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Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
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Posted: 11/25/2008 1:12 PM
Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
Two months ago Patriots fans were calling for the team to bench Matt Cassel and give rookie Kevin O'Connell a shot at quarterback, in the wake of what appeared to be the season-ending Tom Brady injury. Today, Patriots fans might be wondering if the future of the team is better placed in the hands of Cassel than Brady. Click here for the rest of the story. Let me know your thoughts after you have read the article. |
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Posted: 11/25/2008 2:28 PM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
The other unknown is Brady's desire. 3 SB's, MVP, hot girlfriend - nothing much left to prove. After a year off will he still want to play as hard as he did in 2001?
If they make such a move, this off-season would be the time. While Brady's level of rehab is still a question-mark. There are at least half a dozen teams who need a QB even 1/4 as good as Brady - and they'd be willing to trade a whole lot to get him.
That said, I don't see it happening. O'Connell will be the next Cassel. What I want to see is if Kraft/Pioli can find a way to trade Cassel before he just leaves as a FA.
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Posted: 11/25/2008 3:44 PM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
The "right thing" to say under the circumstances.. Pats owner expects Tom Brady back in '09Patriots owner Robert Kraft said he was confident that Tom Brady, whose rehabilitation from surgery to repair tears in the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee has been set back by a staph infection, would be back next year. "I'm not a doctor, but we have no reason to believe that he won't be," said Kraft. "He looks fine to me." But Kraft could not say whether Brady's infection had been eradicated. "I'm not going to talk on medical issues," said Kraft, "because I'd be talking about something that I really don't know about. But I've seen him. He looks great." -- Boston Globe |
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Posted: 11/25/2008 4:11 PM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
I kind of find the questioning of Brady's work ethic next year laughable. This is the guy who makes it his sole competition to beat out everyone else in the conditioning room during off season to have that specail parking spot closest to the gym with the sign. Here is a guy that even Cassel had said, I dont know how he does it all he ever does is excercise or practice or do something to try to get better. If there is a chance of him being ready, His intensity and drive will be there, He doesnt want to go out with his last game being the Superbowl. Tom Brady is a competitor that wants to fight until someone tells him its done. That is what we have seen or atleast I have seen in the past several years, and IMO I think the year off of the hits and punsihment will only give him a chance to take care of the little nagging things he never has had a chance to let heal. I wouldnt be surprissed to see teh Pats resign Cassel at teh end of the year and see what is offered for him in the off season depending on Brady's progress. That though will all be in good time, and this is Brady who keeps reworking his contracts to allow more money to be spent elsewhere to get the team better. Just wanted to remind you of that.
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Posted: 11/25/2008 4:57 PM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
I'm not actually questioning his work ethic. Rather, he'll have had a year to himself to enjoy the benefits of his career. That may change his perspective.
A good parallel is something that happened a lot when the market melted-down in 2000. A lot of people found themselves out of work with time to think about what they wanted to do instead of what they had to do. Many started their own businesses or changed how they pursued their career (switched to consulting, for instance). Getting laid off turned out to be the "best thing that ever happened" to a lot of people.
So for Brady, who knows? I'm just saying that it's possible he'll have time to think about what he wants to do with his life besides football. And once you latch on to that new reality, it really is tough to go back.
I don't see it happening, though. He's too much of a competitor. Too much of a team player. I think he wants to get at least another ring.
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- Patsie
- Lt General (Three St
- 738 posts this site
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Posted: 11/25/2008 6:46 PM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
Marino, Namath, Montana, Cunningham, Young,
other greats went down with injuries as well.
When they came back from their injuries, their games were nothing
like previous. Same thing can happen here.
Sports is delicate, and its cruel if the end comes suddenly.
Id like to see him return as well, but if so am not
expecting him to be at his previous levels.
The knee that got hurt is the knee he finishes
his throws on. To expect that to have stayed the
same is probably seriously unrealistic.
.
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Posted: 11/25/2008 7:14 PM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
Morph,
With all due respect, there are no real facts (quotes or sources) for a site that uses that word in their name.
I like the guys over there so I don't mean to bash, but that was a self-serving fluff piece designed to stir the pot.
Cassel will be retained until the Patriots know that Tom Brady will be fully recovered come next season. Kraft (as mentioned earlier) will stand by the man who won him three Super Bowl, and has repeatedly said so.
A friend of ours (PI) shared a little bit of insider info from a conversation with a source in the know. Cassel isn't being let go for free. The team would like to keep both, but it depends on other factors.
