http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2009/02/patriots_franch.html Patriots franchise Cassel Posted by Chad Finn, Globe Staff February 5, 2009 05:02 PM The New England Patriots announced today that they have utilized their 2009 franchise designation on quarterback Matt Cassel. The decision to do so is hardly unexpected and gives the club two main options: They can trade the 26-year-old quarterback if all continues to go well with Tom Brady's rehabilitation from a knee injury, or they can keep him. The cost of the franchise tag (the average of the top five highest-paid players at a given position) on Cassel is a one-year tender for $14.65 million, according to the transition and franchise tag numbers released Jan. 30 by the NFL Players Association. Since the franchise tenders are guaranteed, Cassel would count more against the cap than Brady, who is scheduled to carry a cap charge of $14.62 million for 2009. Brady is slated to have a $5 million base salary in 2009 and is due a $3 million roster bonus, so Cassel's take-home pay for '09 would also be more than Brady's. There is a strong possibility the Patriots will trade Cassel, though Patriots coach Bill Belichick did not indicate that as an option in his comment in today's press release. "Matt has been a pleasure to coach his entire career and last season in particular, when his years of hard work and commitment resulted in a most impressive performance," said Belichick. "We look forward to working with Matt again in 2009." Today was the first day teams can designate franchise and transition players. The 26-year-old Cassel, who made 15 starts after Brady's injury, completed 63.4 percent of his passes and threw for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He becomes the first offensive player and just the fourth Patriot to be franchised by the team, joining Adam Vinatieri (2002 and 2005), Tebucky Jones (2003) and Asante Samuel (2007). Christopher L. Gasper of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
This pretty much seals the deal that Cassel is going to be traded. He continued to grow throughout the season and I think he has a lot of upside, so I don't see him being traded inside the AFC. I'd expect the Pats to get either a first or a second+third rounder for him. If I had to take a guess, I'd say he's going to the Bucs. Or the Vikings.
thats what this tells me otherwise they trade him now before the intrigue wears off. no way you franchise your fuckin backup unless you really question your "starter".
Man, I just saw Chris Mortenson talk about this, and it occurred to me just how stupid sports reporters really are. Amazing, the number of times I heard, "My guess is," or "I think," or "the general thinking here is." Makes me long for the days when ESPN filled up empty air with the soap box derbies and Scottish field sports.
Franchise tags guarantee certain picks that need to be traded for the players. It's going to probably be a first and second or first and third.
Would u trade a 1st and 3rd for Matt Cassell? i would consider it, but i'm too worried he's a product of a great team
Smart move by the Pats, guaranteeing compensation for a hot commodity with offseason. Either way they will win out.
This is simply an insurance policy until they determine if Brady can go. Obviously that's in doubt. The tag only prevents other teams from signing him without specific compensation it doesn't create any real value for him. If the Pats decide that they are going to start Brady next year they will have to pull the tag or make a deal at value not franchise tag value since the Pats can't pay him at that level and pay Brady. It also gives the Pats time to negiotate a deal with him without other teams being involved unless they are willing to compensate the Pats at the franchise tag level.
This is what scares me. Someone despirate for a QB will probably give in and the Pats get to go on stockpiling draft picks - I seem to remember hearing it was two 1st rounders. I hate this - it's win-win for the Pats by franchising Cassel.
i was hearing that the pats would be able to get 2 firsts if they trade him. is that for real? because if some idiot gm trades two firsts to the pats i will freak the hell out.
Id love for them to be screwed and have both players on their roster next year would limit there ability to get free agents and resign players
Just have to say, LOVE the title of the thread. :up: Half of their coaching staff has decided to take a hike. 2010 season is going to be interesting.
If Pats trade Cassel they probably get a 2nd and 3rd or some swapping of picks and one of the other teams picks. Good move by them to insure they have a proven backup QB in case Brady can't return. Brady returning and trading Cassel means they roll the dice on O'Connell being ready to backup Brady and step in should he reinjure his knee, or they sign a veteran as backup. Should be 4 or 5 teams that might want Cassel and be able to work a trade. KC would be ideal as they now have Pioli who knows how good this kid is. Bill and Scott have worked together and will put a win win deal together if there is a definite need. Pioli has to be sure of Thigpen's abilities before that possibility arises. Gonna be an interesting 10-12 weeks. Pats could end up with 4 first day picks .
No one is going to give up 2 first rounders for Matt Cassel. He's never started a playoff game and still has a TON to prove as a QB....and he's gonna be looking for Aaron Rodgers type money ( 6 years 60+ million w/ 25+ guaranteed). The packers made that signing w/ Rodgers..but it didn't cost them any early draft picks and in fact they gained draft picks by trading their former QB.Even the Lions aren't stupid enough to dsh out that kind of money and sacrifice those early round pick franchse life lines for a seemingly Derek Anderson one year wonder clone. What franchising Cassel does, however, is allows the Pats to try and negotiate a "sign and trade" type scenario where they can send out feelers on his street value and get the best package they can w/o him being exposed to the unrestricted free agent market. The risk involved in this however, is their price tag becomes too expensive, or there arent as many takers as they originally thought and they end up w/ a back-up QB being paid as a top 5 player at his position. This could get interesting.
