Jay Mariotti is wanting the NFL to investigate the Cassel Trade

[Mr. Arrowhead]

http://jay-mariotti.fanhouse.com/200...nts-nfl-probe/

Kansas City's Sweetheart Deal for Cassel Warrants NFL Probe

Jay MariottiPosted Feb 28th 2009 6:44 PM by Jay Mariotti (RSS feed)
Filed Under: NFL
Matt CasselPresumably because a pulled pork sandwich wasn't available from Arthur Bryant's barbecue joint, the New England Patriots settled for a mere second-round draft pick in a blockbuster trade with Kansas City. Sorry, but something smells here, and it's not the beans and potato salad. In fact, I'm interrupting an offseason weekend at the NFL offices to make an announcement:

"Paging Roger Goodell, Roger Goodell! Bill Belichick is at it again!''

First it was Spygate, the espionage caper that left a permanent cheating smear on Belichick's legacy after the Patriots illegally videotaped opponents' defensive signals. Now we have the Pioli Scheme, a suspicion that Belichick's relationship with his close pal and dearly departed partner in dynasty glory, new Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, contributed to a ridiculously soft compensation package in their Saturday deal. In return for the second-round choice, the Chiefs acquired a whopping, franchise-changing haul -- promising young quarterback Matt Cassel and veteran linebacker Mike Vrabel -- that should have merited at least two high picks, if not Kansas City's golden No. 3 slot in the first round of the April draft. For perspective, consider that the Houston Texans sent two second-round picks to Atlanta two years ago after signing quarterback Matt Schaub, who didn't have nearly the experience or success enjoyed by Cassel in his breakout 2008 season. And that the Chiefs obtained a first-round pick and two third-rounders last offseason when they traded Jared Allen, the Pro Bowl pass-rusher, to Minnesota.

But Belichick, usually the crustiest S.O.B. in the business when it comes to wheeling and dealing and protecting the sanctity of his football operation, didn't hold out long in accepting the 34th-overall pick for a potential Pro Bowl passer and reliable defensive player and leader. Beyond that, the Chiefs also keep the No. 3 pick, which they might use on a Cassel-protecting offensive lineman or a compelling talent such as linebacker Aaron Curry. By my count, no fewer than six NFL teams -- Tampa Bay, Detroit, San Francisco, Chicago, Carolina and the New York Jets -- need quarterbacking upgrades and could have been lured into the Cassel bidding. But only one day into the league's free-agency marketplace, Belichick sent Pioli an extravagant Welcome Wagon gift, complete with wrapping and a pretty bow.

What better way to thank Pioli, who tag-teamed with Belichick to mold three Super Bowl-champion teams, than by setting him up with a dramatic personnel boost in his first winter? Problem is, it smacks of an integrity issue when Belichick earmarks business with a pal and doesn't maximize his return in a big trade. You think other teams aren't irked today at The Gray Hoodie's unusual graciousness? Complicating the story was a Saturday night report on ESPN.com that the Denver Broncos had pursued a three-way trade that would have reunited Cassel with new Broncos coach Josh McDaniels and sent Jay Cutler to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who would have compensated the Patriots. The talks fell through for whatever reason -- all of which is said to rightfully anger Cutler, an accomplished Pro Bowl quarterback who reportedly wants to be traded now -- and it prompts more questions about the Belichick-Pioli perfecta winning out.

These developments really should draw the attention of the commissioner. Goodell's rock-solid performance so far has been based on an aggressive, proactive approach to most league issues, including player conduct off the field. His one lapse in judgment was letting Belichick off the hook on Spygate, limiting his discipline to a $500,000 fine and the docking of a low first-round draft pick. Why no suspensions? Why not an exhaustive investigation into the three championship seasons and whether the Patriots were illegally taping signals then? The commissioner seemed to be protecting Patriots owner Bob Kraft, a prominent league power-player who helped Goodell land his job.

Let's watch how he handles this. We've seen baseball commissioners, even Bud Selig, rescind trades because of hanky-panky. Belichick can argue that a 34th pick is quite valuable and that Cassel, before throwing for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns after Tom Brady's season-ending knee injury, had spent his pro career wearing a ballcap. He also can say he loosened up almost $20 million of cap room, unloaded an older linebacker who had only 4 1/2 sacks last year and now owns four picks in the first two rounds, which will allow an aging team to keep getting younger. Still, all of that is overwhelmed by the fact his deal was with Pioli. It looks like an orchestration, and if the Chiefs recover from a lengthy futility streak that has bottomed out with 23 losses in their last 25 games, you'll be hearing plenty next season about Belichick's grand assist.

Naturally, both men issued statements that didn't address anything but the players involved. "I have a long history with both players. Mike and Matt are men that I respect both personally and professionally,'' Pioli said. 'I look forward to having them as new members of the Chiefs family.'' Belichick raved about Vrabel's leadership and work ethic and said of Cassel, "It is very easy to root for guys like Matt Cassel, who do everything the right way and flourish as a result. As much as we would have loved to continue working with Matt, we wish him nothing but the best as he takes this next step forward in his career.''

With a distinguished executive member of the Belichick Tree, mind you.

