Pats will franchise Cassel (1 Viewer)

[TheBradyBunch]

Forgive me if this ESPN.com story has been mentioned already...been outta the loop lately:

Report: Pats will franchise Cassel

December 31, 2008 9:06 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

Michael Lombardi, a former NFL executive with several teams, reported on this week's edition of Showtime's "Inside the NFL" the New England Patriots will put the franchise tag on Matt Cassel to prevent him from becoming a free agent.

In addressing the New York Jets' precarious quarterback situation, Lombardi was asked if Cassel might be the guy to help them recover from the failed Brett Favre experiment.

"The Patriots are way too smart, and I've talked to people in the organization," said Lombardi, who worked in the Cleveland Browns' front office when Bill Belichick was the coach. "They are going to franchise Matt Cassel. He's an asset and they can control their ability to trade him if they franchise him."

The franchise tag means the Patriots must give Cassel a one-year contract worth an average of the highest five quarterback salaries.

Cassel would make more money than Tom Brady, but the move would provide insurance in case Brady can't rebound from his season-ending left knee injury. Once Brady proves he's fit, the Patriots then could trade Cassel, getting something in return rather than losing him to free agency and coming away empty-handed.

Also on "Inside the NFL," analyst Cris Collinsworth said the curtain has been pulled back on Favre.

"I think [Favre] got discovered," Collinsworth said. "When he was good in Green Bay it was short, quick throws that he got out of his hand quickly. But if he had to, he could go down the field with deep threats at wide receivers.

"The Jets didn't have those same deep threats and Brett didn't have the same arm he had when he was in Green Bay. That combination finally got exposed and it cost them."

Lombardi isn't a big fan of the idea Jets backup Kellen Clemens could step into the role and get them over the hump. The lack of a quarterback is hindering the search for Eric Mangini's replacement.

"The Jets' quarterback of the future is nowhere to be found," Lombardi said. "And that is what makes the Jets job not very attractive for potential coaches. Remember with all these jobs opening, the teams have to recruit the coaches as much as the coaches have to recruit the teams."

 

[bro1ncos]

That's going to be a lot of cap money tied up in 2 QB's regardless of Brady's injury.

It doesn't sound like the Pats are confident in Brady returning soon.

 

[renesauz]

That's going to be a lot of cap money tied up in 2 QB's regardless of Brady's injury.

It doesn't sound like the Pats are confident in Brady returning soon.

That's not my take at all. Brady could be ready next week, and this move would still make perfect sense, especially still in January.The franchise tag wil let them get something out of him before he goes, AND covers their butt until at least March/April in case Brady's recovery stalls.

 

[cdwood]

That's going to be a lot of cap money tied up in 2 QB's regardless of Brady's injury.It doesn't sound like the Pats are confident in Brady returning soon.

The franchise of Cassel would only be a lot of cap money for one year for the 2 QB's. Does Brady's salary count against the cap if he's on injured reserve?Christopher

 

[identikit]

That's going to be a lot of cap money tied up in 2 QB's regardless of Brady's injury.It doesn't sound like the Pats are confident in Brady returning soon.

Or they franchise Cassel so they can get some value for him in a trade.

 

[Chase Stuart]

What are the rules on trading a player that you franchise? Do you lose the franchise tag for the next year, do you have to get two 1st rounders back, or something else? Memory's going on me a bit today.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Lombardi isn't a big fan of the idea Jets backup Kellen Clemens could step into the role and get them over the hump.

I dunno, Clemens looked about as good as Pennington did in '07, and we saw what Chad did this year. The '07 Jets offense was terrible, so it's not fair to judge Clemens off of that.

 

[cowboyz]

That's going to be a lot of cap money tied up in 2 QB's regardless of Brady's injury.It doesn't sound like the Pats are confident in Brady returning soon.

Or they franchise Cassel so they can get some value for him in a trade.

exactly.why would the pats just give away cassel?even if they get a 7th round pick it's worth it.

 

[RC94]

That's going to be a lot of cap money tied up in 2 QB's regardless of Brady's injury.It doesn't sound like the Pats are confident in Brady returning soon.

