Gretz: Cassel Trade Still Causing Talk

[Tribal Warfare]

Cassel Trade Still Causing Talk
March 1, 2009 - Bob Gretz |

Could the Patriots have had a first and third-round picks for Matt Cassel? Could they have had at least the No. 12 choice for the New England quarterback? Did the Broncos really offer to trade Jay Cutler if they could get Cassel?

The NFL was still bubbling with chatter about the deal between the Chiefs and Patriots that sent Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel to Kansas City with a second-round draft choice heading to New England.

And if there are any truths to the stories being told around the league, then Saturday morning had to be a very interesting time for Bill Belichick and the Patriots.

Let’s see if we can weave all this together.

Everyone knew Friday that Vrabel was headed to the Chiefs. The fact he was in Kansas City for a physical was important because the linebacker apparently was bothered by a shoulder injury last season and some Boston media outlets have reported he needs surgery on that shoulder.

But while Vrabel was obviously important as far as the Chiefs and Scott Pioli were concerned, the rest of the league was not much interested in the veteran linebacker.

There was, however, interest in Cassel. But apparently, before Saturday there were not a lot of teams expressing that interest to the Patriots. Two factors may have held teams back: the $14.65 million franchise tag that Cassel carries and the fact that making a deal for the quarterback would require high draft choice compensation.

As the new NFL fiscal season started late Thursday evening, the Chiefs were the team standing at the counter, ready to place an order for Cassel. When nobody else showed up, Belilchick and Pioli put together the parameters of a deal.

That was in place Saturday morning. That’s when the rest of the league got wind of what the price tag was and suddenly, teams shifted into gear. Tampa Bay and Detroit reportedly were the two teams that expressed interest and they drew Denver into the situation.

Here’s what was going down, according to the NFL Network’s Adam Schefter: a three-team trade was proposed. Tampa Bay’s first round pick (No. 19) would go to New England. The Broncos would send Jay Cutler to the Bucs and the Patriots would send Cassel to Denver. Remember, former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is now the head coach of the Broncos.

Apparently when that wouldn’t come together, the Broncos offered their first-round pick (No. 12) straight up for Cassel and the Buccaneers offered a first and third round picks.

If any of this is true, then why is Cassel in Kansas City and not Denver or Tampa Bay? There can only be one answer: the Patriots deal with the Chiefs was done, and Belichick wasn’t going to back out at the last minute. That might be true with anyone in his dealings with anyone, but it would especially be true of someone who is a friend and former colleague.

If the bubbling grapevine is even close to accurate, and we’ll never know because Belichick and Pioli won’t talk about what happened, then Cassel is with the Chiefs because Pioli was a step ahead of the rest of the league.

[shirtsleeve]

Originally Posted by Mecca

If they're really trying to send a message all of the big mouth players will be moved off the team.

They will be re-educated!

[Red Dawg]

Originally Posted by chop

I've been on the fence about Cassel. I hope he works out but I'm not sold on him being as good as some are suggesting. The thing that makes me feel better is the fact that
1. Bill B. thought enough of him to franchise him.
2. Pioli thought enough of Cassel to trade for him.
3. If the stories are correct, McDaniels was also high on him.

These are the guys that would have seen his strengths and his weaknesses on a daily basis and would know if he was actually good. If these guys believe in Cassel than I guess I'll lean towards positive rather than negatives.

This is what I believe as well. Unless they are all way off this should prove to be a good move by Scott. Put a solid line in front of him and no doubt he will help make us a winner.

[bowener]

It makes sense to me to assume that Pioli was ahead of the league on this trade because he already knew the asking price for Cassell. Hell, he was probably half the brain trust that helped decided ultimately that they should take a high 2nd on the guy. With that much information, he could act extremely quick in getting MC.

[chubychecker]

Just a thought??? If Pioli took over the planet and decided all of the big mouth posters and message board "cancers" needed to go. Who would be the first person gone?

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by chubychecker

Just a thought??? If Pioli took over the planet and decided all of the big mouth posters and message board "cancers" needed to go. Who would be the first person gone?

[Time's Yours]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Other than Brady being drafted by the Pats, who has ever traded a 1st day pick for a 7th round QB and won a championship?

Anyone?

So even after seeing his full season of play for an NFL team, the drafturbators are still going to evaluate the trade based on the player's initial draft status?

LOL

I agree with possible uncertanties concerning the evaluation of Cassell based on the calibur of the receivers and rest of the team around him, but its still 1,000,000 times better than evaluating him based on his limited college experience and draft position.

We've already seen him play in the NFL, so where he was drafted is irrelevant. Its like someone caring about your high school gpa and SAT score after you graduate from college.