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Matt Cassel is coming off a tremendous season, both for the Patriots and fantasy owners alike. But reports now indicate the team will franchise him for the 2009 season.

So what does that mean for his fantasy value?

Cassel could turnout to be the first “must-handcuff” quarterback in fantasy football history.

Barring setbacks in his recovery from reconstructive knee surgery, Tom Brady will reclaim his role atop the Patriots’ depth chart in 2009. But coach Bill Belichick’s reputation for being tight lipped about injuries, especially to his top players, could cause some uneasiness when it comes time to draft the new Stetson Man.

There have already been reports that Brady has had complications from the procedure, though no one but Brady, Belichick and his doctors know for sure. But if doubts remain about his status heading into the preseason (and the Patriots haven’t traded Cassel), well, you’d almost have to draft them as a package deal.