Do we release Cassel outright, or trade Brady?

Those seem to be the only two viable options.

Any thoughts?

Well it depends on what the market is for cassell. We can franchise him and then trade him if alot of teams are interested in him.

Franchising him isn't a realistic option because then we've got to pay him more than we are currently paying Brady if we can't find someone willing to trade. I'm not sure that's a risk that management would even consider taking on, is it?

Why in the world would you even consider trading the best QB in the NFL? This is a fairly easy decision. Cassell is having a fluke year because he's surrounded by talent and has the best coach in the league gameplanning to his strenghts and making him look good. He's in the right system and once he leaves he'll be an adequate QB at best, think Gus Frerotte.

I'll put that down as a vote for waiving Cassel then...

I think they take the risk there are plenty of teams desperate for a QB and would probably overpay for him as a free agent.

Franchise him and then trade him. Somebody will trade for him. You don't think Kansas City wouldn't want to snap him up? Or Detriot? Or maybe even Minnesota? And those are teams just off the top of my head. I'm sure you could make valid arguments for others.

As far as the remote possibility that you don't get a good enough offer for him goes, don't the Pats have the option to remove the franchise label if they do so by a certain point in time?

I can definitely see a situation where Detroit winds up with Cassel - say for the first-rounder they acquired from Dallas for Roy Williams and their own 3rd-rounder in this year's draft?

Thats really tuff! I wonder if Brady will be ready at the start of next season. To me, I almost think it might be worth trying to tag Cassel, you are correct it would more $ than Brady is getting. But only for one season while Brady gets health, not to mention someone might very well trade for a tagged Cassel and make it worth the risk.

With a ton of talent all over the field I could see Minn trading a first and third for a tagged qb. Afterall they wouldn't have a whole lot of holes to fill if they got a qb.

Not an easy situation, but as a bear fan i don't feel too sorry for patriot fans.

The best thing for the Patriots to do with Cassel is to do what the Chiefs did with Jared Allen. You franchise him and then you trade him. San Francisco is looking for a QB and so are Detroit, Minnesota, Tampa Bay(Needs somebody that can put them over the top or at least in contention, plus their QBs are old), and I even think the Seahawks are as well. All of those teams would be interested in bringing in Cassel and they all would be willing to give up draft picks(except Detroit). Cassel has way too much trade value to be sitting the bench next season and Brady definitely won't sit, so the best option is to franchise him, then trade him for some draft picks. If Houston payed Matt Schaub $42 million based on decent pre-season games, think of what a team would pay a QB based on a whole season.

Brady's health will certainly be the determining factor. If the Pats medical staff feels he will return to form (and that was never a very mobile form to begin with) they may keep him. My bet is Brady, despite his amazing run as a Patriot, gets traded because of the severity of the injury.

If we don't know anything else about New England it's that they have a definite value assigned to every player at every position, they refuse to overpay. They will either move Cassel or let him go, unless they decide to explore shopping Brady, crazier things have happened.

There is no way that you can franchise Matt Cassell. You would have to pay him the average of the top five quaterbacks...that is way to much. Why would a team trade for a quarterback that is having one good year on a team that has Wes Welker and Randy Moss and Josh McDaniels and Bill Bilicheck running it. Plus is Detroit going to have money to buy top free agents? With the Ford Family asking for a Federal Bailout, can they justify spending top dollar on free agents?

Is Brady going to be able to start the season? If not, you have to sign Cassell and then look to trade him.

You only have to pay him like a top five QB if you keep him on the team. What franchising him also does is keep him from signing with another team. The Patriots do have the option of withdrawing the franchise tag if they decide it is financially unfeasible and they have no decent offers Cassel. If they do withdraw the tag, of course, he does become a normal unrestricted free agent.

The more likely scenario, however, is like the aforementioned Jared Allen situation of last year. Just because the Patriots are the only team that can sign Cassel if he's franchised doesn't mean another team can't negotiate with him for a new contract, while simultaneously negotiating a trade with the Patriots. Once all three parties are satisified, the new team gets Cassel, the Patriots get their picks and/or players, and Cassel gets his millions and a starting job.

Why would a team trade for Cassel? Because QB is the most important position on the field and there are precious few out there who even remotely approach greatness, never mind the ones who actually are great. Add to that the fact that there are no "can't-miss" QB's of the future likely available in this draft and that there are also no other "QB-of-the-future" types available in free agency and Cassel's value goes up even further.

Is he having a good year because he's surrounded by good talent, or because he's a good QB, or a bit of both? You can make an argument either way. Maybe the Pats are just good at finding QBs in the draft. Brady was just a 6th-rounder, remember? The Detriot QBs have had a pretty good cast of WRs to throw to, how come they're not getting it done? Why isn't Bulger doing better with Holt to throw to and Jackson to take the pressure off? Those Cleveland quarterbacks have Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow and Jamal Lewis and Joe Thomas - what's up with them? And what if whatever team that trades for Cassel also brings McDaniels along as their new head coach?

