Cassel's stock and tag+trade-ability level...

[DGameguy]

What's with all this "they won't tag him to trade him" nonsense?

They will, and I know this because they have done it in the past.

After 02 they tagged Tebucky, signed Rodney, and promptly sent Tebucky on his way to the Saints. At the time they tagged him, there were rumors swirling that he would leave the Pats to sign with the Saints. The Pats thought they could get something for him, and they did.

BB has said ona number of occassions how important it is to have multiple high round picks to maneuver. He isn't going to give up the opportunity to get a second or first round pick when this team needs to get younger/better on defense.

 

[Ungeheuer]

Right (Wink! Wink!) Yes the Pats won't be taging Matt just to trade him. Oh, no. Just because of deep concern over Brady's rehab. It's absolutely critical that Brady's left leg return to his former running form.

I can only hope that the Pats actively promote this canard cover story appearing 'reluctant' as they pump up the value for Cassel and trade him for picks in 2009 or maybe 2010.

Brilliant move.

You really think the Patriots aren't seriously worried about dumping a healthy, athletic 25 year-old quarterback who threw for almost 4,000 yards in his first season playing since high school to hand the reigns back to a 32 year-old QB coming off a serious leg injury?

The Pats right now are in the position of having to dump a known quantity for an unknown quantity. That's going to be a hard decision no matter what the trade offer is, and even though the "unknown quantity" is Tom Brady. If they tag Cassel, you can be sure they're not doing it just to trade him. They'd only do it if they really intended to keep him at least for next year, and I think they will really have that intent.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Combining today's concepts - the NFL moving the Jets to 4pm increases the chance we'll Franchise Cassel IMO; in fact it clinches it. The NFL is screwing the Patriots (I understand the Ravens piece) and Belichick isn't one to forget. The NFL has played it's card and Belichick will play his card. The Franchise Tag card.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

The Pats right now are in the position of having to dump a known quantity for an unknown quantity. That's going to be a hard decision no matter what the trade offer is, and even though the "unknown quantity" is Tom Brady. If they tag Cassel, you can be sure they're not doing it just to trade him. They'd only do it if they really intended to keep him at least for next year, and I think they will really have that intent.

Right now is NOT February-March when Brady will be yet another 2-3 months into rehab with his progress status well understood by his top rank doctors and rehab specialists.

NFW they tag Matt to keep him UNLESS there's an unexpected setback with Brady's rehab. Start of camp in July is WELL WITHIN the timeframe for professional atheletes to recover from the procedure.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

The Pats will most certainly tag Cassel and, if Brady checks in fine, they'll trade him to whichever team, looking to draft a QB (Stafford, Bradford) in the 1st, comes up with the best trade package.

Heck, many mocks have the Lions taking Stafford or Bradford with the #1 overall pick in the draft. No team in their right mind, including the Lions, would prefer to draft a unknown commodity like Stafford or Bradford over trading for a known commodity in Cassel.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

The Pats will most certainly tag Cassel and, if Brady checks in fine, they'll trade him to whichever team, looking to draft a QB (Stafford, Bradford) in the 1st, comes up with the best trade package.

Heck, many mocks have the Lions taking Stafford or Bradford with the #1 overall pick in the draft. No team in their right mind, including the Lions, would prefer to draft a unknown commodity like Stafford or Bradford over trading for a known commodity in Cassel.

The Lions would be FAR better drafting a position player like OT Andre Smith then trading their #2 for a proven Cassel than drafting Stafford. That's a no brainer.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Combining today's concepts - the NFL moving the Jets to 4pm increases the chance we'll Franchise Cassel IMO; in fact it clinches it. The NFL is screwing the Patriots (I understand the Ravens piece) and Belichick isn't one to forget. The NFL has played it's card and Belichick will play his card. The Franchise Tag card.

The only way the Patriots can get screwed is if the Ravens are winning big early--because a JEST win and a Ravens loss = JEST playoff berth even if NE wins.

On the flip side, I think a JEST loss might, regardless of what else happens, cost Ratgini his job.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

On the flip side, I think a JEST loss might, regardless of what else happens, cost Ratgini his job.

Which is a SIGNIFICANT upside.

Patriots already have a #1, two #2s and two #3s (when the comp pick for Samuel comes in). I really think we're looking at a 2010 pick for Cassel or a move up in the first round. Our #1 and Cassel for SF #1. Our #2 and Cassel for Minnesota #1.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

The Lions would be FAR better drafting a position player like OT Andre Smith then trading their #2 for a proven Cassel than drafting Stafford. That's a no brainer.

Perhaps, but no player in this draft will be a sure thing like Matt Cassel would be for them. And the Lions need sure things more than anything right now.

Matt Cassel starts and produces for the Lions from the get go. No other rookie is likely to do so. At least not with as much certainty as Cassel does.

The best thing the Lions could do this offseason is secure the services of Matt Cassel. And they'll have to pay dearly for that right since enough other teams (Rams, Niners, Bucs, Vikings, Chiefs, Texans, Jags, Bears?, Seahawks?, Jets?, Bengals?, Raiders?) will also be looking for an improvement at the QB such that they will up the ante for Cassel.

