Gannon Still Thinks Chiefs QB Cassel Will be Special
by Joel Thorman on Nov 24, 2009 4:10 PM CST
in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign
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PrintDespite the dropping completion percentage, low number of yards per attempt, and criticism along the way, former Kansas City Chiefs QB Rich Gannon, and CBS commentator for Sunday's victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, thinks those that criticize Matt Cassel need to keep in mind all the change he's been through.
Gannon told Roger Twibell on 610 Sports this morning that the Chiefs are putting Cassel in a difficult position, for better or worse, with all the change he's experienced throughout the season. However, he does think Cassel will blossom into one of the special players in the league.
"It's really hard, it really is," Gannon said when asked how hard it is for a quarterback with a lot of moving parts on the team.
He's talking about the fact that the Chiefs top three receivers right now - Chris Chambers, Bobby Wade and Lance Long - didn't start the season with the team.
"Tim Castille," Gannon says of the recently signed FB, "they brought him on a Wednesday and he played in probably 25 plays. It's amazing what they've done with this group and [Cassel] hangs in there, doesn't complain and goes out there and plays."
Gannon also offered a bone of optimism to Chiefs fans frustrated with where the team is right now.
"Any Chiefs fans out there who are a little disgruntled, or not quite satisfied with where they are, just think about the situation in Cleveland, in Oakland...there's a number of situations out there where you look at it and go, 'Who's the quarterback of that team? Do we have a franchise quarterback that can lead us for the next eight or ten years? Is it JaMarcus Russell? Is it Brady Quinn?'"
As for the Chiefs? Just add some talent and Gannon says, "I think you have a special quarterback in Kansas City."
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agreed Gannon. I always pushed for ya..as did many to take the job from Grbac..hated and loved seeing you succeed in Oakland
by dwill_pittst on Nov 24, 2009 4:15 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
I agree
He didn’t even mention what I think are the two biggest factors in his struggles this year.
1-Cassel is getting knocked around like a freaking pinata back there every week and just keeps getting up and never seems rattled by it.
2-I think the national media either forget or don’t realize that this offense hit the reset button and started over a week out from opening day. On top of that, Cassel was hurt when the switch at OC happened, so those first couple of weeks of putting Haley’s system in he wasn’t even the one out there running it.
Feeling "The Love" and "Drinking the Kool AId"
I agree plus
This is his first full year where he walked into camp knowing he was the starter and that’s a big adjustment not to mention living in a new city, new coach, new system. He’s adjusted well.
He makes good points...
Hopefully some here will listen to him…
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For some reason I heard AP'ers Poo-poo Gannon because of his colour comentary of last weekends game
I listen to him every morning on the Opening Drive on Sirius 124. He’s one of my favourite football analysts out there. He is VERY knowledgable and studies hours and hours of Chiefs film in preperation for game days. I think he is a terrific analyst and its great to hear him say that about our QBOTF.
Johnnie Morton: The Man. The Myth. The Legend.
by craig in calgary on Nov 24, 2009 4:19 PM CST reply actions
I am just about sick of listening to him say ath-A-letic, or ath-A-leticism.
I dont know why but it drives me insane! Also, I thought he was gonna nut his pants with the way he kept going on and on about Roethlisberger’s ability to keep a play alive. But I guess every announcer does it.
I don't think Cassel will be special
I don’t think he’ll even live up to his contract.
BUT…I do think he’ll be at least a solid starter, and that’s good enough, as Grbac and Green amply demonstrated.
by burntorangehorn on Nov 24, 2009 4:19 PM CST reply actions
well if you think he can be as good as Grbac and Green i think that would be living up to his contract. I also think that if either of them had a defense we could of done something special back then
by dwill_pittst on Nov 24, 2009 4:22 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah
If you compared his contract to others in the NFL, then he would have to be like the 12th best QB in the NFL…I don’t think that’s a stretch.
by Joel Thorman on Nov 24, 2009 4:31 PM CST up reply actions
$60 million is a big number
Even if only half of it is guaranteed
by butchcassidy on Nov 24, 2009 4:33 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, but
“Living up to it”, like you said, would indicate that his play should be in line with the 10 or 12 QBs with contracts that are bigger than or equal to his.
I won’t argue that it’s a lot of money, but relative to the rest of the NFL QBs his contract really isn’t anything special.
by Joel Thorman on Nov 24, 2009 4:38 PM CST up reply actions
Seems like we always are assisting eachother with this topic lol..
You with the accountant-style part.
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I'd be THRILLED
If Cassel were another Green or exceeds Green. people talk like Green wasnt one of the top QB’s in the league for several years.
