Matt Cassel : Lets Hold Judgment For Now
by WtexKC on Dec 11, 2009 5:51 PM CST
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Some might argue the Kansas City Chiefs took a risk when they decided to toss a fat contract Matt Cassel’s way before the guy even took a snap as a starting QB for the Chiefs. Surely Scott Pioli knew what he was doing, I mean, why make a career backup your franchise player of the future? Why put the weight of a franchise, in the middle of a “rebuilding process”, on the shoulders of a guy who had started a grand total of 15 NFL games? Well, let me tell you.
Its not easy to take over a team that has become accustomed to losing. Say what you want but over the last 2 years prior to this season this team had only won 6 games and weren’t showing to many signs of improvement. Needless to say, strap in folks, we’re in for a bumpy ride. The point I’m trying to make is this. When you’re rebuilding a franchise you need a mentally strong guy who will be able to handle the ups and downs of a growing team. Sure it would be easy to draft a blue chip recruit in the first round and pray that he can withstand the scrutiny and constant questioning that comes with being a starting NFL quarterback for a below .500 team. A team that has won 9 games since the start of the 2007 season. You can have your blue chip but me, I’ll take the guy who has been through adversity and shown that he will always come out a winner.
Enter…Matthew Brennan Cassel, a kid who grew up in Northridge, California. Cassel was the starting first baseman for the 1994 Northridge team that reached the finals of the Little League World Series. He went on to star in both football and baseball at Chatsworth High School and committed to USC before the start of his senior year. He was flying high at that time, on the top of the world. However, it’s kind of hard to get your name in the paper when your playing behind a couple Heisman winners. It must have been tough going from an all city QB in high school to a guy who was more likely to see the field in college as a wide receiver, tight end or on special teams. Not that he all of a sudden lost his talent but as before mentioned, Heisman. It would be easy for a guy in these circumstances to lose focus and just pack it in. Start focusing on life after football. But what did Cassel do? He showed enough talent, smarts and intangibles to get drafted in the 7th round of the 2005 NFL draft by NE. Matt Cassel went from top to bottom and came out a winner. Hmmm, we might have something here. Lets continue.
Matt started out as the Pats third string QB behind Tom Brady and Doug Flutie. He eventually became Tom’s backup in 2006 after Flutie’s retirement. He rode the bench for a couple years until disaster struck in the 2008 season opener and he was moved up the depth chart yet again, this time as a starter. Now lets get things straight. Being a backup QB in the league is not the easiest position. You don’t get the same reps in practice or the same amount of time with the first team, game plans aren’t designed to highlight your strengths and lessen your weaknesses but yet you are one blind sided hit away from taking the reigns for the starting O. I’m not saying I have sympathy for these guys because that’s what they get paid to do. A good backup is a guy who studies hard, works harder and plays smart. Matt Cassel took this team to an 11-5 record, just missing out on a playoff berth. He threw for 3693 yards, 21 Touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Not too shabby for the 7th round pickup. Matt knew his time would come, he studied hard and was ready to lead his team from the moment Bernard “Bone Crusher” Pollard’s hit forced him onto the field. I don’t care who your supporting cast is, it takes a certain kind of guy to be able to lead an NFL team to an 11 win season after that team just lost their poster boy QB.
Now I don’t know yet if Matt Cassel will be our QB of the future, the guy we’ve been waiting on since the great Len Dawson, but I do know this. If I’m going to build a team that has been through a rough patch then I want a guy who can handle the ups and downs that goes along with it. Someone with a level head on his shoulders that doesn’t get too high one week or too low the next. Matt Cassel went from a 2nd string college QB to getting drafted, from a 3rd string NFL QB to an 11 win starter. He’s been through tough times in his career and always seems to come out with his head above water. Lets just hope in a year or two I’ll be writing about how he took a down and out Chiefs team and brought them back to NFL glory.
Go Chiefs!
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.
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I wonder why Cassel
was satisfied to set on the bench at USC. Most QB’s who want to play would have transferred to another school where they could start and play.
Perhaps he was satisfied to sit on the bench at USC because he's a team player, and felt he could push others to make a better team. Or maybe he's just not selfish.
He barely lost the QB job to Matt Leinart, really because no one had managed to separate in the three-way battle to replace Carson Palmer. He was recruited by Pete Carroll’s predecessor, when Carroll needed a starter, he went with Leinart, who was his recruit. He could have easily gone with Cassel and perhaps USC would have been as good as they were with Leinart, and Cassel would have been the 1st round pick.
