Kiper likes Cassel over Stafford, Sanchez

Very interesting stuff from Kiper. Thanks Mike!

I agree with Mel. Cassell played exceptionally well last year, especially considering his background and draft status. He has a smart, team-oriented head on his shoulders, which is more than I can say for any other quarterback taken before him in the draft.

It's sad to think about Cassell playing for another team, but I wish him well. He's given fans everything we could've asked of him in New England.

"Kiper doubted that Cassel would be available, however, saying he's an insurance policy for Tom Brady"

No one seems to be pointing out the obvious......I think he will stay put next year as insurance policy to TB

Just MHO

If I were in charge of the Patriots I would keep Cassel as my starting QB because he is younger and almost as good as Brady. Brady is old, injury prone and clearly on the down side of his career. Maybe they could trade Brady for a star running back like LT or Jamal Lewis. Pats would be dumb to let Cassel go.

Why should we take Mel Kiper seriously? He is not an NFL GM, or for that matter, connected to any NFL club. He is nothing more than a self-appointed "expert" and talent "guru" who capitalized on his connections to ESPN to vault himself to the top of the entertainment industry that surrounds the NFL draft. His opinions re: Cassell or anything else Patriots-related carry about as much weight as my own.

Professor Mark

For once I think Kiper is right...

I'd rather hear Todd McShays opinion though.

How can a team keep two QB's making 29 million between them. The Pats have some big holes on this team, which could be filled with that money.. Having a player sit on the bench making 14.9 million is crazy. The pats will not win a super bowl with this roster if Matt C is the QB. That is a fact. How many good-great teams did the pats beat this year??? Their schedule was a joke.

Thanks, Mel. I'm glad to read any/all positive MattC appraisals, especially when compared to leading QB draft prospects.

Sad to see Cassell on another team? I'm more sad about the prospect of not being able to extend Wilfork's and Warren's contracts. As the NT in a 3-4, potential loss of Wilfork after 2009 will have a much greater impact than the loss of Asante Samuel following the questionable "wait and see" contract strategy.

It may be telling if Pats draft a DT/NT type in an early round this year...

In BB we trust, but the current $30m affixed to the QB position is a gamble on many levels with implications far beyond 2009.

Lets hope Kiper keeps pimping Cassell. This can only help his stock, right.
Trade him for as much as we can as soon as we can!

Lets hope Kiper keeps pimping Cassell. This can only help his stock, right.
Trade him for as much as we can as soon as we can!

Unless Brady took a pay cut this year to let Cassel play, I would rather start O'Connell and use the 14mil to upgrade the D

He will stay in New England. Let the teams who draft Matt Stafford or Mark "Dirty" Sanchez see how much this miss the opportunity to pick up Cassel during mid-season when they post losing records....again.

I would have to believe, that O'Connell's development , as well as Brady's health,
will determine Cassel's Patriot future. If they don't get help on the Defense, it will be a long season. You can score 35 points a game, but if the D give up 36 you lose. And from what I seen from this D the last few years is quite discouraging. Remember 2004? That' what going to win championships.

I'm pretty sure if the pats DO keep Cassel, they are able to rip up the franchise tag and get a new contract out for him. Some decent upfront money and a few million a year. Don't know if they would want to keep him around more years and pay him a bunch to do nothing, or if he would even want a long term (3-4) years more to hold a clipboard. Though they can trade him whenever and not guarantee anything.

As much as LB is a need, I believe CB is a bigger need, and right now, if he is available at 23, I would go with Sean Smith of Utah. He will be an instant improvement, and a big one. And finally, a CB with some decent size and the ability and speed to accompany it, needed in today's NFL with the bigger receivers.

Kiper sucks...the guy is rarely right about anything. However, I wish he is right on this situation. If Cassel evaluates better than any of the QBs in the draft. We should expect at least a 1st round pick for him.

Hmmmm..... I'm stoking the fire here - maybe Cassel stays and Tom Brady goes?

Cassell's going to be gone in a trade before the draft. There's not a doubt in my mind. To the idiot that said "Brady is injury prone", then how do you explain the lack of playing time Cassell has had until last year. Except for the playoff game when Bledsoe had to come in an play I don't think Brady missed any time until last year. Also at 31 he's in his prime. Trade Cassell, shore up the D and sign some of those guys that become Free Agents after '09.

