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Pats QB Cassell talks to the media


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Patriots QB Matt Cassel makes media rounds

Email|Link|Comments (69) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff January 22, 2009 04:48 PM

Patriots QB Matt Cassel was a guest on ESPNews this afternoon and ESPN.com's Tim Graham provides the Q&A on the website's AFC East blog. Cassel's appearance was based on him receiving the Vizio Top Value Performer award.

One of the notable answers that Cassel provided was when he was asked if there should be a quarterback competition in New England. Cassel's response:

"This is Tom's team. The Patriots have been Tom's team. He's built that franchise up with his own two hands. He's the guy, and he was the MVP the year before. I realize that. He's been such a mentor for me that I would say 'No, there is no quarterback competition.' But I've learned so many things from Tom, and hopefully it'll help me in my career."

In New England, Michael Felger of Comcast SportsNet interviewed Cassel as part of Cassel's satellite media tour, and Comcast SportsNet has released the following Q&A from Felger's interview:

On talking with the Patriots about the future

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His agent has coached him well. Says all the right things. I also heard him speak glowingly of the Pats, Kraft and specifically, Belichick. The kids owes his career to him - and Pioli - they have made him a rich man. I'm more convinced than ever that Matt Cassel will be the starting QB of the KC Chiefs for opening day, September 2009.

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His agent has coached him well. Says all the right things. I also heard him speak glowingly of the Pats, Kraft and specifically, Belichick. The kids owes his career to him - and Pioli - they have made him a rich man. I'm more convinced than ever that Matt Cassel will be the starting QB of the KC Chiefs for opening day, September 2009.

One thing KC ought to have is cap room.

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His agent has coached him well. Says all the right things. I also heard him speak glowingly of the Pats, Kraft and specifically, Belichick. The kids owes his career to him - and Pioli - they have made him a rich man. I'm more convinced than ever that Matt Cassel will be the starting QB of the KC Chiefs for opening day, September 2009.

If that's the case, I'd gladly have the Jets take Tyler Thigpen off their hands.

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If you ever have any betting advice, please let us know so we can bet the opposite.

So I suppose you think going with a guy who did marginally better with Randy Moss and Wes Welker at WR, will command 50 times more money and cost a **** load in trade compensation would be a brilliant move for the Chiefs?

And by all means, why would the Jets want a guy who's actually shown some flashes when they can stick with 3 unproven nobodies, right? Of course, I'm sure as far as you're concerned the Chiefs disaster of a season had nothing to do with Herm Edwards, the defense, the OL, or the RBs... it was all Thigpen's fault. The guy is no world beater, but for a young kid with next to no help, he did a hell of a lot better than any Jets QB has since at least 2004 (if not 2002).

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So I suppose you think going with a guy who did marginally better with Randy Moss and Wes Welker at WR, will command 50 times more money and cost a **** load in trade compensation would be a brilliant move for the Chiefs?

And by all means, why would the Jets want a guy who's actually shown some flashes when they can stick with 3 unproven nobodies, right? Of course, I'm sure as far as you're concerned the Chiefs disaster of a season had nothing to do with Herm Edwards, the defense, the OL, or the RBs... it was all Thigpen's fault. The guy is no world beater, but for a young kid with next to no help, he did a hell of a lot better than any Jets QB has since at least 2004 (if not 2002).

I would agree. He was a rare brightspot for them.

I would think Pioli is a litmus test for Cassel. If KC goes after him, he might be all that. Opposed to not going hard after him.

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I would agree. He was a rare brightspot for them.

I would think Pioli is a litmus test for Cassel. If KC goes after him, he might be all that. Opposed to not going hard after him.

First point: Yep, Thigpen was the only reason they were competitve down the stretch.

Second point: True. If Pioli makes no effort for Cassel that would be a concern, unless Cassel's agent can find a dumb GM or two to start bidding.

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He was on SNY's The Wheelhouse last night,

They asked him if he is going to test free agency and if he would consider the Jets.

He knows he can do good on the market, but it kind of sounded like he expects to be slapped with the franchise tag and 14 million.

He did not sound to enthused about the possiblity of becoming a Jet, though he said that if it came up it would be something he would talk over with the right people.

He comes across like a real doofus if you ask me.

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He was on SNY's The Wheelhouse last night,

They asked him if he is going to test free agency and if he would consider the Jets.

He knows he can do good on the market, but it kind of sounded like he expects to be slapped with the franchise tag and 14 million.

He did not sound to enthused about the possiblity of becoming a Jet, though he said that if it came up it would be something he would talk over with the right people.