2002 – 7th in passing yards (3,690), T-5th in Touchdowns (26), hard to judge a QB on INT’s considering how many guys dont play a full season. So out of QB’s with 300+ attempts, he was 6th lowest in INT’s, (13), 4th in Passer Rating (92.6)
2003 – 2nd in passing yards (4,039..2nd to P. Manning), T- 7th in TD’s (24..3 guys were tied for 3rd so if you count each tie as 1 place..he was 5th) 7th lowest in INT’s (12) and 4th in pass rating..again a 92.6
2004 – 2nd in passing yards (4,591..beating Manning..2nd to Culpepper), T – 7th in TD’s (27) but he slipped..throwing 17 INT’s. However, is completion % was 66.4 and had a passer rating of 95.2.
2005 – Another 4000 yards, 17TD’s, 10 INT’s, and a 90.4 passer rating.
Other than his first year, his completion % never went below 60% in KC.
My point is..Green was MORE than a solid starter. It was just unfortunate that he was getting old when we first got him in the first place. Green doesnt get the recognition he deserves for those 4 great years. If Cassel turns into another Green..or even exceeds that..hes YOUNGER and will have a much longer career in KC than Green did.
If Cassel can produce the way Green did, Cassel is special and will live up to his contract. People falsly believe that Cassel has an absurdly large contract..hes not even one of the top paid QB’s. If he plays like Green did, he’d be one of the top QB’s on a smaller contract than other top QB’s.
Lets say Cassel will be at least better than Trent Dilfer.
Not spectacular, but good enough to win a Superbowl with.
Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.
by aPacificChief on Nov 24, 2009 4:42 PM CST up reply actions
I liked Green
But I do still believe a large part of his success was the context—that is, the terrific offensive line, great skill players, and offensive-minded coaching.
by burntorangehorn on Nov 24, 2009 4:55 PM CST up reply actions
Great skill players?
At wr? Please! We had terrible wr’s. He had a great te and a receiving rb in holmes but to throw 25+ td make HIM special. Not his skill players. Our wr’s were terrible during those yrs. Kennison. Ugh.
Mr J
KC Chiefs Fan
He had the best receiving TE in NFL history, a record-breaking RB, Derrick Alexander and Eddie Kennison for their best seasons of their careers, and most importantly, the best OL in the league. I think Green was pretty good, but as I said, I think a large part of his success was the context.
by burntorangehorn on Nov 24, 2009 8:10 PM CST up reply actions
If Trent Green had a defense....
His reputation would be much better….He had a great run, but no playoff wins. That kills ya when nobody expects you to do shit in the playoffs…..13-3 a first round bye, and youre an underdog?..
Yeah, that was ridiculous!
I remember watching that playoff game in a boarded-up, bombed-out wooden hut we turned into a TV room just outside Tikrit. We were taking every plastic container we could find to catch water that was leaking through the ceiling during the downpour outside. The funny thing was how the announcers made such a big deal about the Colts’ not punting, when I’m pretty sure KC didn’t punt either.
Two great offenses, two terrible defenses. It just so happened that one QB was legendary, and one was just pretty darn good.
by burntorangehorn on Nov 25, 2009 7:35 AM CST up reply actions
I'm curious if there are other available quarterbacks that the Chiefs could have gotten with that contract...
perhaps a different position, but who as well?
And as stated it’s not a top QB contract…
hes paid like davd garrard of 2 years ago...its not that big of a deal considering hes a starting top QB
you dont need the greatest arm to be a great QB
I think people would be shocked to watch manning/brady behind this line, with these recievers
35 drops, you realize a drop isnt just a 5 yard completion…could change the course of a drive
still doesnt turn the ball over often, int’s in only 3 of 9 games started
and he does BETTER late in football games
I think Rich knows what
he is talking about. Matt Cassel is a class act. He is football to the bone. If Cassel doesn’t live up to expectations I will be truly surprised. When he gets some talent around him to help out, he is going to absolutely rip up the AFC West. Trust me.
Cassel is SPECIAL!
or at least better than ….Croyle, Thigpen, Huard, Gray, Ingle Martin, or Chicken Sh** salad.
Doesn’t make bone head plays like Thigpen in the fourth quarter.
Stays healthy enough to finish games.
Does not play QB with a walker (i.e. Damon)
Probably knows how to make salad because of his lovely bride.
Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.
................
Doesn’t make bone headed plays in the fourth quarter?
Against Pitt, he threw a pick in OT that the corner or safety I don’t remember who it was Bobbled and dropped. He under threw both Long and Chambers in the fourth quarter.
