ChiefsPlanet - View Single Post - Chiefs And so the "Matt Cassel to KC" Rumors Begin...

DaWolf · 02-03-2009, 12:40 PM

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal..._03_09/?page=3

Mike, I was thinking about trading possible trading partners for Matt Cassel and an interesting scenario came to mind. What do you think the odds would be of Kansas City trading Tony Gonzalez and a third-round pick to us for Matt Cassel? This makes sense to me because Scott Pioli is in KC and would do business with the Pats. Gonzalez has stated that he would like to play for a contender and the Chiefs need a franchise QB to build their team around. I think both teams can look at this as a win-win situation. The combo of Brady, Moss, Welker and Gonzalez would be downright scary to opposing teams. Also, we could then maybe trade Ben Watson for a mid-round pick as well. What are your thoughts?
Joe

A: Joe, often times when trades scenarios are presented, I feel that they are lopsided to one team. I don't think this one is. It's an interesting thought. What makes it fun to consider is that Gonzalez is obviously closer to the end of his career than the start, so while the Chiefs would be giving up one of their best assets, it's a shorter-term asset -- and in turn they'd be getting a potential long-term asset. That's why I think they might at least consider pulling the trigger on this type of deal, assuming they could work out a long-term contract for Cassel. Gonzalez is signed through 2011, with salaries of $4 million in 2009, $4.5 million in 2010 and $5.75 in 2011, so the Patriots, in turn, would have to feel those figures could work on their cap. I would still keep Watson, because I think he's more valuable to the Patriots than what the team would receive in a trade.

Mike, I just checked espn.com and they have a RUMOR that Cassel will be going to the Chiefs. Can you report on this and pass along any info. THIS IS BIG and I am surprised that the Globe did not break this story!
Mike

A: Mike, I checked out that item on ESPN.com (from the Insider section) and I thought it was interesting to trace its origins. My friend Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald had an item in Monday's editions in which she spoke with Sirius Radio analyst Jim Miller about possible destinations for Cassel in a trade, and Miller hypothesized that Kansas City was a possible destination because of the presence of former Patriots personnel chief Scott Pioli. I thought the headline of the article -- "Matt Cassel draws interest" -- could have led one to believe that other teams were declaring their interest. After reading the piece, however, it was Miller simply providing his expert opinion as to where Cassel might land in a possible trade. "I'd really look at Pioli down there in Kansas City. Why wouldn't he want him?" Miller said in the piece. "I think he'd be on their radar." In terms of my opinion on the Cassel-to-Chiefs story, I would agree that if the Chiefs were legitimately interested in Cassel that it would be big news. But based on the background of this situation, I don't think we can definitively say that at this point.

Mike, don't you think that Cassel will command at the minimum a first-round pick and a second- or third-rounder? He has proven to be a legitimate NFL QB over a full season. What other available QBs including those in the upcoming draft can match Cassel's resume?
dapats

A: What makes Cassel's situation so fascinating to me, dapats, is that there is no right answer. It only takes one team to take the plunge. At the Super Bowl, I asked a variety of NFL analysts their thoughts on what Cassel might yield in a trade, and there was no consensus. It ranged widely, in fact. My feeling is that any team trading for Cassel will need to factor in that 55 percent of the Patriots' offense came after the catch this season, easily the highest figure in the NFL. So I think it helps to have Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Kevin Faulk, as well as a well-oiled offensive system. This is to take nothing away from Cassel, who I believe deserves everything coming to him and did a great job this season. His accuracy and decision making were generally solid, contributing to that yards-after-catch total. So overall, if I was an interested team, I'd look long and hard at my own system and I'd have to project if Cassel would be as successful. With this in mind, I'd offer a conditional second-round draft choice that could improve to a first-rounder, because I'd want to protect myself if my very difficult projection was off. I'd also factor in leverage. Do the Patriots really plan to keep two quarterbacks on their roster that take up $29.2 million of their salary cap? Maybe they do. But I'd hold a hard line, figuring that while they might be asking for a first-rounder, they'd be willing to accept less because they will free up valuable space on their cap in doing so.

