Chiefs NBCSportsBlog: Belichick talks Cassel trade

booger · 03-19-2009, 09:53 PM

Thought this was interesting with all the ****ler drama going on.

Belichick talks Cassel trade
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal : Thursday, March 19, 2009 6:40 PM
Bill Belichick spoke on WEEI in Boston Thursday, touching on the dominant stories of the New England off-season: the Matt Cassel trade and Julius Peppers trade rumors.

Let's start with Cassel. Asked if the Patriots ever had an offer on the table for a first- and third-round pick, like ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported, Belichick flatly said, "They never made that offer to me."

Belichick indicated, in fact, there were no concrete last-minute offers. Without getting too specific, he said that he was in touch with many teams after Cassel signed his franchise tender. He implied that the rest of the league knew Cassel's situation and had plenty of chances to make a deal.

He dismissed suggestions of favoritism towards Chiefs GM Scott Pioli. "I have all the respect in the world for Scott and what he's done. [But] I work for the Patriots. I have no loyalty to anybody or any team other than the Patriots."

Few would argue with that.

When pressed about Denver's involvement in a possible three-way trade, Belichick spoke in generalities. But he rhetorically asked how many three-team trades actually get done in the NFL.

"Getting a contract done, getting a trade done, getting all that, to think that's going to happen in five minutes in a situation like that that came up that weekend -- which is what I think some people have kind of put out there -- I don't think that's really accurate. It just doesn't really happen like that in this league."

Reading between the lines, Belichick didn't have time to wait for Jay Cutler and/or Matt Cassel to work out contracts with a new team. That brings agents into the mix, in addition to a new team, and could delay the process indefinitely.

He alluded to all the rumored deals that were out there, indicating they were more speculative and hypothetical rather than concrete.

Time was of the essence. Belichick made it clear that a long-term deal for Cassel was not an option, and that New England's recent acquisitions were made possible by his trade.

Belichick took one (pick) in the hand over two in the bush.

Back with Belichick's comments about Peppers in a bit.

http://blogs.nbcsports.com/home/arch...sel-trade.html

03-19-2009, 09:53 PM	Topic Starter
booger Don't Tug on Superman's Cape Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: clear out in the sticks Casino cash: $958550	NBCSportsBlog: Belichick talks Cassel trade Thought this was interesting with all the ****ler drama going on. Belichick talks Cassel trade Posted by Gregg Rosenthal : Thursday, March 19, 2009 6:40 PM Bill Belichick spoke on WEEI in Boston Thursday, touching on the dominant stories of the New England off-season: the Matt Cassel trade and Julius Peppers trade rumors. Let's start with Cassel. Asked if the Patriots ever had an offer on the table for a first- and third-round pick, like ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported, Belichick flatly said, "They never made that offer to me." Belichick indicated, in fact, there were no concrete last-minute offers. Without getting too specific, he said that he was in touch with many teams after Cassel signed his franchise tender. He implied that the rest of the league knew Cassel's situation and had plenty of chances to make a deal. He dismissed suggestions of favoritism towards Chiefs GM Scott Pioli. "I have all the respect in the world for Scott and what he's done. [But] I work for the Patriots. I have no loyalty to anybody or any team other than the Patriots." Few would argue with that. When pressed about Denver's involvement in a possible three-way trade, Belichick spoke in generalities. But he rhetorically asked how many three-team trades actually get done in the NFL. "Getting a contract done, getting a trade done, getting all that, to think that's going to happen in five minutes in a situation like that that came up that weekend -- which is what I think some people have kind of put out there -- I don't think that's really accurate. It just doesn't really happen like that in this league." Reading between the lines, Belichick didn't have time to wait for Jay Cutler and/or Matt Cassel to work out contracts with a new team. That brings agents into the mix, in addition to a new team, and could delay the process indefinitely. He alluded to all the rumored deals that were out there, indicating they were more speculative and hypothetical rather than concrete. Time was of the essence. Belichick made it clear that a long-term deal for Cassel was not an option, and that New England's recent acquisitions were made possible by his trade. Belichick took one (pick) in the hand over two in the bush. Back with Belichick's comments about Peppers in a bit. http://blogs.nbcsports.com/home/arch...sel-trade.html
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