As noted by Pro Football Talk, Thursday was the first day NFL teams could designate franchise or transition players. These designations are not taken lightly, as they carry huge salary cap implications and can often rub players the wrong way, because I guess they don't like those guaranteed $10 million-plus salaries.It's likely that the most interesting of these decisions belonged to the New England Patriots. With Tom Brady on the shelf for virtually the entire 2008 season, Matt Cassel came in and played well. He was set to be an unrestricted free agent (note use of "was").
The Patriots didn't waste any time slapping the franchise tag on Cassel.
"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," said Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick. "We look forward to working with Matt again in 2009."This isn't a cheap maneuver by New England. They're looking at spending $14 million in straight salary on Cassel for 2009 by franchising him. The obvious solution when dealing with a high salary cap number on a franchise player is to give him a long-term deal. However, can the Patriots give Cassel a big-money deal when they already have Brady under contract and handsomely paid?
Probably not.
Plus, everyone - Cassel included - knows this is Brady's team. Once he returns, Cassel returns to wearing a baseball cap and holding a clipboard, with his only hope of starting another Brady injury or a complete Culpepper-esque implosion.
Or is the franchise tag being used so the Patriots retain Cassel's rights, thus making a trade possible? This way, New England (who does have the cap room) can dangle the carrot to quarterback-needy teams while having full control of the situation.
Latest NFL Photos
San Francisco 49ers' Patrick Willis, left, shakes hands with Arizona Cardinals' Sean Morey, during practice for the NFC Pro Bowl football game, in Kapolei, Hawaii, Thursday Feb. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Ronen Zilberman)
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Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson throws the ball during an NFC practice for the Pro Bowl NFL football game in Kapolei, Hawaii, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Ronen Zilberman)
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Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson, left, shakes hands with Arizona Cardinals' quarterback Kurt Warner, center, while New York Giants' quarterback Eli Manning, right, looks on during practice for the NFC Pro Bowl football game, in Kapolei, Hawaii, Thursday Feb. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Ronen Zilberman)
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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin, runs with the ball during practice for the NFC Pro Bowl football game, in Kapolei, Hawaii, Thursday Feb. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Ronen Zilberman)
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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, left, and Philadelphia and NFC head coach, Andy Reid, watch from the sidelines during practice for the NFC Pro Bowl football game, in Kapolei, Hawaii, Thursday Feb. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Ronen Zilberman)
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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, runs with the ball during practice for the NFC Pro Bowl football game, in Kapolei, Hawaii, Thursday Feb. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Ronen Zilberman)
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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner speaks to the media after NFC Pro Bowl football practice, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009, in Kapolei, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
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Washington Redskins teammates Clinton Portis, left, and Mike Sellers are seen during NFC Pro Bowl football practice Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 in Kapolei, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
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Pittsburg Steelers safety Troy Polamalu runs a play during AFC Pro Bowl football practice Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009, in Kapolei, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald signs autographs after NFC Pro Bowl football practice Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 in Kapolei, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
2-05-2009 @ 6:21PM
papam11 said...
I know how the system works, but there's no way Cassell is worth even half of that franchise tag. And there's no way the Pats are going to keep him at that price, regardless of Brady's health. Brady was operated on many months ago and the Pats should have a pretty good idea what his prognosis is. If Brady isn't ready, they should still trade Cassell for a one and 2-3 pick, then sign a veteran QB in case Brady isn't ready.
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2-05-2009 @ 6:40PM
sean861221 said...
ur an idiot. look at cassell's numbers from last season. he was one of the top QBs. he kept improving too. dont forget patriots had 11 wins and no playoffs. they beat the cardinals by 40 points who got to play in the super bowl.
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2-05-2009 @ 6:51PM
magnusonflorida said...
What does it say about our national character when we pay someone on any given Sunday afternoon to play or not play a game, more than 200 times what we pay someone who educates our children week in and week out. You think the rest of the world wonders about our priorities as a nation?
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2-05-2009 @ 7:28PM
cvf334 said...
Oh quit whinning and understand there are only 32 of these jobs in America and they should be paid as such.
2-05-2009 @ 8:38PM
Idjit said...
It doesn't matter whether there are 32 of these jobs or 32 million of them, we still have it wrong. If they were paid by their value, the tables would be reversed. All 32 NFL quarterbacks aren't worth one good educator.
2-05-2009 @ 9:15PM
Kamal said...
Teachers are overrated.
2-05-2009 @ 9:33PM
Mary Ann said...
Kamal, walk a mile, no make that a hallway in a teacher's shoes. I'm thinking you'll change your mind. It is VERY different in front of the classroom, than sitting at a desk on the body part with which you use to think.
2-06-2009 @ 8:44AM
Dave said...