Don't lock in on Detriot as the only suitor, either. For what I would think are obvious reasons you can eliminate any AFC East team as a potential trade partner, but look around the rest of the NFL. Think Tennessee believes in Vince Young or sees Kerry Collins as a long-term solution? Think Kansas City wants to hang their hat on Tyler Thigpen? How does Philly really feel about McNabb and Kevin Kolb? Does Jon Gruden really think he has the guy on his roster in Tampa? Think Chicago is thrilled with Orton and Grossman or Minnesota is sleeping soundly with Tavaris Jackson? Given how ****-poor they've run the team so far and how much the fans are screaming for some sign of a committment to win in Detriot, yes, I think the Fords can justify spending top dollar and top draft picks for Cassel. Think Seattle's happy with Hasselbeck and Seneca Wallace? Or that St. Louis believes they have a replacement for Bulger already on their roster? Does San Francisco really believe that Alex Smith, Shaun Hill, or J. T. O'Sullivan is the answer?

As far as Brady's injury goes, he'll be ready to play next year - it's simply a question of when next year. Will he miss training camp? The preseason? Opening Day? The first quarter of the season? If the is more like some portion of the regular season, then dip into free agency and pick up some stopgap (Kerry Collins? Jeff Garcia? Byron Leftwich? Chris Simms?) to fill the void until Brady is ready.

Franchise Cassel, then trade him. Somebody will make a very acceptable offer for him.

I could be wrong (not the first time). BUT I think if you tag a guy for the first time its only avg of top 10 at his position. Its top 5 if you tag him a second consecutive year.

I really think its woth them tagging him for 3 reasons:

1) yes the tag is big money, but its only one season.

2) Brady may never be the same again, even if he is it may not be til mid season next year.

3) Its been heavily discussed that the NFL seems to be at an all time shortage of quality QBs! Some team will trade a 1st and 3rd for Cassel (food for thought, Detroit happens to have 2 first rounders and 2 thirds. They could end up essentially trading Roy williams for Matt Cassel and keeping 7 draft picks)

A club can designate one franchise player or one transition player in any given year.
• The salary level offer by a player's old club determines what type of franchise player he is.

• An "exclusive" franchise player -- not free to sign with another club -- is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries at the player's position as of April 16, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater.

• If the player is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries of last season at his position, or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, he becomes a “non-exclusive” franchise player and can negotiate with other clubs. His old club can match a new club's offer, or receive two first-round draft choices if it decides not to match. The signing period for non-exclusive franchise players to sign with new clubs is March 3 through November 9 (10th week of the season).

• A transition player has received a minimum offer of the average of the top 10 salaries of last season at the player's position or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater.

• A transition player designation gives the club a first-refusal right to match within seven days an offer sheet given to the player by another club after his contract expires. If the club matches, it retains the player. If it does not match, it receives no compensation. Transition players can be signed from March 3 through July 22."

Tagging Cassel would seem out of the question based on our salary cap. Cassel would count $14MM to the cap if he is tagged which would require the Pats to dump a lot of players. Cassel could very well end up becoming a NY Jet since Farve is sure to retire now if we don't lock him up.

The tough question is who do the Pats covet more a 31 year old "injured" ICON QB with 3 SB titles and a $14MM cap who will be a Free Agent after 2010 or sign 26 year old Cassel hopefully in the $6-8MM range. Cassel had better numbers than Brady did his first year as a starter. We could control our destiny in this situation making sure Brady goes to the NFC and Cassel doesn't go to the Jets or anywhere else.

The 49ers were faced with this tough choice with Montana and emerging star Steve Young long ago. Both are now in the Hall of Fame. Montana was a bit older than Brady but the similarities are there. The idea of trading Brady is sacreligious - no doubt but we've seen Patriot brass make tough business decisions before with some big names.

I'm not advocating trading Brady but what if the Pats had an offer from SF for Brady and two first round picks or more and Brady was in the loop on this and okay with returning home and Cassel could be had for about half Brady money on a long term deal? It would be tempting. Brady has maybe 3-4 years left at a high level (and price tag) assuming no further injuries. The Pats with the #9 and #20 pick this year plus SD's 2nd could get young and very talented plus save $6MM or so on the cap just with that move. If Cassel continues to thrive in our system at 26 the Pats could be around the top for another 5-10 years. The savings on dealing Brady would allow us to sign Wilfork to a long term deal and perhaps sign an elite free agent of our own. Plus we'd have 2 #1s next year too or more.

Just throwing that out there as hard as it is to imagine and again, I'm not advocating for it just curious what people think.

