Quick-hit thoughts around NFL & Pats – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

In the deal, the Patriots traded quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel for a 2009 second-round draft choice that was used to select safety Patrick Chung (34th overall). The final verdict: Neither team won. Although Vrabel was slowing down and had a high cap figure, the Patriots still could have benefited from his presence in 2009 (fractured locker room) and perhaps in 2010. Also, Chung couldn’t get on the field in the 2012 AFC Championship Game despite a clean bill of health and is likely to be playing elsewhere next season. As for the Chiefs, the investment in Cassel – the most important part of the deal on either side, given the importance of the position and contract they gave him – never paid off. One could argue that’s what ultimately cost general manager Scott Pioli his job as Chiefs general manager after four seasons.