It's Okay to Draft Jimmy Clausen... And Yes, It Could Happen
by Jon Yoon on Feb 25, 2010 7:20 AM CST
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PrintI read an interesting article by our good friend Patrick Allen at Arrowhead Addict the other day. In that article, he claimed that it was absurd to suggest that the Chiefs could take Jimmy Clausen with the #5 pick in the draft. I firmly disagree.
It's not absurd at all and I think it's very much in play. More on why after the jump.
Let's get into some of the reasons why Clausen makes sense for the Chiefs as well as dispel a few myths about why they wouldn't take him:
Myth: The Chiefs are Already Committed to Matt Cassel for the Long-term. You'd be Flushing $60M Down the Toilet!:
Cassel's contract seems to be pretty front-loaded, so it's not like the Chiefs are committed to him for a really long period of time. His contract was worth $63M with $40.5M guaranteed the first three years of his contract. Now, I'm going primarily based off of information spit out to the media, but to my understanding, the majority of his bonus money is in the form of roster bonuses. If you cut a guy from your roster before the bonus is due, you don't take a cap hit. That's very different from a signing bonus, which would require the Chiefs to take a cap hit based on how many years were left on Cassel's contract.
So enough with the rumor about the Chiefs being committed to Cassel long-term. If they want to cut him after this season, they can do so with very little hit to their cap.
Myth: Assuming Cassel Has a Bad 2010, Pioli is Too Arrogant to Admit That He Made a Mistake in Trading for Cassel:
Because Pioli has bent over backward to Patriotize the Chiefs, I think people are making a weird accusation that Pioli has some kind of history of arrogance and over-loyalty.
That's just not the case. That's not Pioli's history. Ask Lawyer Milloy, Ty Law, or Chad Jackson if the Patriots have a history of loyalty. They'd laugh in your face. When Pioli was with the Patriots, he was not afraid to part ways with players who he believed were not producing to their salary level. I don't see why he would act any differently in Kansas City. Pioli hated spending money on players in New England. It's hard to imagine that all of a sudden he's all about throwing money at players who aren't producing.
Yeah, but... but... Pioli traded a second round pick for Cassel. Okay, but he also cut second round pick Bernard Pollard and, if you'll recall, he traded up to pick Chad Jackson several years ago (sacrificing a 2nd and a 3rd round pick). That didn't stop Pioli from cutting Jackson after a short two seasons.
Myth: Pioli Loves Cassel Because he Represents the "Patriot Way"
Wrong. Read up on what the Patriot Way really means. The Patriot Way is less about the players and moreso about a system where the personnel staff and the coaches work together in lockstep.
Pioli made a mark in New England by listening to what Bill Belichick wanted and delivering those players to him. If Charlie Weis feels that Jimmy Clausen is the better man for the Quarterback position, then Pioli is going to listen to him. And yes, I imagine Weis wants Jimmy Clausen. And given that Pioli hired Weis back, my guess is that he has enough respect for Weis that he's going to trust his input.
Myth: You Don't Waste Your #5 Pick on a Backup Quarterback
Yes, if you have Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, then you probably don't want to drain that much money and pass up quality talent for a guy who'll likely ride the pine. But the Chiefs don't have Manning. They don't have Brady. Quite frankly, they don't know what they have. They have a Quarterback who could be good, but there's enough doubt to suggest that he never will be.
You can't rest your franchise on a Quarterback who may or may not be good.
Besides, Quarterback is the one position where you can salvage your pick, even if your pick at QB doesn't play a single snap. If Matt Cassel lights it up in 2010 and the Chiefs don't need a guy like Clausen, then you can trade Clausen for a solid pick. Probably a first rounder. You draft a QB at #5, then turn around and trade him for a #15. That's not a huge loss in value.
Quarterback is the one position teams absolutely must get right. Sometimes you can squeak by with a Trent Dilfer or a Rex Grossman, but those guys are the exception and not the rule. The Chiefs need insurance at the Quarterback position. If Cassel fails, then you have insurance in Clausen. If Cassel succeeds, then you ship Clausen away and get decent draft value in return. If both fail, then well, at least you tried. There isn't a whole lot to lose, even if Cassel ends up being wildly successful.
Myth: Matt Cassel Deserves Another Year to Prove Himself. After All, He Had a Horrible Supporting Cast!
And if he doesn't do well in 2010, then what? How many chances are the Chiefs going to have to sit pretty with a top 5 pick and a potential franchise quarterback sitting there? Besides, if you do that, then you're basically throwing 2011 away as you develop another young quarterback.
Look, I haven't given up on Cassel. I think he could thrive in the more Patriot-esque offense Weis will bring to Kansas City. But I'm also willing to settle for nothing less than at least top 10 talent and I just haven't seen anything that leads me to believe that he is absolutely the answer in Kansas City. I'm leery about whether he has a good enough deep ball, whether he makes quick enough decisions, whether he loses his composure sometimes. I'm leery about his accuracy issues. Yes, he can improve, but there's also a strong enough possibility that he won't. At least not to the extent that I believe he needs to improve to make this a championship-caliber team.
Some of that has to do with a poor offensive line and a poor receiver corps, but I just didn't see much improvement even when the supporting cast around him got better and better and better. Chris Chambers played like a true #1 receiver. The offensive line finally started holding their blocks. Jamaal Charles took a lot of pressure off Cassel by being a dangerous threat on the ground. Despite all of that, I just didn't see marked improvement by Cassel. He certainly did nothing in 2010 that lead us to believe that he is absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt the QB of the Future.
Besides, in watching Peyton Manning and Drew Brees and Tom Brady over the years, I began to realize that great quarterbacks make everyone around them better. Brees and Manning don't have all-world talent around them on offense. They make their offensive line better by getting rid of the ball quickly and make their receivers better by consistently throwing catchable balls in the right spots. Same with Tom Brady--he was leading productive offenses with Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney as his go-to guys.
And as long as there is that doubt, you can't rest easy knowing that you might not have the most important piece of your puzzle on the table. And when you can't rest easy, you buy insurance.
Jimmy Clausen is very much in play. We have a new coach and a GM who has a history of demanding results from contract players. We have an Offensive Coordinator who personally coached and mentored Clausen in college and undoubtedly thinks very highly of him (and who knows, maybe he's not that high on Cassel). We have a GM who has a history of listening to his coaches. We have a starting QB who has not yet proven to be anything close to a franchise QB of the Future and who is locked into a contract that basically expires after this season.
