Why did the Pats trade 2 pretty good players for only one 2nd round draft pick?

It was one sided. The Patriots got the better of the deal by a long ways when you take the time to analize what really happened here. The Pats get the 34th pick in the draft (and we know they know how to draft in that general area quite well), they save big rookie bonus money by not ending up with the 1st rounder and they shaved a full 21 million off this years salary cap. They already have O'Connell to back up Brady and if anyone thinks back to the preseason the Pats nearly cut Cassel because he was outplayed by O'Connell and the Pats had stated they believed he had a higher upside in the first place. Bradys injury gave Cassel the shot only because the Pats wanted to protect O'Connell in basically the same fashion they did with Brady coming up so they basically turned a fortunate set of circumstances into the 34th pick and shaved salary. Vrabel has lost a step and was making big money too (his cap hit was over 7 mill) and the Pats have solid LBs and the draft is deep with LBs this year (especially the standup DE/LB types the Pats favor). So yea....it was unfair but since everyone thinks the Pats cheat anyways once they figure out what the Pats pulled off this time they will call them cheaters again. Cassel got planted 47 times last year (Brady almost never ended up on his back) with virtually the same line and top receivers (something Brady didnt always have) so good luck to Matt behind the Chiefs line and with their receivers (Bowe is good...the rest....well, and Gonzalez might yet get moved) so those dran Pats snookered someone else. I like Cassel but if he holds the ball behind that line the way he did behind the Pats line he will be this seasons version of Derick Anderson.

Actually, I think the Patriots got a great deal. Cassel is the product of a system. He may have improved under Belichick, but he was a backup in college for a reason. Sure, he was behind Palmer and Leinart at USC, but considering what Leinart has done in the pros, Cassel should have been able to beat him out.

He will probably have the same success in Kansas City, because it will essentially be the same system. If New England doesn't trade him, they keep him for the season, and he goes somewhere else and New England gets nothing.

Because while matt Cassel's stock is at peek, He is a guy that was good for 1 year on a team with Moss, and Welker. Don't get me wrong i like the guy but that's why the didn't get a first,and as far as Vrabel goes, if the eagles can only get a 5th, and a possible 4th for a guy like lito shepard(27yrs old, and a 2time pro bowler) than theweren'twerent gonna get more than a 7th for Vrabel( 33yrs old,62 tackles and 4sacks).

So if you put the two together the you get the 2nd pick in the 2nd round(34th overall). i think its a good deal for the pats.

Well, Cassel isn't really that good. He's also EXTREMELY overpaid due to the franchise tag. That aside, adding Vrabel to the mix, it does seem a little odd for a second round pick, although its about the equivalent of a late first rounder.

The only thing I can think of, is they wanted a high pick (and that pick is relatively high when you consider 7 rounds of picks), there will be talent there, and they wanted to unload some salary in Cassel and Vrabel.

If Tom Brady knee goes out again, (I'm not sayin it is, I'm just sayin what if) then the Pats are in some huge trouble. You guys have plenty of line backers for this year, its just a matter of Tom Brady being ready. I thought the 2nd round draft pick was a bit too little. I would have traded Cassel and Vrabel for a 2nd & 5th round draft pick.

Honestly, I thought they could have gotten the Chiefs 3rd overall pick. Maybe the Pats just didn't want to pay a rookie the kind of money he would get in that slot. Also, maybe the Pats have something bigger planned? I keep hearing they might go after Julius Peppers?

http://sportsbybrooks.com/is-peppers-reason-for-lo...

well vrabel is old and he was kinda becoming a burden for the patriots. Cassel is an amazing QB but they needed to unload him for salary purposes. in the next NFL draft the class is so deep that a second round pick will go a long way. i agree they could have done better but the deal isn't terrible

I thought the same thing

Would have made scents for the Vikings to give up their 1st round pick for this deal

I'm confused

probably for cap reasons

dont doubt Bill B