In our opinion --- what we're hearing from sources at Scout -- Cassel will be the one they trade if Brady is back. Gutierrez is slowly learning the system, and if it's Brady with Cassel being traded away, then Gutierrez and Kevin O'Connell will be the plan going forward. It depends on how well Gutierrez shows he can play.
Remember, the Cassel story at USC is similar to the Gutierrez story at Michigan.
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- prat3t
- Captain
- 201 posts this site
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Posted: 11/25/2008 9:17 PM
RE: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
Well the article seems to make some valid points as to why the Patriots should consider trading Brady, however, we are talking about Tom Brady here folks. This is not your average QB, he is known as one of the top 2 QBs in this era of football and one of the best of all time. What is wrong with the folks out there who are considering that Brady and the Pats will part ways or that there's even a chance?
I am not as carried away as most people are that Matt Cassel threw for over 400 yrds and that he's a diamond in the ruff and that "lightning striked twice in NE", etc, etc etc. Cassel is talented, no doubt. He is more mobile than Brady, no doubt. But he is not Tom Brady, the complete package! If Brady is healthy by next season's opener, you go with the guy who brought you to the dance and won you 3 championships. I am sorry guys but I am a Brady fan and don't want to see him on another team or be on the Patriot bench while Matt Cassel leads the team. I can't stand to watch that at all! Let's not forget, Brady had to deal with less talent around him when he stepped in and the team won the Superbowl, Matt Cassel has been in the system for 4 years, steps in Week 1 and we are still uncertain if we will even make a wildcard spot.
Tom Brady is synonymous with the successes of this team and we all should put talk of this possibility aside because the team or organization has certainly stood by Tom, why not us fans? Why should we be chameleon-like and change colors just because Cassel has come on now? As a Pats fan, I have allegiance to Tom Brady who is still the best player on this team and will continue to be for decades to come. I for one don't even question his passion for playing the game and wanting to win a championship and whether he'll be the same physically or not? I'll take my chances with Tom Brady any day of the week, twice on Sunday!!!
Now as for Cassel's future, I could see this issue coming folks! I put some posts out there before asking you folks if there would be a QB tussle come next season, and everyone poo-poo'd it. Now you find yourselves talking about it. I do not want a QB controversy in NE, and the best bet for both teams is to figure out some trade deal for Cassel, and go back to Brady, who is their bread and butter! This works best for the Pats, Brady, and Cassel!
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Posted: 11/26/2008 7:09 AM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
Great answer......Brady is as fiery and competitive football player as there is and I am sure he has a burning desire to come back,work hard and be better than ever.........When asked when he was going to hang them up he replied "I want to play another 10 years"
and that was last year. So in answer to this thread my answer is very strong NO!!!
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- Patsie
- Lt General (Three St
- 738 posts this site
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Posted: 11/26/2008 9:09 AM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
brknwing wrote: Great answer......Brady is as fiery and competitive football player as there is and I am sure he has a burning desire to come back,work hard and be better than ever.........When asked when he was going to hang them up he replied "I want to play another 10 years"
and that was last year. So in answer to this thread my answer is very strong NO!!! My observations should not be interpreted as being "anti" The Brady. As mentioned, Ive seen this situation all too often before, and its painful for a fan to watch an athlete returing from a serious injury ( in Bradys case two,) try to dupilcate unsuccessfully his earlier greatness. .
Last edited 11/26/2008 9:09 AM by Patsie
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Posted: 11/26/2008 10:04 AM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
JSinCT wrote: Morph,
With all due respect, there are no real facts (quotes or sources) for a site that uses that word in their name.
I like the guys over there so I don't mean to bash, but that was a self-serving fluff piece designed to stir the pot.
Cassel will be retained until the Patriots know that Tom Brady will be fully recovered come next season. Kraft (as mentioned earlier) will stand by the man who won him three Super Bowl, and has repeatedly said so.
A friend of ours (PI) shared a little bit of insider info from a conversation with a source in the know. Cassel isn't being let go for free. The team would like to keep both, but it depends on other factors.
In our opinion --- what we're hearing from sources at Scout -- Cassel will be the one they trade if Brady is back. Gutierrez is slowly learning the system, and if it's Brady with Cassel being traded away, then Gutierrez and Kevin O'Connell will be the plan going forward. It depends on how well Gutierrez shows he can play.
Remember, the Cassel story at USC is similar to the Gutierrez story at Michigan. The way some of these backstabbing fans have stabbed Brady in the back, If I was him, I wouldn't bother coming back. I am not referring to anyone in this forum when I make that statement. Just tune into WEEI, and you will see what I'm talking about. It might be time for Brady to move on.
