that I'd be hesitant to believe the story at all...except. Except a lot of us were astonished that Cassel signed the tender immediately, rather than taking the opportunity to shop around, establish his value, and pick his own trading partner.

He's mighty lucky he's not wearing a blue lion right about now.

Well, who would have predicted that a team would be willing to take on his $14.6M salary without renegotiating? [Supposedly, though, the Chiefs are seeking a long-term deal.]

I'm inclined to believe that David Dunn is a misinformed idiot. Remember what Cassel said before he was franchised? Something along the lines of, "If they franchise me, I'm probably going to be in New England next year." I now honestly think he truly believed that.

In any case, I agree that Cassel should probably fire Dunn.

 

[patchick]

Re: Adam Schefter Cassel misunderstood what signing the tender meant

Remember what Cassel said before he was franchised? Something along the lines of, "If they franchise me, I'm probably going to be in New England next year." I now honestly think he truly believed that.

That's a scary thought. But how could any player not know the score on this one, let alone the agent? Especially a player who was with NE through the whole drama with Asante & the franchise tag the previous season?

 

[borg]

Re: Adam Schefter Cassel misunderstood what signing the tender meant

My take: the agent and the reporter disagreed on the amount of leverage Cassel would have in controlling his destination, after signing the tender. The reporter takes the literal definition and correctly maintains that post signing, Cassel has no control. The agent, on the other hand believes that his client still has much leverage because a one and done scenario at $14+ mill is undesirable, especially with the cost of a high draft pick. If Cassel quietly makes it known he has no desire to land in certain cities, he will have used his most powerful leverage tool. Sure, the Pats could trade him anywhere, but the acquiring team must be willing to accept the player, salary, trade cost, and the altered dynamics in the lockerroom.

The agent locked in the money, prevented the Pats from rescinding the tender (which forced the Patriots to move quickly because of cap issues), and retained leverage with undesirable teams. One issue that never gets mentioned is the benefit Cassel and his new team gain by not having to trade a higher pick.

IMO, Dunn has pulled all the right strings....his client was moved quickly, at a lower trade cost than expected, to a desirable destination, with maximum salary. Will both the team and Cassel be willing to roll the dice on a one year relationship... unlikely, but I maintain that Cassel has the upperhand at the moment.


Sounds like the reporter has lingering issues with the agent and used their discussion to embarrass Dunn

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Adam Schefter Cassel misunderstood what signing the tender meant

Well, who would have predicted that a team would be willing to take on his $14.6M salary without renegotiating? [Supposedly, though, the Chiefs are seeking a long-term deal.]

Not to toot my own horn, but I did get a lot of crap for saying it was a possibility of a team trading for Cassel with no long term deal in place prior to the trade back in February. And I ain't exactly the brightest bulb in the tree. So if I thought about it as a real possibility, obviously a lot of GM mulled it over too.

 

[patchick]

Re: Adam Schefter Cassel misunderstood what signing the tender meant

My take: the agent and the reporter disagreed on the amount of leverage Cassel would have in controlling his destination, after signing the tender. The reporter takes the literal definition and correctly maintains that post signing, Cassel has no control. The agent, on the other hand believes that his client still has much leverage because a one and done scenario at $14+ mill is undesirable, especially with the cost of a high draft pick.

A very reasonable supposition. But...

The agent locked in the money, prevented the Pats from rescinding the tender (which forced the Patriots to move quickly because of cap issues), and retained leverage with undesirable teams. One issue that never gets mentioned is the benefit Cassel and his new team gain by not having to trade a higher pick.

This part doesn't work for me at all. They were motivated by fear that the Pats were going to rescind the tender? That would only happen if the Pats couldn't get so much as a 7th-rounder for him fast...and it would only be bad for Cassel if he thought he wouldn't be sought after in the open market.

 

[Spiral]

Re: Adam Schefter Cassel misunderstood what signing the tender meant

...prevented the Pats from rescinding the tender..

If the Patriots withdrew the tender, Cassel would have been able to sign with any team, with no compensation to the Patriots. It's doubtful the Patriots would ever have done that.