I think the Lions could actually give the Pats their 20th pick (and maybe a conditional next year), use the number one on that big left tackle from Alabama and maybe even have a shot at someone like Percy Harvin at 33.

Question to Wade

TFB for Jamal Lewis? Are you and Michael Phelps sharing that bong?

Here here to Pat for pointing out wade's absurd comment! Must be good stuff. Bye bye matty. we'll miss you.

Let's all be glad that Wade isn't in charge of the Patriots.

As Reiss has pointed out, more than a few times, "It only takes one team to take the plunge." And so, if we have to make out best guess right now as to where Cassel ends up, it's the Lions. This is because the Lions, out of every other team mentioned, are the only ones that NEED to make a splash, that are truly desperate to do something highly visable to bring some confidence back to their organization, from the fans and the league alike.

It's like when the Saints went through that whole Katrina episode where the owner was floating the threat of moving the team. What did they do? They signed a 'marque' guy, in Drew Brees, a face for their organization. Or like when the Dolphins gave Parcells that sweetheart deal where he basically just has to 'oversee' the operation and gets paid no matter what, whether he goes or stays. Or when the Jets brought in Farvre. For these teams, in these examples, it wasn't merely, if even mainly, about improving their team; it's about rebuilding their brand.

The Vikings went to the playoffs this year, I think. They've got someone in Tavaris Jackson & a real star in Adrian Peterson. The Chiefs have a good story in Pioli and their new coach. The Jets have a big name in their new coach. The 49er's have a popular new coach as well. Certainly, these teams would all benefit from some more talent at the quarterback position. But they don't NEED it in the form of a big name.

Detroit, what with its previous record-breaking season and this economy, NEEDS a BAILOUT, not in the form of more developing players, but in a guy that can improve them TODAY, on paper & in the papers, Matt Cassel. To them, and only to them, he is worth two first round picks, if not more. The Patriots know this; & that the other teams know it as well; and that's what really sets Cassel's price. Also, dumping these high picks on the The Pats (which the Pats will inevitably try to trade down) will save them the cap space they NEED to keep the quality players on a rebuilding team. The only question is whether or not Detroit is dumb enough to to test the Pats on this one & the let one of the other teams bite first. If they do, that starts off the feeding frenzy. So, mark my words, if the Lions end up giving up any more than 2 #1's, it's because they tried to leverage a situation where they have no leverage, i.e, the they have more pressure on themselves to VISABLY improve, than the Pats have to return to the Superbowl in their 50th season, wearing throwbacks.

No offense to Mike (because you are a great source for all news on the Pats), but Kiper is not a guy that I have a whole lot of respect for. Like other commenters have said, he's a self appointed "expert" who never gets anything right. The whole buildup to the NFL draft is nearly laughable. Where was Kiper on Tom Brady or Matt Cassel when they came out of college?? Go back and read what Kiper was saying before any draft, compare it to what actually took place, and how players have performed, and you'll realize that a monkey throwing darts could make evaluations just as well as he does.

It's amazing to think how much power trading Cassel would give the Pats in the draft and FA. I don't like the idea of trading Cassel and I bet he takes a modest contract around 4M to stay as Brady's back-up. I bet he's more worried about being stuck on some terrible team as the starter and making the 14M than he would feel returning to the back up at 4M knowing full well he's giving the Pats the highest QB talent pool since the days of Montana and Young.
Plus with all this Wild Cat stuff, I can honestly say that even as the back up, you could call five or six plays for Cassel to sub for Brady and roll out pass option and even leave him in as the H back.
this guy is a hell of an athelete and could be a servicable receiver while giving opposing D's that Dolphin WildCat scare formation.
BUT if they do trade him, the Pats would do some serious re loading on D. man, they could get high draft picks, and package that for anyone they would want.
How about Crabtree as the 3rd WR. he might just be the second coming of Fitzgerald. similiar size and great hands with an RB RAC mentality.

Why would you trade Brady to pick up a broken down running back like L T or Jamal Lewis? That doesn't make any sense. Brady is only 31 and has 5 more very good years or more and those two backs will be long gone.

