Matt Cassel To Be Franchised

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Wow. This is surprising. I guess Tom Brady’s recovery really is behind schedule. From ESPN:

The New England Patriots have decided to ensure that quarterback Matt Cassel won’t be an unrestricted free agent, as scheduled in March.

Sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen that the Patriots will use a franchise tag on Cassel that will give the team two options: Trade him if all goes well with Tom Brady’s rehabilitation from a knee injury or keep him because all is not well with Brady.

That would mean the Patriots would have about $29 million in salary cap space tied up in two quarterbacks, with Brady earning almost $15 million and Cassel guaranteed over $14 million.

Have fun paying $30 million to two quarterbacks, Robert Kraft.

Anyway, with Cassel off the board the next Blueprint will likely turn its attention to Donovan McNabb (Jeffrey Lurie recently stated that his Eagles have “every intention of having him back”) and Matt Leinart. That is unless someone emerges from this draft class. For now, color me unimpressed by Matt Stafford, Sam Bradford and Co. Stay tuned…

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Gump

Franchise tag just insures the Pats get something for him. He will be traded, Brady will be back and the Pats will secure a few more draft picks and/or FAs to fill their needs.

Since they can't run maybe we trade LJ for Cassel Even-Steven?

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woody

What did he do? Lead a team that won 18 games the year before to 11 wins? And that includes having one of the weakest schedules in the league...

Either way it doesn't matter, they will want too much...

I am not clear on the rules on the Tag, but it would be nice to see the rest of the league stiff the Pats on it (if they are unable to revoke it) and make them take up 30 mil of cap for two players at the same position...

Adam Best

He proved quite a bit to me. And our offense is well set up, especially if we add Crabtree or Smith and free agents (O-line).

Yes, I support a FA QB, but Cassel has proven nothing until he can do it without R. Moss, Wes Welker and a good O Line...

He will be traded...that's how the news was broke to begin with, Patriots sources telling Mike Lombardi that the Pats would franchise him to get something in return for him...I wouldn't give anything for him...every inclination tells me he is the product of a system with belichick, the mad scientist....

It's a little harder to be a byproduct of that system given that they can't run the ball at all.

Again, Bradford and Stafford have a lot to prove. At least I think they do.

dbk301

I think Cassel has Scott Mitchell written all over him. Takes over for an injured HOF qb, plays great for the rest of the season, cashes in and never plays like that again. He does not have a strong arm, holds on to the ball too long, and was blessed to have Moss and Welker rack up a lot of YAC. I'd pass on him and go for Bradford or Stafford in the first round.

Draft picks, especially outside of the first round, are overvalued. Cassel is much more proven than any QB we could draft, even in the first round.

Igorash

I agree, he would be well worth a second.

I could see a trade happening. I'd probably give up our second for Cassel if it were up to me.

sgt_ducttape

Just because hes franchised doesn't mean they are going to pay him that money. It could be a way to insure they get stuff for him if they trade him. Cassel's stock is really high right now and I know there are teams out there that will be interested.