Matt Cassel talks business at Super Bowl

TAMPA -- Quarterback Matt Cassel took care of his business on the field during the 2008 season, helping lead the Patriots to an 11-5 regular-season record.

"Things don't start heating up for another month or so," Cassel said Wednesday morning at Super Bowl XLIII headquarters, where he's in town to help promote Gatorade. "At this point, it's just kind of a waiting game. There haven't been any talks."

When Patriots players cleaned out their lockers for the final time at Gillette Stadium in late December, Cassel said he wasn't aware of all the business aspects of football -- such as the franchise tag -- because he had been focused on the day-to-day grind of football.

He’s brushed up on those business areas over the last month, and now has a better grasp on all his future options.

“I understand the franchise tag and understand what it means. If that means that I’m back with the Patriots, then that’s great,” he said.

Cassel was asked what would be an ideal result in his mind.

“I don’t know what the right answer is at this point,” he responded. “I’m just going to go through it and whatever the situation is, I’ll make the best of it.”

Last week, Cassel conducted nine satellite television interviews across the country after being named the Vizio Top Value Performer. Today, he plans to make the rounds on “Radio Row”, being interviewed by radio stations across the country as part of Gatorade’s “G” campaign.

To this point, he’s enjoyed the experience.

“This is kind of the fun stuff that you get to do on the side,” he said. “It’s a little different and a little weird not being a part of it, because as a player, you always hope to be in the playoffs and put yourself in a situation to have a chance to be at this point. Unfortunately, I’m here as a spectator.”