"If I were in charge of the Patriots I would keep Cassel as my starting QB because he is younger and almost as good as Brady. Brady is old, injury prone and clearly on the down side of his career. Maybe they could trade Brady for a star running back like LT or Jamal Lewis. Pats would be dumb to let Cassel go."
-Wade, you are moronic. This is Brady's first major injury of his1:01 PM
career, and clearly on the down side of his career. He got the MVP and 50 TD's the year before. Lastly, JAMAL,LEWIS? he is not a star RB. Where do the people come from in New England. Hey lets trade Alex Cora for Hanley Ramirez guy, Dont wsate comment space.

VerDisgo, I don't think any team is going to give up two first round picks for Cassell, but if they do I believe it's the first one that does that gets him. There isn't a bidding war situation. The Pats don't hold all the cards here. They don't want to be stuck holding to high priced assets. And in fact there's incentive now to be agressive in working out a trade for Cassell in order to keep him away from the Jets who could possibly make a bold move for him.

"I would keep Cassel as my starting QB because he is younger and almost as good as Brady. Brady is old, injury prone and clearly on the down side of his career. Maybe they could trade Brady for a star running back like LT or Jamal Lewis."
IT IS STATEMENTS LIKE THIS THAT MAKE ME WONDER HOW EASILY THE AVERAGE PERSON CAN PURCHASE CRACK COCAINE. OK OK, WAIT A MINUTE, CASSEL IS ALMOST AS GOOD AS BRADY?? YOU DO REALIZE THAT BRADY BROKE THE SINGE SEASON RECORD FOR TOUCHDOWNS THE YEAR PRIOR TO CASSEL THE GREAT?? AND BRADY DID THIS WITH THE SAME OFFENSE THAT CASSEL HAD, AND AGAINST A TOUGHER SCHEDULE, AND HE WENT UNDEFEATED.
INJURY PRONE AND ON THE DOWNSIDE OF HIS CAREER?? UMMM BRADY IS 31 AND IN HIS PRIME........AND EXACTLY HOW MANY GAMES DID BRADY MISS BEFORE THIS SEASON?
TRADE BRADY FOR JAMAL LEWIS?? WOW.....I UMM...I DONT QUITE KNOW HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS..............SON, STEP AWAY FROM THE GLASS PIPE BEFORE YOU HURT YOURSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE.

Who cares about an insurance policy, you've got to strike while the iron is hot. Cassel's stock is about as high is it might ever be--The Pats need to trade him and rebuild their elderly defense.

I agree with Rob's comment (post #24) .. Kiper is blowing Cassel out of proportion saying that he (Kiper) "would rather have Cutler than Cassel" and saying that he is better than Aaron Rodgers. I like that he is building Cassel's stock, but these comments are quite a stretch. I too have little respect for Kiper's predictions.
Another note: Projecting the Patriots draft picks is impossible (and I love it). But I really hope they do not get Brian Cushing (as Kiper suggests). Cushing is a combine monster and will put up ridiculous combine statistics, but that should not warrant him a high draft pick (i.e. Vernon Gholston and Keith Rivers). Also consider Cushing’s past history of steroid use (even recently documented by his hometown paper the Bergen Record) and the fact that he played with defensive studs all around him does not appeal to me either. The tape on Cushing also displays a lack of fundamental football skills, although a smart kid, his instinct is in question. With all do respect Mike, I am praying that the Patriots do not draft Cushing, it will be a wasted draft pick. Hopefully a guy like Brandon Pettigrew, or William Moore will be available come pick 23.

No way the Patriots keep over $29M worth of quarterbacks. No way Tom Brady is going anywhere. Most feel Brady is among the 3 best QBs in the history of the league and he's neither old nor injury prone. Before his knee, I think he had the longest starting streak in the NFL next to Favre and Manning. I don't think there's much doubt that Cassel is gone. There are too many other far less expensive insurance options available to the Pats. They have to deal with Wilfork pretty soon, and several other "must signs" not too long after that to be tying up that kind of money in an insurance policy. The only way he stays is if they determine Brady cannot play. With the way he plays, Brady has at least another five good years in him.

