(Picture loosely related)

Come on, you had to have know the "Tag, you're it" reference was going to be used for this one. Just another example of the boundless quantity of my wittiness. Anyway, The Globe's Chad Finn reported earlier today that the Pats exercised their right to franchise Matt Cassel. The one-year tender is worth the average of the top five QBs in the league, or $14.65 million.

Solid, if not unexpected, move. With no other viable franchise option and Cassel performing at such a high level for most of the season, it was only a matter of time before this became a reality. The Pats now have just under $30 million of the $123 million cap wrapped up in the quarterback position (that Brady guy's cap hit is going to be $14.62 million for the 2009 season, according to Finn). Something's gotta give, and it will likely be Cassel getting traded. Obviously, all this is predicated upon Brady coming back fully healthy to start the season, which appears to be at least partially likely at this point. When all's said and done, I think Cassel is traded prior to the 2009 NFL Draft regardless. Even if Brady can't go right away, they can find a serviceable veteran backup via free agency to fill in and try to keep the team afloat for the first few weeks.

The question now becomes, what can the Pats get in return? That would seem to depend on numerous factors, not least of which their trade partner's level of desparation, but you'd have to think Belichick and co. would get at least a first and fourth round pick, maybe better. (Of course, other teams have the option of signing Cassel to a deal, but they'd forfeit a pair of first round picks if they did.) I just hope other teams don't think less of him because he allowed himself to get urinated on last week...