Cassell, Vrabel to KC

[rthomas]

Matt Cassell and Vrabel go to the Chiefs. Pioli is trying to make the Chiefs into the Patriots.

Also means Brady is doing OK.

[DukieInKansas]

Matt Cassell and Vrabel go to the Chiefs. Pioli is trying to make the Chiefs into the Patriots.

Also means Brady is doing OK.

Whoo Hoo. I hope he is successful in getting the chefs to be like the Patriots. It will be a huge step up.

[sue71]

Whoo Hoo. I hope he is successful in getting the chefs to be like the Patriots. It will be a huge step up.

I thought you'd like this. :)

My dad called me with the news this morning. I was shocked. I wonder how Cassell will do there... but I'm sure his paycheck will be nice soon enough.

Edit: Nice vs. nice.

[DukieInKansas]

I thought you'd like this. :)

My dad called me with the news this morning. I was shocked. I wonder how Cassell will do there... but I'm sure his paycheck will be nice soon enough.

I predict the fans will boo him when he throws his first interception. (Hopefully an interception will never happen, but it likely will.) Very fickle fans at Arrowhead - it drove me nuts.

[YmoBeThere]

The Pats slapped the franchise tag on him which guaranteed him $14.65 million next year whether he was with the Pats or traded...

[YmoBeThere]

Starting to think about this a little more, what are the Pats getting out of this? A second round draft choice?

Seems almost like a salary dump...at least on the part of Cassel. Is Vrabel the bait to get them to take on Cassel's nearly $15 million dollar salary for '09?

[rthomas]

Starting to think about this a little more, what are the Pats getting out of this? A second round draft choice?

Seems almost like a salary dump...at least on the part of Cassel. Is Vrabel the bait to get them to take on Cassel's nearly $15 million dollar salary for '09?

yea, on second glance, that really seems weird. Why make him a francise player then trade him. I don't understand that. Any insight on that?

[pamtar]

yea, on second glance, that really seems weird. Why make him a francise player then trade him. I don't understand that. Any insight on that?

Also, didn't the NFL just expand the salary cap? Cassel would sign for over the franchise tag amount no matter where he went. Plus, they added Vrabel.

Somethings fishy!

[bluebear]

yea, on second glance, that really seems weird. Why make him a francise player then trade him. I don't understand that. Any insight on that?

This may not be what you are getting at but he was a free agent.so they franchised him so that they could actually trade him for something..I'm just a little surprised they accepted only a 2nd round pick..especially with Vrabel in the deal..

[OZZIE4DUKE]

This may not be what you are getting at but he was a free agent.so they franchised him so that they could actually trade him for something..I'm just a little surprised they accepted only a 2nd round pick..especially with Vrabel in the deal..


yea, on second glance, that really seems weird. Why make him a francise player then trade him. I don't understand that. Any insight on that?
The Charlotte Panthers have done the same thing with Julius Peppers (that guy from carolina). He has told them he wants out, big time. So now they can trade him rather than have him leave via free agency and get nothing in return.

[captmojo]

The Charlotte Panthers have done the same thing with Julius Peppers (that guy from carolina). He has told them he wants out, big time. So now they can trade him rather than have him leave via free agency and get nothing in return.

...and when he's gone...good riddance. He can go elsewhere and play lights out for the last season of his contract there and may he be lucky enough to be traded the same way to somebody else who won't be a contender.

[Bostondevil]

One thing about the Pats, they aren't stupid. Here's my take, remember Pioli left the Pats for KC this year so he already knows Vrabel and Castle. Kansas City has a young defense, Vrabel is the consumate veteran pro. Pioli knows what he's getting which is a great team guy who will bring the youngsters along. He'll be the leader on the defense and will still be able to give Kansas City 2-3 years of high level playing. He's 32 or 33 so not much more than 3 years. He was in the last year of his contract so the Pats decided to trade him before he became a free agent. I wouldn't be surprised to see him sign a 2-3 year deal with KC. The Pats are aging on defense, they need several younger guys, that means draft picks. The Vrabel trade makes sense all the way around for both teams, even though I don't like it.

The final word hasn't been given on the trade. I think a couple more draft picks might be coming the Patriots way but that 34th pick overall? Well, it's just 3 picks into the second round so it's almost a 1st round pick but you only have to pay second round money.

Cassel, it probably means Brady is coming along just fine. Everybody around here seems to think it means Brady will be ready to go come August. I think it also means that the Pats other young QB progressed enough to be thought of as the primary backup. Again, treating the players with respect. I suspect Cassel was told that if Brady had reached certain markers, they would trade him. Shipping him to Kansas City also means they don't have to face him next season. The Pats won't play KC for the next 2 years at least, unless they finish in the same place in the divisional standings. (Or they meet in the playoffs.)

Finally, the Pats needed to shake things up a bit. This year they were a 2nd tier team, good enough to beat anybody on the right day, but not every Sunday. I understand it. But I still don't like it.

[CLT Devil]

...and when he's gone...good riddance. He can go elsewhere and play lights out for the last season of his contract there and may he be lucky enough to be traded the same way to somebody else who won't be a contender.

It seems like this deal would not bode well for my Panthers in trying to trade Pep for a few picks. Granted he is more of a proven commodity than Cassell, but this deal seems like a coup for the Cheifs. Even if they do get a couple of bad contracts they are still way under what a team is supposed to get in return for a franchised player under the collective bargaining agreement.

