Matt Cassel's Big Bucks

[Magnus Malax]

If we go on the premise that Matt Cassel will leave New England at season's end, where does he wind up??

The team that makes the most sense to me is Minnesota. They really would be a contender if they had a QB. If Childress loses the HC job there then perhaps Josh McDaniel winds up there and they reunite.

The other day (after a few beers of course) we were talking about this and someone brought up the Jets. For all of the intrigue and history behind that type of signing,....I doubt that Cassel wants to spend a year behind Brett if Brett returns after 2008.

Other thoughts?

[LionelRichie]

cassel is going to cash in bigtime. i could see minnesota if childress gets fired, otherwise i see mcnab heading to minnesota.

how about chicago? they have needed a qb for years and i don't think orton is the answer.

i don't think NE will let him leave on his own. i see them using the franchise tag and then depending on brady's rehab shipping him for a 1st or 2nd rd pick. i could also see him heading out west to San Francisco.

[Magnus Malax]

Franchising him would be insane though wouldn't it? The average of the top salaries at the top position PLUS Brady's contract? If they can do that then they get a golf clap from me.

[jason423]

I kind of think the Vikings are too conservative of a franchise to make that move. I think they will look at the potential negatives of the move and back off making that type of commitment. I really think the Lions and 49ers will be the main teams going after him, but I would not discount the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Bucs taking a look either.

[SoFlaJets]

Matt Cassell=Scott Mitchell

[SeniorFlaJet]

Franchising him would be insane though wouldn't it? The average of the top salaries at the top position PLUS Brady's contract? If they can do that then they get a golf clap from me.

Qb franchise figure for next year is 14 mill.

[Green DNA]

Matt Cassell=Scott Mitchell

Hell yes, another one year wonder that cashed in and proceeded to revert back to his usual mediocrity

[SoFlaJets]

Hell yes, another one year wonder that cashed in and proceeded to revert back to his usual mediocrity

and you guys should all thank God that I'm not running the Jets as I thought Matt Schaub was gonna be great and worth a 1st rounder to Atlanta

[GodWearsAGrayHoodie]

Hell yes, another one year wonder that cashed in and proceeded to revert back to his usual mediocrity

Wouldn't surprise me in the least. BB has a knack for taking players that elsewhere looked mediocre and give them a role that that they can excel at and for having players that looked all-pro in NE, but when plugged into another teams less well defined system looked quite pedestrian.

[Thai Jet]

If we go on the premise that Matt Cassel will leave New England at season's end, where does he wind up??

The team that makes the most sense to me is Minnesota. They really would be a contender if they had a QB. If Childress loses the HC job there then perhaps Josh McDaniel winds up there and they reunite.

The other day (after a few beers of course) we were talking about this and someone brought up the Jets. For all of the intrigue and history behind that type of signing,....I doubt that Cassel wants to spend a year behind Brett if Brett returns after 2008.

Other thoughts?

Cassel as a Jet. Hmm interesting .It's possible if Brett retires. I'm hoping Brett stays, I just hope that what ever Brett decides to do he sticks to it.

[Thai Jet]

and you guys should all thank God that I'm not running the Jets as I thought Matt Schaub was gonna be great and worth a 1st rounder to Atlanta

Thank you LORD.

[Lady Jet]

Remember when there was Ray Lucas hype during and shortly after the '99 season? Parcells finally benched Mirer for Lucas and he did quite well with the talent and coaching surrounding him.

Yeah, ummm, how do we know it's not also the case with Matt? I don't get the overhyping of him. He may turn out to be a great/good QB, but I would not want to spend a fortune on him based on this season alone.

[Garb]

Qb franchise figure for next year is 14 mill.

I have a stupid question because I'm not up on this salary cap stuff - but if they franchise him - at whatever the going rate is - and then trade him - isn't that money off the books?

Further, when does the franchise tag need to be applied? I suspect it is before Brady is cleared for practice, right? And before FA starts? And certainly before you start signing your drafts picks to contracts, right? Plus, isn't the cap going up next season?

[war ensemble]

I have a stupid question because I'm not up on this salary cap stuff - but if they franchise him - at whatever the going rate is - and then trade him - isn't that money off the books?

Further, when does the franchise tag need to be applied? I suspect it is before Brady is cleared for practice, right? And before FA starts? And certainly before you start signing your drafts picks to contracts, right? Plus, isn't the cap going up next season?

Paging Sperm Edwards...

[JetFanBird]

Wouldn't surprise me in the least. BB has a knack for taking players that elsewhere looked mediocre and give them a role that that they can excel at and for having players that looked all-pro in NE, but when plugged into another teams less well defined system looked quite pedestrian.

