Matt Cassel analysis

I was surprised at the number of people that were surprised by the timing of this. "Football people" on radio stations were wondering why they did this so quick, it's blatantly obvious. They can't trade someone who is not their property, they would have to place the franchise tag on him to make any deals or even negotiate a trade for him.

I agree. The sooner they franchise Cassel, the sooner they can begin negotiations. The team that the Pats trade with know that getting the Playbook and laptop to the new QB is absolutely top priority. The more time the QB has with the Playbook, the better off they are.

If they were waiting to see about Brady's health, they would have signed him on the 19th. Signing him now means he's being traded no doubt.

Cassel will follow Scott Piolil to KC for the number 3 pick and one of their disgruntled superstars

They still cannot allow his reps to (officially) talk to other teams before the 27th, surely?

Don't call me Shirley

Roger Roger.

Following on Trevor’s question, what are the league rules for negotiations? Can the Pats, other teams and Matt’s agent get together and talk about picks/players and a longer term contract extension? What has been done in the past with franchised players in terms of tag and trade or sign to a longer term contract and trade?
Either way, congratulations and apologies go to Matt for his transformation from a preseason roster cut to a NFL stud QB. And thanks for one of the most memorable Patriots seasons.

Lions are the best bet - three picks (1-20-33) and desperate for a QB that has proven himself in the NFL. Who do they want more: Matt Stafford or Cassel?

Thanks for the memories, Matt! Clearance,

I think Minnesota is a match. They're a very good team missing a QB to get them over the hump. Plus their first round pick isn't that high - the Pats are not interested in top 10 picks because you have to overpay them.

Detroit Lions -- America's team.

Mike - can teams go OVER the cap for the year? I seem to hear every now and then about teams that have done that (I think I read the Jets did that in 08)? Would it be possible that the Patriots are still going to make some big signings in '09, and go over the cap with the expectation that they would be dumping Cassel's in 2010?

Davo

trade brady. keep cassel. nfl means not for long. the truth is that brady is marketable but on the decline while cassel has all the tools. and no-one has any idea what brady's leg really looks like. i know it sounds wrong and crappy- which is the NFL in a nutshell, but you have to look forward to the future-- and the future is Matt. My wife hates me for this opinion, but Tom needs to go.

The Pats will win the SB again with Brady at the helm. Why are we so quick to trade a man who still is the best? We are a few defensive players away from another trophy. Had Brady been in there this year we would have had the parade already

sven, they will be able to let teams negotiate with Cassel before the start of free agency. This is a great opportunity to get a deal done even before the start of free agency. the pats now have 3 weeks before free agency starts to get Cassel his long term contract and make a deal with some deal for picks. this'll give us the compensation for Cassel and let us participate in free agency with the $20M in cap space.

your wife is right!

Hi Trevor. It's a bit of a gray area. Technically, Cassel is still under contract to the Patriots until Feb. 26 and the tag itself goes into effect on Feb. 27. So in that sense, the Patriots could concievably give Cassel's reps permission to speak to other teams. But there might be something there that I am not aware of. I'll try to check it out.
--Mike

I believe that the Patriots can give Cassel permission to talk to other teams at any time. Haing under contract/franchise give the Pats the final say to whatever deal is brought to the table

I wonder if Kansas City would give up a third round pick and Tony Gonzalez for Matt Cassel. Sounds like a good deal to me. Teams would shiver at the thought of facing Brady passing to Moss, Welker, Gonzalez and company. Then trade that pick, and some others, to move up in the draft for defensive help.

A third round pick and Tony Gonzalez for Matt C. sounds like a good deal to me. Teams would shiver at the thought at facing Brady passing to Moss, Welker and Gonzalez and company. Then trade that pick, and some others, to move up in the draft for defensive help.

It would certainly be karmic retribution if Brady lost his job due to injury to the unknown backup. I think you either trade Brady to the Jets for a crippling amount of draft picks and ease up his commute to Gisele or ship him west to the 49ers, let him wear Joe's colors and resurrect the SF franchise under the stewardship of Singletary. Give Cassel a full offseason to synch up with Randy. Use the draft picks to get 2 more Mayo's - and ride the next 3 Superbowls.

They're not going to trade Brady. They would probably get more for Cassel, as crazy as that sounds. How many teams (with the exception of Pioli in KC because he's been privy to the medical info while with the team) do you think will believe the Patriots' organization when it says that "Brady is fully healthy, but we're looking to trade him anyway"? They'd get laughed at. Dumb idea. People should forget it, because it's not going to happen.

In Belichick I trust.

Mike why not a second round and 4th rounder? Detroit, KC, would make sense. I dont believe a tteam will give up a first rounder for him.

I'm sure this has been said before, but...
While Cassel's numbers are comparable to young Brady's numbers, Brady was not working with the current group of receivers. When Brady had Moss, Welker, etc., he threw 50 TD passes. Cassel is good, Brady is great.

I was thinking that the Pats would give up some option value by cementing the franchise tag so early. They ostensibly could have had Cassel out negotiating with both the Pats and other teams for a sign and trade. So I think the Pats locked it down because they wanted it known in no uncertain terms that they are demanding value or they are willing to go to the wall on this. But at the same time, committing to the unrealistic amount of $14MM may be simultaneously communicating that they are NOT going to handcuff the team by going into the season with this. Well, all in all it seems they are communicating that Cassel is there for the taking, for the right high compensation. If they were willing to shoot lower, they might have entertained another strategy.

Can someone please explain why Cassell doesnt sign this offer today and then refuse to rip it up even if he is traded. Derek anderson, who had a better year on a worse team than Matt got only 14 million guaranteed over a three year period. Matt could get this amount in one year and then be a free agent.

I mean whoever is trading for him is gonna have to offer a lot more than 14.65 guaranteed. otherwise I dont see how the deal would make sense from cassells perspective.

Joe, first of all, Cassel may not want to sign the tender. Even though it's an exorbitant amount of money, players almost invariably prefer the multiyear deal with the big signing bonus over the one year franchise salary. It may not make much sense to you and I, but that's what players (and their agents) do.

Secondly, if Cassel DID decide to sign the tender, the Pats could choose to rescind the tag before he did. Similar to what the Eagles did with Corey Simon several years ago.

I think this situation is going to turn into a mess for the Patriots. Everyone knows that Cassel's numbers are swollen because of the offense he was in and the players he was throwing to. No one's going to give up what the Patriots want for Cassel and it's just going to create animousity and prevent the Patriots from making other moves.

I guess we'll know if brady is ready and keen to win again if he wins back is carpark outside the stadium

Go get the it Matt. EVERYONE from the Boston media to the bartender at the local in called Portsmouth called for your head in the preseason, but you keep it. Go get what you deserve - whether its with the Pats or the anyone else. You deserve it. Even Pete Carol must be proud.