Cassel can relax until March

[VrabelMayeWin]

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.

Not true.

If he signs the tag and a team signs him, yes, it costs two #1s. But if he signs the tag and we trade him for an agreed to lesser amount then we can trade him for less than two #1s and he can re-do his deal once he's been traded.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

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.

The Patriots could give his agent permission to talk to others and it would be in everyone's best interest to do so. A good deal for both sides would be beneficial to happen AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

 

[mgteich]

Cassel doesn't need to sign until after the draft. Surely, the team can't trade him until then, without his signature?

Not true.

If he signs the tag and a team signs him, yes, it costs two #1s. But if he signs the tag and we trade him for an agreed to lesser amount then we can trade him for less than two #1s and he can re-do his deal once he's been traded.

 

[AzPatsFan]

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.

And if I was the Patriots I wouldn't take it. Most of the first round Juniors are coming out this year, in order to avoid a possible rookie pay scale, next season.

So this year draft will be super rich, perhaps with first rounders well into the second round. And next year's draft will be a disaster, with only a handful of, as BB calls them "legitimate first rounders".

Is it truly a co-incidence that the Pats are likely to end up with 1 1st; 2 2nds; 2 3rds; 2 4ths; and perhaps 2 5ths, as well as a 6 and 7. If they deal Cassel, I would insist on a pick this year. And maybe toss in a weaker pick from next year, to sweeten the deal.

My own feelings are the Patriots will not be big players in FA, with all those draft picks. They will fully re-stock the Team with the double draft. And they might well keep Cassel for one more year, as they can afford it. They will probably resign their own veterans that they want, like Wilfork, Seymour and Brady. In most cases that actually REDUCES the Cap in Year one.

The Pats wil be an awesome team with the influx of new talent by the end of next season, and I would think a prohibitive favorite for the Lombardi Trophy, providing they have good QB play.

Many of you forget amidst all the complaining about the Defense, that it still ranked in the top ten this season. The Offense was top Four, even allowing that it took a half a dozen games for Matt Cassel to find his footing. Today, it might well have returned to Number One.

 

[mgteich]

Agreed. However, some teams who might bid don't have 2009 coaches or GM's at the moment. Some might still be in the playoffs (likely not).

The Patriots could give his agent permission to talk to others and it would be in everyone's best interest to do so. A good deal for both sides would be beneficial to happen AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Cassel doesn't need to sign until after the draft. Surely, the team can't trade him until then, without his signature?

Right, they can't trade him if he's unsigned. I really think you're missing the forest for the trees, though. For one, most think he'll have pen in hand the second the Franchise Tag is placed. But even if he doesn't, everyone wants the same thing - Cassel to be on a different team where he can start and make a lot of money. If he doesn't sign the Franchise offer he, the Patriots and the new potential teams can work together on a win-win-win scenario. If it gets nasty and confrontational some of these issues come rear their ugly heads but I doubt it.

 

[PittPatriot]

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.

Speaking of what seems to be a moronic move, at least the Vikes got Hershel Walker and Ditka got the pothead. I'd take them over some guy whose name makes me think "Tar Heel."

 

[mgteich]

Cassel shouldn't sign until the draft or until he knows that there is a deal. Yes, there is great advantage to the patriots to get the deal done before free agency begins. Otherwise the patriots will be extremely cap-contrained until the situation is worked out.

Right, they can't trade him if he's unsigned. I really think you're missing the forest for the trees, though. For one, most think he'll have pen in hand the second the Franchise Tag is placed. But even if he doesn't, everyone wants the same thing - Cassel to be on a different team where he can start and make a lot of money. If he doesn't sign the Franchise offer he, the Patriots and the new potential teams can work together on a win-win-win scenario. If it gets nasty and confrontational some of these issues come rear their ugly heads but I doubt it.

 

[mgcolby]

Sucking.

10

Wow that is an informitive response. The guy played in 2 1/2 games this season.

 

[mgcolby]

Not true.

If he signs the tag and a team signs him, yes, it costs two #1s. But if he signs the tag and we trade him for an agreed to lesser amount then we can trade him for less than two #1s and he can re-do his deal once he's been traded.

