Bucs Lose Out On Matt Cassel
March 14th, 2013
Bucs coach Greg Schiano has been adamant about competition looking for a better backup for Bucs starting quarterback Josh Freeman. It seems one of those targets to compete with backup Freeman is now signed elsewhere.
Dan Hanzus of NFL.com reports the Bucs lost out on Cassel because Cassel believed he had a better shot at beating out Christian Ponder than Freeman.
Fox Sports Insider and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer reported Thursday that the Vikings have agreed to terms on a contract with Matt Cassel. NFL.com’s Albert Breer reported, per a source, that Cassel picked the Vikings over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Cassel, who turns 31 in May, has a 29-33 career record as a starter with 82 touchdown, 57 interceptions and a passer rating of 80.4. Cassel spent the past four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, who recently replaced him as starter by trading for Alex Smith. Cassel was released earlier Thursday.
This is a smart move by the Vikings, whose lack of depth at QB was laid bare in the NFC wild-card round. Joe Webb struggled mightily in place of an injured Ponder in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Joe is not broken up by this. Shoot, Cassel’s turnover ratio made Freeman’s struggles look like he was Tom Brady. Cassel was nothing less than a turnover machine and was benched for Brady Quinn of all people!
David Carr is still there for the taking for Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik.
March 14th, 2013 at 4:39 pm
So he thinks Ponder is easier to beat than Freeman…
March 14th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
@Joe
You should point this out to your pal, Adam Schein.
March 14th, 2013 at 4:43 pm
So Steven Jackson wants to face the #1 rush defense twice a year huh, bring your old ass on!!! -Falcons suck!!
March 14th, 2013 at 4:46 pm
That should read “Bucs win out on Cassel” lol
March 14th, 2013 at 4:46 pm
This would be the least of our concerns…
March 14th, 2013 at 4:47 pm
Like I tell all the low-information haters…Freeman is better than everyone else available…and he’s right where we need him to be. He will be even better once we add the o-line depth – and maybe get what we paid for from our HIGHLY paid offensive line – but it seems a full season of work from Penn, Nicks, and Joseph is a bit too much to ask.
When you morons figure out how many games that starting line has taken the field…together…you’ll find out what happened to Freeman.
for those of you who wait to be told what to think – I’ll settle for at least HALF a season with all three of our o-lineman making the same number of starts as the QB…
March 14th, 2013 at 4:52 pm
Cassel made the decision to play for the Vikes. He has a better chance to start with Minny.
Is Mark Dom a TERRIBLE negotiator or does he just not know how to multitask???
Because we just watched most of the CB market dry up in 3 days.
March 14th, 2013 at 4:54 pm
Thank goodness he chose the Vikes. The guy is horrible. It’s a win for the Bucs.
March 14th, 2013 at 4:56 pm
Why, Schein was correct.
March 14th, 2013 at 4:57 pm
@Sneedy: Are you kidding? Of course Ponder is easier to beat out than Freeman. The Bucs beat the Vikings partly because Ponder can’t throw the ball. Freeman is way more talented than Ponder or Cassel. Besides, this is Freeman’s gig this season anyway because the Bucs brass wants to see if he plays well enough to earn that new contract.
March 14th, 2013 at 4:58 pm
While it would be great to get a backup for Josh, how about grabbing at least ONE starting CB while there are still some decent ones on the market. Smith, Cox, Lewis, and Williams are gone, which leaves Grimes, Asomugha, Biggers, Talib, Jammer and Brown basically left. Would REALLY suck to not end up with Revis and then lose out on all the remaining starters available. If Dominik was able to craft an offer that GB couldn’t match to grab Shields, he’d only cost them a 2nd this year.
March 14th, 2013 at 5:00 pm
Who would be mad if the Bucs resigned Talib right now?
March 14th, 2013 at 5:08 pm
Bucs signed Kevin Ogletree
Cut Quincy Black
Hear theyre looking at Kolb
March 14th, 2013 at 5:12 pm
@Pete 422
I was being sarcastic.
March 14th, 2013 at 5:19 pm
I dont care about this crapola. Two idiots.
March 14th, 2013 at 5:27 pm
Am I the only one around here that is becoming increasingly nervous about the fact that we go from a “buyers market” for cornerbacks, to now most if not all of the top CB’s have signed elsewhere?
March 14th, 2013 at 5:27 pm
Well we got more Dallass trash.. Ogletree
March 14th, 2013 at 5:41 pm
They can have him, Cassel is a bum.
What has me worried is losing out on all of the CBs. This makes it look more and more like they pull the trigger on Revis, as each CB that comes off the market decreases any leverage Dominik has (despite how fractured the Jets/Revis relationship has become).
Something I’m curious about is why nobody has mentioned DeAngelo Hall as a CB possibility. He has already made A TON of money, so a reasonable contract shouldn’t be out of the question. He has great work ethic, is highly regarded by teammates, and should be able to remain productive even after losing a step. He could also be a great mentor to any CBs that get drafted. Just a thought…
March 14th, 2013 at 6:02 pm
Why not sign Ryan Fitzpatrick. He had similar numbers to Freeman with less talent around him in
March 14th, 2013 at 6:43 pm
Should have picke Bruce Gradkowski back up when we had the chance…lol
March 14th, 2013 at 8:01 pm
ScottB, my thought also.
March 17th, 2013 at 3:52 pm
“Cassel believed he had a better shot at beating out Christian Ponder than Freeman.”
Erroneous reporting.
The real story: http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/blogs/198513891.html