Chiefs QB Cassel Has Shot at a Big Day Against Sackless Jaguars

by Joel Thorman on Nov 8, 2009 8:55 AM CST in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

(Editor's Note: I am just now realizing the irony in the title to this post)

If you were ever wondering what a game between the 2009 Chiefs and the 2008 Chiefs would be like this is probably the closest we're going to get. The Chiefs historically low 10 total sacks last season was a large part of the reason it seemed every quarterback that came into town walked away with a career day.

Today, Matt Cassel could be that quarterback. The Jaguars currently have a NFL low 5 sacks through 7 games.

They are on pace to barely surpass the 2008 Chiefs. Here are a few of the bigger days opposing quarterbacks have had in 7 games.

Peyton Manning - 28/38, 301 yards, 1 TD
Kurt Warner: 24/26, 243 yards, 2 TDs
Matt Schaub: 26/35, 300 yards, 3 TDs
Matt Hasselbeck: 18/30, 241 yards, 4 TDs
Vince Young: 15/18, 125 yards, 1 TD

I'm not saying Matt Cassel is Peyton Manning, Matt Schaub (yet) or Kurt Warner. He's not at that level. But I do believe the Hasselbeck(4 TDs) and Vince Young (15/18) numbers are worth mentioning.

If Matt Cassel has the time today, we can begin to get a good read on what he'll be like when/if there is a more talented offensive line.

If he has more time today, does Matt Cassel put up bigger numbers?

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If he has time he should...

put up over 200 yards and 2 TD’s. We hope!

Chiefs Top Five Solo Tackle Leaders:

Demorrio Williams -37 Tackles
Mike Brown -33 Tackles
Mike Vrable -25 Tackles
Corey Mays -24 Tackles
Brandon Flowers -19 Tackles

by Chiefsfan85 on Nov 8, 2009 9:00 AM CST reply actions

What to look for today is to see if he's hearing footsteps after being shellshocked all year

David Carr is a perfect example of a QB who was hit so many times he never got comfortable in the pocket. It arguably ruined his career.

If Cassel is skittish out there, we have a reason to worry.

10/19/09: The Chiefs are on their way to an 11-5 season...I think....
10/26/09: Okay, so it'll be 10-6, I can live with that...

by mushin on Nov 8, 2009 9:00 AM CST reply actions

Love your signature. haha!

Chiefs Top Five Solo Tackle Leaders:

Demorrio Williams -37 Tackles
Mike Brown -33 Tackles
Mike Vrable -25 Tackles
Corey Mays -24 Tackles
Brandon Flowers -19 Tackles

by Chiefsfan85 on Nov 8, 2009 9:05 AM CST up reply actions

I am starting to get worried about Cassel.

Even when he does have time he still looks worried about getting hit. I do think getting hit on almost every play is starting to get to him.

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

by bringbacktheglory on Nov 8, 2009 9:22 AM CST up reply actions

yah I agree mushin...that's what I thought too...I hope he isn't ruined..

but he did put up with sacks in NE too.

by krayfish on Nov 8, 2009 9:53 AM CST up reply actions

Totally agree

And it all started in the Philly game when our OLine didn’t know WHO to block so they blocked no one.

I’m glad Haley kept running the ball when he realized the game was out of reach. Its no different than coaches pulling their starters because they’ve gained a huge lead, like the 59-0 blowout of the Titans in Foxborough.

I’d rather keep our QB alive then to risk injury to our franchise QB.

"The first step to penetration... must not be lateral"
-Confucius, in contrary to Glenn Dorsey lining up in the 2-tech

by ArrowSpread on Nov 8, 2009 10:10 AM CST up reply actions

LOL

am i the only one who started choking when he read “Sackless Jaguars”???

A man who says he can, and a man who says he can't are both right. Which one are you?

by Bashman on Nov 8, 2009 9:25 AM CST reply actions

Oh, haha

Didn’t even catch that.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Nov 8, 2009 9:26 AM CST up reply actions

no you are not alone...

Predictions for 2009:

LJ breaks Chiefs all time rushing record at home

Bowe's numbers regress due to lack of decent QB play.

