Is he Worth That Kind of Money ?? I guess if they need to use him in a Trade. But that's a Lot for a Backup.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - The New England Patriots placed the franchise tag on Matt Cassel on Thursday, making it tougher for other teams to sign the free agent quarterback.
The Patriots might keep him if they have doubts that Tom Brady will be ready for the start of next season after sustaining a serious knee injury in the 2008 opener. If they're confident Brady will be ready, they could trade Cassel rather than pay him the $14.65 million offer for 2009 in the franchise designation. Cassel had a breakout season in 2008, starting 15 games after starting none the seven previous seasons — four with Southern California as backup to Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, and three after New England drafted him in the seventh round in 2005.
For now, he remains a free agent, but the Patriots can match any offer made by another team or allow him to sign with that team in exchange for two first-round draft picks. The franchise tag value is the average of the top five paid NFL players at a particular position.
If and when Cassel signs the one-year designation, he will be under contract to the Patriots and could be dealt.
"Matt has been a pleasure to coach his entire career and last season in particular, when his years of hard work and commitment resulted in a most impressive performance," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a statement. "We look forward to working with Matt again in 2009." David Dunn, Cassel's agent, did not return a phone call seeking comment
Cassel's stock soared after he took over for Brady and helped the Patriots to an 11-5 record, but New England missed the playoffs. Brady, who led the Patriots to an unbeaten regular season in 2007 and their fourth Super Bowl in eight years, went to the turf midway through the first quarter on Sept. 7 after being hit in the backfield by Kansas City safety Bernard Pollard. The two-time Super Bowl MVP had started 128 games and was replaced by Cassel, who helped the Patriots to a 17-10 win.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - The New England Patriots placed the franchise tag on Matt Cassel on Thursday, making it tougher for other teams to sign the free agent quarterback.
The Patriots might keep him if they have doubts that Tom Brady will be ready for the start of next season after sustaining a serious knee injury in the 2008 opener. If they're confident Brady will be ready, they could trade Cassel rather than pay him the $14.65 million offer for 2009 in the franchise designation. Cassel had a breakout season in 2008, starting 15 games after starting none the seven previous seasons — four with Southern California as backup to Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, and three after New England drafted him in the seventh round in 2005.
For now, he remains a free agent, but the Patriots can match any offer made by another team or allow him to sign with that team in exchange for two first-round draft picks. The franchise tag value is the average of the top five paid NFL players at a particular position.
If and when Cassel signs the one-year designation, he will be under contract to the Patriots and could be dealt.
"Matt has been a pleasure to coach his entire career and last season in particular, when his years of hard work and commitment resulted in a most impressive performance," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a statement. "We look forward to working with Matt again in 2009." David Dunn, Cassel's agent, did not return a phone call seeking comment
Cassel's stock soared after he took over for Brady and helped the Patriots to an 11-5 record, but New England missed the playoffs. Brady, who led the Patriots to an unbeaten regular season in 2007 and their fourth Super Bowl in eight years, went to the turf midway through the first quarter on Sept. 7 after being hit in the backfield by Kansas City safety Bernard Pollard. The two-time Super Bowl MVP had started 128 games and was replaced by Cassel, who helped the Patriots to a 17-10 win.
