CASSEL KEEPS OPTIONS OPEN

Matt Cassel is waiting for the Patriots to make the first move and isn’t ruling anything out in terms of where he’ll play in 2009. “I’m open to all options at this point,” Cassel told The Boston Globe. “We’re going to go out and explore all our options and see what is best for me and my career, and also what direction we want to go. Discussions haven’t started yet, so I wish I had more to go off of, and say, ‘This is what’s happening.’ We’re going into this thing with a complete open mind, and nothing is out of the question.” The Patriots have a window between Feb. 5 and Feb. 19 to assign Cassel with the franchise tag, which would cost them $14.65 million. Cassel said the team has not told him if it will use the tag yet, but if he does return, it’s clear he’ll be a backup to Tom Brady, who is reportedly on schedule to be ready for the opener. “I just think if I’m with the Patriots, then it’s one of those situations where Tom is going to be playing,” he said. “I hope Tom is playing because he’s not only a teammate but he’s also a good friend of mine, and you want to see him return healthy and want to see him back out on the field. I think it’s good for the Patriots and I think it’s good for the NFL.” UPDATE: According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, the Patriots will place the franchise tag on Cassel and then decide whether to trade him or keep him as a backup.