Did you read the article? The main reason they will franchise him is to control where he goes and to get some value in return instead of letting him go for nothing (except a compensatory pick) if he leaves via free agency. Considering one their primary rivals (the Jets) will be looking for a young starting QB and the fact that QBs are so valuable, this is smart. They won't have any trouble trading him and if Brady is still injured next year they have the option of keeping him as insurance. Franchising him is the logical thing to do and in the end the salary cap will be a secondary concern.

 

[Kiddnets]

If I recall JEts franchised John Abe and then traded him for 1 1st rder so you can take less - only problem for the PAts is that they will need to clear $15M or so to franchise him - that wont be easy.

 

[sho nuff]

What are the rules on trading a player that you franchise? Do you lose the franchise tag for the next year, do you have to get two 1st rounders back, or something else? Memory's going on me a bit today.

Green Bay franchised Corey Williams last year then traded him for a 2nd rounder.I don't think they lost the ability to franchise someone this year though...but not sure.

 

[-OZ-]

That's going to be a lot of cap money tied up in 2 QB's regardless of Brady's injury.

It doesn't sound like the Pats are confident in Brady returning soon.

Or they franchise Cassel so they can get some value for him in a trade.

exactly.why would the pats just give away cassel?



even if they get a 7th round pick it's worth it.

not with the compensatory picks rule.

 

[RC94]

That's going to be a lot of cap money tied up in 2 QB's regardless of Brady's injury.

It doesn't sound like the Pats are confident in Brady returning soon.

Or they franchise Cassel so they can get some value for him in a trade.

exactly.why would the pats just give away cassel?



even if they get a 7th round pick it's worth it.

not with the compensatory picks rule.

If they don't franchise him and he leaves via free agency, they would probably get a 3rd round compensatory pick, right? I know the highest compensatory pick is at the end of the 3rd round, but I don't remember how they determine the round.

 

[Bri]

That's going to be a lot of cap money tied up in 2 QB's regardless of Brady's injury.

It doesn't sound like the Pats are confident in Brady returning soon.

That's not my take at all. Brady could be ready next week, and this move would still make perfect sense, especially still in January.The franchise tag wil let them get something out of him before he goes, AND covers their butt until at least March/April in case Brady's recovery stalls.

well he's not signing a franchise tag til March or so when the new (CBA) season begins. At the moment it probably is to cover things in case Brady's surgery issues become a big deal. We've debated the validity of the report and the timeline of recovery in that other thread. The Pats will likely know alot more by March. In March, franchising Cassel could be just for depth. There's too much unknown with Brady now. I think you're both right due to that unknown.

 

[Uber]

What are the rules on trading a player that you franchise? Do you lose the franchise tag for the next year, do you have to get two 1st rounders back, or something else? Memory's going on me a bit today.

They don't have to get two first round picks - that's just the cost for another team to sign a franchise player without the original team's permission (aka without the original team wanting to trade the player). I don't think a lot of franchise players end up actually fetching two first round picks (was it Joey Galloway that did once?). Basically Cassel can go out, negotiate contracts with suitors, and then that team tries to work out a trade with the Patriots, and the Patriots can and most likely will agree to trade him for less than two first round picks.You don't lose your franchise tag for next year, as far as I know.Technically, I don't think you're allowed to franchise a player just to trade him. There's some kind of clause in the CBA that says these tags are only for when you intend to employ the tagged player...but it happens a lot anyway. Plus, there's definitely a chance the Patriots do end up employing Cassel for '09.

 

[Bri]

If they don't franchise him and he leaves via free agency, they would probably get a 3rd round compensatory pick, right? I know the highest compensatory pick is at the end of the 3rd round, but I don't remember how they determine the round.

IIRC it also takes into account the FAs the Pats signed so suppose they lose Cassel and he rocks on another team but they sign a RB who runs for 1400-I think that'd be a wash. I think the only way they're guaranteed(assuming he does well) 3rd round compensation for Cassel is if they do nothing in FA.

 

[Bri]

What are the rules on trading a player that you franchise? Do you lose the franchise tag for the next year, do you have to get two 1st rounders back, or something else? Memory's going on me a bit today.

