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.

22 Responses to “Bucs Lose Out On Matt Cassel”

  1. Sneedy16 Says:

    So he thinks Ponder is easier to beat than Freeman…

  2. Bucs4life Says:

    @Joe

    You should point this out to your pal, Adam Schein.

  3. Colorado Buc Says:

    So Steven Jackson wants to face the #1 rush defense twice a year huh, bring your old ass on!!! -Falcons suck!!

  4. Gus Says:

    That should read “Bucs win out on Cassel” lol

  5. ShutTheBucUp Says:

    This would be the least of our concerns…

  6. White Tiger Says:

    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…

  7. Bucs Fan #238 Says:

    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.

  8. Mr. Patrick Says:

    Thank goodness he chose the Vikes. The guy is horrible. It’s a win for the Bucs.

  9. Joe Says:

    You should point this out to your pal, Adam Schein.

    Why, Schein was correct.

  10. Pete 422 Says:

    @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.

  11. FlBoy84 Says:

    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.

  12. Bucs Fan #238 Says:

    Who would be mad if the Bucs resigned Talib right now?

  13. Andrew 2 Says:

    Bucs signed Kevin Ogletree

    Cut Quincy Black

    Hear theyre looking at Kolb

  14. Sneedy16 Says:

    @Pete 422

    I was being sarcastic.

  15. Architek Says:

    I dont care about this crapola. Two idiots.

  16. ShiverMETimbers Says:

    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?

  17. dux0606 Says:

    Well we got more Dallass trash.. Ogletree

  18. Big Marlon B Says:

    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…

  19. ScottB Says:

    Why not sign Ryan Fitzpatrick. He had similar numbers to Freeman with less talent around him in

  20. Colorado Buc Says:

    Should have picke Bruce Gradkowski back up when we had the chance…lol

  21. Mike J Says:

    ScottB, my thought also.

  22. Paul Says:

    “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