More on Cassell/Vrabel Deal: Pats Turned Down #33 Pick from Lions

[Amnorix]

The Boston Globe is now reporting that the Patriots turned down the 1st pick in the 2nd round (#33 overall), one pick higher than that obtained from the Chiefs, for Cassell straight up.

Lending further credence to the idea that the trade was done in part with an eye toward clearing cap space is the fact that the Lions offered the first pick of the second round (No. 33 overall) straight up for Cassel, according to an NFL source.

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal..._room_to_grow/

Based on all available information, therefore, it appears to me that Belichick pulled the trigger with KC in order to:

1. not have to wait and take risks on whether he could clear the cap space. The Broncos failed to line up their ducks fast enough on the 3 way deal, and it would be somewhat dependent on Cutler reporting for duty in Tampa. The Patriots were not willing to wait.

2. The Patriots wanted to avoid paying Vrabel the $1M Roster bonus he was due in very early March, but didn't want to cut him and let him end up with either the Jets or that dickhead in Cleveland. Trading him to the Chiefs when they did allowed them to save the million, save the cap space, and send him to a team that they didn't dislike.

3. One slot isn't worth talking about, really, and sending Cassell, a good guy who overcame alot and did a good job for them last year, to the hinterlands of Detroit would not have been very nice. It wasn't worth it to move up from #34 to #33.

4. Pioli moved faster than everyone else, and was ready to do the deal. It may well be that by the time these other players got involved, KC and the Pats already had a verbal agreement in place. Given the risks of a 3 way falling apart, Cutler not reporting, and/or the Lions being the Lions, BB took the good deal that was on the table, and avoided the riks of being stuck with Cassell this year with NO cap room at all.