They don't have to get two first round picks - that's just the cost for another team to sign a franchise player without the original team's permission (aka without the original team wanting to trade the player). I don't think a lot of franchise players end up actually fetching two first round picks (was it Joey Galloway that did once?). Basically Cassel can go out, negotiate contracts with suitors, and then that team tries to work out a trade with the Patriots, and the Patriots can and most likely will agree to trade him for less than two first round picks.You don't lose your franchise tag for next year, as far as I know.Technically, I don't think you're allowed to franchise a player just to trade him. There's some kind of clause in the CBA that says these tags are only for when you intend to employ the tagged player...but it happens a lot anyway. Plus, there's definitely a chance the Patriots do end up employing Cassel for '09.

you can lose it, don't recall how though.You can also only franchise a player X number of times.When teams trade a player they often remove the franchise tag, negotiate a contract(in the receiving team's interests), and then trade him. It's a bit bush league to skirt the rule you mentioned above but if everyone's doing it....

 

[Uber]

When teams trade a player they often remove the franchise tag, negotiate a contract(in the receiving team's interests), and then trade him. It's a bit bush league to skirt the rule you mentioned above but if everyone's doing it....

I'm not sure it happens this way. If it did the original team would be signing a new contract, presumably with guaranteed money, and then trading him...how would they not take a cap hit for doing that?

 

[Mimo]

So Cassel is franchised by the Pats, if he is traded and signs a deal does the 1st year of the contract have to have a salary (cap number) that is in the Top 5 for QBs?

 

[Uber]

So Cassel is franchised by the Pats, if he is traded and signs a deal does the 1st year of the contract have to have a salary (cap number) that is in the Top 5 for QBs?

No, the new contract has nothing to do with the franchise one.

 

[Bri]

When teams trade a player they often remove the franchise tag, negotiate a contract(in the receiving team's interests), and then trade him. It's a bit bush league to skirt the rule you mentioned above but if everyone's doing it....

I'm not sure it happens this way. If it did the original team would be signing a new contract, presumably with guaranteed money, and then trading him...how would they not take a cap hit for doing that?

salary(cap hit) goes with a player when he's traded, bonus doesn't necessarily. I think that depends on the bonus and when it's applied IE roster bonus in September.

 

[TheBradyBunch]

While this has nothing to do with the tagging situation, I'm always interested in reading Mike Reiss' weekly positional grouping stats for the Patriots. On his blog, Reiss has broken down a complete end of year summary of the Patriots offensive positional groupings and compared it (Brady vs. Cassel) to last season. I thought it was an interesting read...

A look at the positional groupings utilized by the Patriots on offense over the 2008 season, and what it means:

# 3 WR/1 TE/1 RB -- 611 of 1102 snaps

# 1 WR/2 TE/1 FB/1 RB -- 162 of 1102

# 2 WR/2 TE/1 RB -- 161 of 1102

# 4 WR/1 RB -- 58 of 1102

# 2 WR/1 TE/1 FB/1 RB -- 54 of 1102

# 3 TE/1 FB/1 RB -- 28 of 1102

# 2 WR/1 TE/ 2 RB -- 13 of 1102

# 3 WR/1 FB/1 RB -- 11 of 1102

# 3 WR/2 RB -- 4 of 1102

(snaps include penalties that aren’t always counted as plays; do not include kneel-downs)

ANALYSIS: One of the main questions when Tom Brady was injured on the 15th offensive play of the season was “How will the offensive approach change with Matt Cassel under center?” After compiling the positional groupings utilized by the Patriots over the course of the 2008 season, there were slight alterations in the team's approach. In 2007, the Patriots ran 67 percent of their snaps in either three-receiver or four-receiver packages. In the 2008 season, it was 60.7 percent. The Patriots maintained the three-receiver package as their base for the second straight year, although a comparison to their 2007 positional groupings shows they did not run the four-receiver package as much as last year. It was impressive to watch the offense turn to its two-back power running game in the final two games. The Patriots had run the power-based 1 WR/2 TE/1 FB/1 RB a total of 84 times entering the final two games. But in the final two games – played in the snow against the Cardinals and the whipping winds against the Bills – they ran it 78 times. That is reflective of the team’s overall offensive approach to have the flexibility to morph into a different plan on a week to week basis. We are now two seasons removed from 2006, when the Patriots were building an attack around first-round tight ends Daniel Graham and Benjamin Watson. Two years later, they are now more receiver-based.

 

[CrossEyed]

If they franchise Cassel, that would mean that the team trading for him would have to pay him top 5 QB money for one year? Is he really worth that?

 

[Uber]

If they franchise Cassel, that would mean that the team trading for him would have to pay him top 5 QB money for one year? Is he really worth that?