I hope the Pats get all that they can for Cassel because I believe that last season was a total anomily and that it was a fluke season for a kid who will never play as well, in the NFL, again. A one year wonder. Get all that they can for him while he is a hot item....

Don't be so hard on Wade ... he's smarter than this guy:

I don't like the idea of trading Cassel and I bet he takes a modest contract around 4M to stay as Brady's back-up. I bet he's more worried about being stuck on some terrible team as the starter and making the 14M than he would feel returning to the back up at 4M knowing full well he's giving the Pats the highest QB talent pool since the days of Montana and Young.

Yeah, lots of pro athletes turn down a spare $10M a year to carry a clipboard.
Hahahaha

The Pats need Brady to win a Super Bowl. Matt had a good year but to win a Super Bowl you need to have a great! !Great! year. Brady has the proven record to do it.
However if we deal Matt, we need insurance now that the league will be aiming for that leg.

To those who think Pats should trade Brady.

The mere fact that the Pats are already favored to win next seasons Super Bowl is because of Brady. Not Cassel, not coach Bill, and certainly not because of the Pats fine defense. Imagine, the Steelers win the SB and the Pats are favored the win it next season the day after the SB.

On the subject of the Pats first round draft choice, I'm a big fan of Brian Cushing from USC. He's been a stickout and has started for USC since he showed up in their program. He's smart, physical and could fit inside or out in the Pat's 3-4. Let's do it!

Very simple Trade Cassel. If Brady is not ready on week one play the high draft choice backup until he is. Restock the team with as much young talent as possible.

@VerDisqo 4:41...The Vikings have someone in Tavaris Jackson??? I don't think you watched many Vikings games last year. Tavaris Jackson stinks!!! Or, their O-coordinator was asking him to do things he just can't do. Look at their offensive coaches list, almost a six pack of offensive coordinators/offensive "quality control" guys.

Hey Wade,, you can exhale now. Brady is injry prone ?? other than his freak injury this year which wasnt his fault when has been injured ?? downside of his career,, yeah that 50 td year he had was a real downer

Unless Brady took a pay cut this year to let Cassel play, I would rather start O'Connell and use the 14mil to upgrade the D

Dont ever post anything again.. or even watch another Patriots game.. Your an idiot and that was the stupidest comment I have every seen.

Some of the commenters on this blog make the case for forced euthenasia.

I'd have to agree with Kiper. Cassel has already a year of NFL experience under his belt. He already has learned to read defenses and adjusted to the speed of pro football players. College players will need at least 1 year to adjust, and perhaps more. Cassel's the ONLY player the Lions or Chiefs can "draft" that is ready to not only play, but win on day one.
On the idea of the Patriots getting a top 5 draft pick is exciting! It's a great chance for the Pats to trade either the 1 or the 3rd pick for perhaps a pick somewhere in the 8-15 range and a few 2nd and 3rd round picks as well. Great chance to turn a aging team into a young and exciting team.

Brady and now Cassel prove that Belichek knows how to select and groom QBs. So why would he keep the highly tradeable Cassel when he has Guitierrez and O'Connell waiting in the wings? Recall that both looked better than Cassel in pre-season.

Some of you guys should stick to talking about the issues: like will the Pats trade or keep Cassel? Would they trade Brady? And stop calling other people idiots etc. It adds nothing of value. Just make your points and sports posts would be a lot better reading. About the issues: I agee with those who say they can't see how they can keep a 14 million dollar back up and that damages building the rest of the team. What is that 14 million: two good players say at 4 million each plus 3 more solid valuable veterans at 2 million each - it is really against the way they have built the team.

Isn't "Guru" Kiper the same mastermind who told us that Tom Brady wasn't worth drafting? This guy is about as reliable as the horoscope blurbs on the comics page of this newspaper.

BTW, Mel - how did Brady Quinn do in the Pro Bowl this year?

Puh-leeeze.

Tom Brady is the Starting quarterback for the Patriots period....Cassell will be trade bait to elevate our defense and Kevin Oconnor will be groomed as the back-up......I love Vontae Davis as a cornerback and Larry English OR Brian Cushing as an outside linebacker.and a quality offensive tackle./....I also think we could get Larry Johnson as a running back in a trade......All these movesare possible and if they are made thePats would have the best team ever in their historyto go to the Super Bowl with.....