Kind of like Tom Brady .

[StillerPaul]

I have a stupid question because I'm not up on this salary cap stuff - but if they franchise him - at whatever the going rate is - and then trade him - isn't that money off the books?

Further, when does the franchise tag need to be applied? I suspect it is before Brady is cleared for practice, right? And before FA starts? And certainly before you start signing your drafts picks to contracts, right? Plus, isn't the cap going up next season?

Sperm Edwards is the man to answer this question. But i 'think' that if they franchise then try to trade Cassel that the team they traded him to would have to assume the salary of the franchise tag. That would take the tag and trade deal out of equation if true imo. Sperm would be able to fully answer though.

[Sperm Edwards]

They elect to franchise him like a week or two before the season starts. I forget the date (as it probably changes by a day here or there every year) but I think it's around February 20-something. On March 1st (or whatever the official first day of the season is) he's free to sign with anyone; NE won't have any more rights to him than anyone else.

After giving him the franchise tag, I think there's a "black-out" period of 4 months from mid-March through mid-July.

Have to reach a long-term deal with him before mid-March but if they don't then they can't lock him up long-term until after July 15th.

On July 15th I think the player is guaranteed the franchise $ for the following year (the team can't then release him after that with the player getting nothing).

If the team doesn't wait until then (if they're not locking him up long term and can't trade him) and they release the player before July 15th, they lose the ability to franchise tag anyone the following season.

I'm not 100% on all this but I think it's correct. Someone can look it up to be sure.

[Lady Jet]

They elect to franchise him like a week or two before the season starts. I forget the date (as it probably changes by a day here or there every year) but I think it's around February 20-something. On March 1st (or whatever the official first day of the season is) he's free to sign with anyone; NE won't have any more rights to him than anyone else.

After giving him the franchise tag, I think there's a "black-out" period of 4 months from mid-March through mid-July.

Have to reach a long-term deal with him before mid-March but if they don't then they can't lock him up long-term until after July 15th.

On July 15th I think the player is guaranteed the franchise $ for the following year (the team can't then release him after that with the player getting nothing).

If the team doesn't wait until then (if they're not locking him up long term and can't trade him) and they release the player before July 15th, they lose the ability to franchise tag anyone the following season.

I'm not 100% on all this but I think it's correct. Someone can look it up to be sure.

I'm no expert, but that sounds pretty darn accurate from what I recall.

I cannot see how it would be beneficial for the Pats for franchise him.

That is alot of cash to tie up in one position, especially since Cassell could very well be a backup. $14 million for a backup QB?

I think they have to take their chances, offer him a contract and hope he accepts it and forgoes free agency.

Doubt he will, without even testing the free market, but for Pats fans to believe they'll pick up draft picks or some kind of compensation is crazy.

[Sperm Edwards]

I'm no expert, but that sounds pretty darn accurate from what I recall.

I cannot see how it would be beneficial for the Pats for franchise him.

That is alot of cash to tie up in one position, especially since Cassell could very well be a backup. $14 million for a backup QB?

I think they have to take their chances, offer him a contract and hope he accepts it and forgoes free agency.

Doubt he will, without even testing the free market, but for Pats fans to believe they'll pick up draft picks or some kind of compensation is crazy.

In order for that to happen, NE would have to offer him a contract RIGHT NOW, while he still has an injury risk. Truth is, they could have done that a month ago before he got his dollars up & didn't. A major blunder by the Patriots FO. They could have locked him up & then traded him for great value if he came alive for them over the last month or two. If not, then at worst they'd have a usable (even if somewhat overpriced) backup QB for the next few years.

Once the season's over, they have zero chance of signing him long-term. That opportunity has probably already come & gone anyway. He knows if he makes it through 5 games that he's guaranteed to get paid big-time. The Pats aren't able to get him locked up for $2-3M/yr anymore with "only" 7-figure bonus money.

[LionelRichie]

I cannot see how it would be beneficial for the Pats for franchise him.

if they franchise him they can still trade him to another team w/o paying him the $14M. if someone wants to sign him while he is 'franchised' they will owe NE 2 1st rd picks. in that situation NE has pretty good leverage to work out a worthwhile trade.

[Sperm Edwards]

if they franchise him they can still trade him to another team w/o paying him the $14M. if someone wants to sign him while he is 'franchised' they will owe NE 2 1st rd picks. in that situation NE has pretty good leverage to work out a worthwhile trade.

