Opinion: Thoughts on Cassel Trade
With the dust-up over the Patriots trade, I was listening intently to the radio today up here in Boston. WEEI’s Mike Felger, one of the few Boston radio personalities that is 1) smart 2) opinionated 3) willing to be fair reported that he had been in touch with some sources and helped to explain some of what was going on. From what I gather, here’s some factors that might be true or not … I’m just passing them on.
The Buccaneers Were Late — Apparently they got inovled when paperwork had been signed. Teams can talk trades at any point of the year, it’s just the execution that must wait until the new league year. That Raheem Morris and his new GM had to wait to hear it from Adam Schefter or whoever on NFL Network before jumping in is laughable … don’t blame the Pats, the deal was inked by the time the Bucs came to the party.
Vrabel Was Going to Be Cut — So this was some sort of “face-saving” move for Vrabel where he gets to keep his money. His cap number was only about $4 million, so this seems crazy to me. Even if Vrabel is on the decline, the Patriots linebacking corps isn’t exactly as fearsome as they were a few years ago and Cutting him to make the saving seems hard to believe.
Patriots Love Second Rounders — Their history in the second might be suspect, but the truth is that they love bargains and hate paying for top players in the draft. There’s so many reasons that those top picks are toxic to organizations and set up fans for ridiculous expectations and the Pats love to avoid them. As of now, the team has 4 picks in the top 58, one in the first round and three in the second. The Patriots will be able to move wherever they want in the draft and find the players they’re keen on.
My additional thoughts …
Value of Picks — Some people up here were talking as if Cassel was going to net the team two first rounders … hardly. The Jets got Brett Favre for a third round pick. Randy Moss was worth a fourth. The value of players for picks has changed dramatically in the past few years. I think that trading Cassel for the #34 was fair value, but the Vrabel throw in I just don’t get.
This Is the Last Straw — It seems like every year, the press in NE chide the team for letting some player walk or trading them. Lawyer Milloy, Ty Law, Damien Woody, Corey Dillon, Deion Branch, Willie McGinest, etc. etc. The truth is that the Patriots seem to stay in contention, no matter who walks out the door year after year. That this move will unbalance the organization seems hard to believe.
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We’re kind of in a lose-lose situation. Either they’re going to have all those picks and use them to trade up to get a stud, use all those picks, or trade some of them for Peppers. Haha. Hopefully it doesn’t work out for them.
I think the Pats were a bit desparate to move Cassell to free up cash. Not so much to bring in new FAs but to extend guys who are going into their last year. Most importantly Vince Wilfork. Other key players I believe to be going into their last year include Seymour and Mankins. Though I agree with Bassett, the Vrabel aspect leaves me scratching my head. Its as if the Pats are throwing Pioli a bone so he can have his “transition coach/player” on the field while they insttitue their 3-4.
the cutler thing is very interesting.
Opposing teams dont like Cutler.
Ryan is trying to build a team which everyone will hate.
So I see this to be a perfect fit
Ryan wants to build a team that the rest of league fears and respects (or ‘hate’, whatever). But I’m willing to bet he wants teams to hate us because we’re a good, tough, hard hitting squad who would rather run through you than around you. I don’t think he wants other teams to hate us because we lead the league in trash talk.
patriots did a favor for a friend i hope rex got friends to do us a favor
not sure how I feel about Cutler, but I’m sure we won’t have to spend much time thinking about him.
I’m beginning to to worry about Leonhard. I originally thought he would sign by Saturday night…should I be concerned about the possibility of him signing elsewhere?
the patriots lucked into a hall of fame quaterback in the 6th round, who then took a below market contract to help bring in other players… some $30M+ less than peyton.
when the brady run ends, so do the patriots as we know them. you can point to this year, but they had a beneficial schedule and a compliant jet team.
With Corey Ivy, Lito Sheppard and Abram Elam signing, you have to doubt Leonhard is near as likely a priority for the FO.
Lets hope the Pats let Wilfork walk because we will greet him with open arms as a free agent after this season.
Wilfork will be getting a similar deal to haynesworth.
theyll put the franchise tag on him next year
Kirk did we sign Ivey, I thought we only made him an offer? Also, remember Elam was low-ball tendered, another team can still get him w/o comp draft pick, though we would have right to match.
I think NE still made out. They got the 34th pick for an over the hill LB and a QB that took a 16-0 team to 10-5. Let’s say NE went 12-4 in 2006 and they declined to 7-9 last year, would Cassell be all the rave? Let’s not forget that NE still lost 5 more games than they lost the year before.
And don’t forget Sanchez drops…
We need to trade for Cutler
cutler’s hardheaded. We need a leader right? a tall, strong-armed, extremely competitive leader – like Sanchez?
lgs, how about randy johnson?
The Chiefs have one decent WR and a great TE who wants out. You won’t see the same production from Cassel without Moss and Welker and without much pass blocking.
Three things:
1-The best move for the Jets this off-season was Pioli going to KC. While it will take a few years for the full impact to be felt, he was the brains behind the Pats organization.
2-Brooks Bollinger could have looked good behind NE’s O-line. We’re going to see a very different Cassel behind the Chiefs line.
3-Oh yeah, no Welker, Moss, Gaffeny….
I hope this does set the market! Imagine getting Derek Anderson for a 2nd! I’m betting on Ratliff but we thought there was going to be a QB competiton last year….