02-03-2009, 12:40 PM	#335
DaWolf Cry havoc... DaWolf's Avatar Join Date: Aug 2000	http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal..._03_09/?page=3 Mike, I was thinking about trading possible trading partners for Matt Cassel and an interesting scenario came to mind. What do you think the odds would be of Kansas City trading Tony Gonzalez and a third-round pick to us for Matt Cassel? This makes sense to me because Scott Pioli is in KC and would do business with the Pats. Gonzalez has stated that he would like to play for a contender and the Chiefs need a franchise QB to build their team around. I think both teams can look at this as a win-win situation. The combo of Brady, Moss, Welker and Gonzalez would be downright scary to opposing teams. Also, we could then maybe trade Ben Watson for a mid-round pick as well. What are your thoughts? Joe A: Joe, often times when trades scenarios are presented, I feel that they are lopsided to one team. I don't think this one is. It's an interesting thought. What makes it fun to consider is that Gonzalez is obviously closer to the end of his career than the start, so while the Chiefs would be giving up one of their best assets, it's a shorter-term asset -- and in turn they'd be getting a potential long-term asset. That's why I think they might at least consider pulling the trigger on this type of deal, assuming they could work out a long-term contract for Cassel. Gonzalez is signed through 2011, with salaries of $4 million in 2009, $4.5 million in 2010 and $5.75 in 2011, so the Patriots, in turn, would have to feel those figures could work on their cap. I would still keep Watson, because I think he's more valuable to the Patriots than what the team would receive in a trade. Mike, I just checked espn.com and they have a RUMOR that Cassel will be going to the Chiefs. Can you report on this and pass along any info. THIS IS BIG and I am surprised that the Globe did not break this story! Mike A: Mike, I checked out that item on ESPN.com (from the Insider section) and I thought it was interesting to trace its origins. My friend Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald had an item in Monday's editions in which she spoke with Sirius Radio analyst Jim Miller about possible destinations for Cassel in a trade, and Miller hypothesized that Kansas City was a possible destination because of the presence of former Patriots personnel chief Scott Pioli. I thought the headline of the article -- "Matt Cassel draws interest" -- could have led one to believe that other teams were declaring their interest. After reading the piece, however, it was Miller simply providing his expert opinion as to where Cassel might land in a possible trade. "I'd really look at Pioli down there in Kansas City. Why wouldn't he want him?" Miller said in the piece. "I think he'd be on their radar." In terms of my opinion on the Cassel-to-Chiefs story, I would agree that if the Chiefs were legitimately interested in Cassel that it would be big news. But based on the background of this situation, I don't think we can definitively say that at this point. Mike, don't you think that Cassel will command at the minimum a first-round pick and a second- or third-rounder? He has proven to be a legitimate NFL QB over a full season. What other available QBs including those in the upcoming draft can match Cassel's resume? dapats A: What makes Cassel's situation so fascinating to me, dapats, is that there is no right answer. It only takes one team to take the plunge. At the Super Bowl, I asked a variety of NFL analysts their thoughts on what Cassel might yield in a trade, and there was no consensus. It ranged widely, in fact. My feeling is that any team trading for Cassel will need to factor in that 55 percent of the Patriots' offense came after the catch this season, easily the highest figure in the NFL. So I think it helps to have Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Kevin Faulk, as well as a well-oiled offensive system. This is to take nothing away from Cassel, who I believe deserves everything coming to him and did a great job this season. His accuracy and decision making were generally solid, contributing to that yards-after-catch total. So overall, if I was an interested team, I'd look long and hard at my own system and I'd have to project if Cassel would be as successful. With this in mind, I'd offer a conditional second-round draft choice that could improve to a first-rounder, because I'd want to protect myself if my very difficult projection was off. I'd also factor in leverage. Do the Patriots really plan to keep two quarterbacks on their roster that take up $29.2 million of their salary cap? Maybe they do. But I'd hold a hard line, figuring that while they might be asking for a first-rounder, they'd be willing to accept less because they will free up valuable space on their cap in doing so.
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