Comments on: Now Hold On A Minute

By: Chris W.

Chris W. — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 20:39:55 +0000

Here's an idea: how about they trade Cassel and throw in one of their most popular veteran linebackers to sweeten the deal, but only if they settle for a second-rounder.
Yeesh.

By: rob

rob — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:49:24 +0000

I can't see how Detroit wouldn't offer a 2 and a 3 (they one got from Dallas) in this draft for Cassel. They have Calvin Johnson and plenty of other competent WRs, along with some nice RBs. If they could get a little help on the OL and DL with their two first round picks (along with some smart coaching by Jim Schwartz), they'd be a ton better than last year. It may be a stretch, but maybe they become this season's version of last year's Falcons.

I would imagine the Pats would find that offer of acceptable value for Cassel. Yeah, such a package wouldn't include a first round pick, but that's not such a bad thing when you factor in the savings in salary for such a pick.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:46:48 +0000

They're not handcuffed by the tag. The price could be much lower. I'm not sure why "a first and a third" got such traction. I think, though, that was the price that Mike Lombardi and Steve Mariucci both guessed.

By: Chris W.

Chris W. — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:15:18 +0000

One question: is the first and third deal set because of the franchise player contract, or can the Patriots negotiate that? In other words, could they take a first and fifth, or a first and a player? It would be rough to be handcuffed by the contract.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:08:09 +0000

The GMs aren't showing their hands much, so there's little in the way of truly gauging the market. I was listening to Minneapolis morning sports radio talk about Rosenfels, and they had a caller bringing up his implosion in the Indy game, and then asking about Cassel. The hosts dismissed the Cassel idea quickly, saying he was going to cost a first and a third, and a franchise QB salary. I wonder how close this is to the way the GMs are thinking; that they have great interest in Cassel, but just not at that cost.

The market hasn't been set, other than guesses by those in the media. And a lot of those guesses were based on examples like the Schaub trade. But every year is different.

I thought Minny would be more of a player, as they've got some aging stars on defense keeping their contention window small, and I don't see Rosenfels adding all that much more than what Frerotte did for them. I truly believe Cassel on that team would make them a Super Bowl contender this year.

The teams further away from contention are less likely suitors, as they can afford the time to develop the guys like Thigpen, or go after one of the rookies.

The silver lining is it only takes one team to set the market.