Mike Lombardi (ESPN): Cassel to receive franchise tag

[TheKilo]

http://patriotsblog.net/2009/01/01/report-patriots-to-franchise-matt-cassel/

 

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.

[Cocos Disciples]

So Brady is out for 2009, I guess.

[schillingouttheks]

Either that or they're planning on trading him.

 

Is there a rule against franchising someone and then trading him?

[Cocos Disciples]

Not sure, but another question: Players have no say in franchise tags, right?

[TheKilo]

Players can be traded that are franchised (I believe Jared Allen was traded to the Vikings after the Chiefs franchised him).

[Cocos Disciples]

Given the recent news about Brady, I think Cassel is staying put.

[schillingouttheks]

Given the recent news about Brady' date=' I think Cassel is staying put.[/quote']

 

I tend to agree. However, if they are confident that Brady will be able to make it back as the season nears, there are plenty of teams that would be willing to trade for Cassel, IMO. If he was making the salary he'll make next year for more than just next year, then I could see teams being hesitant. But it's only a 1-year deal at the average of the top 5 QB salaries.

 

Win-win situation. If they hold onto him, he's capable of holding down the QB slot for next year. If Brady can play, then they need to trade him. Makes no sense to pay 2 starting QB salaries unless one is injured, obviously.

 

Oh, and yes, CD, players have no say over the franchise tag. Lance Briggs was upset that Chicago franchised him a few years back, IIRC.

[See Red]

Not sure' date=' but another question: Players have no say in franchise tags, right?[/quote']

 

No say at all or else nobody would ever want to be franchised. Players hate being franchised.

[msubulldogs21]

No say at all or else nobody would ever want to be franchised. Players hate being franchised.

 

They do, but there are worse things in the world than being paid the average of the top 5 players at your position for a year. Obviously guys don't want to be franchised in order to receive a long term deal though.

[Dojji]

Watching Cassel develop has been fun and entertaining and really gave BB a chance to shine as a coach. If we have to go next year with Cassel again I have no doubt in my mind that the Patriots can turn him loose all year and make the playoffs. Was really a fluke that we didn't make them this year with a 11-5 recorr when 9-7 teams have made it in the past.

 

Freakin' Penningdon.

 

Seriously though, comparisons between Cassel and Brady at this point are more about strengths and weaknesses than they are about how Cassel can't really touch Tom Brady.

 

In the final analysis TFB is probably still the better QB but Cassel does have a few advantages. The legwork is nice, for example, and also someone made an excellent point about how now he's developed properly his lack of prior experience actually contains a large silver lining -- he has far less wear and tear than even your average rookie much less your average 27 year old. If he doesn't fall back he could have quite a long career and be playing good football well into his late 30's -- and who knows, maybe even beyond

 

Meanwhile even without the knee injury, Brady's approaching his mid 30's and you have to start asking about the D word.

 

If we trade Cassel during the offseason and then Brady proves to have declined, then we might wind up having to rinse and repeat a very volatile process with Kevin O'Connell for a result that has a better chance of being much less good than it has of being better..

[riverside sluggers]

Wow surprising development. If a trade does take place.. Cincinatti has Chad Johnson who they are trying to unload, Detroit has the standout Calvin Johnson. Wouldnt mind adding either to become a 3 headed monster with Moss/Welker

[TheKilo]

lol @ u thinking you'll get Calvin Johnson

[YanksHater213]

Why would we trade for another WR??? Wouldn't we try to swing him for a CB/LB before anything else? That'd be just plain dumb.

 

If anything, I'll take the tag and deal him. The Vikings got Allen for a 1st, and 2 3rds, and he's a DE, so our price will probably be much higher than that, especially after what Cassel has shown this year.

[TheKilo]

Yeah but Allen was one of the top 5 at his position last season.

 

I'm thinking best case scenario, Cassel gets you a 1 and a 3.

[Dojji]

Not so sure the D is as big a need as all that. Granted we need to upgrade the pass rush but that's the only big need on D. After they got their feet under them and other than the absolute fiasco against Pittsburgh the D played alright and adjusted well for their losses. If we get our big guys back, especially the ATom Bomber to bolster the pass rush, we should be able to get by with Welker and Moss powering the offensive game.

[TheKilo]

Not so sure the D is as big a need as all that. Granted we need to upgrade the pass rush but that's the only big need on D. After they got their feet under them and other than the absolute fiasco against Pittsburgh the D played alright and adjusted well for their losses. If we get our big guys back' date=' [b']especially the ATom Bomber to bolster the pass rush[/b], we should be able to get by with Welker and Moss powering the offensive game.

 

Worst. Nickname. Ever.

