Cassel is Chief

Free agency is taking in effect in full swing already with the signing of Haynesworth and many other trades around the league. We saw Bart Scott signed with the Jets and the Jets have also got a new corner for next season in former Eagle, Lito Sheppard for two future draft picks sent to the Eagles. Also, it was announced officially that Brian Dawkins signed with the Denver Broncos. Most surprisingly in the day was the trade between the Patriots and Chiefs. The New England Patriots sent QB Matt Cassel to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs gave up their second round draft pick (34th overall) for Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel.

This trade between the Patriots and Chiefs caught me by surprise. I knew ahead of time that Mike Vrabel was going to the Chiefs a day ago. Then I heard Matt Cassel was going too, it really got me off guard. I was not expecting that at all. I would have thought that the Patriots would’ve kept Cassel as an insurance policy if Brady was not ready by next season or couldn’t perform like he did before he got hurt. Maybe the Patriots believe that Brady will be ready by then and will be able to perform at a 100% level when the season starts. Let’s hope they got a new insurance plan.

When I thought about this trade, I could see why the Chiefs got Cassel and Vrabel…Scott Pioli. Pioli was the director of personnel with the Patriots and he knew the players very well. He knew of their work ethic and that they could play well on the field. “I have a long history with both players,” Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli -- and former Patriots personnel director -- said in a statement. “Mike and Matt are men that I respect both personally and professionally. I look forward to having them as new members of the Chiefs family.” So the trade made sense. The Chiefs needed a linebacker and got a great one in Vrabel who can fill in the leadership role that the Chiefs defense lacks. He can even play a little offense too at tight end. Getting Matt Cassel helps the Chief’s QB situation as well. Before the trade the starter looked like it was going to be Tyler Thigpen. Thigpen can play and has showed that last season, but he’s not a quarterback you’re too sure about as of yet. Now the Chiefs’ have two decent quarterbacks on the roster with Thigpen and Cassel who will compete for the job, but I believe Cassel will get the job come September. So they have some wiggle room in the QB position. If Cassel can’t play like he was in New England, they can bench him and move on with Thigpen. Let’s remember that Cassel was good because of the coaches in New England and the supporting cast on offense. So there is no real 100% guarantee on how this deal will work out as of now. On paper this looks like a great deal, but that could change when he begins to play come next season.

Overall, I think this deal will help the Chiefs out tremendously. They got a QB and a LB where they needed some help on their roster. With that set, they can focus on getting some help for Cassel at the wide receiver position. They already have Dwayne Bowe, but they should add another wide receiver that will compliment Bowe in the offense. A good option could be to get one from free agency. Maybe get Lance Moore or Laveranues Coles. If not in free agency, draft one in the late rounds. Or if LB Aaron Curry is taken before the third pick in the first round, then draft a wide receiver in Crabtree or Maklin, but I believe Curry will be there at that spot and they should take him. There are other options at wide receiver that will be available by the second/third round like Hakeem Nicks, Brandon LaFell, Jauquin Iglesias, or Derrick Williams. Hopefully Tony Gonzalez is happy with the moves the Chiefs are making this off season.