He comes across like a real doofus if you ask me.

There is NO chance that Cassel will become a stinkin' Jet. He will be tagged and traded and he knows that being traded to the stinkin' Jets isn't an option.

I saw an interview with him and it sounded like he was trying to say all the right things - and be honest at the same time. I thought he made a very good impression. Teams will want him. Thank you, Matt!

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I think M.C. has more than proved he can play at a high level in the NFL and as such will be paid accordingly.

Good QB's are scarce, really good ones are rare and he might be really good.

I think the Pats* franchise him and keep him because of Bradys question mark knee.

Garb,

I thought franchising a player for the purpose of trading him was not permitted per NFL rules.

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I think M.C. has more than proved he can play at a high level in the NFL and as such will be paid accordingly.

Good QB's are scarce, really good ones are rare and he might be really good.

I think the Pats* franchise him and keep him because of Bradys question mark knee.

Garb,

I thought franchising a player for the purpose of trading him was not permitted per NFL rules.

It is allowed. Jared Allen was franchised then traded to Minny.

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I think M.C. has more than proved he can play at a high level in the NFL and as such will be paid accordingly.

Good QB's are scarce, really good ones are rare and he might be really good.

I think the Pats* franchise him and keep him because of Bradys question mark knee.

Garb,

I thought franchising a player for the purpose of trading him was not permitted per NFL rules.

you are correct - but it hasn't stopped other teams from doing so, and I rather doubt it will stop the Pats - especially with Brady's knee concerns. :) And, I'm certain that the Players union won't be complaining about it either.

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There is NO chance that Cassel will become a stinkin' Jet. He will be tagged and traded and he knows that being traded to the stinkin' Jets isn't an option.

I saw an interview with him and it sounded like he was trying to say all the right things - and be honest at the same time. I thought he made a very good impression. Teams will want him. Thank you, Matt!

Ok, no reason to get your wet panties in abunch. :rim:
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Not sure where Jared Allen fits in here but I think it is the latter. If MC is tagged "exclusive player" I dont think they can trade him. (Personally why on earth would they trade him??)

There are two types of franchise tag designations: the exclusive rights franchise tag, and non-exclusive rights franchise tag:

  • An "exclusive" franchise player must be offered a one-year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top five salaries at the player's position as of a date in April of the current year in which the tag will apply, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater. Exclusive franchise players cannot negotiate with other teams.
  • A "non-exclusive" franchise player must be offered a one-year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top five salaries at the player's position in the previous year, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater. A non-exclusive franchise player may negotiate with other NFL teams, but if he signs an offer sheet from another team, the original team has a right to match the terms of that offer, or if it does not match the offer and thus loses the player, is entitled to receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.

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Not sure where Jared Allen fits in here but I think it is the latter. If MC is tagged "exclusive player" I dont think they can trade him. (Personally why on earth would they trade him??)

There are two types of franchise tag designations: the exclusive rights franchise tag, and non-exclusive rights franchise tag:

  • An "exclusive" franchise player must be offered a one-year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top five salaries at the player's position as of a date in April of the current year in which the tag will apply, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater. Exclusive franchise players cannot negotiate with other teams.
  • A "non-exclusive" franchise player must be offered a one-year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top five salaries at the player's position in the previous year, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater. A non-exclusive franchise player may negotiate with other NFL teams, but if he signs an offer sheet from another team, the original team has a right to match the terms of that offer, or if it does not match the offer and thus loses the player, is entitled to receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.

He will be tagged as an exclusive franchise player and traded to another team. Trust me.

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First point: Yep, Thigpen was the only reason they were competitve down the stretch.

Second point: True. If Pioli makes no effort for Cassel that would be a concern, unless Cassel's agent can find a dumb GM or two to start bidding.

I'm not sure I completely agree with the second point. I think if his time in NE is truly reflective of Pioli as an individual, he's the kind of guy who values an overall core group of players as opposed to big name superstars. Sure NE has Brady, but he was a 6th round pick of their own. Moss only cost them a 4th rounder and that was after years without a big name superstar worth mentioning outside of Brady and Law. Cassel, on the other hand, is going to be expensive twice over. He's going to a cost a team significant picks in a trade AND command a big dollar contract. When you have a young QB in Thigpen who really flashed some ability down the stretch, do you really think Pioli is the kind of guy who is looking to break the bank for Cassel?

And I think all that it would say about Cassel if Pioli didn't go after him is that he doesn't think Cassel is that much better than Thigpen to be worth both significant draft picks and a boatload of money. Granted, I'm of the opinion that any team that gives up a lot for Cassel is making a mistake, but even if I'm wrong about that, I don't think a lack of interest for Pioli means anything one way or the other.

