Patriots to franchise Cassel?

[SportsTop]

Looks like it may be a reality. Smart move if Brady's rehab isn't going as planned. And if Brady is back the Pats can get at least something in a trade for Cassel. $12 million is a lot to have tied up in a back-up QB.

Link

Quote:

Michael Lombardi, a former NFL executive who worked with Bill Belichick in Cleveland and who now appears on Showtime’s Inside The NFL, said on the most recent episode that he has learned the Patriots will put the franchise tag on quarterback Matt Cassel, which will prevent him from becoming a free agent. “The Patriots are way too smart, and I’ve talked to people in the organization,” said Lombardi. “They are going to franchise Matt Cassel. He’s an asset, and they can control their ability to trade him if they franchise him.” The Patriots would have to give Cassel a one-year contract worth an average of the highest five quarterback salaries, meaning he’d receive more money in 2009 than Tom Brady.

[Beantown]

Definitely a smart move. Hopefully it will give them enough time to either work out a contract or, if Brady is healthy for the season, they can get something for him in a trade.

Either way...almost 29 million tied up between your two QBs is pretty rough.

[feeq14]

The patriots seem like the football version of the Yankees....

Mostly because i hate them unconditionally

[ProfessaPackMan]

Smart Move for them.

[SportsTop]

Quote: Originally Posted by ProfessaPackMan

Smart Move for them.

Is it?

They're going to have a lot of holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball and nearly $30 million tied up at the QB position is pretty steep.

[ProfessaPackMan]

I think it's a smart move for two reasons:

1. IF Brady's rehab is not going along good and he may have to miss all of next year, then they have an insurance policy in guy who has year's worth of starting experience and already knows the Offense and shouldn't struggle like he did his first few games.

2. If Brady WILL be ready and there's somebody in need of a QB and they don't feel like spending the big bucks in the draft to get one, then they can use Cassel as a bargaining chip and get something for him.

[elicoleman]

Quote: Originally Posted by ProfessaPackMan

I think it's a smart move for two reasons: 1. IF Brady's rehab is not going along good and he may have to miss all of next year, then they have an insurance policy in guy who has year's worth of starting experience and already knows the Offense and shouldn't struggle like he did his first few games. 2. If Brady WILL be ready and there's somebody in need of a QB and they don't feel like spending the big bucks in the draft to get one, then they can use Cassel as a bargaining chip and get something for him.

Exactly.

But I do see what Squint is saying. Our defense is ugly. If we had a resemblance of a defense this year, we would be in the playoffs. Going into the offseason, fixing the defense is a MUST.

We'll have three picks in the top 60 (thanks to getting the Chargers 2nd rounder this year) and 4 in the top 90 so we should be able to stock up on defensive players that way.

We'll need to replace Bruschi and Harrison because I think they'll retire (or atleast should). It was painful watching them play.

Our D-line is fine for this year but I believe Wilfork and Seymour are both getting paid next year so we gotta keep that in mind.

[fistofrage]

Thats awesome. Keeps other teams from wasting money on an overrated system QB. He'll do well while still in NE. But I guarantee this guy struggles elsewhere.