Because he'd get a minimum $14M in year one alone, NE has terrible leverage. Every team in the league knows they aren't paying him that to be a backup. They'll just get him a year later and keep their draft picks.

No one gives up 2 1st round picks for a player anymore - and then they have to come up with a blockbuster contract for that player on top of that. Risk-wise, it's the worst move a franchise can make. Last ones to do that for a franchise player were TB (Keyshawn), Dallas (Galloway), and Carolina (Gilbert). No one is eager to be the 4th.

[Pyper]

Matt Cassell=Scott Mitchell

That's a great comparison.

Except for the fact that Cassell is a gifted athlete who can run extremely well and really has nothing in common with Mitchell whatsoever.

I've always thought there was a remarkable similarity between the careers of Brady and Montana. If form holds true, Cassel is playing the role of Steve Young.

[Sperm Edwards]

OK fine, he's not Scott Mitchell. He's Rob Johnson.

[PatriotReign37]

I have a stupid question because I'm not up on this salary cap stuff - but if they franchise him - at whatever the going rate is - and then trade him - isn't that money off the books?

Yes, that money is off the books. And, no question is ever stupid.

Further, when does the franchise tag need to be applied? I suspect it is before Brady is cleared for practice, right? And before FA starts? And certainly before you start signing your drafts picks to contracts, right? Plus, isn't the cap going up next season?

Yes, on all three.

The tag would be applied before Cassel becomes a UFA - Unrestricted Free Agent. March 1st or whatever. NE controls his rights till the end of this season, thereafter he is free to leave unless they work out a contract or tag him.

Franchise tag - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Even if the cap wasnt going up, NE would find a way to fit Cassel under the cap by moving money into the future.The Washington Redskins have been doing that for years.

[PatriotReign37]

Because he'd get a minimum $14M in year one alone, NE has terrible leverage. Every team in the league knows they aren't paying him that to be a backup. They'll just get him a year later and keep their draft picks. .

NE has great leverage.

If your a Minnesota Vikings and you want to make a SB run in 09, you would want to step up and deal with NE exclusively. Not when Cassel is released and then compete with who knows how many teams vying for his services driving his cost up.

The early bird catches the worm.

No one gives up 2 1st round picks for a player anymore - and then they have to come up with a blockbuster contract for that player on top of that. Risk-wise, it's the worst move a franchise can make. Last ones to do that for a franchise player were TB (Keyshawn), Dallas (Galloway), and Carolina (Gilbert). No one is eager to be the 4th.

2 first round picks is just the starting price. No where does it say that NE cant accept less.

KC got a 1st, 2 - 3rds and swapped 6ths for Jared Allen.

[joebabyny]

NE has great leverage.

Not really, if he is tagged he would have to agree to any trade deal first. If the Patriots essentially are going to offer him 14 million TO SIT ON THE BENCH for a year then he would be a fool to not just take that and put off free agency one year being as nobody will even think of coming close to that offer, and as a backup he has the unique position of not really having to worry about injuries on a short term deal. And now you have to explain to Tom Brady, wonder boy, how his backup is getting paid much better than him to hold the clipboard and polish Tom's superbowl rings. Oh and by the way you now have a 14 milion dollar cap hit for a backup. HAHA

[DACHUMS]

I'm hearing the Rams may offer the head coaching position to the Pats Offensive Co., and hoping he'll bring Cassell along. The feeling in St. Louis is Bulger is done.

[Bugg]

OK fine, he's not Scott Mitchell. He's Rob Johnson.

Unless the team signing him can duplicate Moss, Welker, Gaffney and that big OL, I'm skeptical. Not to say he may not be a very good QB, merely to say the success he's having has something to do with a great supporting cast.

[Boynton Beach Jets]

Franchisingb him would be insane though wouldn't it? The average of the top salaries at the top position PLUS Brady's contract? If they can do that then they get a golf clap from me.

Franchising him would be 14.5 million plus Brady is over 30M at the QB position which no team in the salary cap era can afford. Cassel is as good as gone

[Thai Jet]

Unless the team signing him can duplicate Moss, Welker, Gaffney and that big OL, I'm skeptical. Not to say he may not be a very good QB, merely to say the success he's having has something to do with a great supporting cast.

No doubt a great receiving corp (and O line) can make any QB look better.

[Boynton Beach Jets]

No doubt a great receiving corp (and O line) can make any QB look better.

For that matter a great QB can make a OL look good to. Brett Favre is one QB who has made his line look better. I think the Jets OL is good but Brett Favre helps bring it up another tier.

[Sperm Edwards]

NE has great leverage.