No, they sign him to a new contract before they trade for him.

 

[Uber]

When teams trade a player they often remove the franchise tag, negotiate a contract(in the receiving team's interests), and then trade him. It's a bit bush league to skirt the rule you mentioned above but if everyone's doing it....

I'm not sure it happens this way. If it did the original team would be signing a new contract, presumably with guaranteed money, and then trading him...how would they not take a cap hit for doing that?

salary(cap hit) goes with a player when he's traded, bonus doesn't necessarily. I think that depends on the bonus and when it's applied IE roster bonus in September.

No, cap hit isn't the salary, I mean the dead money that gets counted against the cap when you trade/cut a player.Anyway, almost positive the new team signs a new contract, not the original team.

 

[TheBradyBunch]

Check out Miguel's legendary Patriots salary cap page if you're interested in all things cap related. It looks like the Pats are currently in the $19M range in cap space, fwiw.

 

[David Yudkin]

Check out Miguel's legendary Patriots salary cap page if you're interested in all things cap related. It looks like the Pats are currently in the $19M range in cap space, fwiw.

Please be advised that as of yesterday these numbers were all different. Essentially, prior to today it included all players still rostered in 2008 and without upping the cap. It has been revised to drop all the people that had their contract up after the 2008 season. So long story short, the current number only reflects people signed for 2009 and beyond. If you also notice, it does not add up to a full roster and as the page even points out does not account for any players due extensions, incentives, etc.So in theory yes they have the room for Cassel to be franchised as long as he was it would really mess with the team's ability to literally do anything else with anyone else.

 

[Insomniac]

Check out Miguel's legendary Patriots salary cap page if you're interested in all things cap related. It looks like the Pats are currently in the $19M range in cap space, fwiw.

Please be advised that as of yesterday these numbers were all different. Essentially, prior to today it included all players still rostered in 2008 and without upping the cap. It has been revised to drop all the people that had their contract up after the 2008 season. So long story short, the current number only reflects people signed for 2009 and beyond. If you also notice, it does not add up to a full roster and as the page even points out does not account for any players due extensions, incentives, etc.So in theory yes they have the room for Cassel to be franchised as long as he was it would really mess with the team's ability to literally do anything else with anyone else.

It's not hard to come up with a way to free up some space by restructuring or releasing some veterans if they're looking to sign a big FA. (Seymour, Vrabel, Faulk, Neal and Bruschi look like candidates) I don't expect them to take very long to move Cassel.

 

[massraider]

What are the rules on trading a player that you franchise? Do you lose the franchise tag for the next year, do you have to get two 1st rounders back, or something else? Memory's going on me a bit today.

In case this has been answered already:If a team signs him, the Pats get two first rounders. As far as a trade, there are no restrictions, as far as I know. If I am Cassel, I need to seriously consider signing that tender the moment the Pats offer it. It puts him in the drivers seat.

 

[gman74]

If they franchise Cassel, that would mean that the team trading for him would have to pay him top 5 QB money for one year? Is he really worth that?

If Brady is out next season they may not have a choice

 

[massraider]

That's going to be a lot of cap money tied up in 2 QB's regardless of Brady's injury.

It doesn't sound like the Pats are confident in Brady returning soon.

Or they franchise Cassel so they can get some value for him in a trade.

exactly.why would the pats just give away cassel?



even if they get a 7th round pick it's worth it.

not with the compensatory picks rule.

If they don't franchise him and he leaves via free agency, they would probably get a 3rd round compensatory pick, right? I know the highest compensatory pick is at the end of the 3rd round, but I don't remember how they determine the round.

Highest you can get is a pick at the end of the 3rd round. There is a formula to determine it, but average salary is the major factor. The Pats would certainly get a 3rd.

 

[PewterFan]

The main reason they will franchise him is to control where he goes and to get some value in return instead of letting him go for nothing (except a compensatory pick) if he leaves via free agency. Considering one their primary rivals (the Jets) will be looking for a young starting QB and the fact that QBs are so valuable, this is smart. They won't have any trouble trading him and if Brady is still injured next year they have the option of keeping him as insurance. Franchising him is the logical thing to do and in the end the salary cap will be a secondary concern.

 

[KCC]

What's the history on franchised QBs? This has to be the first time a franchise tag was put on the back-up QB, right?

