Kansas City Chiefs Aquire Matt Cassel In Trade With Patriots

As first reported by NFL.com, Matt Cassel has been traded as part of the Mike Vrabel deal to the Kansas City Chiefs for their second-round (No. 34) pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

After Tom Brady was lost for the 2008 season in the opener against the Chiefs, Cassell took over the reigns and had an excellent season with 3,693 yards passing and a 63 percent completion rate. He had 21 touchdown passes compared to only 11 interceptions.

He led the Pats to an 11-5 record, finishing up strong winning their last four games. Cassel played extremely well in those final four games throwing eight TDs with only one INT.

"I have a long history with both players," Chiefs new GM Scott Pioli said. "Mike and Matt are men that I respect both personally and professionally. I look forward to having them as new members of the Chiefs family."

I was one wanting the Chiefs to give Tyler Thigpen the starting job for '09 but since they want to go with another QB this is an excellent trade. And now if Thigpen is bumped to No. 2 this gives KC some much needed depth at the position.

This is much better than using their first round (No. 3 overall) pick on a signal caller.

After Matt Cassel's performance last season and being so young, he is a legitimate first round-level talent, so he is well deserving of the second round pick the Chiefs are giving up.

If the Detroit Lions take Matt Stafford with the No. 1 overall pick, which appears likely, and he has a season like Cassel did last year they would be more than pleased.

Throw Pro Bowl linebacker Mike Vrabel in the package, and this is an even better deal for the Chiefs. Vrabel brings much-needed leadership to KC's defense and has at least a couple of solid years left in him.

Let's not discount the fact that Vrabel was a major factor in the Patriots three Super Bowl titles. He is a winner!

That is so important to instill that winning attitude into the youthful Chiefs.

Now that the Chiefs have got their QB and a top-quality linebacker, go out and get Michael Crabtree with that No. 3 pick.