Keep going back, when it’s Cassel’s time to win the game the dude makes at least one stupid throw, or tries to make a throw that he can’t make and gets lucky then he gets another shot.
The San Diego game and the first Oakland game are the only 2 games I can think of where the opposing team made him pay for his mistakes.
by mcclanahanman on Nov 24, 2009 7:15 PM CST up reply actions
Hmmmmm
What then would you say about Favre and Rothlesberger? Every QB will make some mistakes, especially when the game is on the line. Not every throw is going to be perfect, and the WRs have some culpability in regard to fighting for the ball.
Not saying Cassel is the best guy in the league, but he is very good considering the protection and the WRs we currently have. With more time in the pocket and more familiarity with the receivers we have, Cassel has the potential to be a PB QB in a few years.
uh that pick was really chambers timing his jump poorly
3 games out of 9 with INT’s………………………
even in the oakland LOSS, he led us back with a GORGIOUS TD…I think people are freaking crazy on the board to think that hes not a good QB…Its AMAZING…
Watch it again, Chambers might have timed his jump poorly but that was a poorly thrown ball, as was the consecutive completions to Long and Chambers but on those plays they were just that far open and he under threw them.
3 out of 8 games with ints, Cassel didn’t play against Baltimore. Go back and watch the games, he’s thrown balls that should have been picked in every game he’s played in this season, and more often than not they come at critical points in the game. A CB drops a pass, or catches it out of bounds, it gets called back on a penalty or something. I’ve said earlier in the season, Cassel is the luckiest SOB in the NFL, that more of these balls aren’t ints instead of incomplete passes.
As to TXChiefan, you can compare Cassel to Rothlisberger and Favre. Rothlisberger will hold the ball longer, and take more time to make his reads, but look how hard he is to take down. Rothlisberger also has the arm to throw the ball deep, he’ll take more chances at the riskier throws, and will complete a higher percentage of them than Cassel ever will.
Farve is a whole other poison, he’ll make his bad mistakes, but Favre unlike Cassel can take control of a game all by himself. Favre makes his reads faster, can throw the intermediate to deep ball better on a bad day than cassel can on his best days. Favre can make timing throws Cassel can only dream of.
Both QB’s have better pocket presence than Cassel ever will, both can feel the rush coming, Big Ben is big enough and strong enough he can fight away from a lot of sacks. Favre Steps away and fires, Cassel takes the sack.
You want to knock Cassel’s recievers, Chris Chambers and Bowe aren’t half bad, Long has shown a lot of potential for the big play and Wade has shown he can catch the ball in a tight spot. Yeah they drop some passes here and there, but Cassel puts a lot of balls on their back hip or back shoulder. Jamaal Charles can even catch the ball out of the backfield. Cassel’s group is under rated.
O-line is still a weakness but they usually give him enough time to deliver a ball, they even gave him enough time to throw 4 or 5 deep passes against the Steeler pass rush, and enough time to clutch the ball and take a sack on multiple occasions. Right now our O-lines main weakness is straight up run blocking.
If we stick with Cassel, we’re going to need an all pro line, and some recievers like Boldin, and Fitzgerald to ever sniff a super bowl. Cassel is another weak link.
by mcclanahanman on Nov 24, 2009 9:42 PM CST up reply actions
Good Points to all
Agreed that Cassel may never be in the Favre league and Rothlesberger is much more of a challenge to bring down, not so say he is a bit stronger, but my point is that all the QBs make bone headed mistakes when they are trying to get back into a game, which is where we have been most of the season. Agreed that I cringe way to many times in each game on the underthrows as well. Agreed that we will need an all pro line, and sure, I’ll count Boldin, Fitz, and even throw in a Gonzalez to make Cassel look as good as the top QBs.
Also, agree that the run blocking is still a weakness. As our line improves there, then the passing game will follow because the DBs and LBs will have to respect it more and not press the receivers so hard. I do think that when we have a more solid line, and Cassel and the receivers get to know each other better, that he could become one of our long time heroes and take us to the SB.
I was down on Green his first year here too
I’m picky after watching Montana/Kreig at QB for us, I loved watching Dan Marino and Elway play the game. Favre is still fun to watch, it was strange for me in the 90’s I hated Elway but you had to respect him. I never was overly impressed with Aikman, but he won, and you could tell the Cowboys could have won throwing the ball he just wasn’t as flashy as the rest. Steve Young, I was overy critical of him, but he’s family, distant but family, so I had to bust on him. You could tell Jeff George had talent, he reminded me of Marino throwing the ball, but being drafted first overall ruined him, dude was all ego.
