So the Patriots may “only” have gotten a second round draft pick from the Chiefs for Matt Cassel, but that doesn’t even hint at the intrigue that was involved. According to Pro Football Talk, the Patriots passed on a better deal from the Broncos… in part because the Broncos offer (of a first round pick) came after the Chiefs and Pats reached an agreement, and in part because the Patriots would rather give a valued player to Pioli - the architect of the Patriots’ success - than to McDaniels, now a rival coach.
My assessment would add that the Broncos and Patriots really don’t like each other, and that the Chiefs are the less likely threat at this time. So that might also explain why (according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen) it was the Patriots that leaked word of the Broncos interest in Cassel, in order to “mess” with the Broncos. And from Jay Cutler’s reaction over the past day, it certainly worked. The Broncos, although swooping up free agents by the armful, are also now a franchise in turmoil, and Josh McDaniels is already on the hot seat. I am thinking his midfield greeting of Bill Belichick is going to rival that of Eric Mangini for its coldness.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were ready to give up a first and a third rounder to land Cassel, but simply arrived late. Kudos to Scott Pioli for striking while the iron was hot, and while the Patriots were uncertain of the market that would exist for Cassel’s services. It’s still not a bad deal for the Patriots, but without Pioli in their front office the team didn’t seem to read the tea leaves quite right in this situation.