Wade at #4 hasn't got a clue. Cassel is not in the same breath as Tom Brady. Brady isn't injury prone and if he is he hadn't missed a game since 2001 before this year. Also the guys LT and Lewis you want to trade for are on the down side of their careers as you say Brady is. Wake up.

ATLpatsfan, what are you smoking. You said Brady is injury prone. How do you figure that. He never missed any games until this year.

If Detroit picks up an O-Lineman with their first, I would think they plan on getting Cassel via a trade with their 20th & some other pick.

Only problem and risk is that Cassel still has to agree to signing on to a new contract with Detroit and if I were him, would not want to go to Detroit and so, blows up any plans that Detroit may have since they could have picked up a QB with their 1st.

Only way this would work is if Detroit negotiates with Cassel prior to t he Draft to make sure he is willing to go to Detroit.

Trade Cassel, and use a pick to get that TE Pettigout if he is available. The guy is a monster and is a tremendous blocker with great hands. After watching our Oline and the spotty if not bad play of our tight end group, we should look to get this guy if its possible. We could lose Hands of Stone Watson, and light a fire under the game killer Dave Thomas. I don't think we need a lot on Defense as there were so many injuries last year and so many are coming back from them.

Wade, How the hell is Brady "injury prone"? He's had 2 injuries his whole career. In the 2001 season vs teh Steelers in the AFCC game and this year with his knee. He's currently 31 (not old). Also, to say that Brady and Cassel are close....look at the past 2 seasons and tell me they are close.

Now, you'd trade Brady for Jamal Lewis? Are you kidding me? Are you 13 years old? Thank god your not in any shape or form in the Pats org.

I think Cassel is def. better than Stafford or Sanchez. He's been around longer, duh. I just find it hard for DET/KC to give up their future, especially considering the fact that Cassel will make $14.65 M in 2009.

There's no doubt NE will try to sell high, but I'm not sure they can get a top 3 pick for him. Even one of those picks won't cause the cap hit that Cassel will. Teams like KC/DET will see Cassel as a rental anyway.

I think the Pats could realistically trade Cassel to a team like MIN. They were contenders last year and they really don't need a first-round pick. These are our options.

Keeping Cassell is the prudent thing to do; Brady will have to show he is 100% before they can make a move to trade Cassell. I think they have to trade him to insure that they have enough cash to sign guys like Wilfork (et al)next year. Also what is Bob Kraft doing ,going on radio with that disgusting Howard Stern (how demeaning to himself and the organization!)

Just my .02 cents on this but I would like to see them trade Cassel for a top 10 pick (I strongly believe they can get a top 5) but lets just say top 10. With this pick, you can either grab another LB in the draft or perhaps a CB such as Jenkins from Ohio St. Mayes from USC would have been perfect to replace Harrison, but since he is going back to USC, Jenkins or Maualuga from USC might be worthy to fill other holes. You got also take this pick and draft down and hopefull get more picks to restructure the D and future of organization. Now, if Brady is not fully recovered or god forbid something else happened. You still go out and grab a veterna QB, O'Connell still will need more time but with the vetern QB it will just be an insurance policy. I'm sure they could grab ssomeone for a one year deal for a mil or two. Just my two cents, but I would rather have them get something for Cassel to improvd the needs of the team which right now is clearly their Defense. Get some corners and groom some young LB's to work with Mayo in the future!

Not only is Cassel better than Cutler, he is also better than all of the other QB's drafted in 06' including Vince Young, JP Losman, Kellen Clemens, and yes Matt Leinart also. In this day and age in the NFL you have to produce results quick, it's that simple. There are a bunch of teams who need a QB and they would be crazy not to at least consider making a play for Cassel. Not everyone has to agree with Kiper all the time, but he's right on the money with this one.

Phil:
The team that trades for him doesnt have to pay him the 14 million. They would sit down and work out a long term contract that works for both player and tem. That is how it works in the NFL. The franchise tag 14 million will never happen. Either of two things will happen here, the Pats will do a sign and trade (sign him to say, a 4 year deal at 7 per year) then trade him to someone. They would have already spoken to said team to find out what contract works for the team.
OR they will sign Cassel to a long term contract for less hit on the salary cap until Brady is healthy. This option is less likely because Cassel will want to play, so he may decline the contract offer and say he wants his franchise tag amount....in that case, see above.

