Patriots to Franchise Cassel?
Posted Under: 2008, General / Analysis, Offseason, Reports, Rumors
Before I get into analyzing last night’s game, I want to point out that Cassel had one hell of a game. Mike Lombardi reports on the Cassel situation:
After last night, I am convinced the Patriots will have to Franchise Matt Cassel this off season for two reasons. (1) He is a legitimate asset. He continues to improve each week and he continues to be one of the best players on the field no matter who he plays. Does he need to keep improving? Yes, but he is so well coached and his taking to coaching each week. Why would the Patriots just let him walk and not get something in return for his services? (2) No one knows what the medical status of Tom Brady will be after he starts to play. Does the knee prevent him from being his old self? Can Brady be 100 percent next September? What happens if he has more setbacks? And with Cassel, the Patriots have an insurance policy; yes, a very expensive one, but clearly a very effective one. He proved last night that he can make all the throws and that he can lead the team. That throw to Moss was sensational, and he won over the locker room. Now look for the new Patriots to become the Patriots of old on offense.
I think Lombardi makes a valid point. Last night, Cassel surely won over the Patriots lockerroom, as well as the ability to completely open up the playbook. While it was a very tough loss, some things were won from that loss.
And as you may know, Cassel is a free agent after the season. Franchising him would give him upwards of $10 or $12 million (average of top 5 salaries in the league at that position). However, what if Brady isn’t ready come 2009? Are the Patriots ready to hand the offense to Kevin O’Connell?
Cassel would provide the Patriots a safe bet, especially if Brady isn’t ready to go or isn’t the same. Franchising Cassel really couldn’t have a downside (financial implications aside). Consider that if Brady is ready to go, the Pats could get tremendous trade value for Cassel at this point, probably a first or second round pick. In that scenario, they wouldn’t even have to hold on to his monster salary.
Discuss…
Reader Comments
Sign him and trade him. Won’t need to pay as much as franchise tag.
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Two words: Jerod Mayo
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I think this is a great move. Not sure why I didn’t think about this before. I always thought a sign-and-trade would be great, but wasn’t really an option. Franchise tag is probably the best thing to do with Matt for all the points you mentioned.
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Mayo=SUPERSTAR=DEF.ROOKIE=fan favorite=pro
Bowl
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Not sure why so many comments about Mayo under this post, but it is true. Jerod Mayo has essentially locked up Defensive Rookie of the Year. He was everywhere last night and is exactly what the Pats needed at LB.
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Here’s a thought to consider:
What if, somehow, Cassel wins us the Super Bowl, and Tom Brady isn’t expected to be ready for the start of 2009? Then what happens?
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we suck
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i’m so upset that we lost to the jets
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I’m upset as well, especially watching us come back and Matt Cassel leading a game tying drive with 1 second left on the clock only to lose in overtime.
With that said, we definitely don’t suck. This was our first game without Adalius Thomas, so it’s going to take some time for Pierre Woods to get acclimated to playing many more plays than he’s used to.
There’s no use in talking about how Rodney and Adalius are not there because they are gone for the season. One huge loss in last night’s game was Ty Warren on the bench. He’s one of the most underrated players in the game and I just hope he’s ready to go next week.
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Hello best fans !!Evrybody want wictory over the stupid jats but sheet happened! Jats pley they best football right naw,with favre they dont have future!Without so many players we are still very good! J looking forward to next season it will fun(for us only:-)),with some new rookies and FA we will be 100%best tim in game! Naw is time to some playes pick up expiriance and rise up sklills to next level! Shame for Crable…..
Sorry abouth language….
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We are 6-4 and easily could be 8-2! Stupid mistakes cost us… MAYO REAL DEAL
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A couple of years the falcons traded Matt Shaub for two 2nd rounders (i think) and he only played a few games, coming in for mike vick. What do you think the Pats can get for him if they do a sign and trade.
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Good point Rak. I didn’t even think to compare the two. Originally I was thinking grabbing a 3rd rounder for him would be good in return, but if the Falcons got two 2nd rounders, no reason why we couldn’t get the same.
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The problem with Pats for the last 3 years has been the defense. They choked in the AFC Champ game against the colts and couldnt hold a lead last year in the SuperBowl with 4 minutes left. The defense also let the Jets score on their final 2 drives to win the game. The secondary is horrible! Merriweather cant tackle worth a sh*t and the corners cant cover. Ty Law looked good enough to help us and its Belichick’s arrogance that prevents us from getting the help we need.
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Well…. a couple more games like Thursday night and we’ll be talking a 1st and maybe more. Unless the team values to second rounders higher. But you never know, maybe someone dumb enough will offer a first in the top ten for say Cassel and a third round pick… allowing us to take a Vontae Davis or Malcom Jenkins
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All this talk about the draft makes me want April to come that much faster. Only down fall about April is that all the games have been played and we won’t see a meaningful game until August. Oh well, focus on the here and now. Pats will be fine as long as we can stay healthy. My prediction as soon as Brady went down was 10-6 for this team and I think that’s looking very possible.
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Romeo, Romeo…where forth art thou? The secondary seems to lack any sort of direction at times. I think things have definitely gotten sloppy.
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trade brady for the\world keep cassel
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