Last edited 11/26/2008 10:23 AM by K1770PW
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Posted: 11/26/2008 10:26 AM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
Why would anyone willingly tune into WEEI? |
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Posted: 11/26/2008 10:57 AM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
Vabthang5 wrote: Why would anyone willingly tune into WEEI? It's the only SPORTS radio station that I can pick up at work. I don't need to tune into that station to hear that stuff either. |
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Posted: 11/26/2008 11:02 AM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
I was being sarcastic. I know lots of people listen to WEEI for their sports fix, it just stinks that they are the big player in Boston. Dale and Holley are good, so is mikey Adams. The rest is just crap. Utter and complete crap.
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Posted: 11/26/2008 12:00 PM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
The big question is and will be - will Brady be ready for camp? He needs camp this year as he needs to shake off the rust from missing a complete season. If he isn't ready for camp, then either Cassel has to stay or Gutz/O'Connell need to have shown immense progress.
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Posted: 11/26/2008 12:38 PM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
Exactly dok, - that's been my point since Brady went down. There's NO way to tell how well (or poorly) Brady's recovery has gone before next summer at least. The Pats will have to make a damn important decision on Cassel LONG before Brady's true condition is known. I'm a real Brday fan, almost since day one - but I'm a Pats fan first. What's good for the Pats is ALL that matters. When BB was asked earlier about using another qb in place of Cassel, - he said something to the effect that Cassel "gave them the best chance" of winning, - so far ANOTHER excellent call. I'm sure the lights are on in Foxboro late at night over this. Having both would be nice - but paying Cassel what he'll probably get, plus keeping Brady would mean they'd have to cut about five players. ... Not very likely, - it should be very interesting.
Last edited 11/26/2008 12:39 PM by Hunter07
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- radilan
- Lieutenant
- 163 posts this site
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Posted: 11/26/2008 3:48 PM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
The only question is; WILL BRADY BE BACK imo.
I am also not carried away by Cassel as most are just yet.
Lets see a bit more from him and maybe a 4th quarter winning drive!
I am almost speechless at some fans and how quickly they forget what Brady has done for us and just how good he is. He has 5 yrs left to play at the same level if he recovers from this injury.
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Posted: 11/26/2008 6:58 PM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
BB would trade his Mother, He's proven in the past that emotions don't get in the way of a move that he feels would help the team more. I would be shocked but not totally surprised. Could you see Brady in a Jets uniform, Oh my God!!!!!
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Posted: 11/26/2008 7:02 PM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
I am as impressed as can be with Cassel's progress in just short of 11 games. I for one thought he would never amount to anything. That is why I'm not a pro football coach or evaluator of NFL talent, just a dumb fan! If and only if Cassel wins just one Super Bowl between now and next training camp should any real discussion be had whether he will be replacing Brady in the near future. If Brady's knee is so bad that he will never return to close to his former self, then the decision get's more clouded. I don't think either question will be answered until this spring. |
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Posted: 11/26/2008 7:36 PM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
Brady was at a local charity event today - it's on Reiss' blog - no signs of a limp. If he's well enough to be out in a crowded place - where an eager fan could easily run into him - and isn't limping at all that's a real good sign.
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Posted: 11/26/2008 7:54 PM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
FLAP, - that's a pretty high bar you set for keeping a qb. As you know, there are ten other guys on the filed "at the same time". It doesn't take too many screw-ups by any player to change everything. Matt could play a GREAT game, - but if he hits a guy in the numbers/hands and he doesn't hang on - guess who's fault it is??  |
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Posted: 11/26/2008 8:19 PM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
Hunter07 wrote: FLAP, - that's a pretty high bar you set for keeping a qb. As you know, there are ten other guys on the filed "at the same time". It doesn't take too many screw-ups by any player to change everything. Matt could play a GREAT game, - but if he hits a guy in the numbers/hands and he doesn't hang on - guess who's fault it is?? No, I hear you, it's just that some seem ready to get the bust of Cassel's head ready for the induction into the HOF. There is no dismissing his improvement since week #1, but to even think about dumping Brady at this time makes no sense to me. Cassel will show us all very much this week when he takes on a Steelers D that will probably be the best he will see all regular season. Cassel has won nothing except some regular season games against some pretty bad teams and a coupld of decent ones. I just hope that the Pat's can get some value if they are forced to lose Cassel at the end of the year. And I thought this year was going to be boring and dull after Brady went down. |
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Posted: 11/26/2008 8:26 PM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
No matter who they lose, - I hope it's not to the freakin' Jets - or any another division team. |
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Posted: 11/27/2008 2:22 AM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
Rad, the last minute drive against the Jets was as good as it gets!
