Cassel can relax until March

[mgteich]

Matt should make sure the team knows that his agent can contact him if needed. There is nothing else for Matt to do until March 2nd (I'm giving his agent the weekend to evaluate the situation), at which time his agent can inform him of his options depending on whether he is tagged or not. Until then he is under contract.

Matt will be very rich, probably before the draft. At very least, he will be guaranteed $14M for signing a one-year contract to play for the patriots if he is franchised. Even after tax, that is $600K a year forever. If he is not franchised, his agent will have several lucrative contract offers for him to consider and choose among.

Cassel has no reason to consider any contract offers from the patriots. He is a free agent. Under the CBA, the next move belongs to the patriots.

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I understand that there have been many other threads on this subject, but it is an issue that will affect many other patriot 2009 decisions.

The patriots can make Cassel be the ball boy and pay him ONLY $14M for this year. Is there any other leverage they have? Perhaps someone here believes that Detroit (or someone else) would give the patriots two first rounders to have Cassel for a year. Does Any one believe this?

 

[maverick4]

If I was Matt Cassel I'd immediately start my off-season training and work harder than I ever did in my entire life, to improve my game and become an upper echelon QB by next September. He could be a star in 2 years if he does not become complacent with just a big paycheck and a starting job.

 

[Gwedd]

He could be a starter next year with the 49ers, which is where I would expect him to end up if NE doesn't keep him around for one other year.

 

[maverick4]

mgteich to answer your last question, yes I believe Detroit would give a single 1st rounder (their lower one) for Cassel.

Their team just finished a record 0-16. Their fanbase is non-existent. In order to revive fan interest, continue to sell tickets, and generate business, they will need to make a splash with a combination of GM, coach, or player moves.

Also, Detroit is loaded with the #1 overall pick, another 1st, a 2nd, and 2 3rds, courtesy of moron Jerry Jones and his love for Roy Williams. Detroit has the motivation, and more importantly the wealth of picks, to do a deal with New England.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

The patriots can make Cassel be the ball boy and pay him ONLY $14M for this year. Is there any other leverage they have? Perhaps someone here believes that Detroit (or someone else) would give the patriots two first rounders to have Cassel for a year. Does Any one believe this?

First off, he will be Franchised. No way do they just let him stroll down to New Jersey.

What leverage do the Patriots have ? Their leverage is that Cassel can get more than $14M in bonuses/guarantees from someone else. Not for the one year but a more for sure life guaranteeing contract (not that $14M wouldn't be to us but you know . . .). If the Patriots wanted they could trade a Franchised Cassel to Detroit for a 6th round pick. Keep him away from NJ and free up the money. That would leave Cassel with a **** ass team and no long term deal.

My point is that this can be a win-win for both sides and probably will be. They both have leverage. Cassel can improve what the Patriots get by agreeing to a new deal with the new team. The Patriots can improve what Cassel gets by sending him to a team that will offer a long term deal and is in a good situation. The Patriots can trade him wherever they want if he signs the Franchise offer, they just wouldn't get as much for a guy only signed for one year.

Imagine yourself being a GM of a team with a crappy QB and think about what you'd give up for Cassel. Would you give up a 2010 #1 so you get your QB and still get your pick in Round 1 this year ? I would.

 

[mgteich]

I agree with your advice. However, training and working hard will be better focused once Cassel knows who he will play for. However, there are many off-season training facilities that he can work at. I'm sure that he could use the facilities at USC and even work with some of the staff. Junior probably has some recommendations also.

If I was Matt Cassel I'd immediately start my off-season training and work harder than I ever did in my entire life, to improve my game and become an upper echelon QB by next September. He could be a star in 2 years if he does not become complacent with just a big paycheck and a starting job.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

mgteich to answer your last question, yes I believe Detroit would give a single 1st rounder (their lower one) for Cassel.

Their team just finished a record 0-16. Their fanbase is non-existent. In order to revive fan interest, continue to sell tickets, and generate business, they will need to make a splash with a combination of GM, coach, or player moves.

Also, Detroit is loaded with the #1 overall pick, another 1st, a 2nd, and 2 3rds, courtesy of moron Jerry Jones and his love for Roy Williams. Detroit has the motivation, and more importantly the wealth of picks, to do a deal with New England.

I'd prefer their 2010 #1, let then get their QB and a huge draft to generate some excitement. But, sure, the Cowboys' #1 would DEFINITELY work. Honestly, I'd take Detroit's #2 if they offered it.

 

[JSn]

If I was Matt Cassel I'd immediately start my off-season training and work harder than I ever did in my entire life, to improve my game and become an upper echelon QB by next September. He could be a star in 2 years if he does not become complacent with just a big paycheck and a starting job.

I'm pretty sure it's clear this is not a big risk. If he didn't get complacent warming a bench for 7 years, I think he'll manage to keep motivated now...

 

[maverick4]

To add to my rationale about the win-win franchise-trade scenario, I only explained why Detroit would do it...

New England will not let Cassel walk for nothing. With Brady's health and the chance for any draft compensation back for Cassel, not to mention the power to prevent him from going to another AFC rival, are enough reasons that Cassel will definitely be franchised.

Cassel would sign the tender because it would immediately give him a top-5 QB salary

 

[mgcolby]

mgteich to answer your last question, yes I believe Detroit would give a single 1st rounder (their lower one) for Cassel.

