Matt Cassel Oks backup plan with Patriots:
If the Patriots decide to keep Matt Cassel as Tom Brady's backup, Cassel's OK with it. Speaking to Comcast SportsNet's Michael Felger last night, Cassel said contract discussions with the Patriots have not yet begun, but when they do he'd be open to returning in a reserve role. "If the situation is what it is, then I would accept it and I would continue to do what I have done my entire career which is work hard, put my best foot forward and continue to work on the things that I need to and put out my best effort," Cassel said. Cassel did a series of TV interviews yesterday after accepting the award as Vizio's Top Value Performer of the Year. Speaking to ESPN, Cassel made it clear that he doesn't expect there will be a QB controversy if both he and Brady return. "This is Tom's team," he said. "The Patriots have been Tom's team. He's built that franchise up with his own two hands. He's the guy, and he was the MVP the year before. I realize that. He's been such a mentor for me that I would say, 'No, there is no quarterback competition.' But I've learned so many things from Tom, and hopefully it'll help me in my career." Beginning Feb. 5, the Patriots will have two weeks to decide whether or not to place the franchise tag on Cassel. The assumption is they will use it and tender Cassel a one-year deal worth roughly $14 million. -- Boston Herald
TE coach Pete Mangurian won't return to Patriots:
Pete Mangurian, who served as Patriots tight end coach the last four years, will not return to the team in 2009. Mangurian has been in discussions with the Buccaneers about being part of new coach Raheem Morris’ staff in Tampa Bay. Mangurian’s departure is the fourth among Patriots assistants this offseason, as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels (Broncos head coach), special assistant/secondary coach Dom Capers (Packers defensive coordinator) and special teams coach Brad Seely (Browns assistant head coach/special teams coordinator) have moved on. -- Boston Globe
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Patriots name O'Brien quarterbacks coach
Whoever the Patriots' starting quarterback ends up being next season - Tom Brady, Matt Cassel, or Kevin O'Connell - he will be working with Bill O'Brien as his position coach. With the departure of offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels, Patriots coach Bill Belichick has decided, according to two sources familiar with the team's thinking, to turn over McDaniels's quarterbacks coach job to O'Brien, who served as the Patriots' wide receivers coach in 2008. The 39-year-old O'Brien will not officially replace McDaniels, who was introduced as coach of the Denver Broncos Jan. 12, as offensive coordinator, but he will inherit some of those duties and have input into the play-calling. Most likely, Belichick will take on a greater role in the team's offensive strategy and game planning to ease O'Brien's transition. -- Boston Globe
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Patriots Way...Pioli was a big part!
Scott Pioli is going to be missed by the Patriots Organization and Patriot fans alike...would have liked to see what he could have done with the Lions though...now that would be the challenge!
At his introduction as GM of the Chiefs, Pioli was asked about the “Patriots Way” and if he can bring some of that to Kansas City. He was asked to describe the “Patriots Way.” “It’s about a group of people who work passionately together and work very hard,” he said. “The only promise that I’ll make today to the Kansas City Chiefs and to the Kansas City Chiefs’ fans is that there will be no one in this league working harder than me to get this done. The ‘Patriots Way’ starts with hard work, discipline, and creating a culture where everyone is on the same page, everyone knows their role, everyone believes in the system, and everyone does their job. People understand their roles and they are selfless about their roles. That is the core of the ‘Patriots Way’.”
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Pioli is Chiefs bound...
The Kansas City Chiefs have formally announced the hiring of Scott Pioli as general manager today.
Pioli, 43, has been with the Patriots for nine years and won a pair of Sporting News Executive of the Year awards. While the Chiefs were 2-14 a season ago, they are not a hopeless situation. They are expected to be approximately $30 million under the salary cap and own the No. 3 overall selection in the draft.
