Matt Cassel officially "Franchised"

[harold_bush]

Not that this was a surprise. Man, is there a better example of the old saying "timing is everything." Cassel made $520k last year. With the franchise tag he will make $14.6 million. $14 million dollar raise..............not too shabby. All b/c Tommy boy had his knee blown out.

[harold_bush]

In related news...........Tom Brady's salary next year is $8 million ($5 million salary and $3 million bonus for making the team). I realize it isn't that simple, as Brady's cap hit is $14.6 million, but kind of funny seeing Cassel's salary almost twice that of Brady's.

[lokio_3]

unfair not that cassel dont deserve a good payment but its unfair a qb gets paid almost twice as much as other that has rings under his belt

[poskid]

unfair not that cassel dont deserve a good payment but its unfair a qb gets paid almost twice as much as other that has rings under his belt

This is only likely a decision in order to make it more dificult for other teams to acquire him. If no one wants him bad enough to give-up the requisite draft picks then the Patriots lose on the deal by paying 2 QB's starting money....

it's a gamble that I dont totally agree with. Why not try and sign him to like a 1 or 2 year deal and then be able to easily trade him away if Tom comes back healthy or leave yourself open to franchise him the next year if Tom comes back healthy but later than expected. It would also allow you to make a few other moves under the salary cap which this doesnt do.

PK

[lokio_3]

yes i know why thyre doing that but as u said sign him a 1 or 2 year extension and trade him dont know in any case its not fair

[BettorsChat]

Patriots | Cassel urinated on during Super Bowl festivities

The New York Daily News reports New England Patriots QB Matt Cassel was urinated on during festivities prior to Super Bowl XLIII. Cassel was in line for the bathroom at ESPN's Tampa Bay Super Bowl bash Friday, Jan. 30, when a drunken reveler tried to cut in front of him. "Matt told him to wait his turn and headed into the urinals," according to a source. Moments later, the man barged in and proceeded to purposefully urinate directly on Cassel's leg. After security tossed the man, Cassel headed back out into the crowd, wet pants and all.

[poskid]

The New York Daily News reports New England Patriots QB Matt Cassel was urinated on during festivities prior to Super Bowl XLIII. Cassel was in line for the bathroom at ESPN's Tampa Bay Super Bowl bash Friday, Jan. 30, when a drunken reveler tried to cut in front of him. "Matt told him to wait his turn and headed into the urinals," according to a source. Moments later, the man barged in and proceeded to purposefully urinate directly on Cassel's leg. After security tossed the man, Cassel headed back out into the crowd, wet pants and all.

If I had 14 Mil there's no way I'm going back out in my pee pants.

PK

[lokio_3]

ahahhahah

[harold_bush]

The New York Daily News reports New England Patriots QB Matt Cassel was urinated on during festivities prior to Super Bowl XLIII. Cassel was in line for the bathroom at ESPN's Tampa Bay Super Bowl bash Friday, Jan. 30, when a drunken reveler tried to cut in front of him. "Matt told him to wait his turn and headed into the urinals," according to a source. Moments later, the man barged in and proceeded to purposefully urinate directly on Cassel's leg. After security tossed the man, Cassel headed back out into the crowd, wet pants and all.

Not that it wouldn't have been justified, but nice to see Cassel did get into a fight over this and risk getting injured, suspended, and sued. It is actually possible for some players to think first, react second.

[vols fan]

Not that it wouldn't have been justified, but nice to see Cassel did get into a fight over this and risk getting injured, suspended, and sued. It is actually possible for some players to think first, react second.

What do you think PACMAN would have done?

[harold_bush]

What do you think PACMAN would have done?

Funny, that's who I had in mind when I put up my post. Mutha fucka disrespect me.........bitch......

[wayne1218]

This is only likely a decision in order to make it more dificult for other teams to acquire him. If no one wants him bad enough to give-up the requisite draft picks then the Patriots lose on the deal by paying 2 QB's starting money....

it's a gamble that I dont totally agree with. Why not try and sign him to like a 1 or 2 year deal and then be able to easily trade him away if Tom comes back healthy or leave yourself open to franchise him the next year if Tom comes back healthy but later than expected. It would also allow you to make a few other moves under the salary cap which this doesnt do.

PK

Cassell has ZERO interest in signing a cheaper multi year deal with New England. Why would he?

If he can go on the FA market and get a 50 Million deal and be a starter, he would. There is ZERO risk here for N.E. and it was the only way they could get something for him instead of losing him for nothing. There will be plenty of teams interested in Cassell and in the end, a trade will be made, and the Patriots will likely get 2 draft picks.

There are rumors of a possible trade to KC for Tony Gonzalez and a 2nd or 3rd round pick. KC Dumps the salary and unhappy player while getting a QB, and New England gets a solid pick and a Pro Bowl TE.

[mavskidd02]

Cassell has ZERO interest in signing a cheaper multi year deal with New England. Why would he?

If he can go on the FA market and get a 50 Million deal and be a starter, he would. There is ZERO risk here for N.E. and it was the only way they could get something for him instead of losing him for nothing. There will be plenty of teams interested in Cassell and in the end, a trade will be made, and the Patriots will likely get 2 draft picks.

There are rumors of a possible trade to KC for Tony Gonzalez and a 2nd or 3rd round pick. KC Dumps the salary and unhappy player while getting a QB, and New England gets a solid pick and a Pro Bowl TE.

I wouldn't say there is "zero risk." Because like PK said, if no one is interested, NE ends up having to pay two QBs starting money.

[wayne1218]

I wouldn't say there is "zero risk." Because like PK said, if no one is interested, NE ends up having to pay two QBs starting money.

According to reports up here, SEVERAL teams have inquired already about Cassell and a few deals are already on the table. After the last few years up here, we've learned to trust N.E. and their decisions and i'm 100% confident that there is ZERO risk here. Too many teams need a QB and a bidding war has already begun. Besides, the salary cap takes a big jump for '09 and that would just offset his contract anyway if they needed him to stay. There isn't any risk here.

[wayne1218]

Teams that have shown interest according to WEEI .....


T.B.
Minnesota
KC
SF
Chicago
Detroit

My guess is that one of these teams will have him next season.