Matt Cassel News: Pro Sports Daily

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January 5

Boston Globe

"NFL teams can place the franchise tag on players from Feb. 5 to Feb. 19, although that hasn't stopped speculation from buzzing regarding the Patriots' intentions with quarterback Matt Cassel. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported yesterday that the Patriots intend to use the tag on Cassel, although that could not be confirmed. Teams can use the franchise tag to help retain players who are scheduled for unrestricted free agency. The Patriots have utilized it on players such as cornerback Asante Samuel, kicker Adam Vinatieri, and safety Tebucky Jones. A player who is assigned the franchise tag still can be signed by other teams, but those clubs would surrender two first-round draft choices if the ..."

Report: Franchise tag for Matt Cassel

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January 5

Boston Herald

"The Patriots are preparing to franchise quarterback Matt Cassel next month rather than let him walk away in free agency, according to a published report. Following up on a report in the National Football Post, ESPN reported yesterday that the Pats will apply the tag to Cassel for a little more than $14 million. Franchising Cassel will give the Patriots some protection in the event starting quarterback Tom Brady is not ready to go because of knee surgery. The move also will allow the Pats to get something for Cassel, who’s coming off a breakout year, should they deem Brady healthy and want to trade his understudy."

Move gives Matt Cassel more control

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December 31

Boston Herald

"If the Patriots ultimately decide to slap the franchise tag on Matt Cassel, he should do what he did all season when facing complicated defenses - take what they give him and sign it. The value of the tag is as yet undetermined but the cost to block a quarterback from entering free agency figures to range between $12 million and $14 million. If the Patriots tag Cassel and he signs the tender offer that accompanies it, he will have guaranteed that contract, meaning the Pats would be on the hook for that money next season regardless of what else follows short of a trade to a team of his choice. In other words, the Patriots could not do to Cassel what has been too often done to other ..."

What’s next for Matt Cassel?

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December 30

Boston Herald

columnist John Tomase

"It is the $12 million question, and may the debate now begin in earnest: What the heck are the Patriots going to do with Matt Cassel? Under normal circumstances, they’d probably say sayonara to the backup who emerged from Tom Brady [stats]’s shadow and forged a borderline Pro Bowl season. But with questions persisting over the health of Brady’s surgically repaired left knee, the Patriots find themselves in a bind. If the Pats let Cassel walk rather than pay him No. 1 money, they run the risk of having no starting quarterback should Brady suffer a setback. But if they put the franchise tag on him for roughly $12 million and Brady returns to full health, they will sport one of the most ..."

Who would provide the most favorable playoff matchup for the Ravens: the Dolphins, Jets or Patriots?

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December 23

Baltimore Sun

"This is a no-brainer. It also will sound like blasphemy. Given the choice of facing Chad Pennington, Matt Cassel or Brett Favre, I'll take the NFL's all-time leading touchdown passer - and the New York Jets - for so many reasons. First of all, the Ravens' defense would feast on Favre. He's a long-ball passer in a short-ball pass offense. The Jets really haven't figured out how to best use their aging icon. And Favre has given them few clues. In the past four games - three of them losses, by the way - Favre has thrown six interceptions and one touchdown pass. The Jets' only win in that stretch was achieved by defense and destiny - yes, destiny, Bob Costas - not on Favre's heroics. I'd ..."

In long run, Matt Cassel beats out Matt Leinart