 

[billdog3484]

i think the big difference between Cassel and a top pick is three-fold. 1, you are getting an unknown commodity with a rookie. 2, if you draft a QB #1 overall you are going to have to pay HUGE bucks. cassel will be expensive, but at least you know you have a QB who can play. and 3, a rookie QB may not play for 3 years.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Perhaps, but no player in this draft will be a sure thing like Matt Cassel would be for them. And the Lions need sure things more than anything right now.

Matt Cassel starts and produces for the Lions from the get go. No other rookie is likely to do so. At least not with as much certainty as Cassel does.

The best thing the Lions could do this offseason is secure the services of Matt Cassel. And they'll have to pay dearly for that right since enough other teams (Rams, Niners, Bucs, Vikings, Chiefs, Texans, Jags, Bears?, Seahawks?, Jets?, Bengals?, Raiders?) will also be looking for an improvement at the QB such that they will up the ante for Cassel.

The only downside is that these GM/coaches might not want to be personally embarrased by the contrast if under their tutelage Cassel were to perform poorly in comparison. These guys do not have the luxury of resumes with multiple rings that let them withstand public criticism. That said, I too believe that one or more will offer to do the deal with Belioli.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

i think the big difference between Cassel and a top pick is three-fold. 1, you are getting an unknown commodity with a rookie. 2, if you draft a QB #1 overall you are going to have to pay HUGE bucks. cassel will be expensive, but at least you know you have a QB who can play. and 3, a rookie QB may not play for 3 years.

Additional to that, non senior QB coming out early have a huge bust rate. Both Stafford and Bradford, if they come out, are huge risks compared to guys like Ryan and Flacco who stayed for their four years.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

i think the big difference between Cassel and a top pick is three-fold. 1, you are getting an unknown commodity with a rookie. 2, if you draft a QB #1 overall you are going to have to pay HUGE bucks. cassel will be expensive, but at least you know you have a QB who can play. and 3, a rookie QB may not play for 3 years.

Exactly.

Matt Ryan (the 3rd overall pick last year) got a 6 year deal worth $75M including $35m in guaranteed money. I can't imagine any team wouldn't prefer to pay a proven commodity like Cassel (who is just reaching his prime) that money instead of some unknown rookie.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

The only downside is that these GM/coaches might not want to be personally embarrased by the contrast if under their tutelage Cassel were to perform poorly in comparison. These guys do not have the luxury of resumes with multiple rings that let them withstand public criticism. That said, I too believe that one or more will offer to do the deal with Belioli.

I still think the perfect scenario is a 2010 #1. That way we get a #1 but the acquiring team gets to have their #1 and Cassel which would appease the fan base.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

The only downside is that these GM/coaches might not want to be personally embarrased by the contrast if under their tutelage Cassel were to perform poorly in comparison. These guys do not have the luxury of resumes with multiple rings that let them withstand public criticism. That said, I too believe that one or more will offer to do the deal with Belioli.

I think the GM's would be equally embarrassed whether they blow it by trading for Cassel or if they blow it by drafting Stafford/Bradford.

I suppose matters could be made worse for them if they blow it by trading for Cassel while arming the Pats in the process.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

I still think the perfect scenario is a 2010 #1. That way we get a #1 but the acquiring team gets to have their #1 and Cassel which would appease the fan base.

I think any fan that actually watches the NFL would be thrilled to (only) have to give up their 1st next year for Cassel.

Heck, we have some Pats fans in here who believe the Pats should trade Brady and keep Cassel.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Cassel is now the 11th ranked QB in the league for this year btw. Ahead of such luminaries as Cutler, Eli, McNabb, Rothlisberger the the pro bowler Favre.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

Cassel is now the 11th ranked QB in the league for this year btw. Ahead of such luminaries as Cutler, Eli, McNabb, Rothlisberger the the pro bowler Favre.

.... and, unlike those others, Cassel is still improving and just hitting his prime in terms of age.

Cassel's arrow is pointing straight up as much as any player in the league right now.

That he also plays the most difficult position in the NFL to find even capable starters at is just icing on the cake as far as the Pats and maximizing trade value is concerned.

 

[Jimke]

I may be the only member of this forum that feels this way.

I think the Patriots will let Matt Cassel hit free agency without

franchising him. Belichick will not hamstring the team by potentially

tying up 14 million dollars for Cassel even if it means Cassel will quarterback

the Jets in 2009. Belichick will do what is best for the long term

interests of the team.

 

[Fencer]

One achievable scenario would be an immediate high 2nd plus a conditional 1st/2nd.

In an FU to the league, the conditional can be "A 1st if you make the playoffs, a 2nd + a 3rd if you don't ..." But I'd prefer easier conditions than that ...

But yeah, a straight-up 2010 1st is another deal that works.

I might try to hold out for a 2010 1st plus a swap of 2nds this year.