Ah, thanks for the clearification.

 

[Miguel]

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.

Not true. In 2006 John Abraham was traded a month before the draft. A team does not need to have 2 1st round picks in the 2009 draft. They could give a 2009 1st round pick and a 2010 1st round pick.

 

[JSn]

Wow that is an informitive response. The guy played in 2 1/2 games this season.

Hehe, hey it's all opinion, right? But he played poorly in those games and didn't get the nod over Anderson until it was too late. Then gets hurt that quick?

Meh, I doubt he's ever going to be a star. Mark my words, Guitz will have a better career than Quinn (that was a reference joke).

 

[Miguel]

And if I was the Patriots I wouldn't take it. Most of the first round Juniors are coming out this year, in order to avoid a possible rookie pay scale, next season.

Those juniors need to listen to Roger Goodell.

 

[mgcolby]

Hehe, hey it's all opinion, right? But he played poorly in those games and didn't get the nod over Anderson until it was too late. Then gets hurt that quick?

Yeah, but that is on RAC. Anderson was playing terrible and he believed in him. Well to be fair he broke his finger on his throwing hand, not a lot he could do about it. Tough break...

Meh, I doubt he's ever going to be a star. Mark my words, Guitz will have a better career than Quinn (that was a reference joke).

Only time will tell and the last part was funny!

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Curran says he thinks the Pats won't F&T as they don't want to skirt the rules again. I think Curran is a bozo, that leaves the option of having $30M or so of QB on the roster or letting him walk down to NJ for nothing.

 

[jdk19]

If I am the Lions GM. I trade the #1 overall for Cassell and let some other team pay that bonus. The team sucks. They need to spend a lot of money on a lot of positions. A Left tackle or a rookie QB would cost more than Cassell.

Think of it as the 1st round pick that was the best one Kraft said he ever spent.

The one on BB

The Lions should even consider Giving the Pats both 1st for Cassell and both Patriot 2nd round picks.

They get 2 high picks back. A QB that is proven. They can then spread the savings over 2-3 more solid Vets.

Trade a 2nd for Larrry Johnson because they would have 3.

Drop the other 2 2nds on the best player available. Pretty much anywhere on Defense

Sign the 3 best Defensive Vets you can afford.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I'd rather have the Lions' second-rounder this year than their first-rounder next year.

 

[BradyFTW!]

If I am the Lions GM. I trade the #1 overall for Cassell and let some other team pay that bonus. The team sucks. They need to spend a lot of money on a lot of positions. A Left tackle or a rookie QB would cost more than Cassell.

Think of it as the 1st round pick that was the best one Kraft said he ever spent.

The one on BB

The Lions should even consider Giving the Pats both 1st for Cassell and both Patriot 2nd round picks.

They get 2 high picks back. A QB that is proven. They can then spread the savings over 2-3 more solid Vets.

Trade a 2nd for Larrry Johnson because they would have 3.

Drop the other 2 2nds on the best player available. Pretty much anywhere on Defense

Sign the 3 best Defensive Vets you can afford.

For starters, why would Belichick want LJ? The guy's a headcase.

 

[mgcolby]

For starters, why would Belichick want LJ? The guy's a headcase.

He was talking about the Lions. But they have Kevin Smith who is a hell of a back.

 

[alamo]

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.

No. Once he signs it, he is no longer a free agent and the two firsts is no longer in play. Two firsts is compensation if a team signs Cassel to a free agent contract and the Patriots don't match. Once he signs, the Patriots can trade him for anything they wish, if they misread the market and noone can reach a deal with Cassel or wants to pay the franchise tender in 2009 then they could conceivably have to lower their demand to almost nothing, say a 2010 7th, if they really want him off the books.

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.

As I explained above, the two first rounders is meaningless when it comes to trades. He can be traded once free agency opens.

If he signs the tender immediately, any team he is traded to must have enough immediate cap space for the full 14M and only then will be allowed to renegotiate. This might restrict the market. The loophole is to sign the tender, be traded, and renegotiate all in the same day, and the new team will only need enough cap space for the renegotiated contract. Which further encourages the player to wait. I remember this happening with Tebucky Jones, and I don't recall hearing the rules changing.