February 6, 200917 yr http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3887262 BOSTON -- The New England Patriots placed the franchise tag on Matt Cassel on Thursday, making it tougher for other teams to sign the free agent quarterback. ESPN's Michael Smith first reported the story. The Patriots might keep him if they have doubts that Tom Brady will be ready for the start of next season after sustaining a serious knee injury in the 2008 opener. If they're confident Brady will be ready, they could trade Cassel rather than pay him the $14.65 million offer for 2009 in the franchise designation. Cassel had a breakout season in 2008, starting 15 games after starting none the seven previous seasons -- four with Southern California as backup to Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, and three after New England drafted him in the seventh round in 2005.
February 6, 200917 yr $14 million for a potential backup can only mean that Brady's knee injury is a major concern.
February 6, 200917 yr Author Some :lol: posts in this thread here... http://www.bluegrasspreps.com/showthread.php?t=167217&highlight=franchise :sssh:
February 6, 200917 yr $14 million for a potential backup can only mean that Brady's knee injury is a major concern. He will not be signed by the Patriots for one year. It will not happen. He will either be traded or allowed to sign elsewhere for picks. The Pats don't have a history of having $14M backups.
February 6, 200917 yr He will not be signed by the Patriots for one year. It will not happen. He will either be traded or allowed to sign elsewhere for picks. The Pats don't have a history of having $14M backups. He is trade bait... Smart move by the pats.
February 6, 200917 yr He is trade bait... Smart move by the pats. I agree. If they get two first round picks out of him it's more than smart.
February 6, 200917 yr He will not be signed by the Patriots for one year. It will not happen. He will either be traded or allowed to sign elsewhere for picks. The Pats don't have a history of having $14M backups. They also haven't been in this situation before...waiting to see if a guy, who is in the argument for best QB to ever play the game, will be able to come back from a severe knee injury. I think the Patriots made a move that they could live with either way...either they get to keep Cassel as an insurance policy for one year...or they get something for him.
February 6, 200917 yr Do you think, and this is out of left field, that with Paoli in KC and in need of a QB, that the Pats and Chiefs work out a deal for Cassell and Larry Johnson? If Brady's knee is ok, and the Pats needing a RB in the worst way, it would make sense for NE. Paoli can now get a semi-established QB to help run young team while getting rid of a malcontent. It seems to work for both teams.
February 6, 200917 yr Do you think, and this is out of left field, that with Paoli in KC and in need of a QB, that the Pats and Chiefs work out a deal for Cassell and Larry Johnson? If Brady's knee is ok, and the Pats needing a RB in the worst way, it would make sense for NE. Paoli can now get a semi-established QB to help run young team while getting rid of a malcontent. It seems to work for both teams. Pioli And, I kinda doubt the Pats would do that. I honestly think they want to keep Cassel for the time being so they won't have to worry about the QB position. And, as important as that position is, I think that's a smart move. Wait and see how Brady returns from the injury first. Also, I have doubts as to whether they'd have a big interest in Larry Johnson. I suspect they'd want better value to trade a guy like Cassel...I'm not sure a 29 year old RB who has missed 12 games over the past two seasons after racking up 800+ touches in the previous two seasons is equal to Cassel. It's all about upside and potential...Cassel is now viewed as a "semi-proven" QB who is a rising star...Johnson is an aging RB who is breaking down. I think draft picks would be more valuable to NE. Look at LJ... 2005 (16 Games) 336 rushes, 1750 yards (5.2 avg), 20 TD 33 receptions, 343 yards (10.4 avg), 1 TD 2006 (16 Games) 416 rushes, 1789 yards (4.3 avg), 17 TD 41 receptions, 410 yards (10.0 avg), 2 TD 2007 (8 Games) 158 rushes, 559 yards (3.5 avg), 3 TD 30 receptions, 186 yards (6.2 avg), 1 TD 2008 (12 Games) 193 rushes, 874 yards (4.5 avg), 5 TD 12 receptions, 74 yards (6.2 avg), 0 TD If you combine his total yards and TD's for '07 and '08 you get 1693 yards and 9 TD's. That's 50-100 yards less than just his rushing total in either of the previous two years and about half his TD total in either of those years.
February 6, 200917 yr I agree. If they get two first round picks out of him it's more than smart. I don't think there is anyway someone would give 2 first rounders for Cassel, but I could see a team giving one.
February 6, 200917 yr I don't think there is anyway someone would give 2 first rounders for Cassel, but I could see a team giving one. I don't think so either. That's why I think the Patriots intention is to keep Cassel...and they've set it up to where they're going to do just that. And, if they don't, they're going to get plenty of compensation in return.
February 6, 200917 yr They also haven't been in this situation before...waiting to see if a guy, who is in the argument for best QB to ever play the game, will be able to come back from a severe knee injury. I think the Patriots made a move that they could live with either way...either they get to keep Cassel as an insurance policy for one year...or they get something for him. I would have agreed w/ you before I saw Brady relaxing on the beach and playing Golf recently. He'll be fine and either someone else signs Cassell and they let him walk for two first rounders or they make a deal w/ someone.
February 6, 200917 yr I would have agreed w/ you before I saw Brady relaxing on the beach and playing Golf recently. He'll be fine and either someone else signs Cassell and they let him walk for two first rounders or they make a deal w/ someone. Big difference in relaxing on the beach and playing golf vs. playing football. JMO Like I said, I think the Pats are inclined to keep Cassel as an insurance policy for the 2009 season. That doesn't mean they wouldn't trade him for the right offer...they're just making sure they lock things up to where one of those two things have to happen.
February 6, 200917 yr Big difference in relaxing on the beach and playing golf vs. playing football. JMO Like I said, I think the Pats are inclined to keep Cassel as an insurance policy for the 2009 season. That doesn't mean they wouldn't trade him for the right offer...they're just making sure they lock things up to where one of those two things have to happen. I agree and what better policy than a guy who played as well as he did last year. Brady is fine IMO and will be ready for practice day 1.
February 6, 200917 yr I agree and what better policy than a guy who played as well as he did last year. Brady is fine IMO and will be ready for practice day 1. I hope you're right.
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.