Pats confirm Cassel, Vrabel traded to KC
Published: February 28, 2009
Updated: February 28, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2009
PATRIOTS TRADE LB MIKE VRABEL AND QB MATT CASSEL TO KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots have traded linebacker Mike Vrabel and quarterback Matt Cassel to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for the Chiefs second-round pick (34th overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft.
“When Mike arrived in 2001, we knew we were adding a solid outside linebacker,” said Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick. “But where Mike took it from there exceeded our highest hopes. Mike Vrabel epitomizes everything a coach could seek in a professional football player: toughness, intelligence, playmaking, leadership, versatility and consistency at the highest level. Behind the scenes, Mike’s wit and personality is one of the things we have all enjoyed about coming to work every day. The toughest aspect of my job is the day I stop coaching people like Mike, who did everything in his power to contribute to team success. Of all the players I have coached in my career, there is nobody I enjoyed working with more than Mike. In the same way people recognize guys like Troy Brown, we appreciate and thank Mike Vrabel. He is one of the very special Patriots champions.“
As for Matt Cassel, Coach Belichick added, “It is very easy to root for guys like Matt Cassel, who do everything the right way and flourish as a result. As much as we would have loved to continue working with Matt, we wish him nothing but the best as he takes this next step forward in his career.“
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John, again no offense…just discussing. Do you for one minute think that any team, in any sport, is not trying to get “one up” on their competition? Do you not think there are people in the “stands”, with binoculars, and cellphones, that will feed info to their team?
Its a staple of the “game” no matter what the sport may be. The Pats videotaped….their bad. Was this at the direction of the B ? Has anyone said so? Any personal charges…or did the B take the hit for his “crew”?
Don’t really have any answers…only asking questions.
Ray-500
So if anyone is a Pats fan they cannot believe that B cheated?
Read my comment again. Notice that it ends in a ? That means question not statement! Therefore no facts or data are needed to ask a question. It wasn’t even an opinion although I do believe the Pats filmed opponents practices.I guess if anyone is a Pats fan they have to deny that right?
Anyway just like the Pats, no offense to you either from a Giants fan.
John, do you just dislike the Pats…or the B? No problem if you are not a Pats fan…each person has their own fav.
When you begin speaking of “payoff” and “silence” you are entering a different arena. Any facts or data to back up your comments?
Opinion is one thing, and as most folks know…they are like axxholes…everyone has one. In discussion, facts are much more relevant than pure “opinion”. No offense intended at all.
I disagree….they have a very narrow window of “earning opportunity”.
You and I…and most folks I know that love football, would not last one single snap of the ball in the NFL. They put their bodies and careers on the line with every game. My own opinion is “go for it”...your years are limited and you need to protect your future.
Compare this to Hollywood. Don’t care how good an “actor/actress” anyone is. The $$ are unreal! Do they even begin to compare to an NFL player that puts their bodies, lives and futures…on the line…week after week? Really don’t think so.
To say that ANY NFL player is “overpaid”, IMHO, is an erroneous statement. Compared to what?
Sports athletes get way too much $$$ and it costs so much to go to a game its ridiculous! They should put a cap on spending before it gets any worse. After all its just a game! Commercalism at its worst!
Is this what Belichick had to do to pay off Pioli for his silence on “spygate” ?
WOW….all that for a 2nd round pick???? A franchised QB and a top-notch linebacker?? I am dumbfounded ! Given the new connection to the Chiefs, conspiracy theorists should have a field day with this one for the next couple of years. Does someone hold a little extra leverage ??? hmmmmmm…...
I understand Cassel…they cannot afford to have two “high pay” QBs. But Vrabel? Cannot understand that one.
It is understood that the “game” is a business, and that works both ways. I will never questions a player trying to get as many bucks as he can. In any given game, his career can be ended with a serious injury…and it has happened to newbies. Thinking of Williams (?) who got screwed up during a sandlot game at the Pro Bowl.
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