As NFL trades go, this one was an eye-opener in many ways. It confirms the Patriots are confident that Brady will make a full recovery from reconstructive knee surgery and a subsequent infection. Of course, some will say Cassel should have been kept as Gisele Insurance, pointing to Brady's creepy track record since he began dating his new bride, supermodel Gisele Bundchen. They initially hooked up in 2006. In 2007, the Patriots lost the AFC championship game and dealt with Spygate. In 2008, they were upset by the Giants in Super Bowl XLII, a jolt followed by Brady's lost season. While Gisele is dressing her dogs in matching Dolce & Gabbana floral lace collars, she might want to extend more tender, loving care to her hubby. But by trading Cassel, Belichick is showing remarkable faith in Brady, who also was troubled by a foot problem in the Super Bowl defeat.

His game isn't about mobility and scrambling, anyway. It's about accuracy, savvy and thinking on his feet better than any quarterback since Montana. Brady hasn't said much about his rehab, other than this from an appearance on a Toronto radio station: "(Bleep) happens, so to speak. The reality is, it happens ... I'm in a new part of my career, and a different process that I'm excited about. Rehabilitation has different challenges. The tough part is you're not experiencing stuff you love to do. Once you get over that, you focus on whatever you have to focus on."

And the rehab itself? "It's going really well. Things come up and you just have to focus your energy and attention on all the positive things,'' he said. "I'm excited about the process and the so many wonderful people that have helped me. I think I'm the most well-taken care of knee patient in history."

The Chiefs, meanwhile, finally have an arrow that is pointing upward. They purged a stodgy chief executive, Carl Peterson. They fired coach Herm Edwards and replaced him with fireball Todd Haley, who will work well with Cassel. Pioli can bring in more draft picks to accompany his big one by trading tight end Tony Gonzalez. Apparently, rather than trading troubled running back Larry Johnson, the Chiefs are hoping to brighten his sour mood with the Cassel deal. Oh, and guess who else is still on the team? Safety Bernard Pollard, who took a low path toward Brady's knee and knocked him out for the season. If not for Pollard, Cassel is still holding a clipboard and make a couple of bucks instead of the financial bonanza currently being negotiated.

I doubt the Chiefs will follow the quantum leaps taken last season by the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins, who emerged from the gutter to make the playoffs. But they will be a respectable operation with a dynamic QB, a renovated Arrowhead Stadium and hope in the air.

All thanks to Bill Belichick, the new GM's bosom buddy.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I'm going to take a guess and say that the QB situation in Atlanta was anything but certain, whereas New England knows they're getting back an elite QB. Atlanta had a lot more leverage because they had major incentive to keep Schaub on the roster. I think NE tried to play it like they really needed Cassel because Brady was maybe not 100%, but I don't think any teams bought it--I imagine most teams knew that Cassel would hit the open market if NE couldn't work out a trade.

Vick, at the time of the trade, was still the franchise QBoTF, and the face of the franchise.

[Braincase]

Let me get this straight - the GM who has a reputation for pulling off great trades is being criticized for pulling off a great trade? A year ago if KC had done this deal, we'd have been a laughing stock, but this year we're being accused of collusion? LOLZ.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by milkman

Vick, at the time of the trade, was still the franchise QBoTF, and the face of the franchise.

That worked out real well......

[banyon]

very satisfying. Makes me like the deal better.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by petegz28

That worked out real well......

Irrelevant.

[blueballs]

He doesn't ask the Broncos be investigated
for stupidity for wanting Cassell over Cutler
biased bastard

[Chiefless]

After talking with a few of you last night I think KC would have been better off with Cassel for a swap of firsts and a late round pick. This draft seems ho-hum at the top The best value seems to be in the middle of the first round. So KC could have topped the bucs first and third offer anyway and still come out ahead. JMO

[Johnny Vegas]

Originally Posted by milkman

It's a valid question.

How is it that Shaub was worth so much more than Cassel?

It was the Texans. Schaub had only played 6 games the year before he was traded. Dree Bree's was the best FA QB that year, but had concerns about his shoulder. Atlanta got the best deal out of that trade. Maybe it takes a trade like that to rethink how you pursue and trade for a back up QB from another team.

[Gravedigger]

It's our team and we'll trade how we want to! What wrong-doing could possibly have gone wrong in this? Is there an NFL rule saying you have to ask a certain amount for players? Randy Moss got picked up for a fourth round pick trade... I didnt hear an investigation there.

[Chiefless]

Originally Posted by Gravedigger

It's our team and we'll trade how we want to! What wrong-doing could possibly have gone wrong in this? Is there an NFL rule saying you have to ask a certain amount for players? Randy Moss got picked up for a fourth round pick trade... I didnt hear an investigation there.

that

[Bowser]

Mariotti can investigate that *points at Nick Athan's crotch*

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by milkman

It's a valid question.

How is it that Shaub was worth so much more than Cassel?

Schaub had been pimped for several seasons, however.

His value was more artificially inflated than the ****ing market.

[doomy3]

If it comes out and teams confirm that they offered a first for Cassel alone, or as reports say, a first and third, then Mariotti may be on to something. I mean, no matter how you cut that, something doesn't add up.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Schaub had been pimped for several seasons, however.

Is value was more artificially inflated than the ****ing market.

I can buy this more than bmj's reasons.

But the fact is that there aren't any real viable FA QBs on the market, seemingly never ending questions about the draft's top QBs, and not another quality B/U available in sight.

It would seem to me that Cassel's value would be more inflated for those reasons.

[BostonTim]

Originally Posted by Patsfanlisa

And so comes your first glimpse of the media hatred that follows all things Patriots...

Good luck to all with your new QB. Cassel is great, we'll miss him, and he gave us an exciting season. He's a quick learner, a smart guy, very athletic, and he will do you proud.

Hey whatchou doin' here?

cheers