According to Tim Graham of ESPN.com, the New England Patriots are considering putting the franchise tag on quarterback Matt Cassel.
Michael Lombardi, a former NFL executive with several teams, reported on this week’s edition of Showtime’s “Inside the NFL” the New England Patriots will put the franchise tag on Matt Cassel to prevent him from becoming a free agent.
“The Patriots are way too smart, and I’ve talked to people in the organization,” said Lombardi, who worked in the Cleveland Browns’ front office when Bill Belichick was the coach. “They are going to franchise Matt Cassel. He’s an asset and they can control their ability to trade him if they franchise him.”
With the differing reports on the health of Tom Brady’s knee, the Patriots putting the franchise tag on Cassel would be a smart thing because there’s no guarantee Brady will be back in 2009. And it gives the Patriots a very capable quarterback who can lead them back to the playoffs.