It’s kinda useless to play the what-if game, but let’s just say that I have much more respect for the player who pays his dues, is a team player, and doesn’t disrupt the locker room or display selfish behavior. I’m glad he honored his commitment to USC – shows class on his part, and it takes nothing away from him as a competitor.
Let's see if he can bounce back this Sunday.
But what if he doesn’t? How long do we reserve judgment and allow terrible QB play to stunt the growth of our team when we have a backup who may be a much better solution?
If Croyle is a better solution, I'd hope he could show so in practice, even in limited reps.
Plus, Cassel is widely acknowledged as being a tremendous worker and student of the game – if he’s more mentally ready to play the game, then I’d rather see him play that Croyle. I’ve never heard anyone laud Croyle’s work ethic in the same manner.
since we're not privy to those practice sessions, we can't be sure that Croyle ISN'T the better of the two at practice
I’ve never heard anyone say Croyle is NOT a hard worker and student of the game … have you? I’ve never heard Haley say Croyle is NOT mentally, or physically, ready to play, or not as ready as Cassel … have you? I’ve never heard Haley or anyone else queston Croyle’s work ethic … have you???
I do know that when Cassel was hurt before Balt game, and even the few days AFTER that game, Haley was heaping praise on Croyle regarding his arm, his work, his effort, his attitude … that Croyle is still around, and for all WE know he MIGHT be MORE prepared than Cassel, he MIGHT be working HARDER and be MORE studious of the game … I haven’t heard otherwise, have you???
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
I'll acknowledge that I haven't. And please, one question mark is quite enough.
Let me say that I can’t answer definitively one way or another – I don’t really know what the situation is. I do firmly believe that the Kansas City coaching staff and front office would play the quarterback they felt gave them the best chance to win, and so far they’ve played Cassel. I know that you can’t believe everything that is said by coaches and GMs – they have to spin things a certain way in many situations.
That said, I’ve been a New England fan for years, and I do believe in Cassel’s work ethic – everything I’ve seen, heard, and read makes me believe that he’s doing everything he can to be as prepared as he can be for the games. I find it difficult to believe that anyone’s outworking him for the job, but the possibility does exist.
And you raise Haley’s comments about Croyle around the Baltimore game. Well, I’d have been stunned if Haley had said anything at all different – it’s what he’s expected to say, especially when the team played a competitive game. In fact, there’s a lot of that to go around – he says what he’s expected say about Cassel, too.
So, to sum up – I’m in favor of Croyle playing if he can take the job from Cassel, which would mean he would need to be clearly better in practice and games. I haven’t seen that.
fair enough, Daniel, no huge argument with your POV ... mine is slightly different, but not THAT much when you get right down to it
other than I’m far more skeptical of Haley/Pioli than you and others
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
Great Post
Rags to Riches to Rags. We at AP have many agendas and viewpoints. Matt and Brodie have football lets let them and Haley sort it out. IT IS ABOVE AN AP PAYGRADE.
We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09. Almost there :)
And Succop will be the Key in two of them. Skins & Raiders! Pittsburgh Sweet!
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
He won't bounce back
and we’ll have to wait until he gets hurt or the stadium is empty, because Haley’s in denial. He still believes in Cassel in spite of what he sees. The media can see it. I can see it and the stats prove it.
Look for another blowout. I’m pretty sure the Browns can beat us too. We can’t out score anybody.
This is a dead issue to me
3-5 Croyle/Cassel posts.
Makes me think of Cassel/Thigpen.
I am done. Haley bashing would be refreshing right now :(
We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09. Almost there :)
And Succop will be the Key in two of them. Skins & Raiders! Pittsburgh Sweet!
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
by Steve_Chiefs on Dec 11, 2009 7:06 PM CST up reply actions
Don't forget to trade Dorsey and Bowe as well
Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!
I really think people are trying to make waves for no reason.
Because it is completely ignorant to think Croyle > Cassel. History and stats would say otherwise. I honestly can’t believe how much people are in denial about Matt Cassel. Two bad games and people want to throw him out. Give it time.
Our defense gave up 87 points in two weeks and the only thing people want to talk about is Matt Cassel. Classic.
There is that picture again
Again, not agreeing with your opinion does not make someone a troll. Posting oversized pictures all over the place when you don’t like what they say is. Just ask THE CHAMP.