Jimmy Clausen isn't a bad pick. It's not one bit risky. In fact, it might be one of the safest picks the Chiefs can possibly make in this draft. I'm not saying he's a guarantee at #5 or that I would absolutely draft him, but I'm just surprised that so many people seem to think there's no way it could happen.
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nice post
i just dont think we need Claussen at this point and hope we dont pick him, lets swing a trade with someone else and get more dominant defensive players!
Regardless of who the Chiefs pick at #5 overall, Whitlock will call it the worst pick in the history of the Chiefs. Heres to hoping that #5 pick runs Whitlock out of town.....
Throughout the twists and turns of the 2009 Notre Dame football season, quarterback Jimmy Clausen had an impressive ear to hear his concerns.
Former Notre Dame All-American quarterback Joe Theismann had befriended Clausen, who declared for the NFL draft Monday following his junior year in South Bend.
“The discussion (to leave college early) never came up between us. I think he had every intention of going back for his senior year,” said Theismann on Monday. “Now that the coaching situation has changed so much, I think it is in his best interests to see what his future looks like. I agree with his decision.”
Charlie Weis, who recruited Clausen out of Westlake Village, Calif., was fired as head coach at the end of this season. And Clausen’s top receiver, Golden Tate, is also declaring for the NFL draft.
“I think Golden is a bit more polished coming out than anybody,” said Theismann. “I mean, what Golden was able to do at a time when he was the focal point, just speaks volumes for his ability. He catches the ball well, he returns kicks well. He’s a first-round pick, in my mind.”
Clausen leaves Notre Dame after 34 starts, in which the team was 16-18. He ranked second in the country in pass efficiency this season behind Boise State’s Kellen Moore.
Clausen was 289-for-425 passing for 3,722 yards and 28 touchdowns this year with four interceptions. He averaged 310 yards per game passing.
“I said a while back that I was going to tackle (Clausen) if he tried to leave. If Charlie was there, I would have felt that way,” Theismann said. "But with so much transition that is going to go on, and so many questions and so many players leaving … that’s what kids look at now. ‘What is the team going to look like around me?’
“The fact that he played for Charlie was great. He gave him an opportunity to work from under center, which is very important.”
Theismann, who won a Super Bowl ring with the Washington Redskins and was NFL MVP in 1983, said he thinks Clausen can make it in the NFL.
“He is like any young quarterback. There are things that he needs to work on and get better at,” Theismann said. “But he certainly has the arm strength. He has proven he has the accuracy. He has proven he has the toughness. And I think, based on the way things are going at the University of Notre Dame … if professional football is his chosen field, it’s probably a good opportunity.”
Theismann said Clausen will continue to improve after a rough start at Notre Dame.
“When Jimmy first came to Notre Dame, he was put in a very difficult situation,” he said. "There was an awful lot expected of him. And the team around him was very young. … There was a lot of pressure and it was tough for him. And he handled it very well. I think that in the three years he has been a starter there he has grown, he has matured. …
“He has a great foundation to become a professional quarterback.”
"It aint what happens it's how you react to it that makes all the difference." I'm sure it was somebody wiser than me that said it first. I coach girls softball and use that line all the time.
by DFisr722 on Feb 25, 2010 7:30 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
I would be amazed if we were able to draft both Clausen and Tate
I do think Pioli might be more inclined to trade back if Clausen is there, rather than selecting him
What the world needs is more geniuses with humility, there are so few of us left.
I do believe
if we could trade Cassel for a 2nd we could do it, but i don’t see that happening. In another extreme case we could cut Cassel, which wouldn’t happen, and we wouldn’t take a cap hit at all due to the uncapped year. This is why they are saying there is going to be some unexpected free agents this offseason because the front offices of a lot of teams are looking to unload contracts
Broncos would probably give their 1st for Cassel
I could almost guarantee it, considering that they were willing to give up Cutler for Cassel strait up. That said, I wouldn’t deal Cassel.
Predictions:
This year will be better
Total myth
I could almost guarantee it, considering that they were willing to give up Cutler for Cassel strait up.
No truth to this at all.
Be careful of something that’s just like you want it to be.
Waylon Jennings
Which part is a myth?
Not saying that you’re wrong, but how would you know any better than the rest of us?
Predictions:
This year will be better
Cassel played for the Pats,
So obviously the Pats weren’t going to take Cutler for Cassel “straight up.” Basically that was never an option. They were willing to replace Cutler with Cassel, but they knew by doing so they were going to get extra compensation.
Don't Fuccop Succop
by chicks_love_chiefs on Feb 25, 2010 10:12 AM CST up reply actions
It was going...
to be a three way trade. Cutler to Tampa, Cassel to Denver, Tampa’s 1st to New England.
Draft prediction top 10 - 1. Bradford 2. Suh (Chiefs trade up) 3. McCoy 4. Claussen (trade Campbell to Carolina, trade for J Brown) 5. Okung (Detroit) 6. Berry 7. Hayden 8. Campbell 9. Davis (Bills trade for Vick) 10. Morgan (Jags draft Tebow in 2nd round) 2/23/09
by I_Bleed_Red. on Feb 25, 2010 11:09 AM CST up reply actions
i doubt that was it
if that was it then NE would have got a 1st for cassel and dever would have recieved nothing for cuttler except cassel. that’s pretty much the same thing as a straight up trade.
Seriously mates, when have I ever been sarcastic?
Oh and in case you were wondering, that hug offer is still there when you are ready UC :p
The myth
McDaniels has said repeatedly that he was contacted about Cassel, listened politely and said no thanks. I’m a Broncos fan so I followed all this closely last year. that doesn’t make me right – no one outside of the Broncos FO knows for sure. but the main stream media had a field day with what was really just unfounded gossip.
Be careful of something that’s just like you want it to be.
Waylon Jennings
For the record
I’m not saying the Broncos would give up the #10 pick in the draft this year for him. I highly doubt they would.
Their 2nd rounder…#45…possibly. Considering his contract is a lot more palatable now than it was this time last year, I think they may.
We did give a 2nd rounder for Vrabel and Cassel
If we drafted Clausen I could see him either riding the bench for a year behind Cassel. Or trading Cassel to the Broncos for a 2nd or 3rd.
Just another discussion starter...