I’m sorry there’s just so many holes in Cassels game, yes he’s a competitor, he’s more accurate than Thigpen, but he’s a Steve Walsh to me and that’s all he’ll ever be to me except he’s not as accurate as Walsh was.
Someone that can make the short throws, and some of the intermediate throws but you will cringe every time he lays a reciever out to take a shot. A ball he should have thrown behind a receiver is the game where long got hurt, if he had stopped Long, he wouldn’t have gotten injured, but he led Long right into a linebacker.
There are times you throw a ball behind a reciever, and times you lead them when they’re going over the middle. If you stop a reciever and make him lean back, then a head on collision isn’t so bad, then there’s time’s I’ve seen Cassel throw the ball behind a receiver that caused a tackle, when if the receiver had been led he could have made positive yards.
I nit pick bad when I’m looking at QB’s, there’s a lot to Cassel that is positive, he’s fairly accurate, He’s a good QB to have to Not lose a game. He’s very competitive, and he’s a natural leader.
my negatives on him
He’s piss poor at game management, with Delay’s of games and taking stupid timeouts. I’ll put the fairly accurate here too with the throwing slightly behind WR’s, or leading them into crushing tackles, Weak armed making the downfield throws more dangerous. He holds the ball too long, he forces the ball when he’s feeling pressure and is good for one or two stupid plays in crunchtime in a game. He plays his worst games against division rivals. There are times a ball should be kept on a string and thrown with velocity, and there are times that a ball should have air under it, there are times he gets that reversed.
He’s had around five years to learn all of this and work on it, I can see how leinhart started over him in college.
by mcclanahanman on Nov 25, 2009 12:31 AM CST up reply actions
Hrmm..
well..did you even consider passing lanes?
I mean..these QB’s cant throw right through the defensive line/linebackers. Those guys get their hands up as much as they can. That gives you less windows to throw through, therefore only giving you a small range to land the ball. That being said, sometimes you can’t help but lead a guy into a WR.
Every WR, RB, TE who catches the ball takes a shot. EVERY one of them. Sometimes its the QB’s fault, but thats the WR’s job is to catch every ball that hits him in the hands or the numbers. I understand being picky and nitpicking but there are more factors to consider than just accuracy. Maybe theres a LB floating around forcing the pass to go in front of the receiver. Sure, theres a safety or an OLB ready to make a crushing hit, but either the WR’s going to drop the ball or catch it. Less risk for an INT. However if you try to stop him and throw behind him, that might be the difference between a catchable ball and a pick.
Piss poor at game management..based on delays on dumb timeouts? Well lets see..did you ever stop to think that SOME of that is Haleys fault? By all means, I like Todd Haley and I think hes going to be a great coach. But hes a rookie coach and makes mistakes too. Dont you think its weird that some of those “dumb timeouts” come during crucial 3rd downs? Okay, now dont you think its weird that alot of the delay of games come because by the time the offense lines up, Cassel has 5 seconds to snap the ball?
Now read deeper into that. Why is Haley calling the plays so late? How can Cassel walk to the LOS with 5 seconds to snap the ball and adequetly read the defense BEFORE the ball is snapped. Remember during our top ranked offense, we’d be on the LOS with 15-20 seconds and go into motion, get a good read on the defense and let loose. Now we get lined up with less than 10..sometimes even less than 5 seconds to snap the ball. IMO, thats not poor game management by Cassel. Thats on the OC..or Haley in this case..calling plays too late sometimes.
Now, when a play is called late..and its 3rd down..the last thing you want is a delay of game, thus calling a timeout is the SMART thing to do. Haley gets pissed about it but sometimes there just isnt enough time. What if..Haley calls a run play up the gut on 3rd and 2. Cassel gets to the line with 5 seconds to snap the ball and knows theres a blitz coming dead down the middle. Is he just going to run the play and hope the OL makes it happen? Fuck that. he probably wants to audible in that situation but since the play came in late, he has no time to audible.
Not saying that Cassel HASNT made any bad decisions, but you cant blame him for all the delays and dumb timeouts. Some of those dumb timeouts..im willing to bet..arent as dumb as you think they are. You dont know the play called and what he read from the defense, so how can you judge that?
Cassel is making throws with a collapsing pocket, guys in his face, and more often than not, guys hitting him. Hes constantly on the move and under pressure. His WR’s are dropping passes, hurting his completion % and yardage, His TD:INT ratio is 2:1 which isnt too bad considering the surrounding cast. Hes been sacked 34 freaking times. Last year, with an OL and some talented WR’s, he put up an excellent season, as a first time starter in the NFL OR College. People say, “oh that was the patriots”..so? Build him a damn OL and get him a couple of playmaking WR’s and let him go to work.
