Matt Cassel - Predict the future

[cstjohn17]

What will happen to Matt Cassel in 2008?

There is a lot of dialog that he may be traded, similar to how Matt Schaub was dealt this year from Atlanta to Houston. Cassel is a free agent after the 2008 season, 08 will be his final year under his rookie contract.

Is Matt Cassel on a similar path in 08?

From nfl.com
http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/10078226
"...The Atlanta Falcons have traded quarterback Matt Schaub to the Houston Texans for a second-round pick in this year's draft, a second-round pick in next year's draft, and a flip flop of spots in the first round this year. Atlanta now will go to No. 8 from No. 10; Houston will go from No. 8 to No. 10. "

I can't believe how much Houston gave up from Schaub, two #2 picks and a move two spots in round 1 plus they gave him a six-year, $48 million contract. No wonder Houston loses every year.

 

[BelichickFan]

I think we trade him in the 2008 offseason for a conditional 2009 pick. Ranging from a #7 if he doesn't make the team to a #4 or so if he's on the roster all season to a #2 or so if he starts more than 2 or 3 games.

We're loaded for the 2008 draft already, we can start to move on 2009 giving the pick we get some upside but protecting the acquiring team.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I think it's too soon to tell. It depends as much on how well he performs this season as who or what if anything (and I'm not talking Vinny...) we have behind him learning the system and showing promise. We haven't carried a developmental QB on the PS let alone the roster for a while now. Without someone behind him who has considerable upside and familiarity with the system, I doubt BB trades Cassel for anything short of the proverbial offer you can't refuse. Bill values draft picks, but he also values comfort level where his backups are concerned - or we'd just flip 'em all to stockpile 2010 draft picks...

I think the intent was always to develop and flip, but to do that without losing value (see Atlanta Falcons post indictment) you have to have the next Matt in the system. Maybe we do, or maybe we don't. If I had to guess today I'd have to say he stays and plays through 2008. If Guttierrez sticks and develops then I'd say it's more likely we flip Cassel before the 2008 draft. But like Bill now likes to say, my crystal ball isn't any clearer than yours.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

unless Cassell has to come in several times this year for whatever reason and performs well he may move up in terms of a trade for draft pick but a raw unproven QB who holds a clipboard and nothing more for the past several seasons will earn a 6th rounder in trade bait at best..Thats simply all he is worth at this time.

Hopefully we won't have to see what he is worth this season because if we do,that means Brady is injured

 

[patsfan209]

I don't expect Cassel to get traded in the future. If he's ever going to leave the Pats, it may well be the same ways the Pats backups before him have left here: either their contracts expired or he will get released. Thats what happened with Huard, Davey, and Kingsbury.

 

[cstjohn17]

At this point more people think he will get traded than remain a backup with the Patriots.

A little surprised that patchick did not pick him to be the starter

 

[JD10367]

Matt Cassel's career stats: 8 games, 18 for 3, 125 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT.

Matt Schaub's career stats: 38 games, 84 for 161, 1033 yards, 6 TDs, 6 INTs.

Aside from their first name, they have little in common. Cassel has looked shaky in camp and has yet to prove he can actually play in the NFL. I don't think the Pats would get a box of jocks for him in a trade.

Thanks to Brady, people might tend to assume that a young QB on the Pats must be good, but I don't think a Brady comes along all too often. Don't forget, Brady had already climbed in the estimation of the coaches, and had been elevated to the backup spot behind Bledsoe; it was even reported that Belichick and the coaches were privately debating replacing Bledsoe even before the injury (I think one of the books on the Pats mentioned that). Cassel has shown nothing like that. If he had, they wouldn't be worrying about keeping Testaverde The Fossil in playing condition and familiar with the playbook.

 

[Patstopia]

To be honest, I don't see him being traded. Like someone else said, he will probably stay till his contract runs out. I do think he has the talent to be a good QB, but I am not sure the heart is there. He seems to be the perfect backup. Always willing to be second best. Brady is the opposite he always wants the ball and always wants to win. Matt seems to be happy just being there.

 

[rbkgoalr]

I don't see the Patriots moving him unless they get Schaub quality draft choices. The Patriots hold him very highly and I would be extremely surprised if they trade him away for anything less.

 

[DaBruinz]

Matt Cassel's career stats: 8 games, 18 for 32, 125 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT.

Matt Schaub's career stats: 38 games, 84 for 161, 1033 yards, 6 TDs, 6 INTs.

Aside from their first name, they have little in common. Cassel has looked shaky in camp and has yet to prove he can actually play in the NFL. I don't think the Pats would get a box of jocks for him in a trade.

