Over the weekend, the New England Patriots traded both LB Mike Vrabel and QB Matt Cassel to the Kansas City Chiefs for the Chiefs’ second round draft pick in this year’s draft, the 34th overall pick. This instantly sent shockwaves through the NFL community as Cassel was being shopped heavily as bait for the Carolina Panthers’ DE Julius Peppers, and very quietly as part of a 3-way package to Denver via Tampa Bay (or Detroit), in exchange for Jay Cutler, draft picks, and other assorted picture postcards.
So, here's where it gets weird.
Over the weekend, the New England Patriots traded both LB Mike Vrabel and QB Matt Cassel to the Kansas City Chiefs for the Chiefs’ second round draft pick in this year’s draft, the 34th overall pick. This instantly sent shockwaves through the NFL community as Cassel was being shopped heavily as bait for the Carolina Panthers’ DE Julius Peppers, and very quietly as part of a 3-way package to Denver via Tampa Bay (or Detroit), in exchange for Jay Cutler, draft picks, and other assorted picture postcards.
So, here's where it gets weird.
Denver apparently coveted Matt Cassel, which was news to both their fanbase and to their current quarterback, Jay Cutler. He is, quite rightfully, extremely upset about the situation. And depending on who you talk to may have demanded a trade out of the Burros' backfield. New head coach Josh McDaniels and GM Brian Xanders are being criticized for keeping Cutler in the dark about his future with the franchise, and both now have some serious PR work to do with not only the fans, but with their disgruntled QB.
A very interesting development has come up also in the trade that was made. See, the Patriots had quite a few offers from other teams for Matt Cassel. Including the Denver Broncos' 1st round pick, the 12th selection overall and that was JUST for Cassel. So why would noted-hardass Bill Belichick and the Patriots not only not take the deal that would've netted them a MUCH better pick, but then also throw in Mike Vrabel for essentially nothing? Collusion is a word that's starting to get thrown around and it's very hard to argue against.
Kansas City's new GM is Scott Pioli, Belichick's right hand man for the Pats' championship run. So the current theory is Pioli and Belichick did a deal behind everyone's back and Bill sent Pioli a farewell present with Vrabel and Cassel for a bag of magic beans. Now there's nothing wrong, per se, about the Pats' choice of trade partners, but something doesn't smell right about this trade.
All I have to say though, is Tom Brady's knee better be a-ok by July when training camp opens.
