Quote:
Originally Posted by milkman
Safeest in that he (Cassel) has already shown that he can play in the NFL, and showed improvement from his first game to his last.
And I highly doubt that he will be held to a higher standard with Cassel because of the very fact that, unlike Sanchez and Stafford, he has done it in the NFL.
If anything, he will be excused because he went the safe route.
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I disagree. If we give up the 34th pick and make Cassel one of the highest paid players in the league (which I'm assuming we'll do), Pioli is placing a big bet here. If Cassel doesn't perform at a Pro Bowl level, Pioli's reputation is going to take a huge hit. Pioli didn't trade for Cassel because he was the safe choice, he traded for him because he thought he was the best choice. Not saying he is right or wrong, but there is nothing safe about in my opinon.
Now had he gone the rookie route, there is the incubation period for rookie QBs, plus the built-in excuse that there are quite a few 1st round QB flops. There is very little pressure on Pioli in that scenario for at least two years. By acquiring Cassel, the pressure is on he and Pioli to perform well from day one.