You mentioned that he cant throw downfield. Bowe has DROPPED a couple of downfield passes. Chambers didnt adjust well on a ball thrown to him..with the defender ON HIS BACK..and allowed the defender to pick the ball off. Thats not Cassels fault..that was on Chambers. Sure, the ball could have been thrown better, but its not easy to throw 40 yards down and ACROSS the field. The pass was A LITTLE off and an excellent throw considering the difficulty of the pass. Chambers adjusted POORLY and allowed an INT. He’s hit Sean Ryan, Bowe, Chambers, Wade..damn near all of our WR’s atleast once downfield.
Against SD, he had a couple of bad passes. EVERY QB has bad passes. Manning and Brady have thrown picks that ahve people thinkin WTF but we write it off..cuz we see it as a fluke. Cassel throws a bad pass that hes all of a sudden not a good QB.
The most shocking thing I found in your post is your last sentence saying “I can see how leinart started over him in college.” So can you tell me why Cassel has had more success in the NFL than Leinart has? If Leinart is so much better than Cassel, why did Cassel put up such good numbers last year, and still continue to produce this year with vastly inferior talent around him, and Leinart is still a backup? I mean..Leinart had his chance..with WR’s like Boldin and Fitz..but he couldnt do it. Give us Boldin and Fitz and Cassel’s better than what he is now, thats for sure. Add in an OL and I believe Cassel is a top 8 QB.
Yeah
I do consider passing lanes, when Cassel throws, he’s back 5 to 7 yards from the LOS, when the pass is 8 yards beyond the LOS and a LB bearing down on a receiver he has room to put that ball towards a WR’s back shoulder.
When your throwing 15 yards the difference of a foot on the end of your throw is major on your WR, and as it passes through your passing lane the difference in trajectory is miniscule.
Cassel Led Long into a huge hit, Cassel often stops his WR’s when they should be led, allowing a defensive back to close and make a stop. If the WR had been led they’d have made more YAC.
Yeah every WR, RB, and TE that catches a ball will take a shot but the QB should be able to see that coming and make a throw that will compensate, slowing the WR so the hit isn’t so bad on a head on collision. Or the QB on the reverse side should lead his receiver when the pursuit is coming from the backside on the WR allowing the WR to make more YAC.
In the case of the play where Cassel threw the ball to Long there was no one between Cassel and Long, the pursuit behind Long wasn’t there and Cassel led him right into a LB, and Long was carted off of the field.
There’s plays where coverage dictates where the ball is thrown to, but that wasn’t one of them.
There are countless plays where WR’s have a step on their man and Cassel puts it right on their hip, or right on their back shoulder, not right on the #‘s or right on their hands. He stops the WR’s at a bad time, or leads them at a bad time on a normal play. That’s accuracy.
Any time there’s a delay of game penalty that’s on the QB no one else, he has a huge clock to look at to let him know how much time he has, if he doesn’t have time he calls a time out, He walks up to the center and gets the snap off. You don’t take that kind of penalty unless you’re a punter.
Some of the dumb time outs are Haley’s fault, but the Delay of game is all on cassel. Some of the Dumb time outs are on guys not being prepared enough, that’s coaching.
Some of the WR drops are on cassel throwing the ball behind his receivers, some are on the money and the WR drops it anyway that’s piss poor concentration. Cassel hurts Cassel, the WR’s hurt Cassel.
Now you want to go into the OL, every week Cassel has more and more time in the pocket, you can see them coming together on pass protection, Cassel holds the ball too long half the time if not more.
Look at NE’s O-line, Brady isn’t sacked often, last year Cassel was also one of the most sacked QB’s in the league behind the same line. In pass protection our line is coming apart when we’re being blitzed but Cassel takes a lot of sacks on a four man rush. Dude looks like a statue back there a lot of times.
Yeah I know how hard it is to throw a ball 40 yards downfield and across your body, I have a stronger arm than Cassel, but you don’t see me making the claim that I could do a better job than he is. I know there’s a lot more to the game than arm strength.
Hitting someone “at least once” doesn’t count there has to be consistancy. I remember Deberg calling a game I don’t even remember the QB’s name he was commenting on, but the QB threw a touchdown in a tight spot, the play got called back on holding, the offense came right back against the same defense, the QB made the same throw, the WR made the same catch and the coverage was even tighter. Deberg’s comment? Any QB can make that throw once but it takes someone special to do it twice especially when the defense knows exactly what’s coming.
For some reason I think it was Bledsoe making that throw in his rookie year.
