Chiefs QB Cassel's Stats Through Three Starts Look Familiar

by Joel Thorman on Oct 5, 2009 9:41 AM CDT in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

During the Herm Edwards era, the Kansas City Chiefs tended to start slow. We analyzed a lot of the statistics and offered up reasons trying to justify the slow starts. Then we looked back at Edwards previous stops and noticed that he has a history of starting slow.

So, when looking at Matt Cassel's start, which doesn't have the gawdy statistics that he put up throughout the course of the 2008 season with the New England Patriots, I took a look at his first three games with the Pats.

And they look similar to what he's currently doing with the Chiefs. Of course, the situations are completely different and this isn't necessarily indicative of his current situation with the Chiefs but it's kind of interesting.

He's completed 53/89 passes which is about a 60% completion percentage. Last season in the first three games, he was 48/72 for about a 67% completion percentage.

He now has 458 yards. Last season he had 448 through three games.

He's thrown five touchdowns to two interceptions. Last season, he had thrown two touchdowns and one interception.

The numbers are fairly similar (and he's actually got more touchdown passes). The difference though is that the Chiefs are 0-3 in Cassel's starts this year. He was 2-1 in the first three last year.

Last season, by week four, the passing yards began to take a jump and by week six he was throwing more touchdowns.

Maybe it's just a slow start. Or maybe this is how his season will go. But he did start slow last year, and he ended strong so I'm holding out hope that he's going to pick it up like he did last season.

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3 of his TD's have been in garbage time...time where I could have thrown 3 TD passes...

And last year he was on a good team….This year he’s on the Chiefs. Big difference.

Don't Fuccop Succop

by chicks_love_chiefs on Oct 5, 2009 9:44 AM CDT reply actions

I'd be curious of some complementary stats

Of the rushing comparison as well as the defensive comparison. The pats were 2-1 for a reason and apparently it wasn’t Cassell.

by Ren on Oct 5, 2009 9:45 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

It wasn't ALL Cassel

I’d like to see those other stats as well. Cassel looks good IMO, but he can’t win the games by himself.

by bakerlee on Oct 5, 2009 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions

yep he needs help

And wasn’t he the most sacked QB last year. Pats still went 11-5? WTG pats…

by Ren on Oct 5, 2009 9:52 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Cassel looks OK

I wouldn’t call his performance yesterday “good”

He missed some easy passes….bad

Don't Fuccop Succop

by chicks_love_chiefs on Oct 5, 2009 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions

he was definitely off his game yesterday, but i contribute his bad performance

to cemestry problems. he’d underthrow/overthrow a pass then turn around and throw a perfect pass for a TD where only his reciever can get it. i’d bet that he contiunally improves over the season.

by Leaf on Oct 5, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions

I had to read that word 5 times

…to realize you were trying to say “chemistry”… please take no offense, I honestly thought it was a new word and was trying to use context to find out what it meant. Can we use “cemestry” as a new term for the Chiefs?

Cemestry – n. – Having as much chemistry and continuity as a cemetary full of dead people, i.e. – Announcer1: “Matt Cassel has been sacked 11 times this first quarter, some of those coming amazingly enough while the Chiefs DEFENSE was on the field… Bob? Your thoughts?”

Announcer2 (drunk): “It’s all about the o-lines cemestry, Jeff. These guys suck more than a thai ladyboy in need of a fix, and that’s pretty hard.”

Announcer1: “Quit hogging the Jack you no talent wino!”

"You can't polish a turd", old guy, Christine
"Let your anger be, like a monkey in a pinata, hiding amongst the candy, hoping the kids don't break through with their sticks!" Master Payne, King Pow

by mugglemage on Oct 5, 2009 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions

that should be

adj., not n.

"You can't polish a turd", old guy, Christine
"Let your anger be, like a monkey in a pinata, hiding amongst the candy, hoping the kids don't break through with their sticks!" Master Payne, King Pow

by mugglemage on Oct 5, 2009 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Nice write up Joel...

….True he was on a better team last year but look at the ints, we are lucky he only has 2 picks on the year. Last year he held on to the ball too long and this year he is letting it go fast, I assume because Haley hates holding on to the ball, just ask Brodie. That said I don’t know that any QB would be putting up numbers behind our line.

Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.

by BigRedChief on Oct 5, 2009 9:54 AM CDT reply actions

These next two games

against Dallas and Washington, you may see a noticeable difference with Matt Cassel.

