2009 NFL Off Season Thread

[OILFAN #81]

Dominique Dorsey of the Toronto Argonauts has signed with the Redskins.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=2657...=topStory_main

[burn_baby_burn]

The New England Patriots have slapped the Franchise Tag on QB Matt Cassel.

http://uponfurtherreview.kansascity.com/?q=node/565

New England can still trade Cassel or keep him as a backup to Brady. However, Cassell is expected to get around a 2000% raise (to about $14 million) and it would be unusual for a team to keep two quarterbacks with that kind of salary cap figure. Cassel has frequently been mentioned as a potential target of the Chiefs as a long-term solution at quarterback

I have said it before and I'll say it again. Matt Cassel owes Bernard Pollard a big "thank you".

[Pagal4321]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

The New England Patriots have slapped the Franchise Tag on QB Matt Cassel.

http://uponfurtherreview.kansascity.com/?q=node/565



I have said it before and I'll say it again. Matt Cassel owes Bernard Pollard a big "thank you".

This is going to be the talk of the entire offseason. What is this team going to do with Matt Cassel...

I CAN'T see them keeping Cassel at the franchise rate AND Brady, that's just too much money in one position. Granted it's one of the most important positions on your team, but isn't that alomst $28 million in cap space for these two?

[burn_baby_burn]

Tonnes of rumours of Cassel coming to KC. Probably because of Pioli's tie's to the Patriots. I just hope Pioli doesn't bend over for his old boss like Risbrough did for Fletcher.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Tonnes of rumours of Cassel coming to KC. Probably because of Pioli's tie's to the Patriots. I just hope Pioli doesn't bend over for his old boss like Risbrough did for Fletcher.

\
Even if they do get Cassel I would expect the Chiefs to go QB with that first pick. Pioli is going to want to draft their next franchise player in April.

Matt Stafford or Mark Sanchez.

[OILFAN #81]

Stefan Logan of the BC Lions has signed with the Steelers.

[Sainters7]

So basically either Brady's way behind recovery and it doesn't look good at all, or the Pats just wanna get something for Cassel then? Very strange. I dont know all the ins and outs of the tag, can you tag someone and then turn around and trade them? And if so, how much of his salary for that season does the franchising team have to eat? I dont have it in front of me, but the Pats must have lots of cap space(or aren't planning on doing anything come UFA time) if they're able to make a move like that.

This whole thing is bizarre.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

So basically either Brady's way behind recovery and it doesn't look good at all, or the Pats just wanna get something for Cassel then? Very strange. I dont know all the ins and outs of the tag, can you tag someone and then turn around and trade them? And if so, how much of his salary for that season does the franchising team have to eat? I dont have it in front of me, but the Pats must have lots of cap space(or aren't planning on doing anything come UFA time) if they're able to make a move like that.

This whole thing is bizarre.

I heard on ESPN radio the other day that Brady's recovery is now ahead of schedule.

Who knows?!

[Sylvanfan]

My wife was watching a T.V. show the other night called the Biggest Loser and I was surprised it wasn't a reality show about Larry Johnson.

Mr.Ultimate team player goes on about wanting out of K.C.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=090...s&confirm=true

The part at the end about wanting to be a Cowboy because his Mom is a Cowboys fan too funny. I'd like to see that because it would be an absolute train wreck. Guess what Larry, nobody in the NFL is all that motivated to take you on until you stop blaming other people for your issues. What a waste of talent.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

So basically either Brady's way behind recovery and it doesn't look good at all, or the Pats just wanna get something for Cassel then? Very strange. I dont know all the ins and outs of the tag, can you tag someone and then turn around and trade them? And if so, how much of his salary for that season does the franchising team have to eat? I dont have it in front of me, but the Pats must have lots of cap space(or aren't planning on doing anything come UFA time) if they're able to make a move like that.

This whole thing is bizarre.

They can trade him and they would be on the hook for none of his contract. The franchise tag means that the player is automatically re-signed for, I think, the average of the top 3 or 5 guys at his position. IT doesn't restrict whether or not they can move him.

I don't think it has anything to do with Brady's recovery and more to do with the fact that by franchising Cassel they makes sure that they don't lose him for nothing as they would if they didn't tag him.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by moon

They can trade him and they would be on the hook for none of his contract. The franchise tag means that the player is automatically re-signed for, I think, the average of the top 3 or 5 guys at his position. IT doesn't restrict whether or not they can move him.

I don't think it has anything to do with Brady's recovery and more to do with the fact that by franchising Cassel they makes sure that they don't lose him for nothing as they would if they didn't tag him.