Look who was pushing Leinart when Leinart was struggling. Leinart still isn’t a bust, Warner gave them a better chance to win, Warner has a lot more exp reading defenses, Cassel would be riding the bench right now if Favre was brought in to back him up.
Why did Cassel put up such good numbers? His numbers weren’t much better than Thigpens and look what Thigpen had to work with, Cassel has a much more talented supporting cast around him than Thigpen had minus Gonzo. Cassel didn’t set the world on fire last year, and he sure isn’t this year.
Last year Cassel had an O-line that Brady does very well with this year and Cassel struggled against the pass rush. Last year Cassel had Moss, Welker, Faulk, and Watson and he wasn’t a top 8 QB.
Get real man.
by mcclanahanman on Nov 25, 2009 10:41 AM CST up reply actions
I disagree
Delay of game is not always on the QB. Its on the coordinator..sometimes. Not always..but sometimes. If they cant line up and theres not time for a QB to read the defense without having to hurry up and snap the ball or take a delay of game penalty, the coach needs to get the plays in faster. Again, this is why I mentioned the early 2000’s when we had a top offense. We’d huddle and get to the line with plenty of time for motion, formation shifts, audibles and whatever else. We dont have time for that anymore..why? well obviously because its taking too long for the play to be called.
My point about Leinart vs. Cassel is that Leinart..with 2 big playmaking receivers..did not to bettter than what Cassel has done in KC. In his playing time, Leinart has turned the ball over TOO much. Cassel has done a good job. Only 6 INT’s, 3 coming in the same game. 3 picks in 8 games is pretty good. I would MUCH rather Cassel hold the ball and take a sack than force a pass and throw a pick.
Thats why I can’t wait to see what happens when he actually has an OL in front of him. You can say he had one in NE but that was his first year as a starter. He improved ALOT over the last half of the season, especially in the amount of sacks taken. (28 sacks first half, 19 sacks 2nd half). Having a shitty OL forces him to make quicker decisions. When he actually has time to throw, hes going to be under less pressure, and still be able to make those quick decisions..except he’ll be able to focus more and step into his pass.
Seriously? Cassels numbers “werent much better than Thigpens”?
Cassel 08 – 327/516 63.4%, 3,693 yards, 21 TD’s, 11 INT’s, 89.4 Passer Rating. 270 yards Rushign, 2 TD’s.
Thigpen 08 – 230/420 54.8%, 2,608 yards, 18 TD’s, 12 INT’s, 76.0 Passer Rating. 386 yards Rushing, 3 TD’s.
Cassel 09 projected finish – 265/481, 55%, 2866 yards 20 TD’s, 10 INT’s
Not only were Cassel’s numbers quite a bit better than Thigpens last year, but they are projected to be better than Thigpens were last year, and Cassel isnt playing in a spread/pistol offense that was tailored to fit him. Everybody knows the offense that Thigpen ran was only implemented because of Thigpen and the OL.
Last year, Cassel was a FIRST TIME STARTER SINCE HIGHSCHOOL and put up THOSE numbers. What, you think that ANY QB who’s never started in the NFL OR in College could put up those numbers just because it was the Patriots? I dont believe that for a second.
Cassel wasnt a top 8 QB. I didnt SAY that he was a top 8 QB. I said HE COULD BE a top 8 QB. And I think theres evidence that can back that up. If Cassel be a top 10 QB in his first year as a starter, as young as he is, I definately think he could become a top 8 QB.
Cassel was 8th in yards, 10th in YPG, 10th in TD’s, 9th in First Downs, 10th in QB rating, 11th in Comp. %, threw the 9th most passes, and had the 8th least INT’s out of QBs with 300+ passes.
Again..as a first time starter, there is NO REASON to believe that he cant improve, ESPECIALLY when you consider how young he is. Thigpen couldnt operate in a traditional offense. Cassel should out-perform what Thigpen did, only Cassel is doing it in a traditional offense, and not a gimmick offense that was tailored to mask his weaknesses. Atleast Cassel spreads the ball around and doesnt lock in on 1 receiver the whole way.
What is this “much more talented supporting cast” that Cassel has? Its still a shitty OL. Last year the OL played much better in the spread..thats part of the reason why we ran it. Remember what Thigpen ran into against ATL? Theres no way Thigpen could stand in the pocket and take the hits that Cassel has been taking, and STILL continue to throw the ball and keep it from the other team. Thigpen had 2 TOP Receivers and didnt even THROW to anybody else. After Bowe and Gonzo, the most catches was Bradley with 30. Thats a hell of alot better than only having Bowe and Wade for most of the year, Now we have Chambers and Wade. AND..LJ was averaging 4.5 yards per carry last year..what happened to the run game this year? Charles is looking like hes rejuvenated the run game but we havent had enough games to really know for sure.