I dont really have an opinion on the matter but i just HAVE to say how stupid the author of #4 is, Wade i believe. Im pretty sure u just suggested trading Brady for Jamal Lewis. Dude, get yourself to a hospital ASAP, you need serious medical assistance. That is all

first this is TBones team. He got hurt once his knee. Yeah he is not as young as he once was but he is a hellova lot smarter. Look at Jeff Garcia whom is gonna get some team to pay him something to be there starting QB and he is at least 5 years older then Tom. Look at Brett Farv-ra how old was he last year? Still pretty productive 22TD's. So to think that Tom is over the hill is crazy! is he past the peak of his proformence? maybe but only by a little. His down side has a very slight slope and if you know him you know he still has his sites set on all the Joe Montanas records he grew up Idolizing. So to say he has lost his competitive fire is just misunderstood.

I wouldn't be surprised if BB has Kevin O'Connell putting in extra time mentally and physically during the off season. It's easy to see that with the right mental state of mind and physical conditioning, players are one play away from potentially making millions. The Patriots main focus should be on defense. Their defense lost more games this past year than their offense.

@NoTorreUs#39: My point in mentioning Tavaris Jackson isn't about him as a player per se, like to say he's the answer or the solution. He's not. But he's not the problem, either. It's the arc of the story: The Packers lost Farve, so the Vikings, with, like, 7 returning Pro-Bowlers, were projected (by some) to go to playoffs. They struggled a little under Jackson. He got benched, but he also came back, and big. He "improved" enough that he had a huge game against the team that ulitmately went to the SuperBowl, that almost won it. He won the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for it. He was a big part of why they won the NFC north title.

Do they WANT improvement at his position? Sure. Do they NEED it in a way that pressures them to "break the bank?" No way. Not while he's still "developing," & under contract for 3 more years. Plus, this is a team that's just made their their first playoffs appearance in four years. So, whatever they were doing; they're goingto continue to do and hope it works.

Tarvaris Jackson was awful in his one playoff game this past season. I have to think that with an upgrade to Cassell they become a top NFC team. I personally think the whole Cassell thing makes the most sense for the Vikings. They have a lot of the other pieces in place already including a top running back. But Jackson STINKS!

Bob Kraft's organization has continually surprised with personel choices in the past, so there is no telling what this offseason might bring. However I am inclined to believe that A) Brady has a good little bit left in the tank, B) Cassel would be too expensive too warm a bench, he will be traded before the draft so any picks could be used this year, and C) Belichek has a plan, he always does.

Not too much mention of KC in the trade talks here but who thinks Pioli wants to bring a familiar face with him? Do I smell first round pick with a side of Tony Gonzalez? Mmmm...tasty!

A first round pick with a side of Tony Gonzalez would be awesome, but Pioli and Kansas City would never, ever, ever give up a 10 time pro bowl, sure-fire first ballot hall of famer, and the #3 pick in the draft for Matt Cassel. As good as we think Cassel is, he only did it for one season.

Kiper is now a pro as well as college football expert? Ya, right.

In light of the current financial climate which will drasticly effect even a bell cow like the NFl and the Pats I am sure BB does not want to high a draft pick for Matt and the financial implications that come with it. He will probably be traded for a bunch of 2,3's that will represent better value. I still say he is heading to Minnesota . I am sure BB would never send him to any AFC teams especially the Chiefs to help out Scott who deserted the ship. It is obvious in the new coaching hires the Pats are not paying top dollar to any one. As to Tom's health I think pictures of him playing golf in California says it all.

