The Atlantic - Latest Comments in Talking Free Agency

Re: Talking Free Agency

Just Karl — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:50:13 -0000

Cassel could continue to be successful in this league, but I'm pretty confident that Cutler is going to be better.

I watched both of them play this season, and I'd rather have Cutler behind center without a doubt.

My impression of Cutler is that the guy is a real jerk. His father seems like an overbearing dickhead, too. Maybe he fights with the coaching staff and does his own thing on the field. The Broncos may have decided the guy is more trouble than he's worth.

Re: Talking Free Agency

tcole — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:17:12 -0000

Easy there Baltimore Cowboy...

Ozzie Newsome BUILT the Ravens.

And w/out Ogden, Boulware, Sharper, and the equinesque Shannon Sharpe, not to mention an exceptional defense attorney, Ray-Ray would not have a ring.

Let Ray go.

Re: Talking Free Agency

TW Andrews — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:14:32 -0000

I'm pissed that McDaniels wanted to deal Cutler for Cassel. I watched both of them play this season, and I'd rather have Cutler behind center without a doubt.

If he dicks around with players too much McDaniels will find out that the Denver sports environment (which loves players) is very much different than in Boston--which only loves players when they're winning, and then only if they act like they're lucky to be here.

Re: Talking Free Agency

Doug T — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:08:50 -0000

Well, on paper the Ravens supposedly play a 3-4, but the base alignment doesn't mean that much in Rex Ryan's scheme, where they change the look on the line of scrimmage so much and rush people from all over. Plus Suggs, while listed as a LB, played as a DE on a fair portion of the snaps.

Re: Talking Free Agency

Stacy — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:01:01 -0000

Thanks for the insight, Joel and Patagonia. It seems like ESPN might be a little confused as to the timeline of the two deals.

I think Denver is going to look back and thank their lucky stars that this deal didn't go through. Cassel could continue to be successful in this league, but I'm pretty confident that Cutler is going to be better.

Re: Talking Free Agency

patagonia — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:38:11 -0000

The KC deal was, for all intents and purposes, done by the time TB and Denver came calling. Bellichick didn't want to screw over Pioli, his long-time friend, by canceling the deal at the last minute. Besides, there was only the possibility that the other deals would work out whereas the KC deal was all but finalized.

Re: Talking Free Agency

sgwhiteinfla — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:54:43 -0000

Joel

Just to clarify, even though I don't think it will happen, this is why I think it makes sense. The Patriots are already an excellent team with a good chance of winning another title or two in the next 5 years. You gotta believe that Ray wants rings more than dough right now. Second Bruschi is getting on up there in age and Ray Lewis has played in a 3-4 most of his career. Third the Patriots already has some monsters up front like Seymor, Wilfork, and Warren. Fourth they have a stud MLB coming off his rookie year in Mayo who could learn a lot from Lewis. And fifth the Patriots do a great job of integrating star players into their own culture.

Again I don't think it will happen but there are good reasons for both sides to consider it.

Re: Talking Free Agency

Joel — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:49:45 -0000

On the Cassell thing, I'm also baffled that his trade value wasn't higher. I'm not surprised they weren't able to get a 1st, 3rd, and 4th, which I heard some crazy specualtion about a few weeks ago. But I thought for sure they'd be able to get a 1st or at least a 2nd and 3rd for him.

I figured a second round pick was about right for Cassel's value. He had a monster franchise tag and the Chiefs acquired him without a restructuring agreement in place. That's a risk, albeit a smaller one in the hands of Scott Pioli.

Re: Talking Free Agency

Joel — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:47:29 -0000

Ray Lewis to the Patriots. If it happens people are going to wig out.

Ray Lewis supposedly hates playing in the 3-4, although the Ravens do employ that formation sometimes.

Re: Talking Free Agency

Doug T — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:47:15 -0000

Agreed that if Ray does end up back in Baltimore, the fans here wren't going to hold it against him. I listen to sports talk radio some days on my drive home, and most people were taking Ray's side in the issue. It's his last contract, he needs to get paid, I hope the Ravens can resign him, but if not, I'll understand, etc.

On the flip side, having the other teams he was interested in say no could certainly be good for the Ravens. There are few better motivational tools than injured pride and a desire to prove all those people who didn't believe in you wrong. (Which is why teams so often try to do this in the season and post-season.) I could definitely see Ray coming back with a chip on his shoulder and doing just as well as he did htis past year when making his salary push.

On the Cassell thing, I'm also baffled that his trade value wasn't higher. I'm not surprised they weren't able to get a 1st, 3rd, and 4th, which I heard some crazy specualtion about a few weeks ago. But I thought for sure they'd be able to get a 1st or at least a 2nd and 3rd for him.

Re: Talking Free Agency

Joel — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:43:56 -0000

It's being reported on ESPN that the Patriots turned down the 12th overall pick and settled on the 34th overall pick. Why the hell would the Broncos get rid of Cutler? I'm sorry, but there's no way I'd rather have Cassel than Cutler. Why the hell would the Pats turn down the #12 pick?

Broken down thusly;

The supposed three-way offer for Cassell came in after the paperwork was submitted with the league. Why did it come so late? No idea, but the Buccaneers and Broncos had to know that the Patriots and Chiefs were going to want to seal the deal by the weekend.

The Broncos want Cassel because Josh McDaniels was the Patriots offensive coordinator and Cassel knows his system.

Re: Talking Free Agency

Stacy — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:39:58 -0000

SC,

I think that makes the most sense, but it seems like you'd still like to cut the space elsewhere. The 12th pick is so valuable.

Re: Talking Free Agency

SC — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:30:30 -0000

re: 34th pick over 12th pick - salary cap calculation?

Re: Talking Free Agency

Stacy — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:20:21 -0000

For the record, the Broncos are in the AFC West. And they haven't been to the Super Bowl in a decade.

Re: Talking Free Agency

Juba — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:19:10 -0000

To me, their landing Rocky Bernard might turn out to be the steal of a deal.

Re: Talking Free Agency

sgwhiteinfla — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:08:21 -0000

Imma throw out something crazy and I don't think it will happen but what the frak. Ray Lewis to the Patriots. If it happens people are going to wig out.

Re: Talking Free Agency

Buddy Toledo — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:08:16 -0000

Do the Broncos have to pay the franchise tag money to Cassell?

I don't think AFC teams are deathly afraid of NFC East teams. A division needs more than 2 Super Bowl appearances in the last eight years to scare the other conference.

Re: Talking Free Agency

Stacy — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:57:50 -0000

The Pats are that worried about the Broncos in the AFC West? The Chiefs are a little bit farther off than the Broncos, but that just seems like a silly reason to pass up the #12 pick.

Re: Talking Free Agency

BrianSierk — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:44:01 -0000

not a conspiracy, they just didn't want Cassel at a contender. His knowledge of the Pats regime for an NFC east team is his greatest threat to the Pats.

Re: Talking Free Agency

Stacy — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:08:56 -0000

That is fascinating, but I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the Cassel story. It's being reported on ESPN that the Patriots turned down the 12th overall pick and settled on the 34th overall pick. Why the hell would the Broncos get rid of Cutler? I'm sorry, but there's no way I'd rather have Cassel than Cutler. Why the hell would the Pats turn down the #12 pick? Conspiracy theories abound...

Re: Talking Free Agency

AMT — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:06:07 -0000

As a Giants fan, I can only hope that the upshot of this is that Canty performs and Osi, Tuck and Kiwanuka play inspired football trying to prove they're worth more money than the overpaid new guy.