Don Banks, Sports Illustrated

Well everybody's been abuzz all weekend long about the news that the Patriots traded quarterback Matt Cassel. And linebacker Mike Vrabel of the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for the Chiefs second round pick 34 overall in. We've been talking about it would you guys all morning as well. Let's let's get another learned opinion right now joining us on the AT&T hotline AT&T. Your world delivered -- our buddy Don banks from Sports Illustrated and SI dot com hey Don.

Hey guys howry. Are you might have did you sparky always said learned there opinion there. No not at all not at all because I bow down at the alter things. What -- the target don't have one you know at night. And that despite the fact that the -- that your piece on SI dot com has headlines Patriots could have asked -- replica not a mean no more no altered -- Yet it's -- but. Certainly do you believe that you think the Patriots have gotten more.

Well I I think. Yeah I think because of I think he'd built -- that probably. Could've been a little more patience in finding out what the other deals that were on the table. Yeah I wrote that pretty quickly right after the Cassel feels the castle news broke. And that was my eye and snap judgment as a as it was but I think. Yeah as the story got fleshed out throughout the weekend it's clear. That he'd probably took. The bird and before he really looked -- early into the three way deal that where at least. Circulating out there.

So but there's a story out that -- or there are rumors that story right now there are rumors that. The Patriots couldn't have gotten the first from Denver actually Denver was going to get the first and they're from Tampa. And then that when it's in the -- in no way -- it was going to be a true. Have you heard anything about that.

I -- that nothing more than just tell you described it mean I think it's. This is -- those stories is going to be. And the after shots for quite a lot you're going to hear a lot of different permutations of the scenario that we're out there. I think the London that that's probably going to call last stand the test the time is that -- boats -- probably didn't want to. Go to the trouble of trying to look to thoroughly into a three way deal for fear that those usually. Blow up because -- just much more complicated.

He'd given Scott pioli is word on the second.

Didn't want any part of the number three I believe that that that number three pick overall is not a Patriots draft slot and in this case. Probably took less than it was going to get from some other teams but. Did it made the decision he had before him.

Feeling like the team needed to create the cap room quickly and get busy filling other holes on the roster.

What's your gut feeling when we we can't play in this game earlier -- they now have four of the top 58 picks if memory serves me correctly the first round. And the three seconds. What are the chances that you think they take all four of those picks exactly where they are.

Well yeah that there wouldn't be that would be Patriot like but I do think in this case. They're pretty thrilled to have that that little catch chase sitting there and they definitely have been needs to. I think it's 5050. It's so it would be an exception to the Patriots way of -- approaching the draft but in this case they line up really nicely. For trying to get at safety trying to get another inside linebacker Tedy Bruschi replacement to try to get another outside linebacker. If they they feel they don't have they need. In Pierre Woods.

All of minute gone I was very surprised when Mike Vrabel was including in the Kansas City trade. What did you think of Vrabel played last year when you think you'll be able to do for Kansas City.

Well I don't surprised to Israel I wrote that of the quick snap judgment on Saturday it as well or Friday as well was -- broke. You know I thought if it is play is definitely slipped. In the middle -- season is he was not the Mike Vrabel play making machine that we have come to watch. And and know well over the years but I thought he finished so strong. And I thought it was such an important part. Kind of you know the Patriot leadership structure in the locker room. That I didn't think he was real vulnerable I thought. They'll pick Bruschi replacement this year maybe even try to get him on the field at the time. Going to be different city and and and then next year maybe they they try to fill that the Mike Vrabel flawed but. I think still you know I think he'll bring something to Kansas City. Obviously from teaching the other guys how to work in had to do things the Patriots way think that this first of most important job in Kansas City on the field. It'll probably be. You know eight he's in descending performance level but I think he's probably will be reinvigorated by a bit of a fresh start it being having something to prove it. Feeling as if Scott pioli. You know what out got a for a reason don't want to show up on the field so. I think they'll probably get a good Europe maybe two out.

You know looking at the Denver and of this whole thing now that. Patriots fans care about it but your colleague and our friend Peter King wrote an interesting tidbit Monday morning quarterback today where. He heard Jay Cutler asked to be traded. After his offensive coordinator went to USC. Now he's crying like a stuck -- at the fact that they would even consider trading.

Want to look at it needs to relax and he needs to grow up a little. -- bus cook is agent kind of said we don't call the Colts and after -- you know compatriot as for Brady they had another ridiculous example.

Can't cover seventeen to twentieth and had a self starter hasn't won a playoff game I get beneath a promising young quarterback I'd like Jay Cutler like them.

