The Kansas City Chiefs have announced they have traded a second-round pick (No. 34 overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft to the New England Patriots for QB Matt Cassel and LB Mike Vrabel. The deal is contingent on both players passing a physical and reporting.
It might seem that the Patriots didn't receive enough compensation for this trade, but you have to the market conditions. The Chiefs seemed like the most likely spot for Cassel to land, especially with Scott Pioli as the GM. For the Patriots, after KC, there wasn't a large market for Cassel, which was a result of three main factors: Not every team needed him; not every team could afford him; not every team was willing to part with what it would take to acquire him (draft pick).
If it was just the #34 pick for Cassel, it would seem like both sides won out. Since LB Mike Vrabel was a part of the trade though, it would seem that another draft pick was probably warranted (like a fourth rounder). The Patriots did free up over 17 Million in Cap space by doing this trade...something is probably looming on the horizon.
Stay tuned...
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Patriots looking for help in secondary?
CB Leigh Bodden (Lions) has left Foxborough without a deal. His agent, Alvin Keels, said that Bodden's trip went "really well, however." But the sides were not able to reach a deal. "We will continue to talk over the next couple of days," said Keels.
It looks like the Patriots will have to consider other options to fill arguably their greatest need, a playmaker in the secondary (they never did fill the Asante Samuel void). The Patriots ranked 26th out of 32 teams on third down last season, a statistic that partly reflects struggles in pass coverage.
The free agent market is not considered strong at corner, with Bryant McFadden (Steelers), Ron Bartell (Rams), and Jabari Greer (Bills) some of the top remaining targets. It looks like Lito Sheppard will be going to the Jets for draft picks.
-- Boston Globe
It looks like the Patriots will have to consider other options to fill arguably their greatest need, a playmaker in the secondary (they never did fill the Asante Samuel void). The Patriots ranked 26th out of 32 teams on third down last season, a statistic that partly reflects struggles in pass coverage.
The free agent market is not considered strong at corner, with Bryant McFadden (Steelers), Ron Bartell (Rams), and Jabari Greer (Bills) some of the top remaining targets. It looks like Lito Sheppard will be going to the Jets for draft picks.
-- Boston Globe
Friday, February 27, 2009
Patriots Splash into Free Agency...
Coming:
Adam Schefter, of NFL.com, reports free-agent RB Fred Taylor (Jaguars) has agreed to terms with the New England Patriots. Terms of the deal are not available, but Taylor is expected to finish his career in New England.
The Patriots are close to finalizing a contract with free-agent TE Chris Baker. The sides have agreed to the financial terms to make Baker a Patriot. He was considered a top tight end on the free-agent market, a combination type who contributes in the blocking and passing game.
Going:
Adam Schefter, of NFL.com, reports the Denver Broncos have signed free-agent WR Jabar Gaffney (Patriots) to a four-year, $10 million deal that includes $3 million guaranteed.
Adam Schefter, of the NFL Network, reports the Denver Broncos have signed unrestricted free-agent LS Lonie Paxton (Patriots) to a five-year deal worth $5.3 million. The contract includes a $1 million signing bonus.
The Patriots today traded linebacker Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs. It is not yet clear what they will get in return. A veteran of 12 NFL seasons, Vrabel, who signed with the Patriots as a free agent in 2001, was entering the last year of his current contract and was due to make $2.2 million in base salary, but count $4.3 million against the cap. It's possible his trade was done with an eye towards creating more cap space for the Patriots.
In Waiting...
The Patriots are scheduled to host free-agent CB Leigh Bodden. The 6-foot-1, 193-pound Bodden played for the Lions last season after spending the first five seasons of his career with the Browns. He had a career-high six interceptions with the Browns in 2007 while playing under former Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel.
Info from KFFL.com and Boston.com
Adam Schefter, of NFL.com, reports free-agent RB Fred Taylor (Jaguars) has agreed to terms with the New England Patriots. Terms of the deal are not available, but Taylor is expected to finish his career in New England.
The Patriots are close to finalizing a contract with free-agent TE Chris Baker. The sides have agreed to the financial terms to make Baker a Patriot. He was considered a top tight end on the free-agent market, a combination type who contributes in the blocking and passing game.