I’m not nostradomous, but the Cowboys and Redskins are hardly the Eagles and Giants. I think you may see this team start to gel over the next 3-4 weeks. If they don’t spot the other team a free TD or 2 in the opening quarter like they have been, these games are going to be very close.

by jcru on Oct 5, 2009 10:02 AM CDT reply actions

Thigpen and Pollard both got wins yesterday.

That’s how I’m getting through the day.

by NJ Chiefs Fan on Oct 5, 2009 10:03 AM CDT reply actions

no longer a chiefs fan

but a dolphins/texans fan. :P i guess the good news is we won’t be the chiefs next week

by Leaf on Oct 5, 2009 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions

ha! good one.

I’m going to expect losses, hope for wins, and be happy for the good fortune of former Chiefs (as long as they are out of the AFC West).

by NJ Chiefs Fan on Oct 5, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions

its not just a slow start

It is also continuity! Look he has played 3 games. The only game where he actually looked comortable was against the raiders. he hasn’t had much time with his recievers. Mainly pope(brought in last week) and bowe(due to injury)

yesterday the oline gave cassel time to throw, it just looked like cassel was still uncomfortable (and the recievers were covered all day).

My point is that with everything going on in k.c. The whole team is off to a slow start. Its going to take some time for this team to look sharp. Especially on offense.

by chiefs8288 on Oct 5, 2009 10:06 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

That's because we keep playing musical-freaking-chairs with the O-line

We need to pick our guys and stick with them. They seem to improve every week and will continue if we keep a core group together. Hopefully, we are at that point now.

by jboot1 on Oct 5, 2009 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions

Yes. we need to stick with them...

but only after we find 5 worth sticking with. O’Callaghan didn’t disappoint yesterday. Maybe we’ve finally got our 5….NOW we can stick with them and build continuity. Hopefully Albert’s poor performance the last couple of games will get worked out.

by DWWMRW on Oct 5, 2009 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Right on

I wonder how much of the problem still rests on a dearth of talent, and am leaning toward the issue now being absolutely no continuity. At some point you need to hunker down and play the hand you’re dealt… sooner or later Haley will reach the bottom of the deck and realize the answer was not in instilling the constant fear of termination and/ or replacement on the depth chart, I am hoping for sooner.

"You can't polish a turd", old guy, Christine
"Let your anger be, like a monkey in a pinata, hiding amongst the candy, hoping the kids don't break through with their sticks!" Master Payne, King Pow

by mugglemage on Oct 5, 2009 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Croyle looked much better

than Cassel. He looked more comfortable in the offense. Cassel has had over a month to learn this offense.

Predictions for 2009:

LJ runs for 1800 yards
Bowe in the pro bowl
Chiefs D finishes in the top 10 in points allowed
Chiefs 10-6

by bonesjackson on Oct 5, 2009 10:13 AM CDT reply actions

You already made a post about this,

Are you going to be one of those guys that make the same comment on every post?

Chiefs set an NFL record,most roster changes in 1 season.

by bringbacktheglory on Oct 5, 2009 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions

its not the offensive playbook

Its the oline play. The influx of new recievers (pope, wade). And bowe being injured. Its just finding the timing and trust between the group.

by chiefs8288 on Oct 5, 2009 10:26 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

its not the offensive playbook

Its the oline play. The influx of new recievers (pope, wade). And bowe being injured. Its just finding the timing and trust between the group. Not even croyle would have timing and chemistry with the recievers if he were in the same situation.

by chiefs8288 on Oct 5, 2009 10:26 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

How does

Bret Favre do it? Besides Cassel looks better than Croyle….. Brodie, with that retro hair style. I guess he’s just lucky to be a backup.

Hey, we could put him in and maybe he’ll get hurt. Yea! Then no more QB controversy. Unless he wins.

