Random thought...total speculation...
 

Cassel is a FA after this year. O'Connell is the QB backup of the future...if O'Connell impresses, and Cassel does well....

Trade? Maximize value?

Re: Random thought...total speculation...
 

They'd have to franchise Cassel. As you said, he is an unrestricted free agent otherwise.

J D Sal

Re: Random thought...total speculation...
 

your right this is "total speculation" we need to get through this season before we can get that ahead of ourselves

Re: Random thought...total speculation...
 

The trade deadline is in Oct. I meant this year...not next...

Re: Random thought...total speculation...
 

I don't think the Patriots are willing to write off this season and miss the playoffs. Which is what would have to happen to trade Cassel.

Re: Random thought...total speculation...
 

Cassel is free after this year so there would be no compensation

And who knows if Cassel will even be in the league next year?

Beating KC and the Jets looked like a good start on his resume but how about the team facing a non-creampuff team who actually has a good chance to make the playoffs before we crown Cassel as an adequate QB replacement

I do agree O'Connell is the #2 backup next year,Gutz will probably go elsewhere if anywhere and the team will probably look at a FA late in the summer or draft another QB late in the 5th or 6th

Re: Random thought...total speculation...
 

Best case scenario would be to franchise him, then sign/trade him. I dont know the cap restricutions..... If he proves to be a top 20 qb in the league I can see it, if he is "servicable" he wont be worth it(likely a 1st rd pick). You have to like his chances, its nice to have the control over your next contract rather than sitting on the bench....But most coaches now know that ALOT of our "talent" has to do with the system and talent around him. It would be a gamble, but you can try and trade him....and if you cant then you take the tag off.

Re: Random thought...total speculation...
 

The market for starting QBs in the NFL these days is a lot like the market for starting pitchers in MLB ... given the dearth of real talent out there, if you can prove yourself serviceable, let alone GOOD, you can make some big money. If Cassel can continue what he's doing, put up 18-20 TDs and lead this team to a playoff spot, he could have a great shot at getting some 4-5 yr, $40M deal playing for a crappy team in desperate need of a starter.

It's already been said on here that Cassel would be too expensive to franchise, and assuming Brady is back 100% in '09, there would be absolutely no reason to go this route. Personally, I hope in the back of his mind he's thinking about playing for a big contract with another team and starting a career as a starter... gives him all the more incentive to go out there and kick some ass. :)

Re: Random thought...total speculation...
 

I was just going to post something on this topic.

I was thinking since Cassel is going to be a FA next season, wouldn't it be worth the risk to offer the kid a 2 year extention (this year and Next) and give him $5-6Million over the 2 years with 4 guaranteed.

From HIS point of view, that would greatly increase his income immediately. He then could be traded next year for a 2nd or 3rd assuming he has a good season and OConnell progresses as planned.

Sure, if he has a good year, might make more immediately in FA, but this way he can put $4MM in his pocket. And if things go well for him, he becomes great trade bait in the off season and only delays his BIG HUGE payday by a year. Hey $4MM in the hand is worth more than the HOPE of a great FA payday.

Re: Random thought...total speculation...
 

No way they Franchise Cassel. He'd make more than Brady, can you imagine that?

They will try and trade him, I guess.