Patriots To Put Franchise Tag On Cassel

After Cassel's resilient and much improved performance, the Patriots want to make sure he stays with the team until at least the start of next season. They plan to place Cassel under a franchise tag, meaning he can't be traded or acquired by any other organization during the off season. With Tom Brady struggling to return to full strength in his rehabilitation process, there is uncertainty about the starting quarterback for 2009. Although it's likely that Brady will play a significant portion of the 2009 regular season, there is serious doubt about him being ready for the opening game. The exact amount of time Brady needs to reecover and become active on the practice field is unknown, and he will likely undergo more surgeries in the upcoming months. New England expects to pay $14 million for Cassel in 2009 and along with the $15 million for Brady, it amounts to an extremely high price for the quarterback position. However with the increased salary cap limit that will be enforced next year, the Patriots will still be well within the alloted spending. Based on the much improved play during the second half of the season, it's clear that Cassel has adjusted well to the Patriots offense, and to his teammates. His increased knowledge of the playbook will mean more options in the passing game and less of a forced reliance on the trio of Patriots runningbacks if he does play in 2009. Right now estimates for Brady's return as starting quarterback range from the first regular season game until near the halfway point in the season. With all of this uncertainty, the decision to franchise Cassel for the upcoming year provides a secure future for the Patriots organization, which has been through many challenges so far.

By Chad Fukuoka
ProFootball-fans.com New England Patriots Correspondent