Friday, February 6, 2009

Patriots 'Franchise' Cassel

It is our job to keep up with the goings-on of our competition and while the Steelers are the team that hoisted the trophy we mustn't forget the prospects of a New England team with a healthy Tom Brady at the helm....and don't forget the highest paid back up QB in history: Matt Cassel out of USC.

What does it mean to slap the non-exclusive franchise tag on a player? Excellent question...let's find out!

Click Here for link to Boston Globe article. Read below for the most relevant excerpt of article:

"If no market generates, the Patriots could have the most expensive backup in the NFL, paying Cassel more than Brady is scheduled to earn in 2009.

Brady, who is rehabilitating from a serious left knee injury that knocked him out of the 2008 season on the 15th offensive play, is due a base salary of $5 million and a bonus of $3 million. Brady's salary cap charge in 2009, due to the acceleration of past bonuses, is $14.6 million.

In the event a trade market does not develop, the Patriots would be tying up $29.2 million of their approximately $123 million salary cap on two players. That runs counter to the philosophy that has helped the Patriots thrive this decade, spreading the wealth to more players, and could handcuff other moves, such as signing nose tackle Vince Wilfork to an extension."

We read the above excerpt and found exactly what we wanted to hear....the Pats are doing something that does not jibe with past front office decision making....we likes! Belichick is no dope though, so we'll have to stay tuned.

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