Thanks to Brady, people might tend to assume that a young QB on the Pats must be good, but I don't think a Brady comes along all too often. Don't forget, Brady had already climbed in the estimation of the coaches, and had been elevated to the backup spot behind Bledsoe; it was even reported that Belichick and the coaches were privately debating replacing Bledsoe even before the injury (I think one of the books on the Pats mentioned that). Cassel has shown nothing like that. If he had, they wouldn't be worrying about keeping Testaverde The Fossil in playing condition and familiar with the playbook.

Lets be honest with one another, neither Cassel nor Schaub have done enough in the regular season to prove anything. While some reports have said that Cassel has been off, last night's reports were a LOT better. Yes, he had the one pick (on a good play by Meriweather, which doesn't mean a bad play by Cassel).

In the one game where Cassel actually had to play, as a rookie against a decent Miami defense (ranked 13th in points allowed that year), Cassel stepped up and showed he could play, nearly beating the Phins. Most people agree that Cassel was told not NOT get the two point conversion because BB wanted the Jags and not the Steelers are the Pats play-off opponent in the 1st round.

I believe Cassel will get a majority of the reps in each of the games this preseason and that will show where he's at. If he's where I believe he's at, then the Pats could, very well, attempt to trade him next off-season as some have mentioned. If he shows he's NOT there, then most people are right in that he'll play out his contract or get released.

OH, and one last thing, until the start of last season, the Pats had ALWAYS had a veteran QB on the team under Belichick. In 2000, it was John Friesz. 2001-2003, it was Damon Huard. 2004, it was Jim Miller. 2005, it was Doug Flutie. And last year, they did bring Vinny in towards the end of the season once Vinny was fully healthy. So, having Vinny T behind Cassel isn't a sign that they don't have faith in Cassel. Its been BB's modus operandi to have a veteran QB on the roster since day 1.

Cassel isn't like Rohan Davey, who couldn't legitimately beat out Damon Huard for the #2 spot behind Brady. Cassel is the guy that the Pats had enough faith in last year where they felt they could survive without a 3rd QB until Vinny T was ready to join the club.

 

[Pats726]

I think like some that it depends on MattG and what they see in him. Schaub had a lot of NFL expereince and unless Cassel has that time and that would NOT be good (Brady injured..) or has a strong preseason to get a LOT of interest, he'll not be looked highly on. Wait and see.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I think like some that it depends on MattG and what they see in him. Schaub had a lot of NFL expereince and unless Cassel has that time and that would NOT be good (Brady injured..) or has a strong preseason to get a LOT of interest, he'll not be looked highly on. Wait and see.

Isn't it at least theoretically possible that Cassel could see significant time in a couple of games not because of an injury to Brady, but because the Pats are blowing out their opponents? (Anyone else remember Pats-Bengals from this year? Picture that game--with better receivers and better corners.)

 

[DaBruinz]

Isn't it at least theoretically possible that Cassel could see significant time in a couple of games not because of an injury to Brady, but because the Pats are blowing out their opponents? (Anyone else remember Pats-Bengals from this year? Picture that game--with better receivers and better corners.)

Funny thing about that thought. Its something that I mentioned in another thread....

Though, there is a potential downside if the Pats don't let him through the ball, ala Rohan "Mr. Hand-off" Davey.

 

[cstjohn17]

Most people agree that Cassel was told not NOT get the two point conversion because BB wanted the Jags and not the Steelers are the Pats play-off opponent in the 1st round.

I think this is an urban myth, it runs counter to BB's approach. He tries to eliminate excuses and ducking an opponent seems like an excuse to me. I don't think he told Cassel to miss the two point conversion on purpose.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Funny thing about that thought. Its something that I mentioned in another thread....

Though, there is a potential downside if the Pats don't let him through the ball, ala Rohan "Mr. Hand-off" Davey.

Well, at least Cassel would be used to just handing off the ball from his days at USC. . . . :bricks:

 

[cstjohn17]

Well, at least Cassel would be used to just handing off the ball from his days at USC. . . . :bricks:

When he was at USC all he did was park Carson Palmer's car and make sure Matt Leinhart's cell phone was charged.

 

[zarakotas5]

After the Schaub debacle(?), simply the latest in a long line of coveted back-ups obtained for seemingly undue amounts, I imagine the market for Cassel will be reduced in size, but more focused in execution. Less teams, who have more refined scouting techniques and more pressing needs will bid for his services, IF they are available.

I don't think the college ranks are providing the same quality of QB talent they used to. A solid, reliable back-up who is smart, on a team without glaring weaknesses that need to be addressed is more valuable than speculative early-mid round picks he would garner.

Another year and Cassel should prove capable to fufill either assessment. He is a known prospective commodity around the league, despite his unknown/unproven capacity to us, as fans.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

What will happen to Matt Cassel in 2008?

He will be named starter.

 

[DefenseRules]

He will be named starter.

You might be right. Let's just cut our losses with Brady. He's getting old anyway.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

You might be right. Let's just cut our losses with Brady. He's getting old anyway.

I wouldn't cut him, we should be able to get a draft pick for him.