[quote name='manthing']What gift?
A $14 Mill cap hit? It was too high a price to pay for an unproven(outside the Pats system) QB.
The $14 mil salary SEVERELY dropped Cassel's tradability.[/quote]
What gift? Well, giving Vrabel away for free, and taking less than market value for Cassel. I know, I know, Vrabel is generally considered old and washed up but he is one season removed from a 77 tackle, 12.5 sack year. If nothing else, Vrabel at least held value for the Patriots as a starting OLB.
At first glance the cap hit is too high for what Matt has done so far, but honestly what else do the Chiefs have of value that would give them pause before cutting loose? Gonzo, that lineman they drafted last year, LJ, Bowe, Hali, Derrick Johnson, a few B-level players maybe. The Chiefs are going nowhere so they can afford to wait, resign Cassel to a longer deal and build with a few drafts.
Too high a price to pay? So how do two first rounders, a third, and Neckbeard weigh for you? Teams are overpaying for promising young QBs, it's important for the sellers to cash in whenever possible. Belichick could've gotten more from another team, regardless of how good Cassel turns out to be.