If Cassel was cut/traded, where would he end up? Denver, Carolina, Buffalo?
Denver i would say
as far as i know Orton is a free agent this year so they are going to be looking for a QB anyway. McDaniels made it pretty clear he loves Cassel.
Orton is a RFA
He’ll certainly be tendered by Denver, if they don’t work out a long term deal. Orton did quite well last year, considering new team, new coaches, new scheme.
Be careful of something that’s just like you want it to be.
Waylon Jennings
very true
had a lot of talent around him and he produced, not very spectacular but solid. Also do you see him as the type of qb to take them to the big game? Because i don’t
Orton to the SB?
Hope springs eternal. Actually, I think Orton can be a very good QB, if he stays in Denver and works with McDaniels. It would be a shame for Kyle to get moved all over the place because no one thinks he’s the real deal. He did break a lot of Drew Brees’ records at Purdue, then got caught in a bind at Chicago. He’s a very steady and composed QB, with an arm that is stronger than it’s reputed to be. Time will tell, though.
Be careful of something that’s just like you want it to be.
Waylon Jennings
I kind of agree
I think he got a raw deal in chicago, surround him with the right players he might surprise a lot of people.
Thanks Jon, Scotty beam me back down
I think IF we draft Jimmy we just keep Cassel and see what happens, he’d be a darn good mentor. What’s the worst case scenario for him he ends up a backup? Nothing new for him. KC has never been a top spender salary wise and it may be time to ante up if they really want things to change.
"It aint what happens it's how you react to it that makes all the difference." I'm sure it was somebody wiser than me that said it first. I coach girls softball and use that line all the time.
Re: Pay Cassel
No. You pay him to be a starter in 2010 (even if you draft Clausen, I’ve never been a fan of QBs starting as rookies). And he proves himself worthy to be a QB of the Future, you keep Cassel. If not, you cut him or restructure his contract. Either way, you’d never be paying Cassel to be a backup.
You’d pay Clausen a lot of money to be a backup. But that’s not uncommon for a drafted QB.
We wouldnt have to touch Cassel;s contract,
that thing is so front loaded that after next year it won’t matter what we do with him.
Don't blame me, I voted for content of character.
And if Cassel turns out to be good
What would you do with Clausen? Keep him on the bench for the duration of his $50 million rookie contract? I guess you could go the Charger route & appoint him to be the starter after a few seasons on the bench even if Cassel is playing well, but that sure is a risky proposition for a GM & Coach.
Maybe if Weis is absolutely sold on Clausen becoming the next Joe Montana he could convince Poili to pull the trigger on him, but considering the high bust rate of great college QBs it would take a great leap of faith to do that. The only way I could see it happening would be if Denver gave us multiple high draft picks for Cassel.
Predictions:
This year will be better
Re: If Cassel turns out to be good
As I mentioned, then you shop Clausen around and you would easily, EASILY get first round value for him. Maybe even a top 10-15 pick.
If Cassel turns out good
then maybe we get our 2nd back or maybe we could turn the 2nd we spent on Cassel into a first. Wise investment Id say.
Don't blame me, I voted for content of character.
I think we disagree on that point
If Clausen sits on the bench for two years he’s no longer going to be looked at as the next great thing anymore.
Predictions:
This year will be better
Thats why we wouldnt want to trade Clausen
The hope would be that both QB’s develop, then we keep the younger QB with more upside, and we trade the older QB who has probably hit his ceiling at that point.
Don't blame me, I voted for content of character.
Re: Clausen's value
His value would still be high if he was benched for the right reasons—because the QB in front of him started playing like a franchise QB. In the meantime, he had 1-2 years to develop under a really good QBs coach and has started to adjust a little better to the talent and speed of the NFL.
I’d be shocked if Clausen didn’t command a first round pick in a few years if the Chiefs choose to trade him because Cassel established himself as a franchise QB.
On the other hand
the Chiefs need a lot of “right now” help. Granted, you still gotta look for the future, long term, but is Clausen the best /value/ for the team in the first round, or would they be better off with an impact player at another position?
Yes, yes, I remember the “draft the best player available” theory, but all other things being relatively equal in the comparison, you draft the BPA who’s best for the team, not the BPA who makes the most sportswriters happy with the “sexiness” of it all.
The “value” of the pick only goes so far. In the end, the player picked, especially in round 1, is only valuable if he starts at the position, or at least plays a major role. A player can have all the “upside” in the world on Draft Day, but that means quat if he doesn’t play, and the Chiefs need players who can play right away.
Does that mean I hate the idea of Clausen as a pick at #5? No. Presumably Weis knows the game well enough to be able to correctly value him reletive to the field on the Day, and if he’s the pick, well enough. I’m just not a fan of falling in love with a given guy at a given pick, and pinning all hopes on that.
Needs for 2010:
O-line
D-line
Linebacker
Safety
by Bleedingredandgold on Feb 25, 2010 9:24 AM CST up reply actions
Re: Many needs
I definitely agree. But like I said, if you don’t have a Quarterback, you have a huge uphill climb anyway. And the Chiefs don’t know if they have that QB. With a really good QB, you can send a good team to the Super Bowl. With an average QB, you have to have a flat-out outstandingly deep and good team to get to the Super Bowl.
I always advocate a need-based BPA. But QB is the one exception because it’s the one position we get right. Even if Clausen is slightly better than Cassel, that’s going to make a much bigger impact than Berry being much better than Mike Brown. In terms of difference-making (and I’m a huge Berry fan).
The QB makes everyone better. Brady made his offensive line look much better than Cassel, they make their receivers look better, in many cases they make their offensive coordinator look a lot better.
You can build a team with a good not great defense (see the Colts and Saints). When it boils down to it, nobody’s going to regret that we have a poor Inside Linebacker nearly as much as they’ll regret having the wrong QB.
Trouble is...
Re: Picking Clausen:
Do you see him /starting/ in 2010 and playing 2010 better than Cassel? I don’t know him, but very few rookie QBs are that good. The ones who perform well are generally coming into a solid team to begin with, and you can’[t call the Chiefs “solid” these days.
Picking Clausen, IMO, is making a pick for a year or two down the road. Well and good, but that means they’d have to make an /outstanding/ draft with the rest of the picks to improve the 2010 team. Possible? Yes. Likely? No.
