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

T-post Tom · 03-19-2009, 10:00 PM

"I work for the Patriots. I have no loyalty to anybody or any team other than the Patriots."

That pretty much sums it up. So much for the conspiracy theories.

**DeezNutz** · 03-19-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booger

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."

Interesting choice of words.

talastan · 03-19-2009, 10:09 PM

Belichick isn't going to do anyone any favors. The deal the Chiefs offered was the most convinent and less time consuming. Simple as that. Sorry we got the QB your HC wanted Donkeyville.

Crush · 03-19-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-post Tom

"I work for the Patriots. I have no loyalty to anybody or any team other than the Patriots."

That pretty much sums it up. So much for the conspiracy theories.

I refuse to believe it.

**cdcox** · 03-19-2009, 10:11 PM

Belichick likes Pioli better than McDaniels.

ChiefsCountry · 03-20-2009, 01:56 AM

Its bc we took Vrabel off their books that is why we got Cassel.

Miles · 03-20-2009, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Its bc we took Vrabel off their books that is why we got Cassel.

Also took Cassel's huge cap figure off their books a day into the free agency signing period.

Amnorix · 03-20-2009, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Interesting choice of words.

Yes. Two things occurred to me when he said that:

1. they could have made the offer to another in the Patriots' organization or, more likely:

2. they could easily have made a POSSIBLE deal offer. "If we can get Tampa Bay on board and if we can work out a deal with Cassell for a long term deal, then we'll give you a 1 and a 3."

What's clear is the bottom line -- he took the deal in hand over the one in the bush, especially as he was under a tight timeframe to get Vrabel off the books and to get things set for his own free agency signings.

He couldn't afford to wait months to get this done, as was the case in the Deion BRanch situation -- and that was a trade with just ONE team.

Amnorix · 03-20-2009, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Its bc we took Vrabel off their books that is why we got Cassel.

Remember, we could have cut Vrabes to get the same cap result. I think, however, that the Patriots ascribed at least some value to not having Vrabel go to the Jets, Browns or Dolphins.

Amnorix · 03-20-2009, 05:51 AM

Does anyone know if Denver could have taken Cassell onto their books directly without him negotiating a long term deal? Did they have about $14.5MM of cap room?

Mile High Mania · 03-20-2009, 05:58 AM

I don't recall the cap #... they've signed, what... 15 guys? I think they had about $30M of cap space.

Amnorix · 03-20-2009, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

I don't recall the cap #... they've signed, what... 15 guys? I think they had about $30M of cap space.

Right, but what did they have as of the day the Cassel trade went through. They had a flurry of signings the first 10 seconds of free agency. If that left them at <$15MM, then they couldn't have done a quick deal for Cassell, they would have had to negotiate a long term contract.

It might be easier if we knew where they were now. If they're at 20MM now, then that answers the question right there.

Chief Pote · 03-20-2009, 06:23 AM

I'm really digging the fact that the Chiefs are on the minds of the media and all NFL fans. About effin time.......

Mile High Mania · 03-20-2009, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Right, but what did they have as of the day the Cassel trade went through. They had a flurry of signings the first 10 seconds of free agency. If that left them at <$15MM, then they couldn't have done a quick deal for Cassell, they would have had to negotiate a long term contract.

It might be easier if we knew where they were now. If they're at 20MM now, then that answers the question right there.

I have no idea how one might find that information...

03-19-2009, 09:53 PM
booger Don't Tug on Superman's Cape Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: clear out in the sticks Casino cash: $1558550	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
Posts: 12,500

03-19-2009, 10:00 PM	#2
T-post Tom Threepeat! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milk/Honey/Gazland Casino cash: $4607293	"I work for the Patriots. I have no loyalty to anybody or any team other than the Patriots." That pretty much sums it up. So much for the conspiracy theories. __________________ You seem nice!
Posts: 20,194

03-19-2009, 10:09 PM	#4
talastan Manning, we're coming for you! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Springfield, Mo Casino cash: $10004950	Belichick isn't going to do anyone any favors. The deal the Chiefs offered was the most convinent and less time consuming. Simple as that. Sorry we got the QB your HC wanted Donkeyville. __________________ Can we please just draft AND DEVELOP a QB - est. since 1983 Check out my band: Truett and the Traitors
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03-19-2009, 10:11 PM	#6
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $2381769	Belichick likes Pioli better than McDaniels.
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03-20-2009, 01:56 AM	#7
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $2368752	Its bc we took Vrabel off their books that is why we got Cassel.
Posts: 49,558

03-20-2009, 05:51 AM	#11
Amnorix In BB I trust Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, Mass. Casino cash: $10029808	Does anyone know if Denver could have taken Cassell onto their books directly without him negotiating a long term deal? Did they have about $14.5MM of cap room?
Posts: 43,125

03-20-2009, 05:58 AM	#12
Mile High Mania #triggering Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Tejas Casino cash: $3727229	I don't recall the cap #... they've signed, what... 15 guys? I think they had about $30M of cap space. __________________
Posts: 30,252

03-20-2009, 06:23 AM	#14
Chief Pote Veteran Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Undercover..... Casino cash: $8342638	I'm really digging the fact that the Chiefs are on the minds of the media and all NFL fans. About effin time.......
Posts: 3,457