Cassel Traded to Chiefs

[SShorefan 4.0]

I dont believe it was both players for only the second rounder.

Adam Schefter at NFL.com is claiming that a 'mystery team' is trying to make a last push

I just read NFL.com say it was a "done deal".

[Finkelskyhook]

As a Chiefs fan, this is exciting news.  Cassel will need all of the mobility he showed last season and then some.  But he's got a great cast of skill players and if he can stay upright, should be a big upgrade for the Chiefs.

As a Patriots fan also, I'm confused.

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

I dont believe it was both players for only the second rounder.

Adam Schefter at NFL.com is claiming that a 'mystery team' is trying to make a last push

I just read NFL.com say it was a "done deal".

The Globe also said earlier the paperwork had been submitted for the deal, not just the franchise tender, meaning it's pretty done. I hope there's something else that comes out.

It's not just King, Reiss has it too on Boston.com

The Chiefs have just announced today's trade that sends Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel to Kansas City. The Patriots will receive a second-round draft choice in return (34th overall).

The Chiefs said the deal is contingent on both players passing their physicals.

More to come.

I'm sorry but this deal is awful.

[SShorefan 4.0]

I dont believe it was both players for only the second rounder.

Adam Schefter at NFL.com is claiming that a 'mystery team' is trying to make a last push

I just read NFL.com say it was a "done deal".

The Globe also said earlier the paperwork had been submitted for the deal, not just the franchise tender, meaning it's pretty done. I hope there's something else that comes out.

It's not just King, Reiss has it too on Boston.com

The Chiefs have just announced today's trade that sends Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel to Kansas City. The Patriots will receive a second-round draft choice in return (34th overall).

The Chiefs said the deal is contingent on both players passing their physicals.

More to come.

I'm sorry but this deal is awful.

I am so confused about this.  Cassel for the #34 pick is fair, but unloading Vrabel for nothing stinks.

[Cman]

THAT IS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE.

The Falcons gave up TWO 2nd rounders for MATT FREAKIN SCHAUB!

48th overall in 2007 and 39th overall in 2008.

Plus,

Daunte Culpepper with blown-out knee was traded for a second-round pick.  A.J. Feeley was traded for a second-round pick.

Doesn't matter.

Just because some teams were hosed in the past doesn't mean every team will be hosed in the future.  Pats were not able to hose the Chiefs.  Does that mean the Pats somehow screwed up?  No -- so long as the Pats get fair value, it is a good deal.

Here is a basketball analogy:
Cs were able to trade Jiri Welsh to the Cavs for a 1st rounder.  By the logic of Peter King and others, if any team in the future trades a player better than Jiri Welsh for something less than a 1st rounder, that team is stupid, because they "could have gotten a deal as good as the Jiri Welsh for 1st rounder deal".  When in reality, they couldn't.  The Jiri Welsh trade was an outlier.  Just because one team (the Cavs) screwed up in that trade doesnt mean every team will always screw up.

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

THAT IS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE.

The Falcons gave up TWO 2nd rounders for MATT FREAKIN SCHAUB!

48th overall in 2007 and 39th overall in 2008.

Plus,

Daunte Culpepper with blown-out knee was traded for a second-round pick.  A.J. Feeley was traded for a second-round pick.

Doesn't matter.

Just because some teams were hosed in the past doesn't mean every team will be hosed in the future.  Pats were not able to hose the Chiefs.  Does that mean the Pats somehow screwed up?  No -- so long as the Pats get fair value, it is a good deal.

Here is a basketball analogy:
Cs were able to trade Jiri Welsh to the Cavs for a 1st rounder.  By the logic of Peter King and others, if any team in the future trades a player better than Jiri Welsh for something less than a 1st rounder, that team is stupid, because they "could have gotten a deal as good as the Jiri Welsh for 1st rounder deal".  When in reality, they couldn't.  The Jiri Welsh trade was an outlier.  Just because one team (the Cavs) screwed up in that trade doesnt mean every team will always screw up.

I understand, but the fact is Cassel for a high 2nd was fair value. We gave away Mike Vrabel. He's certainly not a Pro Bowler, but a very solid veteran OLB a season off double digit sack totals and a great locker room presence. We gave him to an extremely young defense who would value a player like Vrabel quite highly for the leadership purposes and value on the field. We didn't get a 7th, or 6th, or 5th, or anything for Vrabel. Literally gave him away. They better use that cap space or draft picks on a couple defensive studs for 2009.

[steve]

Do you have to pay a 1st rounder a LOT more money than a 2nd rounder?  If that is the case then maybe Bill wanted the best 2nd round pick over a late first.  

Vrabel was unproductive last year and he's not a spring chicken... i wouldn't expect much for him.  

[Tnerb02]

This trade just gives us more cap room to spend on free agents.

[SShorefan 4.0]

This trade just gives us more cap room to spend on free agents.

We could have had essentially the same cap room and still held onto Vrabel.

[Cman]

I understand, but the fact is Cassel for a high 2nd was fair value. We gave away Mike Vrabel. He's certainly not a Pro Bowler, but a very solid veteran OLB a season off double digit sack totals and a great locker room presence. We gave him to an extremely young defense who would value a player like Vrabel quite highly for the leadership purposes and value on the field. We didn't get a 7th, or 6th, or 5th, or anything for Vrabel. Literally gave him away. They better use that cap space or draft picks on a couple defensive studs for 2009.

Yeah, getting a little something for Vrabel would be nice -- but it would have been a 2nd day pick.  The Vrable move is a cap space move, best I can tell.  Though I hate to see him go.

The other thing to keep in mind is that this draft is supposed to be pretty deep, so a high 2nd round pick is nothing to sneeze at.

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

This trade just gives us more cap room to spend on free agents.

We could have had essentially the same cap room and still held onto Vrabel.

agreed, Vrabel's cap hit was not severe enough to give him away for nothing. I obviously love and trust Belichick in his decision making, but I really can't see a scenario where I'm okay with this move.

The 2nd round pick is a high pick indeed, and we will probably get a real impact player in this draft there, but we could have gotten a 4th, 5th, maybe even 3rd rounder for Vrabel considering how highly he is valued by a team with a young D who lacks veteran leadership like KC. I'll spare you the list of guys taken in the 4th round or later that have had Hall of Fame-caliber careers, but there are quite a few, and while it's no given it's nice to have the chance.

Pioli made out very well here.

[beantownboy171]

Well the pats now have 3 2nd rounders, this would set up nicely for a trade up to get aaron curry, especially if the detroit takes a qb.

[Tnerb02]

This trade just gives us more cap room to spend on free agents.

We could have had essentially the same cap room and still held onto Vrabel.

But we wouldn't have the 2nd round pick...

[mahonedog88]

It wouldn't surprise me one bit if we don't really spend any money on defensive free agents.  I think this trade to get Cassel's salary off the books is mainly for next year when we have to extend deals to the young defensive players we have now.

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

This trade just gives us more cap room to spend on free agents.

We could have had essentially the same cap room and still held onto Vrabel.

But we wouldn't have the 2nd round pick...

yes we would have... It would't be that high, but some other team would definitely have taken that. Minnesota? SF? Detroit with their 2 1st rounders? I can't believe that to be the case.