“Scott Pioli was an integral part of the many championships the New England Patriots have celebrated this decade and I would like to thank him for his countless contributions throughout the past nine seasons." --Patriots Owner Robert Kraft
"To sum up in words everything Scott Pioli has meant to this organization and to me personally would be difficult, if not impossible. From the day I met him, he has demonstrated a passion for football and respect for the game that is second to none. It has been extremely gratifying for me to follow Scott's career ascension from the bottom of the totem pole in Cleveland to his place as a pillar of championship teams in New England. Now with the opportunity to steer his own ship and a vision of building a winner, there is no more capable, hardworking, loyal, team-oriented person than Scott Pioli." -- Patriots Coach Bill Belichick
Pioli is the second significant departure from the Patriots' staff this week. Yesterday, 32-year-old Josh McDaniels, who had been the teams offensive coordinator for three seasons, signed a four-year contract worth $8 million to replace Mike Shanahan as head coach of the Denver Broncos.
Pioli's most likely replacement with the Patriots, director of player personnel Nick Caserio, was already generating buzz as a future GM in his own right, particularly following the success of his predecessor Thomas Dimitroff in Atlanta. Caserio recently was mentioned by Browns owner Randy Lerner as a candidate for Cleveland's GM opening.
Pioli, 43, has been with the Patriots for nine years and won a pair of Sporting News Executive of the Year awards. While the Chiefs were 2-14 a season ago, they are not a hopeless situation. They are expected to be approximately $30 million under the salary cap and own the No. 3 overall selection in the draft.
“Scott Pioli was an integral part of the many championships the New England Patriots have celebrated this decade and I would like to thank him for his countless contributions throughout the past nine seasons." --Patriots Owner Robert Kraft
"To sum up in words everything Scott Pioli has meant to this organization and to me personally would be difficult, if not impossible. From the day I met him, he has demonstrated a passion for football and respect for the game that is second to none. It has been extremely gratifying for me to follow Scott's career ascension from the bottom of the totem pole in Cleveland to his place as a pillar of championship teams in New England. Now with the opportunity to steer his own ship and a vision of building a winner, there is no more capable, hardworking, loyal, team-oriented person than Scott Pioli." -- Patriots Coach Bill Belichick
Pioli is the second significant departure from the Patriots' staff this week. Yesterday, 32-year-old Josh McDaniels, who had been the teams offensive coordinator for three seasons, signed a four-year contract worth $8 million to replace Mike Shanahan as head coach of the Denver Broncos.
Pioli's most likely replacement with the Patriots, director of player personnel Nick Caserio, was already generating buzz as a future GM in his own right, particularly following the success of his predecessor Thomas Dimitroff in Atlanta. Caserio recently was mentioned by Browns owner Randy Lerner as a candidate for Cleveland's GM opening.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Patriots McDaniels to Broncos, plus other news
Patriots OC Josh McDaniels named Broncos new Head Coach.
The Denver Broncos have reached an agreement to hire Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as their new head coach. The Denver Post is also reporting that Patriots special assistant/secondary coach Dom Capers is under strong consideration to join McDaniels' staff. -- Denver Post
Pete Mangurian could land Patriots OC job
There's no immediate word on who will succeed Josh McDaniels with the Patriots. Tight ends coach Pete Mangurian is the only member of the current staff with pro offensive coordinator experience, serving in that capacity in 2003 with the Falcons. Wide receivers coach Bill O'Brien was offensive coordinator at Georgia Tech and Duke before joining the Pats in 2007. McDaniels could not be reached last night, and the Patriots declined comment on his impending departure. -- Boston Herald
Patriots VP Pioli is looking more like the Chiefs' main man
Once thought to be the Chiefs' leading candidate, now there is no doubt: Scott Pioli is their man, according to an NFL source. Perhaps more important, Pioli's interest in the Chiefs and a potential new career challenge has grown. All that stands in the way is hashing out a contract agreement, or perhaps a late pitch from the Patriots (who lost offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to the Broncos yesterday as head coach), or a last-minute change of heart from Pioli. -- Boston Globe
Patriots no longer interested in Pacman
With the news of Pacman Jones' upcoming release in Dallas, attention shifted immediately to potential landing spots for the troubled cornerback. Because of its need at the position and flirtation with Jones and the Titans last offseason, New England loomed as a possible destination. Although Jones' past transgressions could be tolerated if the Pats saw him as their missing defensive link, we hear that his middling play this past season effectively eliminates him from their plans. -- Pro Football Weekly
Vikings to make run at Pats Matt Cassel?
