Matt Cassel traded to the Chiefs

New England Patriot quarterback Matt Cassel was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs Friday as the second part of a trade that first sent new England linebacker Mike Vrabel to the Chiefs as well. In exchange, the Patriots get a second round pick in the upcoming 2009 NFL draft. This trade seems to favor the Chiefs, due to the lack of what the Patriots got back in return. The Patriots put the franchise tag on since he was an unrestricted free agent this year. The franchise tag is what a team can apply to a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. Thus it guaranteed that Matt Cassel would make a lot of money. Cassel had a breakout year for New England last season when the Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady went down for the season after the first game with a knee injury. Cassel threw for 3474 yards. He completed 63 percent of his passes and had 21 touchdowns. He also had a 89.4 passer rating which is good for 10th in the NFL.

Before last year, Matt Cassel was drafted by the Patriots when he didn't even play. He was a backup to Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart. His first four seasons, he was a backup to Tom Brady. Brady's knee has to be back to strength and beyond for them to trade Cassel. With Cassel gone now, there doesn't appear to be a backup which means that they will be stuck if Brady gets hurt again. Matt, its been a long time coming for you and you deserve the money that your going to get. You've never went into a training camp as a starter. You are now. Take your lumps just like Matt Schaub has in Houston and start winning. That way you stay a starter and you get to keep your money in the long run.