It looks more and more like Pep will stay in Carolina after seeing the terms of this trade.

Captmojo - I can maybe understand someone wanting to get out of the state since he's been in NC his whole life, but where else could he possibly go where the fans would love him more than here in Charlotte? I just don't get it...he has his best year and wants out because the system doesnt let him live up to his potential?? Also, it's not like he'll get more endorsements anywhere else, and he's not a very outgoing or well spoken guy. I dunno....frustrating. He's about the only Tarhole I've ever liked. After seeing what the market bears for a franchised player in Cassell I think he's in Blue and Black next year.

[InSpades]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Astounding-allegations-Bill-Belichick-did-somet?urn=nfl,144951

It certainly seems something is fishy there if the Bucs were offering more than a 2nd rounder (and a 1st rounder and a 3rd rounder is significantly more).

From the Patriots stand point they had to trade Cassell. They couldn't tie up $28M in salary cap money for the QB position. They franchised him for 1 of 2 reasons (or a combination of the 2)... as insurance against Brady not progressing or cause they knew they could trade him and get something back. So once Brady was coming back they had to trade him but you'd think they'd trade him for as much as they could. I don't buy the "2nd rounder is better than a 1st rounder" argument. An early 2nd rounder is better than a late 1st rounder but the Bucs offer was a 3rd and a mid-round 1st. Seems something strange was going on there (which isn't exactly surprising out of Bill and the Pats).

[captmojo]

... After seeing what the market bears for a franchised player in Cassell I think he's in Blue and Black next year.

It'll probably come down to monetary issues for the team, don't you think?

[sue71]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Astounding-allegations-Bill-Belichick-did-somet?urn=nfl,144951

It certainly seems something is fishy there if the Bucs were offering more than a 2nd rounder (and a 1st rounder and a 3rd rounder is significantly more).

From the Patriots stand point they had to trade Cassell. They couldn't tie up $28M in salary cap money for the QB position. They franchised him for 1 of 2 reasons (or a combination of the 2)... as insurance against Brady not progressing or cause they knew they could trade him and get something back. So once Brady was coming back they had to trade him but you'd think they'd trade him for as much as they could. I don't buy the "2nd rounder is better than a 1st rounder" argument. An early 2nd rounder is better than a late 1st rounder but the Bucs offer was a 3rd and a mid-round 1st. Seems something strange was going on there (which isn't exactly surprising out of Bill and the Pats).

A 2nd round pick and a few blank videotapes? Sorry, couldn't resist. :D

[SupaDave]

Don't know if you guys realize this but the Chiefs went to a spread offense this year. It will be perfect for Cassel with Gonzalez, Bowe, and a TBD slot WR. Cassel's strengths are his accuracy and his ability to get out of the pocket. The Bucs were QB deprived and probably a little over zealous.

Pioli knows what the Pats are working with and therefore had the best leverage of ANYONE considering his name is pretty much still floating around on documents in the Pat's offices. Throwing Vrabel in the deal meant the Pats cleared $40 million in cap space. They aren't a smart organization for nothing. They've already added Fred Taylor and now a second year player will be Brady's back-up (someone who got to take a lot of 2nd team reps last year as opposed to NONE). The Pats can continue their veteran binge and then STILL wait on the draft. They've been great at selecting talent over they years (ya think?).

Meanwhile, Pioli makes the Chiefs competitive again. There's no reason the Chiefs cant take over the AFC West from the Chargers who have an aging Tomlinson and Gates. The Broncos just got a new coach and in their pursuit of Cassel they also got a disgruntled 75yard arm in Jay Cutler. Do I even need to mention the Raiders? Don't forget that the Chiefs are officially STOCKED at RB as well - Larry Johnson should come back healthy and a rookie got a lot of PT this year. A couple of trades for offensive lineman and corners and you have a YOUNG and very talented team - with a few veterans to boot. Sound familiar?

My prediction: The Chiefs win the AFC West and go to the Playoffs. The Chargers get there in a wild card. Pioli looks like a genius and the Broncos look like fools for letting Shanahan go for some Patriot fairy dust.

By the way, the Pats KEEP a stockpile of draft choices and a 2nd round pick IS like a first draft pick for them. They don't need a QB or RB but could certainly use that 2nd round pick on an offensive lineman - thereby getting them one of the best out there. Most first round picks tend to be at the skill positions and that is mostly for RBs. By the way, this year's draft is considered pretty weak for everything except.... yep - linemen!!!!

Why am I such a football nerd? B/c I'm a fantasy football champion baby. It's almost a part time job.

Oh and Pep is one of my boys (I call him "JP the God" b/c once when we were in Miami the guy took his shirt off and I think everyone within 20 feet fainted. LOL!) - he's a little disgruntled but he'll be fine. He's a TRUE North Carolina boy. However, you guys don't know how that Panthers organization works. They are very hard line.

[CLT Devil]

Oh and Pep is one of my boys (I call him "JP the God" b/c once when we were in Miami the guy took his shirt off and I think everyone within 20 feet fainted. LOL!) - he's a little disgruntled but he'll be fine. He's a TRUE North Carolina boy. However, you guys don't know how that Panthers organization works. They are very hard line.

Trust me, I know all about Furney...they dont compromise. I was surprised when they let Jenks go for what he did last year. Pep is a true Carolina boy...imagine him coming at you full steam at RB while you were playing against a team from Bailey....what a specimen. Hope he stays around with our new D coordinator.