It only tied the score, but win the flip, and who knows???
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Posted: 11/27/2008 11:10 AM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
Cold, Hard, Football Facts my ars. I can read nothing but sensationalism in this rag. Brady is the face of the Pats, he'll be going no where. It was a good artical to get people talking but most of the asumptions made are just that. |
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Posted: 11/27/2008 11:38 AM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
That's all I ever wanted to happen with this topic!!!! Stimulate conversation!!
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Posted: 11/27/2008 11:57 AM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
Noted. Sorry about that, I just get riled when the media hypes a theory as possible fact.
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- 54lnp
- Captain
- 229 posts this site
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Posted: 11/27/2008 2:15 PM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
+1....and they will not trade Brady and Cassel. The real question is the commitment to win. What happens to the offensive line after this year? Do we keep RM around? What about the gaps on D... allot of players getting old. This isn't like the Montana/Young years in SanFran....The Forty Niners had a well balanced team outside of the growing Montana/Young competition. The team on a whole needs to adjust for the future. They have picked up a few quality players in the draft but still have a few Key players to go. I say if a good offer is made for Cassel this offseason that brings Quality players for the future we make the move... Leaving O'Connell to develop. Even if his athletic skills diminish Brady is just to smart to let go...even with diminished skills (and I'm talking a few years from now) Brady is and will always be dangerous. Why not surround him with better quality players for once. Even though I hate to say this...."Like we did with the pick up of RM" Moss so far has proven to be another genous move by the Pats organization...I truly believe he (Moss) has allot of respect for BB...and this keeps him otherwise inline. Remember it's a team game....without Adam V we might not have won the first SB... JSinCT wrote: Morph,
With all due respect, there are no real facts (quotes or sources) for a site that uses that word in their name.
I like the guys over there so I don't mean to bash, but that was a self-serving fluff piece designed to stir the pot.
Cassel will be retained until the Patriots know that Tom Brady will be fully recovered come next season. Kraft (as mentioned earlier) will stand by the man who won him three Super Bowl, and has repeatedly said so.
A friend of ours (PI) shared a little bit of insider info from a conversation with a source in the know. Cassel isn't being let go for free. The team would like to keep both, but it depends on other factors.
In our opinion --- what we're hearing from sources at Scout -- Cassel will be the one they trade if Brady is back. Gutierrez is slowly learning the system, and if it's Brady with Cassel being traded away, then Gutierrez and Kevin O'Connell will be the plan going forward. It depends on how well Gutierrez shows he can play.
Remember, the Cassel story at USC is similar to the Gutierrez story at Michigan. |
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Posted: 11/27/2008 7:50 PM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
There is the outside possibility that the Patriots and Matt Cassel's representatives could hammer out a contract extension before the start of the 2009 league year in late February/early March. But given that Cassel is already close to the open market - which most players yearn to hit just once, especially when their value is rising - there is likely to be little motivation for him to pursue an extension. Plus, the Patriots simply might not be able to offer him what others can: a starting opportunity. Which is why, in the end, the Patriots are likely going to see another team benefit from an asset they produced. In a sense, they are handcuffed by their own success. The consolation prize in that case would be a compensatory draft choice in 2010. If Cassel lands a megabucks contract elsewhere - and other pieces fall into place - chances are the Patriots would receive the highest possible compensatory draft choice, a third-rounder. -- Boston Globe |
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Posted: 11/27/2008 7:54 PM
Re: Cassel on fire; Brady on the trading block?
Patriots QB Matt Cassel's stunning emergence (he hadn't started a game since high school prior to this season) and potential earning power (he's making the minimum $520,000 this season) are becoming more powerful stories each week. So given all that, what are the Patriots' options with such a valuable asset? One possibility is assigning Cassel the franchise tag. The player is tendered a one-year contract at the average of the top five players at the position, which will be approximately $14 million for quarterbacks in 2009. While some might see the tagging of Cassel as potentially violating the spirit of the rule, the Patriots would have a strong case if they made the decision out of concerns about Tom Brady's health. Still, financial considerations could lead the team away from that choice. If Cassel was counting about $14 million against the salary cap, coupled with quarterback Brady's $14.6 million charge, the Patriots would have almost $29 million of the projected $123 million cap on two players. The transition tag is another option, although it's seldom used. A player with that tag would be tendered a one-year contract that averages the top 10 salaries at the position, which for quarterbacks could be in the range of $10 million in 2009. -- Boston Globe |
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