Thigpen had better targets to throw too than Cassel has. Cassels BEST 2 targets this year have been Chambers and Bowe..or another possiblity is Bowe and Wade. Neither of those measure up to Bowe and Gonzo.
Cassel
He’s shown what, IMHO, are the MOST important characteristics of a “special” QB…
Leadership, toughness, and the ability to rally his team for a 4th quarter victory.
I am very happy with the trade that brought him here and the contract that keeps him here… if they continue to build around him, he WILL be a special, FRANCHISE QB
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
* Stats are for losers
Hell yeah....a 2nd for Cassel AND Vrabel....
Im good with that. How many Rallys has he had now…? 3 right? Jax, Dal, and Pits?
by Wrestler189s on Nov 24, 2009 4:42 PM CST up reply actions
I agree with Gannon...
He will be special. Take into consideration that his OC had been switched, he’s constanly getting used to new WR, and his OL is terrible. From what he had in NE to this, he is doing a hell of a job. I think this next year will get him going and with an improved OL and maybe a new OC (weis…=P) he will turn into something special. Im not saying he will be a Favre, Manning, or Brees but hell…he will live up to his contract. Oh and btw, Look at Brees…he was never a “great” QB in SD but when he got to NO it took him 2 years to become, IMO, a great qb. So give him time….
He's going to be good
and honestly how can you not respect what he’s done and how he’s handled himself this year? He is behind one of the worst O-lines. He is sacked, hit, or pressured on the majority of his pass attempts and he still has a 2:1 touchdown to interception ratio, is completing 55% of his passes, and still doing about 10 yards an attempt. His OC/QB Coach was fired before the season, 2 new systems in an offseason, he is sacked way to often, and for most of the season had a whiny running back that couldn’t get 3 yards, didn’t pass protect, and couldn’t catch out of the backfield. Despite all that Cassel gets up and tries again without complaining. This offense is horrible but it’s not Cassel’s fault. He has been one of the few bright spots on that offense this year. Give him, J Charles and the current group of receivers a decent offensive line next year and lets see what they can do.
Cassel has not been spectactular but given what he has had to deal with and how he’s dealt with it, I’m a fan.
I'm just scared...
He’ll get rattled this yr (sacked, pressured, hurried)and be scared next yr. Aka David Carr. That guy got pounded for 5 yrs and it took the qb life out of him. Sucked him dry.
Mr J
KC Chiefs Fan
by Mr J on Nov 24, 2009 5:19 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
ive been arguing since we got him
the he has “it.” The knock i have on him is that he either reads too slow, or is extremely conservative in his passing. Im leaning towards conservatism due to his low INT total and high sack total over the past two years.
his pocket presence has looked much less clumsy the past two games thought. maybe that’s because a pocket occasionally existed around him.
That is why I like him more
I’d rather he throw conservatively than picks. At least we still have the ball and opportunity, or can punt it away with our PB Punter. Picks lead to points against. Wait until he has protection, time, and a top WR corps for the risky throws.
I think he has been well worth the money
so far. How many QB’s would still be going this far into the season with the amount of hits he has taken? Regardless of how many hits he takes he stays positive does everything he can to make plays. You can’t beat that. Most would either curl up in the fetal position 10 minutes into the game or been on a stretcher going to the hospital. Just think of all the money that would have been spent if we didn’t have such a tough QB. Probably would have gone through 6 of them by now.
Steve Young had a great comment last night
When referring to Vince Young.
His opinion is that to be successful in today’s NFL, you have to be able to throw from the pocket. A QB that can throw on the run/scramble/wildcat/blah blah, adds dimension, but if you can’t drop back and hit receivers you won’t make it.
Next year’s O-line give’s Cassel that extra .5 seconds he needs, and his completion % jumps incredible % points.
do over...
If you had to do it over, would you still approve of the trade for Cassel? Or, would you rather Sanchez?
Well one thing is for sure..
He’s not veteran enough a QB to come in and do a great job under these circumstances. Mostly because he needs time in ONE place with ONE team in ONE scheme for awhile, so he can learn it. And get comfortable playing in it.
He needs time to get on the same page with his receivers. ONE set of receivers. If he was Brett Favre it would be different. But it’s not. It’s Matt Cassel. Mr. High School. So he deserves time just like everyone else does. He needs to be more accurate though.