You know it is grass season of those six better than the other two quarterbacks liner and young coming out but. Let's get over 500 before we start at.

As this it's it's in an injustice Steven here are being. And I entertained in a trade offer that it doesn't go.

Hand in hand with me when -- three games under 500 and you haven't done anything yet in the NFL other than the regular season --

If he does well this wounds will heal. It'll be much ado about nothing I think in the long run last Jay Cutler really really stayed in mature and and how about this these -- are often.

I think the great Bill Parcells probably said it best let's not put him and can't yet. Talking about Jay Cutler. But you know that god or some big fish that landed in some big places with with quite a splash over the weekend Albert Haynes worth. Bart Scott as another guy who sat next one's closer next to free agent that is. Going to surprise that's what the numbers in May be surprised with the team he goes to U.

Well -- the next big name is TJ Houshmandzadeh. And it and it. He's going to be a viking it's sounded like that's the way things were leaning I think that be a great move for them.

Not sure that.

Anybody's too because seven million dollar per year guys that are up are probably.

I've probably done right now this can't keep being the latest. Group you know. Read Peter's mind white quarterbacks -- great behind the scenes look at how that went down that.

Maybe in I got to brad blank are a mutual friend a little well it. Suffice to say that the Redskins really did -- last -- pulled the rug out from underneath Chris Canty.

In the wee hours of Friday morning in Atlanta went jumping on Albert Haynesworth but.

I guess PGA is that is that is the biggest name that's still out there are other than. When Ray Lewis went back to Baltimore with his -- company has led.

What do you think the Washington Redskins. Have strapped themselves in four because from the outside looking in it appears that they haven't learned a damn thing over the here.

Yeah I have hope for a last year because they finally kind of quieted down. It's not that I'm knocking Albert Haynesworth.

I'm not sold on DeAngelo Hall he hasn't been a long term answer and it anywhere that he's ever ban.

But I just wonder the mentality that they gave into this year in going. So big after -- is worth. It just speaks to a lesson not learned because.

And as nice as I wrote on Friday. You know the litany of Redskins free agents signings.

How many of them have you ever said yeah they did indeed play their best ball political career in Washington. It was usually deflated before they got the Washington in some cases they've played it after it left logic and but very few times the Redskins have spent. And then got what they thought they were buying. And there's certainly room for discussion as to whether Albert Haynesworth will be an exception to that rule lot of people believe. That he will not be as motivated -- will not play its part he says he will will find out.

You're right now a lot of the big name guys are on seven million dollar a year guys that you put it. We don't have to worry about those guys in sportsmanship TJ Houshmandzadeh. Signs but guys who are. That the next level mean you know I'm surprised Derrick Ward is an example I'm surprised that Jermaine Phillips. Is still out there from Tampa where do you think those guys --

Well I think Derrick Ward Tampa Bay makes an awful lot of sense the Bucs have come up second and a lot of these chases and I think one of these -- they almost had done it. -- they almost got his -- I think they're going to land somebody today at some point this. They're probably feeling that money burning a hole their -- they started with about 61 million dollars under the cap I think only started a cap very. It was around what 445 millions so they have more room right now in the -- used to be. I think that makes a lot of sense are they want that guy that I thought. Even in a back up quarterback situation we did jumped on this weekend -- did and that's Byron Leftwich had. I thought he really try to rehab is an agent is playing reputation in Pittsburgh. When he had to play well Roethlisberger was was was banged up last season. I thought teams like the Jets maybe the -- it will alliance would come after him. -- still sitting out there are a lot of free agent quarterbacks still sitting out there. You know the Jeff -- the J. P. Losman. Kyle bowlers the guys like that that I thought. The market would firm up a little quicker or it's been very very slow. Maybe because the likes of Dan Orlovsky is getting three -- here is the.

That would that would just -- time hey I don't hate now don't they don't RBI would let. --

My wife what the -- I cannot think it too much but. I like the quarterback who knows it and understand yards deep.

I -- it -- I got a great step Mario or laughs Q okay how about that. When he started game is unbelievable. Unbelievable step -- team that went on sixty. When he started games the Lions lost by. Good points per game.

When he -- start they lost by seven Big. Ten what Dan Orlovsky you'll make it a two possession game for your team.