The D gets better in the second half but still is plagued by big plays

Cassel looks more like the guy Pioli almost cut in the '08 preseason instead of the franchise QB he hoped he would be when he traded him for

Chiefs 6-10

by bonesjackson on Nov 8, 2009 9:34 AM CST up reply actions

You said sackless.

No one ever says, "It's only a game" when their team is winning.
George Carlin-R.I.P.

by idahochieffan on Nov 8, 2009 9:37 AM CST up reply actions

I think Beavis was born in Idaho right?

by krayfish on Nov 8, 2009 9:50 AM CST up reply actions

Texas-but I'm sure he's got family here!

No one ever says, "It's only a game" when their team is winning.
George Carlin-R.I.P.

by idahochieffan on Nov 8, 2009 9:55 AM CST up reply actions

I think Joel qualified that answer by saying "for Cassel"?

We don’t really honestly KNOW enough about Cassel to judge him too strong either way. He’s been pretty sub-par all year, but I’m sure that has a lot to do with everything going on.

I’m not excusing him, Aaron Rodgers is living proof it can be done. There’s always some weak ass excuse why when another QB with a crap line succeeds and Matt doesn’t so expect the apologists to rain on that comparison.

But for sure, if we can give him time, it will be the FIRST time we’ve had the chance to see what he could be like with a better line. Your right bones…we paid him …we’re stuck with him either way…so I’d love to see what he’s got with time and see if Chambers can even help us or not.

Either way, it should be a good game.

by krayfish on Nov 8, 2009 9:49 AM CST reply actions

He has been sub par but...

I feel a lot better with him in there than Croyle. Croyle was ok but he was obviously protected the entire game (meaning low amount of pass attempts, only 1 pass attempt over 20 yrds).

Just from watching Cassel last year I think he has the tools to run an offense even if his arm isn’t the strongest in the league. I know, its the Patriots blah blah. Either way he still looked very competent. Maybe not the best, but the best on the Chiefs roster. Brodie won’t be able to replicate the results he got once over time if he even lasts a couple games. Cassel at least can scramble.

by Lucasjr5 on Nov 8, 2009 9:53 AM CST up reply actions

Really?

Croyle was ok but he was obviously protected the entire game (meaning low amount of pass attempts, only 1 pass attempt over 20 yrds).

Than why is Croyle’s yards per pass almost 2 yard better?

Predictions for 2009:

LJ breaks Chiefs all time rushing record at home

Bowe's numbers regress due to lack of decent QB play.

The D gets better in the second half but still is plagued by big plays

Cassel looks more like the guy Pioli almost cut in the '08 preseason instead of the franchise QB he hoped he would be when he traded him for

Chiefs 6-10

by bonesjackson on Nov 8, 2009 9:57 AM CST up reply actions

Yes, that's why

meaning low amount of pass attempts,

Croyle’s numbers are completely worthless for evaluating him in 2009.
You cannot compare 2 QB’s numbers when one of them only played in ONE game, and had relatively FEW passes in that game. You aren’t comparing apples to apples.

Go pull up Croyles ENTIRE career passing stats.
Then pull Cassels stats for the same number of attempts.

Otherwise, the numbers are meaningless.

The Powers Of Astute Observation Are Often Mistaken As Cynacism By Those That Do Not Posses Them -- G.B. Shaw

by Texas Chief on Nov 8, 2009 10:01 AM CST up reply actions

I haven't been comparing the statistics...

because one game has very skewed statistics. Cassel played more games against a pretty tough schedule. Croyle played 1 decent game, played very conservative, and because of that had a LOT of three and outs especially in the first half. We were in that game because of our defense and their lucky tds, lets be real here. Cassel isn’t doing it much better necessarily, but he doesn’t dump it off on 3rd and 12 every time either because he doesn’t want to throw a pick.

If Croyle were in a game where he had to take chances only then would we really be able to compare these two. To me it doesn’t matter. They both are about equally talented, but Cassel has better running legs and reportedly better QB IQ. Either way, until the entire team improves it will be difficult for a QB to win us games on his own. A QB needs good tools around him to take the game into his hands and win it for us in the 4th quarter.

by Lucasjr5 on Nov 8, 2009 10:07 AM CST up reply actions

Agreed

For Cassel explains it all. He didn’t say for a QB on this offense, he said for Cassel. Matt makes me nervous because I want so much more for this team than mediocre QB play can bring. We had this type of QB before, remember Steve Bono? Sure he pulled out the one 80 yard run or whatever but when the playoffs came calling…..