 

[broncofan13000]

The main reason they will franchise him is to control where he goes and to get some value in return instead of letting him go for nothing (except a compensatory pick) if he leaves via free agency. Considering one their primary rivals (the Jets) will be looking for a young starting QB and the fact that QBs are so valuable, this is smart. They won't have any trouble trading him and if Brady is still injured next year they have the option of keeping him as insurance. Franchising him is the logical thing to do and in the end the salary cap will be a secondary concern.

X2

 

[JohnnyU]

The main reason they will franchise him is to control where he goes and to get some value in return instead of letting him go for nothing (except a compensatory pick) if he leaves via free agency. Considering one their primary rivals (the Jets) will be looking for a young starting QB and the fact that QBs are so valuable, this is smart. They won't have any trouble trading him and if Brady is still injured next year they have the option of keeping him as insurance. Franchising him is the logical thing to do and in the end the salary cap will be a secondary concern.

X2

As a Colts fan I love seeing NE franchise their backup QB. I'm not so sure Cassel could be successful on any team. NE makes him look better than he is.

 

[Bri]

When teams trade a player they often remove the franchise tag, negotiate a contract(in the receiving team's interests), and then trade him. It's a bit bush league to skirt the rule you mentioned above but if everyone's doing it....

I'm not sure it happens this way. If it did the original team would be signing a new contract, presumably with guaranteed money, and then trading him...how would they not take a cap hit for doing that?

salary(cap hit) goes with a player when he's traded, bonus doesn't necessarily. I think that depends on the bonus and when it's applied IE roster bonus in September.

No, cap hit isn't the salary, I mean the dead money that gets counted against the cap when you trade/cut a player.Anyway, almost positive the new team signs a new contract, not the original team.

I didn't say that, it's as if you missed the part about bonuses

 

[The Ghost of Common]

The main reason they will franchise him is to control where he goes and to get some value in return instead of letting him go for nothing (except a compensatory pick) if he leaves via free agency. Considering one their primary rivals (the Jets) will be looking for a young starting QB and the fact that QBs are so valuable, this is smart. They won't have any trouble trading him and if Brady is still injured next year they have the option of keeping him as insurance. Franchising him is the logical thing to do and in the end the salary cap will be a secondary concern.

X2

As a Colts fan I love seeing NE franchise their backup QB. I'm not so sure Cassel could be successful on any team. NE makes him look better than he is.

Hows that?

 

[JohnnyU]

The main reason they will franchise him is to control where he goes and to get some value in return instead of letting him go for nothing (except a compensatory pick) if he leaves via free agency. Considering one their primary rivals (the Jets) will be looking for a young starting QB and the fact that QBs are so valuable, this is smart. They won't have any trouble trading him and if Brady is still injured next year they have the option of keeping him as insurance. Franchising him is the logical thing to do and in the end the salary cap will be a secondary concern.

X2

As a Colts fan I love seeing NE franchise their backup QB. I'm not so sure Cassel could be successful on any team. NE makes him look better than he is.

Hows that?

I'm not convinced he's not a product of the Patriots system. There has to be a reason why the last game he started before this season was in high school. Either that or he didn't find football important enough to transfer to a school where he could play. Then again he could be really good and a late bloomer who's taking advangage of his opportunity. I have my doubts. I also love seeing the Patriots tie up that much coin in two QBs.

 

[JohnnyU]

Lombardi isn't a big fan of the idea Jets backup Kellen Clemens could step into the role and get them over the hump.

I dunno, Clemens looked about as good as Pennington did in '07, and we saw what Chad did this year. The '07 Jets offense was terrible, so it's not fair to judge Clemens off of that.

Maybe it was just bad timing on my part, but everytime I saw Clemens play he looked bad.

 

[The Ghost of Common]

The main reason they will franchise him is to control where he goes and to get some value in return instead of letting him go for nothing (except a compensatory pick) if he leaves via free agency. Considering one their primary rivals (the Jets) will be looking for a young starting QB and the fact that QBs are so valuable, this is smart. They won't have any trouble trading him and if Brady is still injured next year they have the option of keeping him as insurance. Franchising him is the logical thing to do and in the end the salary cap will be a secondary concern.

