BOSTON — The Patriots placed the franchise tag on quarterback Matt Cassel on Thursday.
The Patriots might keep him if they have doubts Tom Brady will be ready for the start of next season after suffering a serious knee injury in the 2008 opener. If they’re confident Brady will be ready, they could trade Cassel rather than pay him the $14.65 million offer for 2009 in the franchise designation.
For now, Cassel remains a free agent, but the Patriots can match any offer made by another team or allow him to sign with that team in exchange for two first-round draft picks. The franchise tag value is the average of the top five paid NFL players at a particular position.
If and when Cassel signs the one-year designation, he will be under contract to the Patriots and could be dealt. Last season, Cassel finished with 327 completions in 516 attempts (63.4 percent) for 3,693 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Pro Bowl shuffle.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league was close to reaching an agreement with Hawaii on returning the Pro Bowl to the state on a rotating basis.
Next season, the Pro Bowl will be played in Miami on the Sunday before Super Bowl XLIV.
“We think we can improve the Pro Bowl in the sense of bringing greater attention to it, by being on the mainland every once in a while,” Goodell said.
Footnotes.
Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez said he wants to play for a Super Bowl contender and suggested: “Maybe it would be best for both sides where they can trade me, get something for me, and I can go somewhere and try to get a championship.”
• Falcons offensive tackle Todd Weiner announced his retirement after an 11-year NFL career.
Denver Post staff & wire services