I just saw the answer scroll at the bottom of ESPN...they are reporting Brady's leg is still unstable, and that a surgery might be again required to go in a get things right, along with removing other tissue and debris that is bothering him, which could cost him the season next year too...Cassel just might warrant a tag, or a very good offer.

Well, now that we know we have the 20th pick, and a good indication that Brady may not be ready come training camp, are we forced to sign Cassel and PUP Brady again? If we do PUP him, is there any way he could/might agree to some financial concession?

I haven't seen the ESPN story that Brady might not be a go for 2009. If true we can't afford to have his $14MM cap number and franchise Cassel. The best play would be to try to sign Cassel to a backloaded 2009 cap friendly number ASAP. Of course there might not even be a cap for 2009 which would let us do whatever we want like the Yankees.

Assuming there is a cap we should try to sign Cassel now and restructure or trade Brady. We might only get one first round pick for him if he can't go for a significant portion of 2009. If we traded Brady to SF for instance we could have 11th or 12th pick to go along with our #20. We could get a pair of USC studs, Mays and Cushing perhaps.

It's 2010 that could be the first uncapped season. The cap is in place for 2009.

Hmm this is a tough situation especially now that Brady may not be back next season with his leg not progressing and having problems. I'd personally shop Brady and take a look at keeping Cassel IF Brady is going to be able to play. Brady can't play forever and already had 1 terrible injury so I'd keep the young healthy guy with 2 good knees.

I believe the uncapped year is 2010, NEpats.

Hey, bipolar...didn't get down to your post...you are correct though.

I somehow originally made this post on the Bills forum, but nonetheless...

Amid the speculation of the cost Cassel would put on the Pat's cap this year if they decide to put the franchise tag on him, this is the figure I have seen, based on the contracts of the top 5 QBs in the NFL last year...$14.835 million.

That will indeed be tough unless the Pats cut Brady, or get real creative.

I wouldn't be shocked if Brady is right on scheduel. The pats are the kings of playing with the inhury report.

I personally think this is all a ploy to drive up the price of cassel.

Why tag Cassel. I say sign him to a $6-8MM deal that is back loaded and cap friendly. That way if Brady isn't ready we are set to start the season. Cassel can get a nice signing bonus that we can prorate.

Now that's the kind of solution I've been searching for, IF you could get him to sign for that when he knows he could get the guaranteed money UPFRONT from someone else.

You're quite correct here, Steve. Cassel, in his wildest dreams couldn't have imagined he'd be the likely most sought after commodity in this year's FA market. He will get his monies up front, and that's the smart thing to do. You certainly can't blame him for that. As for yerckson3420's asserting this is some ploy to drive his price up, I don't think he understands the full impact of the lack of any elite-type QBs being available in this years draft no matter who declares, or the fact Cassel is now a young and PROVEN commodity to prospective NFL teams. His time on the bench in NE was obviously well spent. It's also an indication of the effectiveness of the NE coaching staff to have developed his talents so nicely...which could also come back to bite you in the off season.

Oh, I do. If the bears traded a first and more for him I would have no problems at all. Not only is the draft far from promising at Qb, but the league itself isn't really that good at QB at the present time.

I just wouldn't be shocked if NE was playing games, they are a smart, savvy and some times sneaky organization.

Looks like the Pats are going to franchise him.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3809444

Maybe.....but i wouldn't look too much into that. You can tag a player and leave him tagged til sometime in july i think. Or un tag him whenever you want.

I will stick to my conspiracy theory that Brady is fine and the pats are driving up cassel's value.

some might call me cwazy

What agent reps Cassel?

If the Pats do tag him and a team wants to make a trade for him, that would cost the team two first round picks.


I know he has had a good season and quality quarterbacks are hard to come by, but I wouldn't want my team to trade two first round picks for somebody who has had only one year on a team with talent all around him. But that is my opinion.

Once again, they can take the tag off whenever they want.

Jared Allen got tagged last year I belive. But at the end of the day KC didn't get two firsts.

I thought it was a first and third anyway, but i could be wrong.

i'm not so sure i agree fully with this, to be honest. while i don't think that this is a ploy to drive cassel's price up (though i suppose it could be), belichick does have a habit of not being direct with injuries. i'm not saying that really is the case here, either, but it's definitely possible that it is.

also, cassel isn't "proven." he had one good year throwing to the likes of wes welker and randy moss. daunte culpepper was great in minnesota. yes, i know he had the big knee injury, making him far less mobile than he once was, but once he had no randy moss, he wasn't nearly the same QB he was with him. again, an argument can be made that it was his knee, but i think it was more him not being able to read defenses very well, and he was exposed once he wasn't looking at a cover 2 scheme every time on the field.

so, yeah, that was the long way of saying that cassel isn't "proven" yet. he's only proven that he can throw to very good receivers.