But hell, maybe I'm wrong and Pioli makes a run at Cassel. If that happens, I still stand by my prior comment, the Jets should make a move for Thigpen.

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I'm not sure I completely agree with the second point. I think if his time in NE is truly reflective of Pioli as an individual, he's the kind of guy who values an overall core group of players as opposed to big name superstars. Sure NE has Brady, but he was a 6th round pick of their own. Moss only cost them a 4th rounder and that was after years without a big name superstar worth mentioning outside of Brady and Law. Cassel, on the other hand, is going to be expensive twice over. He's going to a cost a team significant picks in a trade AND command a big dollar contract. When you have a young QB in Thigpen who really flashed some ability down the stretch, do you really think Pioli is the kind of guy who is looking to break the bank for Cassel?

And I think all that it would say about Cassel if Pioli didn't go after him is that he doesn't think Cassel is that much better than Thigpen to be worth both significant draft picks and a boatload of money. Granted, I'm of the opinion that any team that gives up a lot for Cassel is making a mistake, but even if I'm wrong about that, I don't think a lack of interest for Pioli means anything one way or the other.

But hell, maybe I'm wrong and Pioli makes a run at Cassel. If that happens, I still stand by my prior comment, the Jets should make a move for Thigpen.

They do, but they also pay their stars.

Cassel cannot be considered a star, but the Chiefs can also structure a deal to be good for him and safe for them. A contract where he gets paid a nice sum up front, but not a cap killer. With escalator clauses if he meets some bench marks that boost it if he continues to play well..

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Tyler Thigpen, surprisingly, is a good Quarterback and he didn't have Wes Welker or Randy Moss.

KC would be stupid to give up on him that quickly.

I think with Shanahan in house they're going to give Tyler two years.

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Tyler Thigpen, surprisingly, is a good Quarterback and he didn't have Wes Welker or Randy Moss.

KC would be stupid to give up on him that quickly.

I think with Shanahan in house they're going to give Tyler two years.

They could.

That is something I see Pioli and Shannahan discussing quickly. Shannhan has scouted Tyler and he probably has his view of Tyler and what he can become and how much upside he has. Pioli knows Cassel.

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He will be tagged as an exclusive franchise player and traded to another team. Trust me.

It makes more sense for them to go the non-exclusive route if they plan on trading him.

A non-exclusive franchise player may negotiate with other NFL teams, but if he signs an offer sheet from another team, the original team has a right to match the terms of that offer, or if it does not match the offer and thus loses the player, is entitled to receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.

This way, they can let Matt and his agent do all the legwork - then the Pats can negotiate compensation from there. They aren't going to do any better than two first rounders.

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I'm not sure I completely agree with the second point. I think if his time in NE is truly reflective of Pioli as an individual, he's the kind of guy who values an overall core group of players as opposed to big name superstars. Sure NE has Brady, but he was a 6th round pick of their own. Moss only cost them a 4th rounder and that was after years without a big name superstar worth mentioning outside of Brady and Law. Cassel, on the other hand, is going to be expensive twice over. He's going to a cost a team significant picks in a trade AND command a big dollar contract. When you have a young QB in Thigpen who really flashed some ability down the stretch, do you really think Pioli is the kind of guy who is looking to break the bank for Cassel?

And I think all that it would say about Cassel if Pioli didn't go after him is that he doesn't think Cassel is that much better than Thigpen to be worth both significant draft picks and a boatload of money. Granted, I'm of the opinion that any team that gives up a lot for Cassel is making a mistake, but even if I'm wrong about that, I don't think a lack of interest for Pioli means anything one way or the other.

But hell, maybe I'm wrong and Pioli makes a run at Cassel. If that happens, I still stand by my prior comment, the Jets should make a move for Thigpen.

I see where you're coming from. Pioli would be someone who values core group, but if anyone should be high on Cassel it should be Pioli.

That said, I know the Chowds would scoff, but my gut tells me that Cassel will be the Pats opening day starter because Brady won't be ready. Belichick is going to play his usual games with the injury disclosure throughout the offseason, training camp, preason, and start of the season, similar to what Mangini did with Curtis in 2006.

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Not really... all the work none of the glory... its not like he gets to sit around all week...

So you wouldn't take $14 million to be the BACK-UP Quarterback to Tom Brady? Really?

Don't have to take a beating, just have to practice and enjoy a free NFL game on the sideline.

Yeah, damn, that sucks. :face:

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