And -- don't -- that that is a quantifiable different -- your -- alliance and he also lost the only game they seemed destined to win. Twelve and it -- 1210 man he ran out it is safety.

lost he lost track of where he was it happens. That hey I'm gonna give you a quote. From an ESPN analyst -- and football insider several weeks ago when he was talking about. At that time the potential of the Patriots trading Matt Cassel. He said quote. It would have to be multiple choices and very high choices to get Cassel. 21 rounder or one -- to -- a three Italy something very very expensive unquote. Those remarks were made by Dan ESPN analyst now all New England Patriots football. Inside guy Floyd --

I saw those quotes I thought quotes from Michael Lombardi who I respect greatly as well it's something very similar. Is that the mindset a month ago was somewhere in the range of a one and three. I won't give you that realities sometimes that doesn't live up city that perception that has been put out there the conventional wisdom. I still think there is that they -- in the offing. Being done over the pats probably pulled the trigger a little early in could've got more I think that should have at least. Ask for a second pick from Kansas City somewhere fourth fifth somewhere that range.

They they would have gotten it.

I do I do because I think Scott pioli really wanted Matt Cassel is quarterback and really wanted. It is you know if you wanted to be don't want to win that is that. That's sweepstakes and I don't know that he knew he was the only team. You know coming coming at. New England -- the serious side I don't know that I'll have to hear that may be some stated. To believe that that he felt like he was bidding against himself that he threw in the second pick that. It's fascinating turn of events because I don't think any of us. When we looked at the terms as bad news first rolled answer the second pick. For capsule and then what they get for Vrabel and you know he went from buried it took cooperative digest that roller had.

material flip side and it goes back to some of those games shows you watch him you know. YouTube you got 5000 dollars in your hands right now now if you spend that we go again. You've got a chance to get 15000 dollars you can walk away with the fox. Maybe Bill Belichick was in that situation. On on on Friday and Saturday five grand I got my second round pick here. I can wait and spin the -- and wait for Denver and Tampa Detroit and whoever is rumored to get ourselves together or I can move forward. With -- deal I know that is rock solid so. What would you do do you go to rock solid thing are you take your -- in the and the whole thing falls apart you know signed James Sanders you don't have the cap space that yet today.

Well I think that's senate need to divert him like I said and they needed to cap room sooner than later.

If it wasn't a cap issue I think it would awaited this thing you know let's let's be -- talking about the end of.

You know the end of February beginning of march we're not talking about June they needed to cap room now they had boost to make they didn't want to wait on this.

I do think in the in. Yeah even another 24 hours -- made a difference in what they got from Matt Cassel and that wasn't the judgment.

Has anybody overplayed their hand. To -- greater -- to a greater degree in this offseason and Ray Lewis.

No not not even close I mean -- big guy that I think started very obviously trying to pump up his own market. Talking to the markets where about coming to Dallas that the pro ball and doing everything he could defeat the perception that. Rex Ryan would come after -- It's over besides court Nader now head coach of the Jets and win the bidding started. The Jets as Peter writes in this -- when he went quarterbacks who was on the doorstep of Bart Scott from the moment free agency opened. Early Friday morning. And really I think Nolan picked up the phone and and and made any overture towards ray Lewis and I think. You really kind of squandered. His status to some degree you'll always silent Bob they'd never intended to leave but we know I think of the money was big enough. The Ravens are gonna they're going to sit tight at where they value player. And I think -- would've jumped in he -- played the world and I think he was -- Jerry Jones what was that team but I. I -- I really think it eat. Over estimated his market dramatically. And I think he's now look -- like. Okay he rolled the dice you lost state going to have to come back to try to save a little -- the ball more.

We're masters what do you think that Ravens would pay Ray Lewis knowing that his market is not a strong Ottawa us.

They want to focus that's the thing they'll keep said that that three year 24 billion dollar deal late eighties here but which includes seventeen. Knowing guarantee they'll keep it on the table does does he does not vindictive Steve this -- like Ray Lewis they're friends. That'll be embarrassed. And I know they'll patch this up but the reality is -- Ray Lewis did not have. Market he thought he did. And it was a very quiet weekend at and that's where it was a good time to go back to Florida and this is.

It was a very hectic first 72 hours in the free agency market. Do you expect that you're going to get wave to beginning may be as early as today.

No I think I think you know in recent years has showed that that first three days is usually the fast and furious in the big money. And it really starts to calm down. Talking about being in the economy this year affecting it even more so than in the last 45 years so. I think you're gonna get some some signings but they headline names. Are going to become fewer and farther between and the you know evil in the court about -- start getting picked off. Is really. Companies starting opportunities out there. To be had and not really as many competitions. To be thrown open so I think it's going to be pretty quiet compared to the first three days from here on -- even went to to take is this not a science. That's probably not going to have the same intact it's of the signings the first breeders'.

We always appreciate the time Don thank you very much for joining us talk and some football. Take care and SI dot com joining us on the AT&T hotline AT&T. Your world delivered.