The Chiefs need to be pushing 8-8 or better this year. The natives (that’s us, the fans) are restless. Picking Clausen and having another 4-12 season’s a really bad idea, revenue-wise.
Whether Cassel’s the QBotF or not, can this team afford to burn their #1 pick on a player who probably will not begin to pay off for 2-3 years, given the current state of the franchise? Maybe we’re better than the 2009 season record, and a hefty improvement is coming with the players we already have, but that’s not the way I’d bet.
As I said: I don’t hate the notion of drafting a great QB (assuming JC is great at the NFL level) at #5, or better, trading back and grabbing him later. I’m just saying that your idea to draft him, in the short run, is the equivalent to drafting no one at all at #5, and letting the pick stand as a zero, so far as the 2010 season’s concerned.
I submit that the Chiefs are not a good enough team yet to be able to have a blank draft pick (i.e. Clausen riding the pine) at #5 during the 2010 season. If the 09 record was 9-7 or better, then I’d say it made more sense, but KC didn’t play that well. We cannot afford to become the Lions South. This franchise needs to get back into the respectable range in 2010, and I don’t see drafting a QB in any round helping with that.
Props to you for being more optimistic than I am, though.
Needs for 2010:
O-line
D-line
Linebacker
Safety
by Bleedingredandgold on Feb 25, 2010 10:17 AM CST up reply actions
Re:
Well, I think you bring up an interesting debate about whether the Chiefs should do what’s right for the organization, or to try to satisfy the fan base by making picks that will make the Chiefs immediately better. That’s not as easy a question to answer as it would appear, because the Chiefs do need to bring the fans back in and start making some money back.
My take as a patient fan is that this team needs to do whatever they can for 2-3 years down the road. We’re not making the playoffs in 2010. It doesn’t matter who we have at QB. If that’s the case, I can tolerate another 4-12 season if it means we make decisions that get us closer to 13-3. We didn’t do that in 2009. I felt like we went 4-12 but we raised more questions than we answered and I think that’s what upsets people most.
I can guarantee you that fans are going to be a heck of a lot more upset if the Chiefs go less than 8-8 and Cassel looks average at best in the process, and we ended up passing on a guy who could be a franchise QB.
Again, this is all assuming Clausen grades out as a top 5 pick. I don’t know that he will. But if he does and the team thinks Clausen carries greater upside than Cassel, it’s a no-brainer. I’d rather invest in the younger guy with more upside at the most critical position on the field, even if that means we give up the chance to fix another area short-term.
Like i said, you can build a team around an average Inside Linebacker or Safety. You face a HUGE uphill battle if you try to build around an average QB.
Great post Jon, but...
Chiefs resigned Guttierez yesterday. IMO, that makes this scenario WAY less likely. Unless they’re letting Croyle walk, or already have plans to trade Cassel, Clausses at #5 becomes highly unlikely.
We are building a fighting force of extwaordinary magnitude.
Re:
I don’t think Croyle or Guttierez are remotely in the equation when it comes to franchise QB potential.
It’s Cassel vs. himself. And that scares me. Not because I think he can’t do it, but because we’re putting all our eggs in one basket and we don’t even know how strong that basket is.
If all goes as planned
If all goes as planned we might not be in a position to draft a franchise QB in the near future
by groundedchevy on Feb 25, 2010 10:49 AM CST up reply actions
Re: Or...
If all almost goes as planned but not really…
You’re looking at a team that could be hovering around the 6-10 to 8-8 range for sometime, if they’re doing that around an average QB. A lot less potential to pick up a franchise QB with a barely top 20 pick.
In three years, the most important question to answer is “did we get the QB decision right.” If the staff thinks Cassel is our best chance, then great. If you don’t see Cassel as a Super Bowl potential QB or if you have doubts, this might be the last chance to draft and develop a guy who might have franchise potential.
It may be a "smokescreen" of sorts
To keep a team below us from jockeying ahead of us. It may make them think we wont take him so they don’t need to do anything but wait.
What else could the Chiefs do to make it appear we have no interest in Clausen? Chess is a fun game and the draft is a lot like chess. Things often may not be what they seem, to an extent.
This could be similar to the many interpretations of the bible, other than the “Thou shalt nots” the rest you can get whatever ya want from it.
All I know is KC has been settling for somebody else’s scraps in the QB dept. for eons.
"It aint what happens it's how you react to it that makes all the difference." I'm sure it was somebody wiser than me that said it first. I coach girls softball and use that line all the time.
You have a point.
BUT. Look at what the Texans did in drafting a talented QB and then (presumably) trying to build around him. It didn’t work. The poor schmo got hammered. (I forget his name ATM, but I’m sure you know who I mean.)
I’m not a fan of picking the QB first, then surrounding hinm with average or better talent. Seriously, do you think that if we drafted the next Manning or Brees or Brady this year, it would be best for all concerned? Maybe, but I recall that the teams Brees and Brady took over were already pretty good.
Now, maybe, /maybe/ we’re actually good enough to draft your guy, leave Cassel as caretaker QB, pick a few gems up in the draft and FA, and pull together a 5-11 season or better. Maybe. If so, I’m good with it.
As for pleasing the fans, this isn’t about the fans falling in love with a glittering, overhyped raft pick, though. In the end, the fan base wants /wins/. We’ll tolerate a losing season, but there have been too many of those recently. Patience is wearing thin, IMO. Is it unreasonable to hope Pioli moves the team up to a par or winning record in ‘10, rather than praying he’ll lay the foundation of a (hopefully) playoff tem somewhere down the line?
The hallmark of good NFL management is that they can do both, so the question becomes “Is Clausen at #5, plus the rest of the draft and FA a move to a be3tter 2010, ’11, ’12, etc?” I do’t know, but I think your suggestion here is a gamble, maybe too big a gamble. I think they can either find talent at QB on the bench, deeper in the draft, or in next year’s draft.
Plus, I’m not sold that Cassel’s topped out in his performance. If he can get better, let him do so, build around him, and start shaking the tree for the next Brady.
Needs for 2010:
O-line
D-line
Linebacker
Safety
by Bleedingredandgold on Feb 25, 2010 10:53 AM CST up reply actions
Re:
Great discussion. Let me ask you this. Do you think Carr failed in Houston because they didn’t surround him with enough talent? Or do you think that this might lead you to wonder… what if Houston saw the warning signs earlier and developed a backup plan? I would argue a lot of the latter. We saw in New England last season what a good QB can do to improve your team. Behind the same offensive line, Brady had I think about 1/4 of the sacks Cassel had. I wonder if the same was true in New Orleans. And I wonder how much of that is true in KC. Good QBs are so quick with reads that they can get rid of the ball so fast that you don’t give defenses time to pressure you.
