He is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in '09. Should/Will the Pats apply the franchise tag to Cassel? Will they let him go to another team? If so, what team? Eagles?

I really don't think he is as good as he is playing right now.

 

Minnesota needs a QB

Franchise him? Are you kidding? They'd have to pay him like a top QB for a year...

Me and a friend were talking about this yesterday. I see him going out west to San Fran. Possibly Detroit.

Any team that signs him better not be expecting a miracle...we need to remember that he's playing in a system that he's been in for four years. His experience is minimal and he'll be learning a new system somewhere else.

 

Not saying it would be a bad move...I really like his potential. But, if a team is expecting him to step right in and solve all their problems, they'll be disappointed.

He is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in '09. Should/Will the Pats apply the franchise tag to Cassel? Will they let him go to another team? If so, what team? Eagles?

 

I think the Pats will consider this and try to trade him fo a draft pick or two.

 

If he is a free agent and the Pats don't pursue him, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Jets make a run at him to replace Favre.

 

The logical teams are Minnesota, San Francisco and KC.

Franchise him? Are you kidding? They'd have to pay him like a top QB for a year...

 

Actually, no, I'm not kidding and neither are the analysts and reporters who have mentioned the idea. With the uncertainty of Brady's recovery, it's an idea and something they may consider. Albeit maybe a bad idea, but it's just a question. Not a stupid one though because like I said, Brady's recovery from his injury is uncertain.

Talk radio around Boston has been wearing this out, virtually 3 out of every 4 call-ins are about this topic. The Patriots already have a rookie QB that they can groom in their system, plus Matt Gutierez who has been there for 2 seasons as a 3rd stringer. Even with Tom Brady's rehab behind schedule, no way Cassel wants backup money with the Pats, and no way the Pats pay him franchise money. He is as good as gone.

 

A good point I have taken in all of this is that Patriots OC Josh McDaniels could be a very likely candidate for San Francisco's or Detroit's head coaching postition....with no proven QB or "QB in waiting" at either place, look for McDaniels and Cassel to end up together somewhere...

I just looked at the top salaries for QB and franchising him is expensive. They could sign him to a big deal and trade him, but franchising him is too expensive even if you wanted him as insurance.

Franchising Cassel would put him in the 8-10 million range I think...

Here are the top QB salaries. I think you can get Cassel for much cheaper than the franchise tag and still get what you want if you are the Pats.

 

http://content.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/salaries/playersbyposition.aspx?pos=132

Franchising Matt Cassel is what Mike Brown would do.

 

What a horrible idea...

 

I'd let the season finish and see what happens. If Cassel shows that he's capable and does well in the playoffs, then I'd consider keeping him and trading Brady. Imagine what they could get in return for him...

Franchising Matt Cassel is what Mike Brown would do.

 

What a horrible idea...

 

I'd let the season finish and see what happens. If Cassel shows that he's capable and does well in the playoffs, then I'd consider keeping him and trading Brady. Imagine what they could get in return for him...

 

Trade Brady? Now that is what Mike Brown would do.

Franchising Matt Cassel is what Mike Brown would do.

 

What a horrible idea...

 

I'd let the season finish and see what happens. If Cassel shows that he's capable and does well in the playoffs, then I'd consider keeping him and trading Brady. Imagine what they could get in return for him...

 

Trade Brady????

 

What a horrible idea...

Trade Brady? Now that is what Mike Brown would do.

 

I said IF (big if) Cassel shows he's capable of leading this team to the playoffs and beyond. Brady is 31 now. He'll be 32 at the start of next season.

 

Let's not forget, Tom Brady became "great" when he got his opportunity after backing up another solid QB in Drew Bledsoe. I'm of the opinion that Brady (and Cassell, for that matter) is more of a system QB. Neither has the raw talent & athleticism that scouts and GM's are looking for, which is why they both went very late in the draft.

 

Plus, the Patriots have shown that nobody is bigger than the team in year's past, with some of the players they've let go. I don't think it'll happen, I'm just saying...