Their team just finished a record 0-16. Their fanbase is non-existent. In order to revive fan interest, continue to sell tickets, and generate business, they will need to make a splash with a combination of GM, coach, or player moves.

Also, Detroit is loaded with the #1 overall pick, another 1st, a 2nd, and 2 3rds, courtesy of moron Jerry Jones and his love for Roy Williams. Detroit has the motivation, and more importantly the wealth of picks, to do a deal with New England.

Just an FYI the Lions just promoted - from within - a new President and GM. So who knows if they will be smart enough to make a play for a proven QB. Hell they will probably draft Michael Crabtree and keep Dante.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

New England will not let Cassel walk for nothing. With Brady's health and the chance for any draft compensation back for Cassel, not to mention the power to prevent him from going to another AFC rival, are enough reasons that Cassel will definitely be franchised.

There is no chance he's not Franchised.

We'll Franchise him, he'll sign it, we'll trade him. As you say, both for value and destination.

We'll go into next year with Brady, O'Connell and a veteran like Jeff Garcia or the like.

 

[JSn]

If Pioli goes to the Brown's, you can almost guarantee he does the a trade to get Cassel. They don't look to have any legitimate answers at QB. Quinn is looking more and more like a perennial back-up.

 

[mgcolby]

To add to my rationale about the win-win franchise-trade scenario, I only explained why Detroit would do it...

New England will not let Cassel walk for nothing. With Brady's health and the chance for any draft compensation back for Cassel, not to mention the power to prevent him from going to another AFC rival, are enough reasons that Cassel will definitely be franchised.

Cassel would sign the tender because it would immediately give him a top-5 QB salary

But if he signs it then it becomes binding and would ultimately f*ck us, because then a team would be forced to cough up two first round picks and I can't see a team doing that.

The best case scenario is that Cassel plays ball and doesn't sign the tender while the Patriots respect his input on places he would like to play and then have the Pats work with those teams (if interested); and work out the best deal, for everyone involved.

I realize this might be wishful thinking on my part, but Matt seems like a loyal, grounded guy that just might have enough appreciation for the organization, to go ahead and do that.

 

[mgteich]

Yes, I agree that Detriot would give a draft choice to have Cassel for a year for $14M. But then, that is why there are such a bad team. I would not expect new management to do that unless they thought that they had a reasonable chance of signing a long-term contract with him. If they are willing to use $14M of cap sapce on a QB, it should be on a QB who will be their new leader.

Without Cassel's agreement, little good can be done. I agree this can be a win-win for both sides, but before the negotiations start, each side must understand their leverage. As I have indicated many times, I believe that the team should allow Cassel's agent to have discussions with other teams, the list of potential teams to be negotiated I would only have one or two exclusions (jets and buffalo). Cassel should cooperate, but his fallback is $14M for 2009 and the hope for another contract in 2010. He would need to purchase injury insurance.

We haven't discussed timing. I don't think that a franchised player can be traded umtil the week before the draft. After all, any team has until then to come up with the two first rounders. Until then he is a free agent with a tender.

First off, he will be Franchised. No way do they just let him stroll down to New Jersey.

What leverage do the Patriots have ? Their leverage is that Cassel can get more than $14M in bonuses/guarantees from someone else. Not for the one year but a more for sure life guaranteeing contract (not that $14M wouldn't be to us but you know . . .). If the Patriots wanted they could trade a Franchised Cassel to Detroit for a 6th round pick. Keep him away from NJ and free up the money. That would leave Cassel with a **** ass team and no long term deal.

My point is that this can be a win-win for both sides and probably will be. They both have leverage. Cassel can improve what the Patriots get by agreeing to a new deal with the new team. The Patriots can improve what Cassel gets by sending him to a team that will offer a long term deal and is in a good situation. The Patriots can trade him wherever they want if he signs the Franchise offer, they just wouldn't get as much for a guy only signed for one year.

Imagine yourself being a GM of a team with a crappy QB and think about what you'd give up for Cassel. Would you give up a 2010 #1 so you get your QB and still get your pick in Round 1 this year ? I would.

 

[mgcolby]

If Pioli goes to the Brown's, you can almost guarantee he does the a trade to get Cassel. They don't look to have any legitimate answers at QB. Quinn is looking more and more like a perennial back-up.

Based on what?

 

[JSn]

Based on what?

Sucking.

10

 

[maverick4]

So then at this point, while Cassel relaxes or trains hard while waiting, is his agent already on the phones right now talking to prospective teams?

 

[JSn]

So then at this point, while Cassel relaxes or trains hard while waiting, is his agent already on the phones right now talking to prospective teams?

I believe that would be tampering, no? He's still under contract with the Pats.

 

[Deus Irae]

I still don't quite understand why this situation seems to still be causing people such consternation. Sign and trades happen, as we saw more than once last season, and they are nowhere near as complicated or difficult as people keep trying to make them out to be. If Cassel wants to be a starting quarterback, he'll be fine with the tag-n-trade. If Cassel wants to have value in 2010, he'll be fine with the tag-n-trade. If Cassel's #1 priority is to remain a member of the Patriots, he won't require franchise money.

I expect that the deals for Cassel will start with a 1st round pick and have a second pick which will be determined by the extent of the interest from other teams. It's a down year for quarterbacks in the draft, and that should be a boost to Cassel's value.

 

[mgteich]

Yes, indeed.

I believe that would be tampering, no? He's still under contract with the Pats.