Same goes for Harrington, Leftwich, Jamarcus. Their teams were too busy waiting on their prized QB to develop that they refused to look into backup plans.
I don’t want the Chiefs to fall into that trap. Again, no idea if Clausen is franchise material. I’m going purely on the hypothetical that Weis/Haley/Pioli evaluate Clausen and believe he has greater upside than Cassel and franchise potential.
Carr, eh? TY
And thanks for continuing to talk with me on the subject.
I think that we’ll never know what Carr could have been, because he got hammered flat. He got sacked an awful lot, and you can’t just lay it all on him for holding the ball too long. He mighta been great, if he’d been drafted onnto a good team, instead of the Texans.
Now, are we that bad? I don’t thuinkk so, and maybe grabbing now looks good, then filling in the blanks for a year or two, and easing Cassel out for Clausen. I dunno.
I agree, you can’t expect a QB to last forever, you gotta plan for the future – but is Clausen better than all the QB’s in the next draft, or better than we’re likely to have a chance at? I don’t kow that. Maybe Weis does. He knows the NFL, and he knows Clausen. If we grab him, then I think Weis has a read on the kid.
Of course, not all great QBs go in the first round. I’ll trust Weis’ decision on the point, either way, although Haley might override him for another position. In that case, I hope they make a good decision, for 2010, and the future of the franchise.
Needs for 2010:
O-line
D-line
Linebacker
Safety
by Bleedingredandgold on Feb 25, 2010 11:37 AM CST up reply actions
Crazy Thought
Didn’t Weis have alot to do with Quinn’s development?Wouldn’t he be a cheaper pick up & yet still know Weis’s system.He was a great college QB that went to an awful team.So picking another Weis guy @ #5 (very expensive) at this time wouldn’t be the most intelligent idea.Especially with Quinn maybe being availiable.Just a thought.
John Soellner
Re: Quinn
That’s a thought too. But I didn’t think that highly of him. I thought he benefitted a lot from coaches not familiar with Weis’ offense. His accuracy wasn’t pinpoint at Notre Dame and I don’t think it would be in the pros either. I think Clausen’s got much better upside.
Quinn is a good example of drafting a QB in the first rd and him still holding value rd 1 value on the bench
Quinn didn’t play his first year when D. Anderson emerged but rumors were that teams were offering a 1st rd pick for him…. until D. Anderson fell on his face the following year, Quinn started and then lost a lot of trade value.
Re: Quinn
Great point. And that’s considering he wasn’t a top 10 pick in the first place.
Total rumor… U can’t bank on that..
by Chieffan_Toby on Feb 25, 2010 3:11 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I would really like to have him
but theres so many other holes we have to fill we can’t tell if Cassel can’t be the man. On the other hand Cassel is still learning a new system so why not just bring in a young guy, who has more potential IMO than Cassel, and let him learn in the fire like we’re doing with Cassel now.
I am on this BANDWAGON!!!!
I never gave this option any thought. WOW talk about giving us all the options in this draft and dictating a price for him if we were to trade down in first round. Could you imagine if the DONKEYS WANTED HIM!!!! What we would be able to charge definately a premium over fair value. And we could always keep him and trade another of our QB’S. Love it.
Jay Hennessy III
I just don't see it happening and
it would be the wrong move. Jimmy might end up being a great QB, but it’s not like he is Peyton Manning… I just feel that there is other guys out there that we need MORE then a QB. I feel if Pioli were to get a QB, they would look for one in the late rounds like they did with Tom Brady. It seems like Pioli takes pride in finding hidden talent like that.
Man crush on Eric Berry.
You make an interesting point Jon
But I still disagree.
What I think about when I think about the Chiefs drafting Clausen is the situation that has happened in Cleveland the last few years.
Taking a QB like Clausen, 5th in the draft is going to destroy what little confidence Matt Cassel has left after playing behind the Chiefs line last season.
Every time he makes the slightest mistake, folks are going to be calling for Clause to come in. It will be a QB controversy nightmare.
If the Chiefs really believe Clausen is the guy and they are so sold on it then I think they should get rid of Cassel right after they draft him. The Chiefs need stability and an offensive identity. As we saw last year, offensive turbulence does not work well in the NFL.
Please help send my girlfriend to Broadway! Visit http://magonbroadway.blogspot.com/
Re: Cassel's confidence
…or it could turn him into Drew Brees. When the Chargers drafted Rivers, Brees worked his tail off that offseason and he came back a completely different player. (By the way, keep in mind that the main reason he wasn’t brought back to San Diego was because he hurt his arm and people questioned if he’d ever be the same again).
I agree with the idea of establishing an offensive identity. And you shouldn’t play musical chairs with the QB as Cleveland did (not even announcing the starter until game 1? Give me a break!) But I don’t think that means you should settle for anything less than the best you can get at QB. It’s the only position where you have to get the best and not compromise.
I don’t think this is remotely in the same ballpark as the Cleveland situation. Cleveland was right to draft a QB because Derek Anderson is definitely not the answer there. It just so happens that Quinn hasn’t proven to be the answer yet either. If Quinn played well, it would have been a brilliant draft choice. But as it stands, it wasn’t a bad choice to take a QB. It was just a bad choice to take Quinn.
I do agree on this point
If a QB is intimidated by the team’s GM drafting a QB then he probably doesn’t have the right mental makeup to be great anyway. The only issue would be the fans screaming for Clausen after a couple bad games, but I don’t see the Chiefs regime as being prone to buckle under that kind of pressure.
I don’t think it’s an ego thing with Pioli, if he isn’t happy with a player’s performance (or attitude) he’ll drop the hammer no matter what his vested interest is in that player. But I also think that Pioli is patient and obviously likes a lot of what Cassel brings to the table, so he’s not going to spend the #5 overall pick in the draft on a QB…unless he receives an outrageous value offer from another team for Cassel.
