Shots Heard 'Round The Web - Patriots Links 2/06/09

TEAM SHOTS

• Patriots franchise Matt Cassel.
• Position Snapshot:  Specialists.
• Patriots 2009 Draft Status.
• Mayock's top prospects at each position.

LOCAL SHOTS

• Karen Guregian weighs in on the Matt Cassel franchise tag fallout, thinks Belichick sounded like he wants to keep him.
• Shalise Manza Young offers her take on what the future holds for Matt Cassel and the Patriots, now that he's been tagged.
• Alex Speier and Chris Price The Great Debate: Should the Patriots trade or keep Cassel.
• Kerry J. Byrne writes An open letter to Bill Belichick, telling him he's effed up and why. 
• Mike Reiss reports that the Patriots will be wearing their throwback jerseys for two games during the '09 season.
• Michael Vega notes when Patriots All Access was switched to Channel 4, Mike Lynch was the last to know.
  

LONG SHOTS

• Bucky Brooks (SI) Cassel at crossroads of 1-year wonder or next great QB.
• Solomon Wilcots (NFL Total Access) Cassel will not play for the Patriots at that price tag and will be traded, in his opinion.  Minute and a half video worth it just to see Cassel running into the end-zone.
• Chris Mortensen (ESPN) Believes Cassel will remain with the Patriots as a very expensive insurance policy in case Tom Brady is not ready to play.  (2 min. video)
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Patriots place franchise tag on Cassel.
• Kristen Consillio (Honolulu Star Bulletin) Wes Welker visited a local high school in Hawaii with 49ers LB Patrick Willis to talk to students about the importance of money management.
• Michael Lombardi (National Football Post) Free Agent Running Backs.
• Justin Terranova (NY Post) Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis considering NY Jets.
• Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Super Bowl Blueprint: A plan of attacking.
• Adam Teicher (Kansas City Star) Scott Pioli and the Chiefs hire Arizona offensive coordinator Todd Haley as head coach.