Johnnie Morton: The Man. The Myth. The Legend.
by craig in calgary on Dec 11, 2009 8:29 PM CST up reply actions
Stating things that have no basis in fact or reality
make them trollish. Repeating them and making ad hominem attacks that only increase in fervor over the course of a week is FOOLISH.
Our defense gave up 87 points in two weeks and the only thing people want to talk about is Matt Cassel. Classic.
jk - nobody is attacking Cassel
all some of us are saying is that Cassel isn’t looking like a world-beater right now – that’s not hyperbole, that’s a simple truth – and that Croyle might just be a better option and it can’t hurt to see what Croyle has at this point
it’s not exactly as if this team is contending for anything – and to not want a spark and better play at QB, now that’s foolish
you’re welcome to your opinion, regardless of how different it is from mine or craig’s or ChiefsFan1970 or 58WasMyFriend … BUT … don’t call any of us fools when we’re engaging in intelligent, thoughtful discourse … that’s the purpose of this forum
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
Ignorant??? Really?
Hmmm, let’s see, superior arm strength, better field vision, ability to sidestep the rush, better accuracy, cooler in the pocket, quicker release.
Oh yeah, it would be foolish to think that those traits would make Croyle the better option. What were us ignorant Chiefs fans thinking?
by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 12, 2009 10:31 AM CST up reply actions
You know, game tape of Cassel shows that he's quite good at a number of those things too.
I don’t honestly know how you – or anyone – can make an argument about a player’s field vision. Honestly, neither has a great body of work to judge from, and playing college football doesn’t really count. Release, yes, accuracy, yes, ability to sidestep the rush (but let’s give Cassel some credit for still being upright after being treated like a tackling dummy for the first half of the season – I know I’d be a jittery mess), yes, arm strength, yes.
Without knowing what Cassel or Croyle is seeing on any particular play, or what their reads are, it seems like a stretch.
Even so...
To call us ignorant is short sighted and at this point, the team has nothing to lose by seeing what he can do. I’d like to know for sure before he gets traded to some other team or picked up as a free agent.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 12, 2009 10:42 AM CST up reply actions
Oh, certainly. I'd never dream of calling you ingorant - I don't know you, so that'd be very disrespectful.
I’ll agree that it’d be nice to have a good idea of what Croyle can do, which to me means he needs to make more of whatever time he gets – putting points on the board in garbage time against Denver would have been good.
The flip side is that at the moment I would guess that his free agent value is very low – a young player who hasn’t won a game, hasn’t proven that he can stay healthy, or shown that he can mentor a young player, being one himself?
My guess at the moment is that if the Chiefs want him back, he’ll be back.
Personally, I’d love to see Chad Pennington picked up – his playing career is about over and his arm is about as strong as a Ramen noodle, but in limited duty he’d be a good player – but more than that, I believe he has a future as a coach, so why not have him start on that path early?
Remember
Matt didn’t have the advantage of working with the same offseason scheme all of training camp and preseason. Todd Haley took control of the offense right before the season started. I have a feeling that if Haleys offense would have been in place from the get go or if we would have had an offense coordinator then things would be different now.
Yet another Non post
This topic has been dead for a long time, I thought we head the end of it when Thigpen was traded, Now we have the Coyle people. As I see it Coyle is on the last year of his contract, where as gut has a couple more left, that being said I would guess that we end up drafting a QB in the later rounds and Coyle is out of KC. That leaves us with Cassel and Gut, Cassel will never be the Brady you want him to be, but he is a smart QB that can run the offense and lead the team to wins. No maybe not this year, he doesn’t have much to work with. Poor pass protection and dropped balls can kill any QB stats, and we know what we think we are seeing in the games, but we really have no idea what the pass pattern was or if it was run correctly.
I know there will always be those people that are never satisfied they always want who ever is on the bench to come in and take over. But have you really given thought as to why they are on the bench to start with? With Coyle is is plain to see he is injury prone, why try to run an offense with a guy you don’t even know if he is going to finish the game never mind a season. I know as long as I’m with AP there will always be post like this and for the most part I ignore them, but sometimes I just have to wonder why some feel these type of post are even needed, or is it just a way to get attention by posting something you know is going to get blasted? Whatever it is I just give up.
is it me? or isn't about time the Lamar Hunt trophy belonged to His team?
This Chiefs team is closer to a new expansion team than it is a playoff contender, your expectations should match that.
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