It's looking more likely than ever that the quarterback the Vikings will target is the Patriots' Matt Cassel, who could cost $30 million in guaranteed money as well as first- and second-round draft picks. The Vikings' first-round pick is expected to be between Nos. 21 and 23 overall this spring. -- Pioneer Press
The Denver Broncos have reached an agreement to hire Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as their new head coach. The Denver Post is also reporting that Patriots special assistant/secondary coach Dom Capers is under strong consideration to join McDaniels' staff. -- Denver Post
Pete Mangurian could land Patriots OC job
There's no immediate word on who will succeed Josh McDaniels with the Patriots. Tight ends coach Pete Mangurian is the only member of the current staff with pro offensive coordinator experience, serving in that capacity in 2003 with the Falcons. Wide receivers coach Bill O'Brien was offensive coordinator at Georgia Tech and Duke before joining the Pats in 2007. McDaniels could not be reached last night, and the Patriots declined comment on his impending departure. -- Boston Herald
Patriots VP Pioli is looking more like the Chiefs' main man
Once thought to be the Chiefs' leading candidate, now there is no doubt: Scott Pioli is their man, according to an NFL source. Perhaps more important, Pioli's interest in the Chiefs and a potential new career challenge has grown. All that stands in the way is hashing out a contract agreement, or perhaps a late pitch from the Patriots (who lost offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to the Broncos yesterday as head coach), or a last-minute change of heart from Pioli. -- Boston Globe
Patriots no longer interested in Pacman
With the news of Pacman Jones' upcoming release in Dallas, attention shifted immediately to potential landing spots for the troubled cornerback. Because of its need at the position and flirtation with Jones and the Titans last offseason, New England loomed as a possible destination. Although Jones' past transgressions could be tolerated if the Pats saw him as their missing defensive link, we hear that his middling play this past season effectively eliminates him from their plans. -- Pro Football Weekly
Vikings to make run at Pats Matt Cassel?
It's looking more likely than ever that the quarterback the Vikings will target is the Patriots' Matt Cassel, who could cost $30 million in guaranteed money as well as first- and second-round draft picks. The Vikings' first-round pick is expected to be between Nos. 21 and 23 overall this spring. -- Pioneer Press
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Viking Interest in Cassel?
Vikings eye Pats QB Matt Cassel?
It was clear Thursday after Brad Childress' postseason media gathering that the Vikings' coach has no No. 1 quarterback heading into next season. That makes it a good bet the team will pursue New England's Matt Cassel if the Patriots are reasonable about a trade. If not, the next best bet for a starting quarterback appears to be Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck. With the Vikings expected to save about $13 million by not re-signing free agents Matt Birk, Darren Sharper and Jim Kleinsasser, and saving at least an additional $5 million in guaranteed money that it would have taken to extend quarterback Tarvaris Jackson's contract, the team should have the resources to justify spending on a clear No. 1 quarterback. Jackson, whom the Vikings still figure has considerable upside, is expected to return to backup status. Cassel, expected to be given the franchise tag by New England, could cost the Vikings as much as $30 million in guaranteed money, plus first- and second-round draft picks. Hasselbeck might cost a second- or third-round draft pick that could escalate if he were to perform well. -- Pioneer Press
Vikings looking to add QB from free agency or trade
Four days after Tarvaris Jackson struggled in the Vikings' wild-card playoff loss to Philadelphia, Brad Childress did not completely close the door on Jackson being his starter in 2009, leaving open the strong possibility of pursuing a quarterback through the draft or free agency. He didn't mention it, but a trade also is an option. Free agents include Kerry Collins, Jeff Garcia, Kurt Warner, J.P. Losman, Dan Orlovsky and Chris Simms. The Patriots reportedly will place a franchise tag on young standout Matt Cassel, but the Patriots could trade him if Tom Brady makes progress in his return from a knee injury. -- Star Tribune
Vikings QB odds for 2009
Who will be the starting quarterback for the Vikings for the first game of the 2009 season?
