As Scott Pioli's rebuild of the Kansas City Chiefs continues, Adam Schefter of NFL.com is reporting that the team has acquired quarterback Matt Cassel from the New England Patriots. Peter King reports the deal as being Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel -- who was reportedly dealt to Kansas City on Friday -- for Kansas City's second round pick in 2009.
Cassel had been designated as the Patriots' franchise player this offseason and was expected to serve as an insurance policy should Tom Brady's knee not be fully recovered from surgery following his injury in Week 1 last season. Based on this trade, it's fair to assume that the Patriots are very confident that Brady will be 100 percent for the start of '09.
Originally a seventh-round pick by the Patriots in 2005, Cassel started New England's final 15 games this season and helped lead the Patriots to an 11-5 finish, as they became only the second team in over 20 years to miss the postseason with such a record.
He completed 63 percent of his passes, throwing for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns.
It's quite a risk for Kansas City, seeing as how Cassel has very little experience as a starting quarterback above the high school level. He spent his entire college career backing up Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC, and then spent the first three years of his NFL career sitting behind Brady.
- www.nfl.fanshouse.com
2/28/2009, 5:03 pm
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