Maybe that’s not a good idea.

by choirboy on Oct 5, 2009 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions

Favre has been in the league for a long time

by BIG_CHIEF18 on Oct 5, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions

and has an oline that makes ours look like a high school line

granted, they do enough of that on their own.

by ExtraMetal on Oct 5, 2009 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Farve has had 272 consecutive starts

while cassel has only played in 19 games since high school. not sure why, but i’d say there a pretty big difference in experience.

by Leaf on Oct 5, 2009 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions

How about Cassel lead and not throw behind the receivers

by FrankPitts on Oct 5, 2009 10:36 AM CDT reply actions

i guess

you didn’t see that touchdown pass to bobby wade…..

by BIG_CHIEF18 on Oct 5, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions

they say

and by they I mean EX NFL QB’s now analysts that to be a successful nfl franchise QB, you must handle the tough questions, never fold under pressure, all the off the field stuff…then you must also be a leader on the field…Cassel has both of those down, and will eventually get comfortable, hes just not quite comfortable yet.

but despite a poor line, a run game that is having a hard time averaging 3 per carry….Cassel has only 2 INT’s in 3 games. He hasnt played THAT bad…hes been sacked, hurried etc, and he has been held in a protect Cassel type offense. They are afraid to open it up for good reason.

he has missed a few throws, but hes also hobbling around….and hes still thrown 5 TD’s, and a few of them have been beautiful touch pass TD’s…the guy has talent, he just doesnt have much around him….A Successful season with this team is to keep Cassel alive with a good mentality, and to figure out what we have on this roster…if there are more than 15 players worth keeping

by SDChief on Oct 5, 2009 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions

I see,

almost everybody on the team is bad except Cassel and he is just not comfortable, hobbling around, but has leadership and is being held back by a protect Cassel offense.

by choirboy on Oct 5, 2009 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions

PEOPLE please

Nice write up Joel. Let us not all lose our minds over 4 friggin games. Please. Let us not all forget that Cassell had THREE entire years working in the Pats system before he ever had to a start. In contrast, in KC he’s:

a. in a new system
b. has a new head coach
c. has a new coordinator
d. has a NEW new coodinator
e. has a revolving door at O-line, and
f. HE HAS NO TIME TO THROW

Yes he made some bad throws yesterday, but he isn’t being allowed to get comfortable behind this line. It’s like trying to judge how good of a pitcher Greinke would be if he constantly had three guys knocking him down while he was throwing. Even if he occasionally had time to throw, he wouldn’t always throw strikes because he’d looking over his shoulder all the time.

by Keyser Sose on Oct 5, 2009 11:24 AM CDT reply actions

Correction...

Cassel is currently working:

a. In a BAD offensive system
b. Has a bad Head coach
c. Has a bad coordinator
c. Has a piss poor excuse for an O-line
d. Yesterday had time to throw but is so freaked out, he now has happy feet.

Even IF Cassel is a good QB (which I think he is), this team is going to ruin him. His confidence is already shot and I don’t foresee it getting better at any point soon.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Oct 5, 2009 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions

correction correction...

Cassel is currently working:

a. on his acting skills
b. on hiding the fact that he actually hates the taste of chocolate milk
c. on getting Miley Cyrus tickets

by Leaf on Oct 5, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

lol

by BIG_CHIEF18 on Oct 5, 2009 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions

way to be optimistic.....

you are just a little ray of sunshine. but you keep cheering for your favorite team the way you do……wow i wish there where more positive people like you in the world……..

by BIG_CHIEF18 on Oct 5, 2009 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Look man, I'm NOT trying to be a dick I promise.

If you have seen my comments for the last several months, you would see that I was a VERY hopeful and optimistic fan until the last couple of weeks. I love the Chiefs and there is nothing I want more than to see them win, even if it makes me look like an asshole for jumping off the Todd Haley Bandwagon.

I have written this several times but, I have no problem writing it again to explain myself. I have no problem with the teams record other than the fact that I thought we should have beat the Raiders. My problem is the product on the field. If this team is no better than it was last year, (and it isn’t) even with some of the acquisitions that have been made, (Cassel, Vrabel, Wade, Engram, Goff Etc.) then, that means that Todd haley is no better of a coach than Herm Edwards. If that’s the case (and it appears that it is) we are still in for a long ass haul of losing seasons.

That is my point when it comes down to it. The fact that Haley took over this team, got SOME better talent, and we are still seeing the same old shit we saw last year. If this is the same team and we got a new coach who is SUPPOSED to be better than Herm, shouldn’t it show??? Even a little bit? If some of us sound like the sky is falling, I’m sorry but, maybe we’re the ones who are right and we are just hoping that someone will catch it early instead of letting the team go downhill for 3 more years before anything is done about it.

I’m just tired of seeing the team get worse instead of better, that’s all.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Oct 5, 2009 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions