They have leverage because there are very few good QB's in the league and several teams will be considering Cassel. The fact that they probably have no intention of keeping him has very little to do with it.

There is only one Matt Cassel this year. There are many teams wanting a good QB. The demand side of the equation is FAR more important than the supply side.

If they get anything, it will likely be much better than a compensatory pick AND won't be contingent on the rest of their free agent moves.

No way they franchise him, too much cash to do that. What will be telling of Cassel's skill set will be if McDaniels makes a hard push for him after he's hired away from NE. Don't forget NE didn't play a very tough schedule, and I think Cassel's numbers are a bit inflated because of that.

Trust me, he's better than Thigpen. Solely from the fact that he understands how to win football games. Thigpen has yet to show game winning abilities.