This is no rumor I've read anywhere, just pure speculation. But now that they've franchised Cassell, I could see Detroit trading the #1 overall (plus something else) to the Pats for him. It makes more sense for them, since Cassell already has NFL experience (and only 1 year), and it may ultimately be cheaper for the Lions. I could see the Pats pulling the trigger, then maybe trying to trade down. Thoughts?
The Pats would have to give up a shitload MORE than just Cassel and somebody else/draft pick for the #1 pick. This won't happen.
That's about the size of it. A quarterback with one year's experience who is getting paid among the highest salaries at his position, and who has only a one-year contract, is about the last thing a team like Detroit needs, and the #1 overall pick would be an absurd overpayment anyway.
It would take 2 #1 picks. BTW, this is absurd: 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.
Maybe for Cassel and Brady. If you think Sir Pissy Pants is worth the #1 overall pick you must be smoking some good stuff. Hell, I could probably count the number of players in the NFL worth the 1st pick in the draft on one hand.
Not against the cap. Also, if Cassel has a good year he can then leave for a better team (he'll get lots of offers), and Detroit has nothing; if he has a bad year they're no better off. The only trade for Cassel that makes sense is if he will immediately rework his contract, and I don't see him doing that to go to Detroit. I'm also not convinced that he's an elite quarterback. Unless they are absolutely positively sure that Stafford or Sanchez are true franchise QBs, they might not be worth taking #1 overall either.
I heard Adam Schefter the other day throw out the proposition that the Patriots will find it tougher to deal Cassell because they don't want a top-five pick. That somehow they look at those picks at not being cost effective. I'm not sure I buy it, but it's an interesting take. Kind of turns the whole thing on its head in a jabberwocky sort of way. In any event, if they're looking to deal the kid, I think they'll have a tough time of it this year because of the QBs coming out.
Personally, I don't think Cassel is worth a 5th. I think he's WAYYY overrated. But the current consensus is he's hot shit.
I thought about this very scenario myself. Cassell has three years of learning the game and a year of starting experience. And he looked great last season. That's a far lower risk than Stafford or Sanchez would have as completely unproven rookies. And if you're going to have a player sign a 70M deal, you want to go with the surest thing possible. I was thinking more of New England switching picks with Detroit. That would result in a drop of 22 spots. On the standard pick value chart it would equal about 2260 points or about two middle first round picks. That's more than enough to do the deal. And if Cassell ever were traded he'd surely sign a long term contract during the process. Much like how Jenkins re-did his deal and got a substantial raise and a longer contract when he was traded to the Jets. So Detroit would lock in their starting QB for many years. But it's not just Detroit who could be in play. The same argument could be made for #2 St. Louis and #3 KC as well. Especially KC with ex-Patriot VP Scott Pioli there.
Tell you what, we're getting Tom Brady back and we're dealing Cassel for atleast a middle 1 (20-22) to give us 2 - 1's, 2 - 2's and 2 - 3's(Asante Samuel comp pick). 6 picks in the first 3 rounds with BB's drafting track record, man our defense is going to be fantastic. The rich get richer..............
Cassel beat up on some pisspoor teams and people think he's God now. What happened when he played a real team? Oh that's right the Steelers made him look like a crappy QB.... And now he gets paid top 5 QB money based on one year? ...Gotta love it
