So wait, KC got Matt Cassell and Vrabel for only a 2nd rounder? That's pretty impressive, IMO. On another note: MY EYES!!!
Anyone else think this deal has a high likelihood of being a major bust for the Cheifs? Cassell did ok with the most talented supporting cast in the league. Hes nothing special to my knowledge (didn't see much of him though) and really did not impress that much in New England considering the system and talent. I can't see him being a good starter anywhere else and hes going to be 27 in May. Vrabel appears to be declining and that decline could be accelerated by the fact that hes not playing under Belicek and alongside a very good front 7 anymore. I think there's a very good chance the Cheifs find themselves looking for replacements at starting QB and OLB/DE again next year when these guys come in and don't produce very much.
I remained skeptical of Cassell were a while, but he won me over by the end of it. Of course he had a good supporting cast, but they needed him to carry the team at times and towards the end he did just that. He'll playing with a very good receiver in Dwayne Bowe and I think if Pioli builds up the O-line, he'll be pretty successful. Its a great deal for both teams IMO.
http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/02/28/cutler-upset-over-potential-deals-to-detroit-tampa-bay/ On that note, I'll go throw up now.
The Pats were handcuffed with Cassel's franchise number on the books, so they had to make a quick deal. Vrabel has been great for them, but he is clearly on the decline and there's only so many aging guys you can carry. I'm pretty confident Cassel will be successful in any system, by the way. He didn't put up the numbers right away because they weren't letting him throw the ball. I wouldn't be surprised to see him make a few Pro Bowls before the end of his career.
They might've rushed it, but I still think its an excellent deal for them. When you think about it, they just flipped a 7th rounder into an early 2nd rounder, while freeing up a lot of cap space to shore up the defense.
The headline should read: Chiefs rape Patriots, Belicheat looks for additional ways to cheat to make up for loss
The difference is that Rosenfels didn't come with a 13-14 million dollar price tag. The Pats had no leverage whatsoever, they were only 3 million under the cap and have a bunch of improvements that need to be made. They could either sit back and let teams bid for Cassel while all the premier free agents get signed up by other teams, or make a quick deal for a very attractive pick (first round talent for 2nd round money) and get a shit load of cap room to improve the team while most of the free agents are still available.
They arent signing premium free agents anyway....Theres a report on PFT that the Bucs offered a 1st and 3rd the same day, but after they agreed toi terms with KC....they botched it, straight up....they got half of what they could have gotten the same day.....Pioli > Belicheat in round 1....
Do you believe everything you read? I'm sure Belichick would have backed out of his agreement with KC if that were true. For somebody who couldn't possibly think less of him, you sure as hell show him a lot of respect by assuming he wouldn't back out of an oral agreement.
If it was an oral agreement, he likely would have backed out, hes that kind of douche bag....but if they had already faxed something to the league, then he couldnt....I am not suprised that the Patsie fans on this board are blindly giving their cheating messiah the benefit of the doubt even though all the evidence points to a huge mistake....there are none so blind as those that refuse to see....