Predictions:
This year will be better
Excellent Point
I think its an excellent point and worth stressing that our Head Coach has made it clear that he wants competition at every position. His philosophy is that competition gives players motivation to try harder. If we use that reasoning, then its possible that the HC is onboard with drafting Clausen. Of course, Haley will probably leave the final decision up to Weiss & Pioli on that.
If we take Clausen with pick #5, which QB gets cut or traded? Guit or Croyle? I’m curious if anyone thinks that Croyle has any trade value???
Trade Value
Croyle has very little trade value IMO. He has shown he can’t stay healthy. He has never won a game, and his accuracy and decision making can be questioned. The only thing I see going for him is a strong arm.
by groundedchevy on Feb 25, 2010 12:13 PM CST up reply actions
I see your point
but im not a fan of a rookie QB starting day one. I think if we take Clausen at 5 we have to keep Cassel for at least one more season. Let it be known at the start of camp that Cassel is the guy this year and the only way Clausen gets in the game is for mop up duty or if Cassel gets hurt. At the 2011 camp make it known that its an open competition, if Cassel wins let him be the starter while Clausen continues to learn and develop, If Clausen wins the starting spot next year, then we might have a very tradeable asset in Cassel.
Don't blame me, I voted for content of character.
Clausen
If the chiefs really wanted Clausen,they can trade Cassel to St.Louis for their 2nd. rd. pick which takes him out of st.louis’s pick.The only problem is noone knows what that bastard(sorry) Shanahan is going to do.If Clausen falls to them their 2 options will be to trade out or draft him & let the fireworks begin!!!!
John Soellner
I don't see this happening...
I’m with Paddy on this one, it would be completely ludacris to draft a QB in the first round. Like other have pointed out, and as everyone here knows…there are tons of holes on this team: OL, DL, S, LB, WR, basically everything but kicker and punter…and QB.
Obviously Cassel didn’t have a very good year. If he had this discussion would never happen, but we need to give the guy one more year with a better surrounding cast. It’s not like this team is a great QB away from winning the SB anyway. Let’s build a dominate team first….then if Cassel doesn’t pan out…either draft a QB next year and give him a shot at succeding with a decent team around him.
Don't Fuccop Succop
by chicks_love_chiefs on Feb 25, 2010 8:12 AM CST reply actions
Re: So many needs
True.
But the QB is the one position you absolutely, positively, 100% need to get right.
A pro bowl QB makes your offensive line, WR, and RB better.
If we were talking about a Left Tackle or a 3-4 Defensive End, then I see your point. To me, as long as we’re unsure that we have a franchise QB, QB is among the top needs.
And the one thing the Chiefs have never done
is draft a successful QBotF. Blackledge?!!!
by Eastcoastransplant on Feb 25, 2010 10:36 AM CST up reply actions
We all have been debating for weeks now
on who is worthy of a #5 pick in this years draft. I mean from week to week we are wanting Berry or McClain or Cody etc. etc. etc. with no one particular player worthy of the fat paycheck that comes along with it. Drafting a QB at # 5 would be brilliant. A possible future franchise QB is always worth the gamble to get him.
Yoon is right, very right. Not alot of downside on Clausen IMO as well.
by ChiefsChance on Feb 25, 2010 10:27 AM CST up reply actions
So many needs... so few picks
The brain trust last year tied themselves to Casses, at least for three seasons. Bailing now is tantamount to admitting a mistake in judegement and reveals a problem with their ability to evaluate talent. If Cassel is not the answer, we’ll know soon enough. And chances are we’ll be right back in that top ten selection position again. In Pioli I trust… therefore in Cassel I trust. At least for another go round.
We are building a fighting force of extwaordinary magnitude.
Re: Mistakes in judgment
The best leaders don’t dwell on mistakes and are willing to move on when they know they’ve made them.
This doesn’t make them look bad. It makes them stronger for being able to admit they were wrong (if they were wrong at all).
Yup
The best leaders say yup i fucked up and this is how i fixed it.
Don't blame me, I voted for content of character.
Also
How is drafting Clausen “not one bit risky” Its a QB at #5 with tons of garunteed money? That alone is a huge risk. Cassel has played two years, one productive and one below average year on a bad team. Clausen has taken 0 snaps in the NFL.
Re: Not one bit risky
The upside is that you get a franchise QB, and that upside almost trumps any downside.
The middle downside is that Cassel plays well, you pay Clausen to be an expensive backup for 1-2 years, and you salvage a first round pick by trading him away.
The extreme downside is that both Cassel and Clausen play poorly.
Look at this way. If you draft Okung and he stinks, you lose big time. If you draft Clausen and he doesn’t play, you can still get picks back. The downside is minimized because there’s a very good chance he’s only insurance.
Jon u are banking way to much that this kid will be a winner… How many first round picks at qb do well? That is too big of a gamble.. IMHO.
by Chieffan_Toby on Feb 25, 2010 3:21 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Re:
Many times in the posts Jon says this is only the case if Pioli and company believe Clausen is the real deal…
by groundedchevy on Feb 26, 2010 7:02 AM CST up reply actions
Good post
although I think Pollard was a 3rd round pick, not a second. Anyways, I don’t think Pioli will take Claussen at #5 but at the very least you have hopefully given us a little insight to what other teams are thinking. If someone REALLY wants Claussen, maybe they will make a ridiculous trade with the Chiefs to prevent us from taking him.
Besides
Do we really want this guy as our QB?
Please help send my girlfriend to Broadway! Visit http://magonbroadway.blogspot.com/
That dude on the left
always cracks me up. Like he sneaked into the picture while it was being taken or something. Good thing Mom reminded him to wear sunscreen.
The douchery exhibited by Clausen is definitely alarming and you have to ask yourself what if he turns out like Rivers or Cutler but instead is a Chief? I think there’s a very good case for drafting him but I can’t say I really like the guy. Didn’t watch any ND football so I probably don’t know what I’m talking about(what else is new) but what little I’ve seen on the guy his character knocks make me weary.
D.J. #56 - Pay The Man & Play The Man
The only thing more lame than mock draft's is the sarcasm font.
by KansasCityShuffle on Feb 25, 2010 8:50 AM CST up reply actions
There has been so much talk
Of finding players who best fit the “system”. How is it one who was weaned on the “system” and who sure looks to be a possible upgrade at the position seem to be so unacceptable?
I think Matt has probably gotten used to how the QB starter/backup thing works, he isn’t in diapers or anything so I’m sure he would man up and deal with it well.