Going:
Adam Schefter, of NFL.com, reports the Denver Broncos have signed free-agent WR Jabar Gaffney (Patriots) to a four-year, $10 million deal that includes $3 million guaranteed.
Adam Schefter, of the NFL Network, reports the Denver Broncos have signed unrestricted free-agent LS Lonie Paxton (Patriots) to a five-year deal worth $5.3 million. The contract includes a $1 million signing bonus.
The Patriots today traded linebacker Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs. It is not yet clear what they will get in return. A veteran of 12 NFL seasons, Vrabel, who signed with the Patriots as a free agent in 2001, was entering the last year of his current contract and was due to make $2.2 million in base salary, but count $4.3 million against the cap. It's possible his trade was done with an eye towards creating more cap space for the Patriots.
In Waiting...
The Patriots are scheduled to host free-agent CB Leigh Bodden. The 6-foot-1, 193-pound Bodden played for the Lions last season after spending the first five seasons of his career with the Browns. He had a career-high six interceptions with the Browns in 2007 while playing under former Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel.
Info from KFFL.com and Boston.com
Pats get ready for Free Agency
The Patriots, according to Adam Schefter of NFL.com, have the second-least amount of salary cap space with $3.2 million.
The Patriots tendered restricted free agent OLB Pierre Woods at the second-round level. The one-year tender for Woods is for $1.54 million.
The Patriots did not submit a tender offer on OL Wesley Britt, another restricted free agent. Britt could potentially stick with the team with a reduced contract.
Recent talks on contract extensions for FB Heath Evans and OL Russ Hochstein did not result in a deal, and thus both players are headed for the unrestricted market. Both could still potentially return to the Patriots.
Safety James Sanders doesn't have a deal with the Patriots to keep him off the market yet, and it doesn't appear one is going to be reached to keep Sanders from entering free agency. Sanders, 25, would be an attractive option for teams in the market for a safety and would garner interest from other teams.
With more NFL teams switching to a 3-4 defense this year, the free-agent market for a player like defensive lineman Mike Wright could expand. Wright is scheduled for unrestricted free agency, which begins at midnight. Barring an unexpected change today, he plans to test the market.
Long snapper Lonie Paxton, who has been with the club since 2000 and thus is one of the few players who was on the roster in all three Super Bowl-winning seasons, is scheduled for unrestricted free agency.
Patriots ILB Eric Alexander will not receive a restricted free agent tender from the Patriots; instead, he's agreed in principle to a one-year deal, according to a league source. The one-year agreement, which has not been signed, is less than the $1.01 million low tender in restricted free agency.
Info from Boston.com
The Patriots tendered restricted free agent OLB Pierre Woods at the second-round level. The one-year tender for Woods is for $1.54 million.
The Patriots did not submit a tender offer on OL Wesley Britt, another restricted free agent. Britt could potentially stick with the team with a reduced contract.
Recent talks on contract extensions for FB Heath Evans and OL Russ Hochstein did not result in a deal, and thus both players are headed for the unrestricted market. Both could still potentially return to the Patriots.
Safety James Sanders doesn't have a deal with the Patriots to keep him off the market yet, and it doesn't appear one is going to be reached to keep Sanders from entering free agency. Sanders, 25, would be an attractive option for teams in the market for a safety and would garner interest from other teams.
With more NFL teams switching to a 3-4 defense this year, the free-agent market for a player like defensive lineman Mike Wright could expand. Wright is scheduled for unrestricted free agency, which begins at midnight. Barring an unexpected change today, he plans to test the market.
Long snapper Lonie Paxton, who has been with the club since 2000 and thus is one of the few players who was on the roster in all three Super Bowl-winning seasons, is scheduled for unrestricted free agency.
Patriots ILB Eric Alexander will not receive a restricted free agent tender from the Patriots; instead, he's agreed in principle to a one-year deal, according to a league source. The one-year agreement, which has not been signed, is less than the $1.01 million low tender in restricted free agency.