If your a Minnesota Vikings and you want to make a SB run in 09, you would want to step up and deal with NE exclusively. Not when Cassel is released and then compete with who knows how many teams vying for his services driving his cost up.

The early bird catches the worm.

The rumor is that Minnesota is going to go after McNabb.

2 first round picks is just the starting price. No where does it say that NE cant accept less.

KC got a 1st, 2 - 3rds and swapped 6ths for Jared Allen.

I'm well aware of this. But Allen was the #1 pass rusher in football & was plenty good for more than 1 season. Cassel is a backup who is doing well with superior talent & coaching & cheating (lest we forget) around him that another team isn't going to have. I just don't think he'll get a first rounder & you guys run a good risk of being left with your dick in your hand.

If he was totally free, then I think someone would ante up the $15M+ in guaranteed money it would take to get him signed, since so many teams are well under the cap. Once high draft picks come into the equation on top of that, you don't get as many takers.

So a team may elect to wait until after the draft is over to cough up draft pick(s) for a franchised player. They get some things out of it:

1) The compensation would naturally have to come from 2010's draft instead of 2009's.

2) They may find a QB they're happy enough with in the draft that they no longer covet Cassel.

3) Other potential Cassel-suitors have probably also drafted QB's themselves to eliminate competition.

4) NE has to trade/sign him by July 15th or he becomes virtually untradeable & they're stuck with a $14M backup for the year. Just like Chicago with Briggs when they tried trading him to SF. After July 15th, no one can sign him to a long-term deal, not even a new team. At that point, the best you can get is a late-rounder in 2010 for someone willing to rent him for 2009 (at $14M) and then risk losing him for 2010.

[Sperm Edwards]

These are the starting (or potential starting) QB's currently scheduled to become UFA's in 2009:

-Matt Cassel

-Kerry Collins

-Jeff Garcia

-David Garrard

-JP Losman

-Kyle Orton/Rex Grossman (both, but I doubt anyone wants sexy Rexy as their starter)

-Kurt Warner

Likely-available by trade:

-Donovan McNabb

-Jon Kitna

-Kellen Clemens (lol, but technically true if Favre comes back & miraculously lets us know before July)

-John Beck

-Derek Anderson

Possibly available by trade:

-Tyler Thigpen (remote chance, but possible if he holds out & the team doesn't ante up)

-Vince Young (you never know)

-Brian Brohm (with that contract, for better or for worse, Rodgers is their QB for a while barring injury)

And Michael Vick will be available if he's released on schedule in July and Goodell reinstates him right away.

This, in addition to the over-hyped QB's that teams annually fall in love with for the upcoming draft by the time the season (& then the combine) is over.

Summary: it's a buyer's market, not a seller's market. They're not getting a Jared Allen type of deal for Matt Cassel. They should be thrilled with a 3rd rounder in 2009 since he's not under contract & I'm sure they have no desire to pay him $14M for the season themselves.

Now consider the flip-side for New England, which is to just do nothing unless they can work out a trade before the franchise-designation deadline (probably February 20th or 23rd). If there aren't any contract-just-ran-out-UFA's upcoming that they're planning to sign (from another team), they will likely receive a 3rd round compensatory pick from the league in 2010 given the size of the contract he'll probably garner on the open market.

The stupidity of this rule, as it now exists, is that if they sign some backup UFA from another team, it cancels out UFA's they lost, regardless of pay/skill level. I think they start canceling them from the bottom up (they lose 7th round comp picks first, then 6th, etc.), so it may not be a factor if NE has a bunch of UFA's (that they drafted themselves) that get picked up by another team.

[JohnnyHector]

That's a great comparison.

Except for the fact that Cassell is a gifted athlete who can run extremely well and really has nothing in common with Mitchell whatsoever.

I've always thought there was a remarkable similarity between the careers of Brady and Montana. If form holds true, Cassel is playing the role of Steve Young.

So, the Mitchell comparison is horrible, but because Cassel has run for some yards and a couple of TD's, he's the second coming of Steve Young? Yes, their career paths have been remarkably similar - one didn't start a game in college and threw a total of 24 passes his first three years in the NFL, while the other was a runner-up for the Heisman, the #1 pick of the supplemental draft of USFL players, and after going 3-16 as a starter for Tampa Bay, still returned a #2 and a #4 in a trade to San Francisco.

[Garb]

Rumors galore about Josh McDaniels getting a head coaching gig next year. So, don't be surprised to see Matt Cassel QB'ing a McDaniels coached team next year....after they franchise Cassel.

Should be an interesting off-season in Patsland.