Cassell is ABSOLUTELY available for trade. He was franchised so that the Patriots could get the best value for him. There are MANY teams in the NFL who are in DIRE need of a quality NFL calibre quarterback and Cassell is their man. To gamble a first round pick on a college senior instead would be idoitic. (Mel, thanks for stating the obvious!) Guitz, O'Connell and a late round pick from the draft, in that order as far as I'm concerned, can fill the bill if Brady gets injured. I can't wait for BB and crew to get hold of those extra draft picks as the Patriots do have needs. And they will be filled...

wow everyone is so smart it used to be dead slow blesoes team too
cassle did great !!! he started how many games since high school
knew when to pull it down and run...instincts
that game against the jets was bradyesk
the defense coordinater blew it
cassel hit moss to many times in the hands and he dropped it against pitt.the game at that point was one dementional.blittsburg came after him and stuck it to him .keep castel trade tommy and his bad leg build the D up and win with BB

Casey from Canada.
I will speak the unthinkable.
Having two high priced quarterbacks in this business (NFL) does not add up, if you want to keep up...
Look at the competition in the AFC East. Quarterbacks in the AFC East are not exactly the strong suit. More so than the produce in your grocery, NFL players have an expiry date. Brady may not have reached his expiry date today, but he is probably closer to his expiry date than Cassel.Trade Brady, get an inexpensive experienced QB for a back up, and keep the younger rising star Cassel for your starter....

quarterbacks need years of nfl experience to reach their peaks. cassell still is improving and has a great future. you all talk about last year's stats, but if you ignore his learning curve in the first half of the season you will see he is already better than half the nfl qbs. he will get better. pats can win with him if they have to, but not with their d of last year. trade c or tb for the most value available and shore up the d and te position.

You people need to be realistic. First off, Brady is going nowhere. This is his team, plain and simple and the Pats go only as far as he takes them. Secondly, the Pats don't historically like top-ten draft picks because they ultimately cost the team too much. They prefer later picks towards the middle and end of the 1st round as they have continually expressed receiving "better value" at that those positions. Therefore Detroit's 20th pick seems ideal with a conditional 2nd or 3rd round pick for next year. Also stop pipe-dreaming about trading our players for other teams players....it's not the Patriots style and when was the last time you heard of a NFL trade lately? It just doesn't happen much. The closest you're going to get is to trade Cassel for some draft picks and this might not even happen until after the draft.

Two things:
1. Tom Brady was probably the best player in the NFL when he got hurt. He had just come off what was arguably the best season a QB has EVER had. To even think about replacing him is insane. If he comes back OK from the injury, he's as good as anybody, maybe better. And knowing what I know about Brady, I won't be the one who's betting against him.
2. Cassel better than Cutler? That's a joke, right?

What is going to happen to ticket sales in Detroit if Minnesota gets Cassel and the Lions end up with a rookie QB being planted on his behind a dozen times a game? Since they are in the same division, the Lions fans will have to watch Cassel 2x a season plus read all the press as Minnesota makes a run in the playoffs. It will be "woulda, coulda, shoulda" time. Those tickets are already hard to sell. The Lions need to get Cassell or they will potentially be without a franshise QB for years, considering the bust rate these guys have. The general lack of success, of recent QB's drafted should motivate the Lions re: Cassell.

I'd take Jay Cutler over Matt Cassel any day of the week.

When Peyton HIllis or whatever the guy's name is becomes your starting running back from 6th string and everybody and their mother knows you're going to pass and you're STILL having 400 yard games like the one against Atlanta, you've got some serious skills.

Some funny posts here...and some drunk ones too it looks like.

There's no way possible the Pats keep Cassel at $14M for 2009, would kill their cap and result in $25M being spent on two QB's. Anyone suggesting the Pats will keep Cassel are clueless. In my opinion, Pats will trade him for a 2009 1st Rd pick and 2010 1st or 2nd...depends if there's a small bidding war by Minn., Detriot, KC etc...which is surely possible because Cassel is 25 and has a year of experience and is proven. If the Pats get a high 1st Rd pick for 2009, they'll surely trade picks with someone to move back closer to the 20th pick. And the stupid comments about Brady aren't worth speaking to...he had 50 TD's in 2007 and didn't miss any games until last year's unfortunate stupid hit by that KC no name guy that dove at his legs.

Oh, and it's too early to say Cassel is better than Cutler, but it surely could be the case a couple years from now. Cutler has looked very bad in spots, including the Pro Bowl....anyone see that dismal 2:00 min offense Cutler messed up?

Trade Cassel for the first 2 picks from Detroit or KC. Then trade those picks for 6-8 more draft picks. you know Patroit's style. set the draft up for the next few years and use the Cassel money to sign Wilfork.