Tarvaris Jackson 3/2
Gus Frerotte 7/4
Any other veteran QB 2/1
Any rookie QB 9/2
John David Booty 5/1 -- Bodog
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Patriots Pioli on the move? Plus Tedy Bruschi update
Chiefs were expected to be meeting with Pioli
In beginning the search for a new general manager, Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt laid out the qualities he wanted in Carl Peterson's successor: a shrewd talent evaluator, a strong leader, a good communicator, someone with experience in building a winning NFL team. It seemed inevitable from that point that Hunt would have Scott Pioli, New England's vice president for player personnel, on his search list. Hunt, along with interim president and general manager Denny Thum, were expected to interview Pioli on Monday for the vacancy. -- KC Star
Pats Scott Pioli talks with Kansas City
Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli met with Chiefs owner Clark Hunt yesterday to interview for Kansas City's general manager job. It's unclear where the two met, though sources said it was not in Kansas City. The interview was Pioli's second in as many weeks, coming on the heels of a meeting with Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner in New York. Pioli is considered the hottest general manager on the market, thanks to the three Super Bowl titles he helped orchestrate with the Patriots. He might decide to stay in New England, but there are reasons to go to Kansas City, where fans held signs proclaiming, "We want Pioli," during the team's final home game. The roster is loaded with young, cheap players, the team projects to be $30 million under the salary cap, and renovations on Arrowhead Stadium are scheduled to be completed by 2010, giving the team what will amount to a new home. -- Boston Herald
LB Bruschi wants to return to the Patriots
Tedy Bruschi signed a two-year contract last February, and as long as the Patriots want him back, the inside linebacker intends to honor that contract and return for a 14th season, according to a source with knowledge of Bruschi's thinking. The 35-year-old Bruschi missed the final three games of the 2008 season with an injury to the medial collateral ligament in his left knee. The source said Bruschi will not need surgery on the knee and that if the Patriots had made the playoffs and played a first-round game last week, Bruschi possibly could have suited up. With a lack of experience at inside linebacker - not counting late-season fill-in Junior Seau - it would make sense for the Patriots to bring Bruschi, who will turn 36 in June, back for another season. Bruschi will have a $1.9 million base salary next season and carry a cap charge of $2.6 million. -- Boston Globe
In beginning the search for a new general manager, Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt laid out the qualities he wanted in Carl Peterson's successor: a shrewd talent evaluator, a strong leader, a good communicator, someone with experience in building a winning NFL team. It seemed inevitable from that point that Hunt would have Scott Pioli, New England's vice president for player personnel, on his search list. Hunt, along with interim president and general manager Denny Thum, were expected to interview Pioli on Monday for the vacancy. -- KC Star
Pats Scott Pioli talks with Kansas City
Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli met with Chiefs owner Clark Hunt yesterday to interview for Kansas City's general manager job. It's unclear where the two met, though sources said it was not in Kansas City. The interview was Pioli's second in as many weeks, coming on the heels of a meeting with Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner in New York. Pioli is considered the hottest general manager on the market, thanks to the three Super Bowl titles he helped orchestrate with the Patriots. He might decide to stay in New England, but there are reasons to go to Kansas City, where fans held signs proclaiming, "We want Pioli," during the team's final home game. The roster is loaded with young, cheap players, the team projects to be $30 million under the salary cap, and renovations on Arrowhead Stadium are scheduled to be completed by 2010, giving the team what will amount to a new home. -- Boston Herald
LB Bruschi wants to return to the Patriots
Tedy Bruschi signed a two-year contract last February, and as long as the Patriots want him back, the inside linebacker intends to honor that contract and return for a 14th season, according to a source with knowledge of Bruschi's thinking. The 35-year-old Bruschi missed the final three games of the 2008 season with an injury to the medial collateral ligament in his left knee. The source said Bruschi will not need surgery on the knee and that if the Patriots had made the playoffs and played a first-round game last week, Bruschi possibly could have suited up. With a lack of experience at inside linebacker - not counting late-season fill-in Junior Seau - it would make sense for the Patriots to bring Bruschi, who will turn 36 in June, back for another season. Bruschi will have a $1.9 million base salary next season and carry a cap charge of $2.6 million. -- Boston Globe
