Are you suggesting that some other team offered more and Belichick refused the deal? The patriots have never put their season in jeapordy and put $14.6M of cap money on hold until the draft. That indeed would have been "notorious".
1) Some here wanted NOT to bother franchising Cassel at all.
2) Others thought (here and on Reiss's blog) the most important goal of free agency was to maximize the value received for Cassel. Many were posted here, and in the media, that Cassel was worth two firsts; and if not, surely a first and a first or second next year. They posted the dozen teams that were certainly interested. When someone posted how few might be interested, many here thought that they were idiots. Well they were right.
3) Some of us were OK with franchising as long as it did not restrict us in free agency. This free agency period is critical to this year and next, since we may or may not be able to sign free agents next year. And even if we can, Kraft would rather sign free agents now than in possible uncapped market. Many here disagree with this position, preferring Kraft to overspend in 2010 and hurt his business.
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In the end, Position Three was Belichick's position. I'm sure that he had his folks called every team in the league and had Cassel's agent do so also. But, as Shecter said early in the game, trading Cassel with a $14.6M contract would require a special team, one that would be willing to pay reasonable compensation to the patriots and one who could meet Cassel's needs. Finally such a team would need to act early, and get their quarterback up to speed. Pioli was willing to take a chance with the #34 and a contract with Cassel where no one else offering a #33 or a first would do so (or are you suggesting that Belichick refused a higher offer?).