X2

As a Colts fan I love seeing NE franchise their backup QB. I'm not so sure Cassel could be successful on any team. NE makes him look better than he is.

Hows that?

I'm not convinced he's not a product of the Patriots system. There has to be a reason why the last game he started before this season was in high school. Either that or he didn't find football important enough to transfer to a school where he could play. Then again he could be really good and a late bloomer who's taking advangage of his opportunity. I have my doubts. I also love seeing the Patriots tie up that much coin in two QBs.

I know you do. But the Patriots front office probably has some sort of a strategy involved in doing this and it's probably a bit muc for us non-NFL execs to be able to fully "get"

 

[JohnnyU]

The main reason they will franchise him is to control where he goes and to get some value in return instead of letting him go for nothing (except a compensatory pick) if he leaves via free agency. Considering one their primary rivals (the Jets) will be looking for a young starting QB and the fact that QBs are so valuable, this is smart. They won't have any trouble trading him and if Brady is still injured next year they have the option of keeping him as insurance. Franchising him is the logical thing to do and in the end the salary cap will be a secondary concern.

X2

As a Colts fan I love seeing NE franchise their backup QB. I'm not so sure Cassel could be successful on any team. NE makes him look better than he is.

Hows that?

I'm not convinced he's not a product of the Patriots system. There has to be a reason why the last game he started before this season was in high school. Either that or he didn't find football important enough to transfer to a school where he could play. Then again he could be really good and a late bloomer who's taking advangage of his opportunity. I have my doubts. I also love seeing the Patriots tie up that much coin in two QBs.

I know you do. But the Patriots front office probably has some sort of a strategy involved in doing this and it's probably a bit muc for us non-NFL execs to be able to fully "get"

Maybe they will be able to trade him for a 2nd rd pick or something like that, or there is more to the Brady situation than we know.

 

[The Ghost of Common]

The main reason they will franchise him is to control where he goes and to get some value in return instead of letting him go for nothing (except a compensatory pick) if he leaves via free agency. Considering one their primary rivals (the Jets) will be looking for a young starting QB and the fact that QBs are so valuable, this is smart. They won't have any trouble trading him and if Brady is still injured next year they have the option of keeping him as insurance. Franchising him is the logical thing to do and in the end the salary cap will be a secondary concern.

X2

As a Colts fan I love seeing NE franchise their backup QB. I'm not so sure Cassel could be successful on any team. NE makes him look better than he is.

Hows that?

I'm not convinced he's not a product of the Patriots system. There has to be a reason why the last game he started before this season was in high school. Either that or he didn't find football important enough to transfer to a school where he could play. Then again he could be really good and a late bloomer who's taking advangage of his opportunity. I have my doubts. I also love seeing the Patriots tie up that much coin in two QBs.

I know you do. But the Patriots front office probably has some sort of a strategy involved in doing this and it's probably a bit muc for us non-NFL execs to be able to fully "get"

Maybe they will be able to trade him for a 2nd rd pick or something like that, or there is more to the Brady situation than we know.

Definitely. I see it as a move for a pick - but who really knows. They drafted O'Connell last year in the third round which is higher than they've drafted a QB in a long time. Just because of that, I'm wondering if this is a trade bait move.Also, not a bad idea to keep him out of the hands of the Jets, because you know they'd throw some dollars at Cassell

 

[JohnnyU]

The main reason they will franchise him is to control where he goes and to get some value in return instead of letting him go for nothing (except a compensatory pick) if he leaves via free agency. Considering one their primary rivals (the Jets) will be looking for a young starting QB and the fact that QBs are so valuable, this is smart. They won't have any trouble trading him and if Brady is still injured next year they have the option of keeping him as insurance. Franchising him is the logical thing to do and in the end the salary cap will be a secondary concern.

X2

As a Colts fan I love seeing NE franchise their backup QB. I'm not so sure Cassel could be successful on any team. NE makes him look better than he is.

Hows that?

I'm not convinced he's not a product of the Patriots system. There has to be a reason why the last game he started before this season was in high school. Either that or he didn't find football important enough to transfer to a school where he could play. Then again he could be really good and a late bloomer who's taking advangage of his opportunity. I have my doubts. I also love seeing the Patriots tie up that much coin in two QBs.