Info from Boston.com
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Banta-Cain back in the Patriots fold; Washington and Yates released!
The New England Patriots have signed free agent linebacker Tully Banta-Cain.
Banta-Cain, 28, was originally drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round (239th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-2-inch, 250-pound linebacker played for the Patriots for four seasons from 2003-06, playing in 54 games with five starts over that period. Banta-Cain was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an unrestricted free agent on March 3, 2007, and played for the 49ers for two seasons (2007-08), playing in 28 games with 10 starts for San Francisco. For his career, Banta-Cain has played in 82 games with 15 starts and has recorded 97 tackles (65 solo), 12.0 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and 71 special teams tackles.
Last season, Banta-Cain played in 12 games and recorded seven tackles (3 solo) and 19 special teams stops. He was released by the 49ers on Feb. 11, 2009.
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The Patriots released WR Kelley Washington and C/G Billy Yates today. Washington, 29, has primarily been a special teams contributor in each of the last two seasons since signing with the Patriots. Yates, 28, has been a valuable reserve at center and guard, filling in as a starter in seven games in 2008. Both players were entering the final year of their contracts.
Banta-Cain, 28, was originally drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round (239th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-2-inch, 250-pound linebacker played for the Patriots for four seasons from 2003-06, playing in 54 games with five starts over that period. Banta-Cain was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an unrestricted free agent on March 3, 2007, and played for the 49ers for two seasons (2007-08), playing in 28 games with 10 starts for San Francisco. For his career, Banta-Cain has played in 82 games with 15 starts and has recorded 97 tackles (65 solo), 12.0 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and 71 special teams tackles.
Last season, Banta-Cain played in 12 games and recorded seven tackles (3 solo) and 19 special teams stops. He was released by the 49ers on Feb. 11, 2009.
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The Patriots released WR Kelley Washington and C/G Billy Yates today. Washington, 29, has primarily been a special teams contributor in each of the last two seasons since signing with the Patriots. Yates, 28, has been a valuable reserve at center and guard, filling in as a starter in seven games in 2008. Both players were entering the final year of their contracts.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Patriots: Tag, Cassel's it!
Patriots franchise Cassel
The New England Patriots announced Friday that they have utilized their 2009 franchise designation on quarterback Matt Cassel.
The cost of the franchise tag (the average of the top five highest-paid players at a given position) on Cassel is a one-year tender for $14.65 million, according to the transition and franchise tag numbers released Jan. 30 by the NFL Players Association. Since the franchise tenders are guaranteed, Cassel would count more against the cap than Brady, who is scheduled to carry a cap charge of $14.62 million for 2009.
The 26-year-old Cassel, who made 15 starts after Brady's injury, completed 63.4 percent of his passes and threw for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. -- Boston Globe
Pats QB Cassell wont be able to chose his next landing spot?
Matt Cassel will more than likely net a tidy sum for the Pats in the form of draft picks, and no one in recent seasons has proven more adept than using picks as currency than New England. While it is unfortunate for him that he will likely not be able to choose his next landing spot, Thursday's game of tag seems to assure that he will be in another uniform when training camp rolls around. -- Providence Journal
The New England Patriots announced Friday that they have utilized their 2009 franchise designation on quarterback Matt Cassel.
The cost of the franchise tag (the average of the top five highest-paid players at a given position) on Cassel is a one-year tender for $14.65 million, according to the transition and franchise tag numbers released Jan. 30 by the NFL Players Association. Since the franchise tenders are guaranteed, Cassel would count more against the cap than Brady, who is scheduled to carry a cap charge of $14.62 million for 2009.
The 26-year-old Cassel, who made 15 starts after Brady's injury, completed 63.4 percent of his passes and threw for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. -- Boston Globe
Pats QB Cassell wont be able to chose his next landing spot?
Matt Cassel will more than likely net a tidy sum for the Pats in the form of draft picks, and no one in recent seasons has proven more adept than using picks as currency than New England. While it is unfortunate for him that he will likely not be able to choose his next landing spot, Thursday's game of tag seems to assure that he will be in another uniform when training camp rolls around. -- Providence Journal
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