Like anything else there is risk involved, with Clausen the worst case doesn’t look all that bad.
"It aint what happens it's how you react to it that makes all the difference." I'm sure it was somebody wiser than me that said it first. I coach girls softball and use that line all the time.
insane
Nice write up…but not a chance in hell.
Cassel is their guy, period.
* KC now has the best coaching staff in the league
* Pioli will make at least one trade in the offseason, and 2 trades during the draft
* I'd prefer "lightning and lightning" as opposed to "lightning and thunder" when it comes to RBs
* 9-7 is a real possibility in 2010 IF the Chiefs get 4 new starters
* keep Albert at LT, upgrade the positions that NEED upgrading.C, RG, NT, S, LB
by stagdsp on Feb 25, 2010 8:43 AM CST via mobile reply actions
agreed
At least through 2010.
Don't Fuccop Succop
by chicks_love_chiefs on Feb 25, 2010 9:21 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah, I don't know where this Clausen nonsense is coming from.
I suppose the Weis connection. With the gaping holes this team needs to fill, they will not waste the #5 pick in the draft on a position that doesn’t need to be filled.
Toby is in HR, which technically means he works for corporate, so he's really not a part of our family. Also, he's divorced, so he's really not a part of his family.
by Rev. Slappy on Feb 25, 2010 10:28 AM CST up reply actions
yep, Weis
and, maybe a little smokescreen to keep people guessing
* KC now has the best coaching staff in the league
* Pioli will make at least one trade in the offseason, and 2 trades during the draft
* I'd prefer "lightning and lightning" as opposed to "lightning and thunder" when it comes to RBs
* 9-7 is a real possibility in 2010 IF the Chiefs get 4 new starters
* keep Albert at LT, upgrade the positions that NEED upgrading.C, RG, NT, S, LB
COM'ON MAN!!!!!!!!
CLAUSEN!!!! PLEASE GET SERIOUS! WE HAD OVER 50+ DROPPED PASSES LAST YEAR! THE FIRST HALF OF THE SEASON CASSEL WAS GETTING DATE RAPED IN THE POCKET!!!
PLUS, WE LOST 5 GAMES LAST SEASON BY AN AVG. OF ONLY 5 POINTS!! THIS NEXT SEASON WE WILL IMPROVE THE MOST IN THE WEST AND WATCH US CLIMB BACK UP!!
CLAUSEN IS NOT A WINNER AND HE ISN’T HALF THE LEADER OF MCCOY, BRADFORD, “THE HOLY ONE” TEABOW (WHO THROWS A FOOTBALL LIKE DENNIS ECKERSLY BY THE WAY).
Re: Cassel
Chambers played like a legit #1 receiver toward the end of the season, we added pro bowl level running back play in the second half, and the protection while not stellar was actually pretty decent. Despite that, you didn’t see Cassel improve as he should have.
I can understand the knocks on Jimmy Clausen. I’m only saying the pick makes sense if the Chiefs truly think he’s worth top 5 value. But building an offense around a QB you’re unsure about is a dangerous strategy. It’s one thing to be patient. It’s another thing to be reckless and not bring in some kind of insurance in case he’s not the answer.
I have to say that this argument makes it seem that Cassel should have improved markedly because of the emergence of two players.
In the NFL it doesn’t necessarily work that way. Chambers may have played well, but he was easy enough to take away at times especially with Bowe out. The other receivers didn’t exactly inspire confidence, either.
While I’m commenting here, I guess I’ll address a few more points from your article, which is a fine read.
I think that one thing that people vastly overrate is a quarterback’s deep ball accuracy – it’s nice to have, and exciting, but hardly necessary – just look at Tom Brady pre-2007, and Drew Brees in this Super Bowl. I think that quarterbacks like Brady and Manning and Brees are successful in part due to their own talent, and in part due to how well-coached and smart the players around them are – they can count on their receivers being in the right place at the right time and the other players handling their assignments.
I think that you underestimate the talent around Drew Brees on the Saints’ offensive unit – it may actually have been the single most talented offensive unit in the NFL – it’s clearly arguable, of course.
I think that Matt Cassel and his offensive line get much maligned for the first several games of the past season, while people forget that the last 6 games he was sacked 8 times, which isn’t a horrible rate.
I think that as someone who watched Jimmy Clausen play, I was more impressed by Golden Tate and Malcolm Floyd’s abilty to bail him out vs. subpar cornerbacks than his ability to actually accurately throw the football.
I think I’ve seen people wonder if Jimmy Clausen actually possesses much upside, if he’ll actually improve much while in the NFL.
Finally, I think that Jabar Gaffney doesn’t get enough credit as a solid NFL receiver. Need I remind anyone that he was one of Tom Brady’s favorite targets, or that he had a decent season with Matt Cassel, or that his departure from New England probably did more to hurt that offense than any other single thing this past season? Or how about that he burned the Chiefs for more than 200 receiving yards in Week 17? Give the guy a bit of credit!
Again, a fine read with interesting points.
by DanielUM on Feb 25, 2010 9:24 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
agreed
Tate, Floyd, and Rudolph (TE) are three outstanding college receivers. Weis isn’t going to be able to get away with the fade nearly as much in the pros where CBs know what they’re doing (see Edwards, Herm, endzone fade 3x in a row vs .. Pats?). Take away the jump ball, Clausen’s numbers decrease significantly (no, I don’t have the math on this one).
At the very best outside shot, Clausen is Payton Manning. I don’t think anyone here thinks that’s going to happen. Most likely, this move is a push and we’re better served getting D or someone to, I dunno, block pass rushers. The used car theory that Clausen, if not needed, will get us a first round pick a couple years down the road is pretty weak considering all our other problems
Aside from that, there’s just something… not right about this kid. The banana hammock doesn’t help.
Daniel and extra took ..
Took the words right out of my mouth…
by Chieffan_Toby on Feb 25, 2010 3:27 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
CASSEL IS GREAT!
THE CHIEFS JUST NEED TO ADD SOME MORE WEAPONS, AND GET SOME GOOD INTERIOR LINEMAN TO PROTECT HIM AND HE’LL BE A GREAT QB FOR YEARS.
THIS DRAFT NEEDS TO BE A PLAYER THAT WILL BE THE GREATEST IMPACT! LIKE A CHARLES, OR FLOWERS! WE NEED A DOMINATOR ON DEFENSE IN MY OPINION! SOMEONE WHO WILL BE THE MONSTER OF OUR DEFENSE!!!