OK, How about something like this? Pick up a used but servicable QB through free agency , maybe Chris Simms to play backup in case Brady can't go. It gives O'Connell time to develop and provides some more reasonably priced insurance for Brady. Trade Cassell for a needed part for the defense, LB or CB plus a good draft pick t(maybe second rounder) to add a second piece for the aging D. I also do not see Belichick keeping a high first round pick. He will parlay that into more low first, second or third round picks.

Light yourself up another fatty Wade. Brady being injury prone, and on the down slide? You must be a Lion fan,. Tunah, your comments are not all that bad. You need to learn how to type dude.

Pettigout also has been in trouble more than once, has a bad attitude and a reputation for laziness. trade him for Brady? LOL!!

That Cassel did so well has much to do with not only his dedication and preparation, which obviously are outstanding, but also that he was not thrust into a starting role straight out of college, unlike Smith, Rodgers, Campbell, Cutler and a host of other QBs that didn't have the opportunity to back up the consummate pro in Tom Brady in the very professional atmosphere of the Patriots with Bill Belichick for three years and got thrown to the wolves instead. Quite a luxury for a young pro QB. That being said, if I were the Patriots I would be looking to trade Brady if I could. Injuries like Brady suffered take quite a while for QBs to recover from (Carson Palmer, for instance, took about two years to regain his form). Considering that and the punishment Brady has taken over the years (never mind the sack totals, Tom got bashed quite a bit due to his penchant for waiting til the last second to dump off the ball plus the lack of protection afforded him behind the Patriots' porous O-line), AND the relative lack of punishment Cassel has taken (after all, he was a backup in college too - that's at least six years of punishment Cassel has avoided), and Cassel is clearly the better choice for the future. Why wouldn't you want to keep a young healthy QB who knows your organization and the organization knows and trusts? No doubt that Tom Brady is going to the HOF, and deservedly so, but the Patriots need to think about the future, and if you're gonna make a trade you better get it done while the getting's good. Maybe Pioli will give up something very decent for Tom. The irony: KC is was the landing place for Joe Montana when Steve Young was ready.

Either way, GO PATS!

Cassel is a great QB but I wonder if he will be as good with another organization. Don't forget, he was thrust into the drivers seat of a Ferrari (being the New England offense) with all the weapons we have. I see Cassel getting traded almost immediately for a couple of draft picks. Hopefully we pick up some cornerbacks. I don't see Brady going anywhere. I would absolutely LOVE IT if they went undefeated again. Belichick is pi$$ed we got porked last year. But Brady has to come out slinging. I can't wait to watch him play again. I hope he fires it up! But he's gotta want it - REAL BAD!

first of all I think that Cassel is gone before the draft..A more workable trade is with Detroit for both of their 2nd round picks . Don't forget the crazy money that first rounders get..That would give Pats 4 second round picks and let detroit keep both 1st rounders for o linemen to protect their franchise QB Cassel..As for Tavares Jackson he is not a NFL starting QB set to make a run at the super bowl, He has bad decision making process. At best he is a back up to any top tear team..If minny would give up a player and a draft choice I think they would be ready for their superbowl run..Let me see Brady VS Cassel what a game..Just think of it. Also I hope pats draft English out of NI great instincts and stuffs the run great kid .

Why is everyone saying the Pats should go for an OLB? What about the 3rd round pick last year of Crable (still with team)?? What about Bo Ruud (still with team)?? What about Redd, Guyton, Craig, Robertson (all still with team)??

I think D line and O line are more pressign needs taking into consideration contracts coming up (and big ones at that). That and do not forget a safefty that can go at a high level (no more fill in guys ....please!)

The people who say the Patriots should trade Brady are ridiculous and should seriously get a clue....the 16-0 season Brady was the best the game has seen...now hes viewed as an injury prone banged up QB....how can you people look yourselves in the mirror and think you are patriots fans. Look what Brady has done for this Franchise and now because Matt Cassel has a good year they should keep him and get rid of Brady....you people are out of your minds!! I mean thanks Cassell for a great year...but it's time to move on Brady's the man...lets worry about filling other holes and not debate on whoes the starting QB...thats a no brainer.