Cowboys trade for Bills QB Matt Cassel

[NoDak]

That's absolutely up for debate.

Not really. That 'starter' wasn't a starter a few days ago. Or are you trying to tell us that what a player makes is in direct correlation to how good he is? If so, maybe RGIII is one of the best QBs in the NFL after all. Or perhaps Jeremy Mincey is better than Randy Gregory?

 

[Smitty]

I'm kinda in the "this is a steep price" camp. It's one thing to drop from say, the end of the fourth to the top of the fifth, but by time you factor in the compensatory picks in those late rounds, you are essentially giving me up a pick that actually has some value for one that has none. In my mind it ceases to be a "we are just moving down a few picks" move at that point.

By itself maybe not such a big deal but we need to stop trading away late picks. We've been doing that a lot lately. Id like to see us start trying to recoup some.

 

[boozeman]

I'm kinda in the "this is a steep price" camp. It's one thing to drop from say, the end of the fourth to the top of the fifth, but by time you factor in the compensatory picks in those late rounds, you are essentially giving me up a pick that actually has some value for one that has none. In my mind it ceases to be a "we are just moving down a few picks" move at that point.

By itself maybe not such a big deal but we need to stop trading away late picks. We've been doing that a lot lately. Id like to see us start trying to recoup some.

One way we seem to have gotten better and younger is by drafting better.

I realize we will have some comp picks coming, they might not be what we thought.

Look at Murray. As sucky as he is playing, it might end up being at best a sixth.

 

[L.T. Fan]

In that case, the backup is going to make 3 times what the starter makes.

Won't be the first time. Look at RG111.

 

[Genghis Khan]

A 5th for a backup backup is too damn much. It's ridiculous really. The bus driver argument could be applied to Ponder, too. And he could have been had for free. We gave up our 2017 5th rounder for a "just in case". Stupid.

Technically it's a 5th for Cassel and a 7th. That's more palatable to me since we really didn't give up a pick, we just traded down 50 or so spots. It's also more palatable being a 2017 pick, since picks two years in the future are worth less.

I also wouldn't look at Cassel as a backup, he's more like insurance.

 

[Carp]

In that case, the backup is going to make 3 times what the starter makes.

You care about this for what reason?

 

[Carp]

Technically it's a 5th for Cassel and a 7th. That's more palatable to me since we really didn't give up a pick, we just traded down 50 or so spots. It's also more palatable being a 2017 pick, since picks two years in the future are worth less.

I also wouldn't look at Cassel as a backup, he's more like insurance.

Yep, but it you don't mention the 7th we get back it makes it much more dramatic.

 

[NoDak]

Technically it's a 5th for Cassel and a 7th. That's more palatable to me since we really didn't give up a pick, we just traded down 50 or so spots. It's also more palatable being a 2017 pick, since picks two years in the future are worth less.

I also wouldn't look at Cassel as a backup, he's more like insurance.

Yep. If we hadn't done anything, people would be crying about how our inept FO is stupid for doing nothing to solidify the position. They actually do something, and people cry about that. This wasn't a big price to pay for a guy that could have to play over the next 8 weeks. People might not like the player they picked, but BFD. The team obviously liked him over what was available. He has started a lot of games in this league, and has played in systems similar to ours. He's played under both Norv Turner and Todd Haley, so it shouldn't take him as long as it would the other guys to pick it up.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Technically it's a 5th for Cassel and a 7th. That's more palatable to me since we really didn't give up a pick, we just traded down 50 or so spots. It's also more palatable being a 2017 pick, since picks two years in the future are worth less.

I also wouldn't look at Cassel as a backup, he's more like insurance.

The problem is I basically look at seventh round picks as throw away picks. Hell our team even treats them that way. The reason the fifth hurts is because we actually seems to draft well in the fifth. Russel, Scandrick, Randle (Laugh if you want but he is a starter and a fifth round pick), Street (Again starting right now).

To me you don't get up more then a seventh rounder on a guy who is basically a throw away player.

 

[Carp]

Comical that a 5th is too much to give up for a back up QB. Teams commit finances and draft resources all the time to address the back up QB spot. Every team hopes they never have to call on the back up.