Predictions for 2009:

LJ breaks Chiefs all time rushing record at home

Bowe's numbers regress due to lack of decent QB play.

The D gets better in the second half but still is plagued by big plays

Cassel looks more like the guy Pioli almost cut in the '08 preseason instead of the franchise QB he hoped he would be when he traded him for

Chiefs 6-10

by bonesjackson on Nov 8, 2009 9:54 AM CST up reply actions

Making this game all about Cassel is a little premature

Sure, I hope he has a good game, and I think he will have one.

Thing is, he’s up against serious challenges on the homefront. Haley’s (IMO) taken on too much, and in trying to do both HC and OC, it’s diminished his ability to do either well. New system, which takes most QBs time to settle into. Not just a poor OL, but one made worse by the ‘musical chairs’ approach that’s been taken with it, and lastly, a defense that is poor enough to keep him worrying about making mistakes. Worry is a cancer for QBs, when they should be confident, instead.

(Personal note, to those who recall my recent challenges: Things got worse. My Mother-ibn-Law died a couple weeks ago. She was a sweet lady, and had plenty of love for the man who married her daughter. So, things have been turbulent here. Hope to get back into the groove again.)

Cassel vs. Thigpen in Camp should improve the play of both.
Linebackers: looking better
D-lineL slight improvement
O-line: WTF?!?

by Bleedingredandgold on Nov 8, 2009 10:17 AM CST reply actions

Sorry to hear about your mother in law

Best wishes for your family.

Predictions for 2009:

LJ breaks Chiefs all time rushing record at home

Bowe's numbers regress due to lack of decent QB play.

The D gets better in the second half but still is plagued by big plays

Cassel looks more like the guy Pioli almost cut in the '08 preseason instead of the franchise QB he hoped he would be when he traded him for

Chiefs 6-10

by bonesjackson on Nov 8, 2009 10:23 AM CST up reply actions

Thank you for the kind thoughts

Cassel vs. Thigpen in Camp should improve the play of both.
Linebackers: looking better
D-lineL slight improvement
O-line: WTF?!?

by Bleedingredandgold on Nov 8, 2009 10:30 AM CST up reply actions

It will Bleeding

I too lost a wonderful mother-in-law about a year ago…the calm will return

"There are few secrets in football. So execute." ~Coach Stram
"I think it's the fans. The place is crazy. It's a good crazy, if you're Kansas City." ~Coach Schottenheimer

by Bad Medicine on Nov 8, 2009 10:34 AM CST up reply actions

For those that think I am just bashing Cassel....

I watch every game over again on Shortcuts so that I can see what happened without emotion. While cheering it is hard to watch detached and here is what I see from Cassel.

1. An indecisive QB, he takes too many sacks
2. A bad decision maker on the field
3. Poor management of the clock, he wastes timeout or gets a delay of game instead of getting the play off
4. Inaccurate passer of balls deeper than 10 yards.

Thing is that all of these things are correctable. I think the biggest problem is the QB is the OC and HC and doesn’t have time to correct these things. Haley should have never left the QB coaching duties with Chan. Had he had a QB coach he trusted, I think Cassel would be further developed at this point.

Bottom line is that we need better QB play. I am worried this guy isn’t the right guy and we will be saddled with him because of his contract and the fact that getting him was Pioli’s first real personnel move. I hope he ends up becoming a really good QB but I see more Steve Bono than I do Trent Green as his ceiling.

Predictions for 2009:

LJ breaks Chiefs all time rushing record at home

Bowe's numbers regress due to lack of decent QB play.

The D gets better in the second half but still is plagued by big plays

Cassel looks more like the guy Pioli almost cut in the '08 preseason instead of the franchise QB he hoped he would be when he traded him for

Chiefs 6-10

by bonesjackson on Nov 8, 2009 10:31 AM CST reply actions

Won't get better QB play

Until he gets better protection, period. A lot of highly projected QBs have failed for this very same reason.