I know you do. But the Patriots front office probably has some sort of a strategy involved in doing this and it's probably a bit muc for us non-NFL execs to be able to fully "get"

Maybe they will be able to trade him for a 2nd rd pick or something like that, or there is more to the Brady situation than we know.

Definitely. I see it as a move for a pick - but who really knows. They drafted O'Connell last year in the third round which is higher than they've drafted a QB in a long time. Just because of that, I'm wondering if this is a trade bait move.Also, not a bad idea to keep him out of the hands of the Jets, because you know they'd throw some dollars at Cassell

If Cassel is a product of the NE system, it might be a good idea to let him sign with the Jets

 

[ratbast]

The minute he signs that tender, wouldn't that be more $ than he had ever expected to make? Or at least in the next few years?

He'll take the pot and play with house $.

 

[Rockchild]

The minute he signs that tender, wouldn't that be more $ than he had ever expected to make? Or at least in the next few years?He'll take the pot and play with house $.

This was my first thought also. If he signs the tender and then is traded, would the cap hit for the Pats be the full amount of the contract? And would he be free to sign an extension with his new team?

 

[Mimo]

The minute he signs that tender, wouldn't that be more $ than he had ever expected to make? Or at least in the next few years?He'll take the pot and play with house $.

This was my first thought also. If he signs the tender and then is traded, would the cap hit for the Pats be the full amount of the contract? And would he be free to sign an extension with his new team?

If he signs the extension the team trading for him has to have the room under the cap

 

[ratbast]

They would need the cap room only until they restructured which would change his cap number. Im pretty sure NE would owe nothing.

Edit: actually I am not sure I know what I am talking about. That was the case with Moss but as a tag I am not sure of the capologistics.

 

[Boston]

This news should come as no surprise. There's no way the Pats are letting Cassel walk without getting something back...and there's no way they're letting him go to a team like the Jets where he can come back to haunt them. Basically one of two scenarios will take place and they both hinge on Brady's health. If Brady is indeed a risk for 2009 than Cassel will remain a Patriot. He's proven that he can win and the Pats were very comfortable with him by the end of the year. With the Patriots 2009 schedule looking very tough they can't risk breaking in another QB even if it strains their salary cap. If Brady's healthy than the Pats will deal him to a team like Tampa or Chicago for picks and get a nice return on a guy they took a seventh round flyer on four years ago. The fact that Brady's health is in question makes it much easier to franchise him as it appears to be a very legitimate concern.

The other aspect with this is what the Pats do with Cassel will be the best indicator of what's really going on with Brady. The minute I see Cassel dealt will be the moment I feel Brady's fine. Yet, if Cassel doesn't get traded prior to the draft than I think Brady's health/return for 2009 will be cloudy.

 

[mr. furley]

Also on "Inside the NFL," analyst Cris Collinsworth said the curtain has been pulled back on Favre."I think [Favre] got discovered," Collinsworth said. "When he was good in Green Bay it was short, quick throws that he got out of his hand quickly. But if he had to, he could go down the field with deep threats at wide receivers."The Jets didn't have those same deep threats and Brett didn't have the same arm he had when he was in Green Bay. That combination finally got exposed and it cost them

yes, after 18 years he finally got exposed as being not very goodthose 3 MVPs and the SB win were a complete sham. oh and the 160 wins and the almost 300 starts.

 

[JohnnyU]

This news should come as no surprise. There's no way the Pats are letting Cassel walk without getting something back...and there's no way they're letting him go to a team like the Jets where he can come back to haunt them. Basically one of two scenarios will take place and they both hinge on Brady's health. If Brady is indeed a risk for 2009 than Cassel will remain a Patriot. He's proven that he can win and the Pats were very comfortable with him by the end of the year. With the Patriots 2009 schedule looking very tough they can't risk breaking in another QB even if it strains their salary cap. If Brady's healthy than the Pats will deal him to a team like Tampa or Chicago for picks and get a nice return on a guy they took a seventh round flyer on four years ago. The fact that Brady's health is in question makes it much easier to franchise him as it appears to be a very legitimate concern.The other aspect with this is what the Pats do with Cassel will be the best indicator of what's really going on with Brady. The minute I see Cassel dealt will be the moment I feel Brady's fine. Yet, if Cassel doesn't get traded prior to the draft than I think Brady's health/return for 2009 will be cloudy.

Are you convinced there will be a market for Cassel? If so, at what price do you think he's worth?