Either you don't understand the principles of capitalism, or you do and you think socialism is superior. Capitalism places value on scarcity, socialism places equal value on everything. Many people can teach well, few can play quarterback well. If quarterbacks got paid the same as teachers, there would be no quarterbacks because the risks they take are not worth that compensation. Also remember that every time there has been a socialist society the people try to get out, and in every truly socialist society there is a thriving black market that operates on capitalism, and the beneficiaries are the socialist government and those who run it.
2-06-2009 @ 9:37AM
prmj0002 said...
the only problem with that is half the teachers in this country are not worth what they are getting paid.Besides they are paid with taxpayer money.
2-06-2009 @ 3:55PM
nepats054 said...
teachers dont work week in and week out they have the whole summer off plus many days in between, they get paid to much.
2-05-2009 @ 6:59PM
Thursday Night! said...
That is one expensive insurance plan.
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2-05-2009 @ 7:27PM
MedicalMogul said...
@ papam11 --- Granted, Brady was operated on, as you said, "many months ago". But bare in mind my friend that Tom had more than one procedure performed on his knee and toward the end of the regular season he was still having trouble with the infection.
I was floored with personal ammusment when I read toward the end of the article the comment "Culpepper-esque implosion". I have for a number of weeks now been saying in conversation with my colleagues that this may very well be the direction things will end-up going. I have a hard time seeing Brady coming back as even half the player he was. Not to backtrack, but look what the same ordeal did to Culpepper.
Worth noting --- for grins & giggles if nothing else --- it's ironinc how Castle's "Cinderella Story" is playing out much the same way Brady's did as a back-up to Bledsow.
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2-05-2009 @ 9:40PM
dtenore said...
Comparing Brady and Culpepper - except for the knee injury - is a huge stretch, though. Wether you're a fan of either player, there are big differences in their play. Culpepper in his prime was a big, mobile brute with a strong arm that could get the ball near one of his all-pro receivers. Brady has no such physical presence: he relies on timing, pocket "presence", and a ridiculously accurate arm. Brady throws from a balanced, mechanically steady position, while Culpepper was usually on the move. Similar injuries, maybe, but their different styles of play should make for dissimilar end results.
2-06-2009 @ 10:18AM
jfilia said...
you are so right, I have been saying the same since mid-season. All you Patsie fans had better be prepared for a big surprise when Brady can't perform as he used to... well, I guess its not such a bg surprise being that he wont have the other teams defensive calls anymore!!! Maybe thats why he's so slow in recuperating, doesn't want the world to know the truth about his ability - or lack thereof. Brady will never be the same, and the New England Cheaters and coach Belicheat, er... BeliCHUMP will be undressed in front of the world. Patsies suck, and Brady won't be back like before...
2-05-2009 @ 8:32PM
austryan06 said...
smart move to buy his rights.
keep him in the system he was groomed in and performed successfully in behind the QB that mentored him.
This kid seems grounded and level headed.
The NFL in the last 10 yrs desperately need more examples like him and organizations like the patriots to groom young talent with great potential like this to stay within the organization you started with and promote more loyalty on both parties.Like Steve Young and the 49ers did.
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2-05-2009 @ 9:00PM
Kim said...
Well if there is a way for the Patriots to cheat the other NFL teams, we all know they are the masters at it.
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2-06-2009 @ 8:13AM
mybasketballgirl said...
I agree. Take away the film they had to study their opponents plays, and they have NO Super Bowl Championships. If you know the play that is coming your way, chances of stopping it increase at least 80%!
They are a "TARNISHED" team, NEVER to be put in the same category of the Steelers, Forty Niners, and Cowboys.
2-05-2009 @ 9:27PM
Jan said...
Even though I'm not a Patriot fan, I would love to see Matt Cassel replace Brady as quarterback. What with all the fooling around Brady did being handmaiden to Gisele while being richly compensated for games he never attended, I think Matt would do a better job but at the same time if a team wants him and he can start, then he should consider all possibilities. I don't want to see him on the bench.
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2-05-2009 @ 9:29PM
luddite718 said...
Waaaah, teachers don't make enough money. Many of them aren't very good at their jobs, they shouldn't have chosen teaching if they were interested in making more money, and they have a far greater career span than professional athletes. If it bothers you than don't support it but you obviously do unless you were searching for "National Foundation for Linguistics" and stumbled upon this site. Aside from that I agree their salaries are outrageous but I also understand everything is worth what someone is actually willing to pay, life's not fair, blah, blah, blah.
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2-06-2009 @ 8:04AM
smokin3000gt said...
"They shouldn't be teachers then, they're not very good at their job" Does that sound ignorant or what? Why do you think good teachers are in short suppy? BECAUSE THEY MAKE PEANUTS! You embarrass yourself.