[Dojji]

Well seeing as it's you who said it I guess I have to use it all the time now.

[ARod2212]

Why would any team give up anything of significance for a guy who had a breakout year out of nowhere playing for Bill Belichick and throwing the Moss and Welker? I could be a decent NFL QB throwing to those guys. Let alone the fact that he played for the best coach in the league.

 

What games of significance did the Patriots win this year? Wasn't Cassel nearly cut during TC? Some GM is going to f*** up his teams future by signing/trading for Matt Cassel. It'll probably be Detroit.

[Soxfan1]

Well with that analogy then Cassell would do great in Detroit with CJ and another top WR pick this year.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Well with that analogy then Cassell would do great in Detroit with CJ and another top WR pick this year.

LOL

[Dojji]

Why would any team give up anything of significance for a guy who had a breakout year out of nowhere playing for Bill Belichick and throwing the Moss and Welker?

 

Because Randy Moss and Wes Welker, while talented, are not the only good recievers in the National Football League and another GM may feel that his weapons would be good enough, and his system good enough, to allow Cassel to repeat his performance for that team -- and even failing that maybe he sees Cassel as a guy who can make good weapons look great with his arm and bad weapons look OK with his feet.

 

I could be a decent NFL QB throwing to those guys. Let alone the fact that he played for the best coach in the league.

 

I can think of a few other systems that Cassel would probably do well in. Philly springs to mind if McNabb is done there, which given how the season unfolded this year is not difficult to imagine. Depending on how the Vince Young saga unfolds in the offseason the Titans might see Cassel as an upgrade over Collins if Young is officially damaged goods. In either system Cassel would be primed to thrive and would probably be well recieved, at least until his first thrown pick if he winds up in Philly. Minnesota would be a good home for Cassel as well.

 

What games of significance did the Patriots win this year?

 

Define significance. They won every game down the stretch in an effort to keep their playoff hopes alive and did beat some teams when they were good even when they turned out later not to be, such as the Jets and Bills early on.

Wasn't Cassel nearly cut during TC?

 

Immaterial based on what he did after he wasn't cut.

 

Some GM is going to f*** up his teams future by signing/trading for Matt Cassel. It'll probably be Detroit.

 

Nice.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Cassel would not be great with the Eagles. Philly has no receivers, all they have is a great running back who can catch passes, and a moderately good tight end. Kevin Curtis/DeSean Jackson/Reggie Brown = subpar receiving corps.

 

 

Do want in Tampa, though.

[riverside sluggers]

Playing fantasy football I know, about the notion of CJ coming to the Pats. For him to finish with 1381 yards, regardless the fact that the leading passer was Dan Orlovsky with 1600 yards... is nothing short of amazing.

 

I do agree that Tampa Bay would be a good fit for Cassel

[Dojji]

Cassel would not be great with the Eagles. Philly has no receivers, all they have is a great running back who can catch passes, and a moderately good tight end. Kevin Curtis/DeSean Jackson/Reggie Brown = subpar receiving corps.

 

 

Do want in Tampa, though.

 

I guess you and I see Cassel's role as slightly different. There's certainly plenty of evidence that Matt Cassel knows how to run an offense. All he has to do as QB is be good enough to spread the field and give the backs room, he proved he could do that before he proved he could look like an elite QB while throwing to Moss and Welker. Heck, there were a couple games where he gave the fourth string back enough room to have a field day. That's the only reason he even got a chance to prove that he could throw the ball.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

I guess you and I see Cassel's role as slightly different. There's certainly plenty of evidence that Matt Cassel knows how to run an offense. All he has to do as QB is be good enough to spread the field and give the backs room' date=' he proved he could do that before he proved he could look like an elite QB while throwing to Moss and Welker. Heck, there were a couple games where he gave the fourth string back enough room to have a field day. That's the only reason he even got a chance to prove that he could throw the ball.[/quote']

 

The Patriots did a bit more winning once Cassel started throwing the ball more.

 

 

Cassel would have a grand total of 2 reliable targets in Philly: Westbrook and L.J. Smith. And their tackles are getting up in age.

[riverside sluggers]

Cassel didnt choke in late drives to tie or put them ahead, looking cool and confident

 

This hack against him because he didnt win against good teams... If Moss didnt have those big multiple dropped passes against the Steelers, it wouldve been totally different outcome. That 3rd & 15 against the Jets in overtime was the killer. Belichick had his worst coaching game when they were playing Indy

[Dojji]

Not to mention Thomas' idiot penalty against the Colts and the fact that the defense couldn't get off the field in overtime after Cassel's heroics tied the game at the last second against the Jets.

 

The Pats might not have a big win this year but the LAST player on the team you could blame for that is Matt Cassel.