Kiss Cassell good-bye...

[Finer9rFan]

Patriots put franchise tag on QB Cassel

Updated: February 5, 2009, 10:02 PM ESTFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - The New England Patriots (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team/new-england-patriots) placed the franchise tag on Matt Cassel (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/player/300185) on Thursday, making it tougher for other teams to sign the free agent quarterback.
The Patriots (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team/new-england-patriots) might keep him if they have doubts that Tom Brady (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/player/70173) will be ready for the start of next season after sustaining a serious knee injury in the 2008 opener. If they're confident Brady will be ready, they could trade Cassel rather than pay him the $14.65 million offer for 2009 in the franchise designation.


http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9185248/Patriots-put-franchise-tag-on-QB-Cassel?FSO2&ATT=MA

[DeadlyNiners]

Expected.

[BrentJones84]

Obvious that Brady's recovery isn't going so well.

No way the Pats would put themselves on the hook for 30% of their total cap space if they thought Brady would be ready to go in September.

[TheWileyVet]

Are there any teams that would actually pay the kings ransom to trade for Cassel The patriots are going to want alot in return for him

[badass316]

I still find it hard to believe they have enough cap to sustain something like this. They have like what 4-5 million to take care of everything else? Logic would indicate that it should be legally impossible, but working within the confines of the league rules really isn't their strong suite :laugh:

[WhistlingMtn]

I still find it hard to believe they have enough cap to sustain something like this. They have like what 4-5 million to take care of everything else? Logic would indicate that it should be legally impossible, but working within the confines of the league rules really isn't their strong suite :laugh:

They have no other starter FAs.. They really have no money to spend this off-season except on their draft pick and Cassel.

If they wanted more to grab another free agent, they could re-work some of the deals, like Moss's and Brady's.

[49erfanatic]

Are there seriously parties interested in trading a first for him? Who are the potential candidates?

[Blong4Ever]

Well at first I was wondering what they were thinking committing a ton of money on the same position as their star player. Here's what I think is happening, I don't know all the rules regarding the franchise tag but this how I see it. They wanted to protect him through the free agency signing period and sign him to a smaller contract and lift the tag. I believe they can remove the tag because I just don't see how/why they would waste that much money when you have Tom Brady who will more then likely be back for the regular season. So either they intend on letting Tom go/keeping Cassel long term or they are protecting him until they can get a deal done. Letting Brady go would be a huge blow to that team so I suspect the latter.

No one will waste those top picks for a 1 year wonder and I don't see them wasting that cap space either.

[NinerCapHell]

they franchised him in order to trade him for a first round pick.

[LOrd DRen]

they franchised him in order to trade him for a first round pick.

I thought when you are franchised,you can't be traded.

[Tigger49]

Obvious that Brady's recovery isn't going so well.

No way the Pats would put themselves on the hook for 30% of their total cap space if they thought Brady would be ready to go in September.

i totally disagree with that assessment. as DeadlyNiners stated this was expected, and it was expected regardless of Brady's progress in rehabilitation. especially coming from the organization that is most known for keeping injury news undisclosed (to the point that they'll sometimes even release false information), what makes you think he's not doing well?

the 30% of their cap space argument isn't a very strong one because Cassel definitely has trade value, and we all know how keen the Patriots are when it comes to getting the best value for a player.

[DEEVO_619]

Interesting.. makes me wonder how far Brady has come along from his injury. NE did the right thing, Cassel is starter material and a darn good one.

[WhistlingMtn]

...

[WhistlingMtn]

Interesting.. makes me wonder how far Brady has come along from his injury. NE did the right thing, Cassel is starter material and a darn good one.

Supposedly he's throwing really well with pressure on the recovering knee.

[Nelson]

Good it didn't want Cassel anyway.

[NinerCapHell]

I thought when you are franchised,you can't be traded.

nope, the team owns your rights and can do as they please. he'll probably end up on the Lions, they have the 1st and 20th picks in the draft and will probably give up #20 and maybe an additional mid-round pick for Cassell so they can then draft a LT like Monroe or Oher after trading down within the top 10 with whomever wants Stafford/Sanchez #1.

[Juiced]

Cassel is a proven QB in the NFL and could be better off than Sanchez or Stafford at QB

teams in dire need like KC or Detroit might pull the trigger on the trade and NE could end up with a top 5 pick

then again it could backfire and no one trades and NE will have the NFL's highest paid backup player

its a one year situation - if brady comes back and is fine - cassel is gone next year anyway

it will be a fun one to watch imo