 

[borg]

Re: Adam Schefter Cassel misunderstood what signing the tender meant

First, teams have pulled tenders in the past. Signing the tender eliminates that scenario.
Second, considering the Pats cap issues, if the trade process lingered to the point that desired free agents were being scooped up by other teams, the Patriots may have concluded that signing the right TE, RB, CB, CB/S had more value than acquiring the highest draft pick possible. Signing the tender forced the Patriots to expedite the process, and it did.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Adam Schefter Cassel misunderstood what signing the tender meant

My take: the agent and the reporter disagreed on the amount of leverage Cassel would have in controlling his destination, after signing the tender. The reporter takes the literal definition and correctly maintains that post signing, Cassel has no control. The agent, on the other hand believes that his client still has much leverage because a one and done scenario at $14+ mill is undesirable, especially with the cost of a high draft pick. If Cassel quietly makes it known he has no desire to land in certain cities, he will have used his most powerful leverage tool. Sure, the Pats could trade him anywhere, but the acquiring team must be willing to accept the player, salary, trade cost, and the altered dynamics in the lockerroom.

The agent locked in the money, prevented the Pats from rescinding the tender (which forced the Patriots to move quickly because of cap issues), and retained leverage with undesirable teams. One issue that never gets mentioned is the benefit Cassel and his new team gain by not having to trade a higher pick.

IMO, Dunn has pulled all the right strings....his client was moved quickly, at a lower trade cost than expected, to a desirable destination, with maximum salary. Will both the team and Cassel be willing to roll the dice on a one year relationship... unlikely, but I maintain that Cassel has the upperhand at the moment.


Sounds like the reporter has lingering issues with the agent and used their discussion to embarrass Dunn

I'm sorry, but if signing the tender was the correct move for leverage more players would sign it right away. Cassel did lose leverage because if the Lions were willing to trade for Cassel without doing a long term deal prior to the trade, Cassel would have no choice but be a Lion whether he wanted to or not. Then if Cassel was concerned about his stock dropping with the Lions, he might be forced to take a long term deal with the Lions rather than risk millions of dollars when he wasn't the flavor of the month next year.

 

[Synovia]

Re: Adam Schefter Cassel misunderstood what signing the tender meant

The agent, on the other hand believes that his client still has much leverage because a one and done scenario at $14+ mill is undesirable, especially with the cost of a high draft pick.

Why would that be undesirable? Average salary for good QBs is about $12M a year. YEah, its expensive, but KC is in a great situation: they can take the year and figure out if hes any good. If he is, you tag him and then negotiate a long term deal. If hes not, you let him walk, and you only gave up a 2nd, and it has no impact on future cap.

 

[Synovia]

Re: Adam Schefter Cassel misunderstood what signing the tender meant

If the Patriots withdrew the tender, Cassel would have been able to sign with any team, with no compensation to the Patriots. It's doubtful the Patriots would ever have done that.

Not completely true: they would have received a 3rd round comp pick for him.

 

[bucky]

Re: Adam Schefter Cassel misunderstood what signing the tender meant

This all sounds like a bunch of BS to me. The Pats placed the tag on him on the first possible day. And Cassell signed it on the very next day. Then they traded him on the very first day that they could. I thought it was a little odd at the time that he signed the tender when most franchised players usually wait a long time sign it. But it retrospect, I wouldn't be surprised if the 3 sides had an agreement in place as soon as Pioli became KC GM.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Adam Schefter Cassel misunderstood what signing the tender meant

First, teams have pulled tenders in the past. Signing the tender eliminates that scenario.
Second, considering the Pats cap issues, if the trade process lingered to the point that desired free agents were being scooped up by other teams, the Patriots may have concluded that signing the right TE, RB, CB, CB/S had more value than acquiring the highest draft pick possible. Signing the tender forced the Patriots to expedite the process, and it did.

The only player I have ever heard of having his tender rescinded was Jerrimiah Trotter and he was an unique case because most people thought he was a product of the Eagles system (which looked to be a correct assumption). They rescinded the tag in June or July.

Also, how did signing the tender expedite the process? When the Pats offer the tender, the money is taken off the cap whether Cassel signs it or not. I don't see how the Pats were in any different position when they traded Cassel when they traded him. It wasn't like they were going to franchise him in February and then recind the tag the first or second week of March.

 

[Synovia]

Re: Adam Schefter Cassel misunderstood what signing the tender meant

Also, how did signing the tender expedite the process? When the Pats offer the tender, the money is taken off the cap whether Cassel signs it or not

Because, until he signs it, there is always the option of rescinding it, freeing up 14M of space, and getting a 2010 3rd round comp pick.