Matt Cassel to Detroit

With the recent application of the Franchise Tag to Matt Cassel, the rumor mill is in full swing regarding his (seemingly) inevitable trade FROM the Patriots once a certain Brady fellow returns from injury.

The Fantasy Men, literally swamped with fan mail regarding the possibility of Cassel suiting up for the Lions next year, have finally deigned to put their feelings on paper (as it were).

The Lions currently have two first round picks, "winning'' the 1st overall pick for their (lack of) effort this past season, and the 20th overall from the Cowboys for their trade of Roy Williams. Is there a word for the opposite of theft, where you give someone something that ruins them? Whatever it was, the Lions did THAT to the Cowboys in getting a first (plus).

These are some of the packages I would offer for Cassel, since (in this world), I run the Lions;

1) The 20th overall pick, with a conditional 2010 pick (capped at a 2nd rounder for a division title or something). This gives the Pats a first rounder, and allows us to use the 1st overall pick on a stud offensive or defensive lineman, which are both safer picks than QB AND would solve more of an IMMEDIATE need. It also protects us from overpaying for a guy that has limited game experience.
2) Leigh Bodden, the 20th pick and a 4th rounder. Everything we hear out of Detroit (wait a minute...) indicates that the Lions are thinking about cutting Bodden. Let's see if a change of scenery will do a body good.
3) Our second round pick this year, and a first next year. This might pose the most tempting target, IF the Pats think the Lions will continue to waddle in the cesspool, and allows the Lions to use two first round picks this year to shore up their team. Of course, both picks need to be hits to ensure future success.

Of the three, I think the first appeals most to me. And yes, I do think Matt Cassel is worth a 1st round pick. Matthew Stafford may be the best QB ever to play in the NFL, or he may be the worst. At least with Cassel, you know he can be an above average QB in the NFL.