 

[E_D_Guapo]

I also wouldn't look at Cassel as a backup, he's more like insurance.

That is definitely what it is. I don't love the player and the price is too steep IMO, but I'd imagine Buffalo (& any other team they may have called about a potential trade) wanted something worth their while since they know Dallas is kind of up a creek at the QB position.

The argument could be made that someone like Ponder could have been signed as a free agent and would be just as good (well, just as shitty in all likelihood). I come down more on that side of things but Cassel at least has a good bit of experience and that is probably what made them choose him.

Hopefully it won't matter and he'll never have to play. I won't kill them for the move because they are trying to contend this year & if Weeden gets hurt they need someone better than Moore, but not having that pick in 2017 will sting.

 

[NoDak]

Now we're using Street as an example of a starter found in the 5th? A couple weeks ago, he was a bum. And since when is Street starting? Last I saw, the two starting WRs were Williams and Beasley.

 

[boozeman]

Comical that a 5th is too much to give up for a back up QB. Teams commit finances and draft resources all the time to address the back up QB spot. Every team hopes they never have to call on the back up.

Well, we paid Orton $3M a year to basically be a drunk fucktard who came up small in his one chance in two years.

Yeah. We are like everyone else, just struggling to find that elusive backup QB.

Fact is, we have no clue what to do and our solution is to throw money at insurance.

Scares me to death that we will be back in the Quincy Carter business in a few years when Romo is used up.

 

[Cotton]

Not really. That 'starter' wasn't a starter a few days ago. Or are you trying to tell us that what a player makes is in direct correlation to how good he is? If so, maybe RGIII is one of the best QBs in the NFL after all. Or perhaps Jeremy Mincey is better than Randy Gregory?

We traded and paid for a QB that will be making 3 times as the guy in front of him. That's all I'm saying. Oh, and gave up a 5th for him.

 

[boozeman]

Now we're using Street as an example of a starter found in the 5th? A couple weeks ago, he was a bum. And since when is Street starting? Last I saw, the two starting WRs were Williams and Beasley.

Draft choices matter even if the guys we choose suck. It is the idea of them, not the idea that hey, if we fuck that up we might trip over our own dick and get some undrafted guy.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Comical that a 5th is too much to give up for a back up QB. Teams commit finances and draft resources all the time to address the back up QB spot. Every team hopes they never have to call on the back up.

A backup QB who was cut by his own team and available for anyone to pick up only a couple weeks ago.

 

[Cotton]

Technically it's a 5th for Cassel and a 7th. That's more palatable to me since we really didn't give up a pick, we just traded down 50 or so spots. It's also more palatable being a 2017 pick, since picks two years in the future are worth less.

I also wouldn't look at Cassel as a backup, he's more like insurance.

Dude, dropping 50 spots is a big deal for "insurance". And it's not likely to be just 50 since the Bills look like they just might do something this year and next.

Listen, we are giving up a 5th for a shit pick. For a QB that is has done nothing but bounce around the NFL and will (supposedly) just be a backup here. I think it's a terrible move for what we paid.

 

[NoDak]

We traded and paid for a QB that will be making 3 times as the guy in front of him. That's all I'm saying.

No, you basically said it's a criticism of the starter. Which it isn't. Unless you want to tell me Gregory isn't as good as the better paid starter in front of him.

Oh, and gave up a 5th for him.

For the most important position on the field. Oh, and also got a 7th back too.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Listen, we are giving up a 5th for a shit pick. For a QB that is has done nothing but bounce around the NFL and will (supposedly) just be a backup here. I think it's a terrible move for what we paid.

And almost certainly won't be on the roster past this year either. Its a fifth round pick for a one year rental who you hope never sees the field.

 

[NoDak]

Draft choices matter even if the guys we choose suck. It is the idea of them, not the idea that hey, if we fuck that up we might trip over our own dick and get some undrafted guy.

I never once said draft picks didn't matter. Only that I can see spending a 5th on a position of importance. Especially if we're trying to salvage what a lot of people think is a championship caliber season.