That long throw to Chambers was underthrown big time. If he puts it on the money then it’s 6 points. He does not have a strong arm. Which is not good. But he can be accurate mid-range and be successful too. He just needs to get his confidence up. Which again..
Takes time.
I fully agree
Can’t spot a single part of that post with which I could really disagree.
by burntorangehorn on Nov 24, 2009 8:31 PM CST up reply actions
agreed
and I think you cant teach leadership, you cant teach that clutch gene either…and some of his 20-35 yard throws are just as good as a tom brady(see last game, 4th quarter, and previous game to Long)
People must give him time…Green threw 24 int’s his first year here….I mean cmon guys…Trent was a good Qb as well, but needed to get timing down, he ACTUALLY knew the system better than Cassel does, since Green came from the SAME EXACT system in st louis, well, not EXACT, but it was pretty darn close with Al Saunders/Coach Vermeil….
I just dont see a scenario where if they put talent around him, he fails….if we give him an OL, some targets…this guy can not only lead this team to wins, but CLUTCH wins…he can be a tom brady in terms of late game heroics…he proved that this year, and he did last year vs…the jets?
to me this is all VERY simple
look at trents first year with priest/tony G on that team
look at cassel without the line/WR’s/Priest….
Cassel is in a new system, with a new coach, and a bunch of new players…
Cassel STILL is not turning it over, he may hold onto it, but he also doesnt ruin games for us
Cassel has shown the ability…actually lets just call it, the Clutch Gene, to come back in games
Mostly, Cassel is mobile(and will be more mobile with an offseason to rest his knee) Cassel may not have a great deep throw but thats ok, hes EXCELLENT in the mid range with time…realize cassel is ALWAYS thinking he will get hit instantly, he HAS to think that way…which makes opening up the passing game nearly impossible…
lastly, Cassel is a leader, a leader with that very clutch gene that makes or breaks a QB’s Career(see Kelly,Jim)
Totally agree.
The “clutch gene” as you put it is my number one trait that I like. I wouldn’t give a damn if he could throw the ball 60 yards on his knees… if he can’t lead the team and engineer a drive when it counts, then what’s a big arm worth?
I’m happy with Cassel. He’s one of the guys that has stepped up to lead this team, which QBs absolutely have to do. Get him an OL and another WR and this offense will be in business to compete.
November 22nd 2009: Chiefs win in OT vs the Steelers 27-24. This could be the turning point for the Chiefs to get back to being respected.
by Red N Gold Beast on Nov 24, 2009 9:05 PM CST up reply actions
exactly, there have been so many jeff george types...
guys that can throw a dart anywhere on the field, but mentally are a mess…or dont have the respect of their teammates…arent cut out for pressure..for taking players under your wing and guiding them..
Matt Cassel will never be an off the field issue…He will never be one that causes problems with the press…We have the QB every head coach wants…one you can trust, and one you can respect.
Cassel's been the highlight of this season for us...
He hasn’t gotten injured (knock on wood)
He doesn’t turn the ball over too often
He can stretch the field
Cassel’s the best Chiefs Qb in a while
by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on Nov 24, 2009 10:59 PM CST reply actions
Everyone want instant gratification...just what society expects today!
IMHO if Cassel can stay health, he will go down as the best QB in Chiefs history. He has already proven in New England what he can do with talent around him and in a system he understands. Wait until the revolving door is stopped and the full offensive system is learned. Add pieces and watch it grow. It is quite simple: NO OFFENSIVE LINE, COMPLETE LACK OF RUNNING GAME (until recently), KNOWN PASSING DOWNS. Resolve those issues and he will be a very dynamic player. He holds the New England record for back to back 400+ yd games FY 2008.
Cassel is the only QB in NFL history who did not start a college game. Not much wear and tear here but this season is KC is certainly changing that. I think all naysayers will be eating their words! KC now has the most important position resolved. Well done Pioli and any whiners complaining about his contract don’t know the going rate that has dramatically changed and will continue to do so. 2010 – a no-cap year including Payton Manning’s contract being up.
by casselreadychiefs on Nov 24, 2009 11:54 PM CST reply actions
I wish I could say I was totally excited about Cassel but...
I’m not AS excited as I had hoped at the beginning of the year. He has been very average on a below average team with below average talent around him so, I guess that is a pretty ringing endorsement really. I think he will continue to improve as time goes by and we will see a solid, consistent QB for a long time. He may not be the next Drew Brees but, then again, he might.
Time will be the only way to know about Cassel for sure. I don’t think any of the circumstances from this year can really allow us to make a fair judgement about him. If I had to rate him right now, I would say he is a decent young QB with lots of potential and room to improve.
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