Chiefs Gretz: Cassel Trade Still Causing Talk - Page 2

**Tribal Warfare** · 03-01-2009, 08:37 PM

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.

**wazu** · 03-01-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

No 7th round QB has won a Super Bowl.

So? Tom Brady was a 6th round pick, and has been to four and won three. And he replaced a #1 overall pick.

Cassel never started in college, but clearly had raw talent to be competing for the USC job. He ended up riding the pine behind a Heisman trophy winner. Would you rather have Lienart as our QB?

**Mr. Kotter** · 03-01-2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

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.

Perfect analysis of the situation, AFAICS.

Brock · 03-01-2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

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?

Who has ever traded a 1st day pick for a 7th round QB?

**KcMizzou** · 03-01-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

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.

That's the thing. Those three guys saw him in practice every day.

They saw more than the average Joe, or even the average scout.

If McDaniels wanted him that bad... bad enough to dump Cutler, there's a reason for it.

Our guy won.

Reerun_KC · 03-01-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Who has ever traded a 1st day pick for a 7th round QB?

**luv** · 03-01-2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

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.

I don't know. We're so used to having a running game, and Cassel was used to having several excellent receivers. Besides TG, and a butterfinger Bowe, who will he have to throw to?

MadMax · 03-01-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Who has ever traded a 1st day pick for a 7th round QB?

Only Jesus Pioli as far as I know.

**KcMizzou** · 03-01-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv

I don't know. We're so used to having a running game, and Cassel was used to having several excellent receivers. Besides TG, and a butterfinger Bowe, who will he have to throw to?

Bowe's droppsies are a bit overstated.

Bowe's gonna be just fine.... count on that.

Johnny Vegas · 03-01-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

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.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...&postcount=276

**Mr. Kotter** · 03-01-2009, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Who has ever traded a 1st day pick for a 7th round QB?

The Chiefs.

A number 2 to STL for Green (although, maybe Green was a 6th, now that I think about it.)

How quickly we forget.

EyePod · 03-01-2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam

And one more point - when did Gretz become KC's most compelling columnist?

Gretz is great for inside info on the Chiefs. Especially during last season, with updates on players who are practicing and the like, plus he gave pretty good info on the games. His articles are normally just a bunch of crap though....

Brock · 03-01-2009, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

The Chiefs.

A number 2 to STL for Green (although, maybe Green was a 6th, now that I think about it.)

How quickly we forget.

That was a first round pick. And Green was an 8th rounder.

**Mr. Kotter** · 03-01-2009, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

That was a first round pick. And Green was an 8th rounder.

Okay. Right, the second was for Vermiel. Close enough.

If Cassel turns in the same numbers, or anything close to what Green did here, I'll be smiling.

ChiefsCountry · 03-01-2009, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

If Cassel turns in the same numbers, or anything close to what Green did here, I'll be smiling.

So a bunch of great stats but no playoff wins?

Brock · 03-01-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

Okay. Right, the second was for Vermiel. Close enough.

If Cassel turns in the same numbers, or anything close to what Green did here, I'll be smiling.

At least this guy isn't anywhere near the end of his career. And frankly, he's already accomplished as much as Green had before he came to KC.

03-01-2009, 08:37 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3037187	Gretz: Cassel Trade Still Causing Talk 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.
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