He hasn’t had ANY time to get into any sort of groove, and hasn’t had ANY reason to feel comfortable in the pocket, should one form. The expectations you’re placing on this guy are absurd because the other pieces aren’t in place for him to succeed.

Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees… They’d all be shit behind our OLine and in our current system. Go back and count he many times he’s gotten

sacked, hit, or hurried

this season. I bet the numbers are off the charts.

"The first step to penetration... must not be lateral"
-Confucius, in contrary to Glenn Dorsey lining up in the 2-tech

by ArrowSpread on Nov 8, 2009 10:45 AM CST up reply actions

Uh, that should have been bolded, not block-quoted.

"The first step to penetration... must not be lateral"
-Confucius, in contrary to Glenn Dorsey lining up in the 2-tech

by ArrowSpread on Nov 8, 2009 10:45 AM CST up reply actions

LOL

None of the things I mentioned are because of the line. He takes more sacks than he should because he is indecisive. I don’t think he has been hit as much as Rodgers is and yet, Aaron is having a pretty good season.

Predictions for 2009:

LJ breaks Chiefs all time rushing record at home

Bowe's numbers regress due to lack of decent QB play.

The D gets better in the second half but still is plagued by big plays

Cassel looks more like the guy Pioli almost cut in the '08 preseason instead of the franchise QB he hoped he would be when he traded him for

Chiefs 6-10

by bonesjackson on Nov 8, 2009 10:49 AM CST up reply actions

And that's the problem with your argument

You’re leaving out the largest factor of his poor play — hell, of our entire offense’s poor play.

"The first step to penetration... must not be lateral"
-Confucius, in contrary to Glenn Dorsey lining up in the 2-tech

by ArrowSpread on Nov 8, 2009 10:54 AM CST up reply actions

Whats the problem?

That a different QB is not making the same mistakes under more pressure?

Predictions for 2009:

LJ breaks Chiefs all time rushing record at home

Bowe's numbers regress due to lack of decent QB play.

The D gets better in the second half but still is plagued by big plays

Cassel looks more like the guy Pioli almost cut in the '08 preseason instead of the franchise QB he hoped he would be when he traded him for

Chiefs 6-10

by bonesjackson on Nov 8, 2009 11:18 AM CST up reply actions

The problem is that Cassel is not comfortable in the pocket

And he has no reason to be. That has led to a multitude of issues that you list above. The fact that you are willing to completely push aside the play of the OLine contributing to his mistakes is absurd.

Its gotten to a point where he expects there to be pressure because there is no trust there, and it is affecting his play, his reads, everything. How can you discount that?

"The first step to penetration... must not be lateral"
-Confucius, in contrary to Glenn Dorsey lining up in the 2-tech

by ArrowSpread on Nov 8, 2009 11:32 AM CST up reply actions

Not to mention the fact that earlier...

You completely discount the play calling. Also, getting rid of the the entire playbook right before the start of the season, new terminology, not being on the same page with the receivers… There are a host of factors, man. It doesn’t all fall on Cassel, as you’ve been arguing.

"The first step to penetration... must not be lateral"
-Confucius, in contrary to Glenn Dorsey lining up in the 2-tech

by ArrowSpread on Nov 8, 2009 11:33 AM CST up reply actions

I wonder

if those on the Jags side see us as an opportunity to increase their sack total

our line better show some moxie today so we all can see what we have in Cassel and Co.

"There are few secrets in football. So execute." ~Coach Stram
"I think it's the fans. The place is crazy. It's a good crazy, if you're Kansas City." ~Coach Schottenheimer

by Bad Medicine on Nov 8, 2009 10:31 AM CST reply actions

Cassel isnt the issue here dude...

I like him a lot. Good arm, good accuracy… Game management and execution are suspect but, are those his problems or the play callers? I think the latter, and throw in a Swiss cheese OL. It’s really frustrating to watch this shit every Sunday as a fan. This is a game that we can win which will be even more agonizing if we fumble this one.

Sackoff (McIntosh,Goff) like Brangelina.

by DaChefs on Nov 8, 2009 10:56 AM CST reply actions