Pats Scott Pioli talks with Kansas City
Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli met with Chiefs owner Clark Hunt yesterday to interview for Kansas City's general manager job. It's unclear where the two met, though sources said it was not in Kansas City. The interview was Pioli's second in as many weeks, coming on the heels of a meeting with Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner in New York. Pioli is considered the hottest general manager on the market, thanks to the three Super Bowl titles he helped orchestrate with the Patriots. He might decide to stay in New England, but there are reasons to go to Kansas City, where fans held signs proclaiming, "We want Pioli," during the team's final home game. The roster is loaded with young, cheap players, the team projects to be $30 million under the salary cap, and renovations on Arrowhead Stadium are scheduled to be completed by 2010, giving the team what will amount to a new home. -- Boston Herald
Pats Scott Pioli talks with Kansas City
Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli met with Chiefs owner Clark Hunt yesterday to interview for Kansas City's general manager job. It's unclear where the two met, though sources said it was not in Kansas City. The interview was Pioli's second in as many weeks, coming on the heels of a meeting with Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner in New York. Pioli is considered the hottest general manager on the market, thanks to the three Super Bowl titles he helped orchestrate with the Patriots. He might decide to stay in New England, but there are reasons to go to Kansas City, where fans held signs proclaiming, "We want Pioli," during the team's final home game. The roster is loaded with young, cheap players, the team projects to be $30 million under the salary cap, and renovations on Arrowhead Stadium are scheduled to be completed by 2010, giving the team what will amount to a new home. -- Boston Herald
Monday, January 5, 2009
Patriot News and Notes
Franchise tag for Matt Cassel?
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. -- Boston Herald
Pats unlikely to keep LaMont Jordan
Although the Patriots got some nice production out of LaMont Jordan when he was healthy, his injury propensity and the Patriots' depth at running back make it unlikely they'll keep the thumping free agent around. On the other hand, Laurence Maroney will get one more crack to prove he's the quality running back the Patriots thought they were getting when they tabbed him with their first-round pick back in 2006. -- Pro Football Weekly
Eagles owner a fan of Pats Belichick
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie doesn't have a vote for Associated Press Coach of the Year - those go to 50 sportswriters/media members around the country - but if he did? "Bill Belichick and his staff would get my vote. They did one phenomenal job," he said. "It's not just losing Tom Brady. They lost Laurence Maroney and Adalius Thomas and Rodney Harrison, the list goes on and on, but they continued to get better in the course of the year with a [first-year starting] quarterback. I've always been a huge fan of Bill in terms of how he's run that team. This season, I think, was extraordinary." -- Boston Globe
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. -- Boston Herald
Pats unlikely to keep LaMont Jordan
Although the Patriots got some nice production out of LaMont Jordan when he was healthy, his injury propensity and the Patriots' depth at running back make it unlikely they'll keep the thumping free agent around. On the other hand, Laurence Maroney will get one more crack to prove he's the quality running back the Patriots thought they were getting when they tabbed him with their first-round pick back in 2006. -- Pro Football Weekly
Eagles owner a fan of Pats Belichick
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie doesn't have a vote for Associated Press Coach of the Year - those go to 50 sportswriters/media members around the country - but if he did? "Bill Belichick and his staff would get my vote. They did one phenomenal job," he said. "It's not just losing Tom Brady. They lost Laurence Maroney and Adalius Thomas and Rodney Harrison, the list goes on and on, but they continued to get better in the course of the year with a [first-year starting] quarterback. I've always been a huge fan of Bill in terms of how he's run that team. This season, I think, was extraordinary." -- Boston Globe
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