Exclusive Franchise tag means he is signed for one year and guaranteed the average of the top 5 QB salaries this year, or 120% of his previous salary, whichever is more. So this just guaranteed Matt Cassell 14.5 Million this season.

No other team can negotiate with him, but the Pats can still trade him.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Looks like the Chiefs are going to hire Todd Haley. No surprise.

http://www.ksn.com/news/local/39185407.html

[burn_baby_burn]

^Funny how everything from the Chiefs and Pioli is hush, hush, yet there is zero surprise with this hire. I really hope it works out, but I got to say I'm really skeptical. Until the Cards won the NFC Championship, Haley wasn't on anybodies radar. Then all of a sudden he is the hottest head coaching candidate out there. Nobody seems to mention that his offense was dead last in rushing. I also hope he can somehow hire people to fix that train wreck of a defensive line.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

My wife was watching a T.V. show the other night called the Biggest Loser and I was surprised it wasn't a reality show about Larry Johnson.

Mr.Ultimate team player goes on about wanting out of K.C.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=090...s&confirm=true

The part at the end about wanting to be a Cowboy because his Mom is a Cowboys fan too funny. I'd like to see that because it would be an absolute train wreck. Guess what Larry, nobody in the NFL is all that motivated to take you on until you stop blaming other people for your issues. What a waste of talent.

I would like to say that he has Oakland Raider written all over him, which he does. At this time the Raiders are well set at RB so that obviously won't happen. The way he has been shooting his mouth off along with his big contract, the Chiefs will be lucky to get a fourth round pick for him. Look for him to go to the Patriots for next to nothing and become the RB version of Randy Moss.

[mykalberta]

Cassell franchise tag.

Normally, this only secures a player for 1 year, with Cassell its 2 - at least according to NFL Network which makes him a bit more valuable. Trade rumors for him are 3rd and conditional first if the team resigns him after the franchise tag expires else its another 3rd.

2 3rd round picks doesnt seem like a huge amount to give up for someone who might turn into a descent qb. And if he does a 3rd and a 1st doesnt seem like much at all.

Also, look for him to be traded before the trade deadline as he is most valuable then. The KC rumors are just that. Supposedly they have a guy already in there system that those in the organization think is worth building a team around that. Rumor is Pioli isnt convinced of that yet.

Also, heard a crazy rumor, thought it was just a NE homer spouting, but I have heard it from a few different places so not sure what to make of it. Here it is (it involves my fav team, Broncos so I am not sure how I like it).

1: Denver would trade Cutler for picks and a good defensive player.
2: Denver would then trade for Cassell there by reuniting McDaniels and Cassell.
Trade would basically work out to Cutler for Cassell and top 3 round pick and young defensive player.

As a Broncos fan, I have never been sold on Cutler. I watched a few Patriots games and I dont know if it was Matt or if it was the recievers and line or if it was a combination of both. When he throws for a few 400+yd games I dont think you can say that is only the system but who knows.

[Bobblehead]

Franchise tag only applies for one year.

It isn’t known if the Patriots designated Cassel an “exclusive” or “non-exclusive” franchise player. The designation determines the amount of the one-year tender, specifies whether the Patriots have exclusive negotiating rights and, if applicable, would determine the amount of compensation the team would receive if he were signed by another team.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/02/05/patr...nchise-cassel/

[mykalberta]

Mike Lombardi aslo mentioned Cassell's 2 year on national football post. I know normally its only for one year.

I guess we will have to wait and see what the actual deal with it is.

[burn_baby_burn]

Is this Mike Lombardi the Eklund of the NFL? Franchise tag is one year, unless the Patriots actually signed Matt Cassel. Reports were that he was not signed, he was franchised.

edit: I see that you said the NFL Network said that Cassel was franchised for two years. That doesn't seem right.

[Bobblehead]

I am 100% positive the franchise tag results in a 1 year guaranteed contract.

Cassel, who earned a base salary of $520,000 in 2008 and was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, receives a one-year tender offer of $14.65 million. Once Cassel signs, the tender offer is guaranteed.

The Patriots chose the less restrictive of the two franchise tags.

The exclusive franchise tag would have prohibited other teams from negotiating with Cassel. A non-exclusive franchise player is free to negotiate with other teams, but if he signs an offer sheet, the original team has a right to match.

If the original team does not match, it receives two first-round draft picks. Because of that steep price, franchise-tagged players are seldom signed to offer sheets.

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal...ast_on_cassel/

The only way this turns into a 2 year contract is if a 2 year contract is negotiated and signed, at which point the Pat would rescind the Franchise tag.

[Pagal4321]

A 2 year franchise tag is impossible? Someone done made a mistake.

Unless they created a new rule just for the Patriots, which is entirely possible.