Your thinking of Thigpen...
If I am Pioli I would probably draft a QB in the 2nd or 3rd and go with Thigpen for a year or two because the kid has a big arm and give him time and he may develope into a nice QB and they don't have to give up picks for him.
Even if Pioli decided he wants Cassel that would not mean Cassels future is determined because that would still leave Pioli having to pay the pyper and if he isn't willing to part with his one he may not be the high bidder and his one may just be a little to high to use in the deal.
Might I disagree with Thigpen. It has been stated that he is NOT the future QB in the plans of K.C. Remember, they have Croyle who was a high pick. Croyle has been a flop. Thigpen was thrust into service because of injuries but his QB rating is poor. It never moved during the season even as he got more experience. The Cassel progression was extraordinary. I was not a believer either.
Here is my take. The comfort zone that Pioli has with Cassel is an important issue. He is young, has a big arm, is mobile and destined to be a starter for some team. As we all know, Bill and Scott agreed on all personnel decisions and they stuck to their guns with Cassel when the world doubted inluding me. That means that Pioli had as much faith as Bill did. Hell, he drafted Cassel. Pioli knows his strengths and weaknesses. I think a trade is possible. It's a security blanket for Pioli to build from.
You cannot compare Thigpen to Cassel. They virtually started with a clean sheet of paper and Cassel was a clear winner. Yes there is Welker and Moss. But on K.C.'s side they has 96 catches from Gonzales and Bowe developed nicely and is ten years younger than Randy. They also had a premier running back who missed some games but even starting only 12 games still had almost 900 yards and a 4.5 yard per carry average. Cassel had a good running game but by committee.
Here is my thoughts, or at least an idea that benefits both teams and Pioli, who needs O-Line help and defense, can still keep a first rounder. He is also $30m under CAP so he can dive into the FA pool. How about Pioli gets a few more of his draft choices of the Pats to add to Cassel? They are younger and under Shanny they should flourish. I send Cassel, Maroney (with Shanny's blocking schemes as a plus for his style! He is also from that area) and Dave Thomas to K.C. for a swap of first rounders (our #23 for their #3), and the K.C. second round #34 pick, plus L.J. and Gonzales. They wanted a third for Gonzales last fall and L.J. wants out and he is only 29.
That being said, I am not clear about the CAP requirements for L.J. It might have to be juggled, but Gonzales has a three year contract that is supposedly CAP friendly. I would take a flyer on L.J. next year especially if Jordan does not resign. You would have L.J. Morris and the law firm with KF. Niot bad! Worse case scenario, we swap L.J. for picks. You know BB trades out of #3 for added picks as well.
Our offense with Gonzales alone is upgraded even more than it ever was and a good welcome home present as I have said for TB. I think TG has a couple more good years left and a SB ring is a good target. Can any team in the NFL double Welker, Moss and Gonzales and let L.J. free to roam?
This is not a pie in the sky trade. It makes sense.
I say a good trade for all sides. We don't get two ones for Cassel it's true, but I would do this deal in a minute. Pioli knows Cassel. Maroney and Thomas and they can be his core on offense to build on. He drafted them. Plus these guys know each other too. Plus Pioli keeps that desirable first round choice and there are a lot of quality numbers in OL draft this year. He saves a little bit of money by moving down. This has been always a BB/Pioli creed.
DW Toys