SWEET DUDE THANKS FOR THE INPUT
Don't Fuccop Succop
by chicks_love_chiefs on Feb 25, 2010 9:22 AM CST up reply actions
I thought it was a brilliant comment :)
* KC now has the best coaching staff in the league
* Pioli will make at least one trade in the offseason, and 2 trades during the draft
* I'd prefer "lightning and lightning" as opposed to "lightning and thunder" when it comes to RBs
* 9-7 is a real possibility in 2010 IF the Chiefs get 4 new starters
* keep Albert at LT, upgrade the positions that NEED upgrading.C, RG, NT, S, LB
How do all of you feel about Weis?
Do you guys think he was a bad hire? Obviously you question his abilities to judge talent and develop a QB if you think Clausen is a losing proposition.
I guess it really comes down to what the guys that hired Weis really think though eh?
If we draft ANY QB there would be much more time that would have to be invested to get them familiar with the offensive scheme. Why not grab the guy who has already been working it? Albeit the college version.
"It aint what happens it's how you react to it that makes all the difference." I'm sure it was somebody wiser than me that said it first. I coach girls softball and use that line all the time.
Well he did develop Tom Brady.
Not every player a Coach works with turns out to be a Hall of Fame type guy. So even if Clausen doesn’t turn out to be that kind of guy, it doesn’t mean that Weis doesn’t know how to coach up some talent.
Don't blame me, I voted for content of character.
Weis will know better than anyone if he's worth spending a top 5 pick on.
Claussen doesn’t have spectacular measurables. He’s a product of great coaching, just like Brady Quinn. If somehow he fell to the second round, then yeah I could see the Chiefs drafting him but that’s not going to happen and he’s not worth a top 5 pick. If you are going to take a QB in the top 5, make it Bradford who has more potential. Claussen is more ready to start from day 1 than Bradford, but that doesn’t help the Chiefs any.
by CapsLockKey on Feb 25, 2010 9:04 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
I'll just trust Pioli to make the right decision
I would be really surprised if we took Clausen…but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen. It sure would be cool to hear some of the “behind closed doors” conversations of Pioli, Weis, and Haley, though. We really don’t know what they might be thinking.
I like Cassel. I was hoping he would come here and prove that he was “the” guy to lead this team. He didn’t. If he has another shitty year, then what? I know it wasn’t all on him (dropped balls, etc.)…but there was a fair amount of it that was. His decision making is suspect at times, his accuracy sucks at times, and he holds onto the damn ball too long. I hope he improves this year, then all will be fine. But, it never hurts to have a Plan B. And if our guys think Clausen is Plan B, then I’d be fine with it. If not, that’s fine too.
Great post, Jon. Good food for thought.
by Scott B. on Feb 25, 2010 9:06 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Good Post, But
You’re making an assumption that Jimmy Claussen is worth a #5 pick and I don’t agree that he is. He’s popular because he’s the best of a not great QB class. He was the QB of a terrible Notre Dame team, he had injury issues throughout his time at Notre Dame and while Cassel, Mark Sanchez and Matt Stafford have had some success lately, the track record of early entry QBs into the NFL overall is pretty abysmal.
Weis wasn’t a winner with Claussen at Notre Dame…I don’t believe that reuniting them in the NFL will make the Chiefs winners.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Didn't Clausen have a losing record at ND?
I believe he might have.
Don't Fuccop Succop
by chicks_love_chiefs on Feb 25, 2010 9:26 AM CST up reply actions
Yup
3-9, 6-6, 6-6. Although Notre Dame’s crappy defense had a role in that.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
They did win a bowl game with Claussen being named Co-MVP....didn't Cassel go 4-11 last year?
There is more to wins and losses than QB play
true
One thing for sure is he got better every year. His first two season were kinda blah seasons. But last year he had a terrific season. 68% completion, 28TD’s, 4 sacks.
Don't Fuccop Succop
by chicks_love_chiefs on Feb 25, 2010 9:46 AM CST up reply actions
He Got Better, But
It’s not like Notre Dame had a great schedule last year. He was solid, but not great against their only two ranked opponents.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
If The Chiefs Draft Clausen
I won’t exactly be thrilled, but I also won’t be screaming for Pioli to be fired unless he can’t unload Matt Cassel for a good deal.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Of Course If We Draft Clausen
Then the 2011 lockout is really going to screw up his development.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
One score
Every ND loss was by a TD or less, a little more defense and one less score by the opponents in any 3 of their 6 losses and they would have been BCS bound. Weis would still be there and so would Clausen.
I know, if dog, rabbit. I just don’t know that a scenario like this one has ever come along historically before. (College coach moving Pro same time as player)
If ya look at the Chiefs throughout the years it’s hard not to have to stifle a yawn. Rationally speaking as Jon’s article presents, this isn’t that big a gamble on paper. As for “the money” when has KC ever been near the cap anyway?
"It aint what happens it's how you react to it that makes all the difference." I'm sure it was somebody wiser than me that said it first. I coach girls softball and use that line all the time.
If
we had a little more defense last year then Cassel would have been 10-6 and we would have been in the playoffs
by badassz1987 on Feb 25, 2010 12:58 PM CST up reply actions
measurables
http://espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=231813
"It aint what happens it's how you react to it that makes all the difference." I'm sure it was somebody wiser than me that said it first. I coach girls softball and use that line all the time.
If we are to use our top pick for a QB...
because our QB play is dictating as much then that prolly means 2010 isn’t going to be a very good year either. Considering the QB draft class this year AND next… I would rather take a wait and see approach. We’re in position to draft one of the top QBs this year and prolly next year(if Cassel doesn’t work out). I say wait till next year and if need be, draft Locker or Ponder.
We have way too many holes on this team to take a QB with #5 who may end up being just a back up being paid #5 money.
"back up" isn't entirely accurate, IMO
most QBs don’t do well, starting as rookies. In my view, you don’t draft a QB expecting him to start on opening day, you expect to give him a year or two to learn the game. Would Clausen be better than Cassel in a couple years? If he would be, then giving him #5 money makes some sense, even if he doesn’t start right away.
That being said, I agree with you about the holes. We need help, and we need it to pay off in 2010 if at all possible.
Needs for 2010:
O-line
D-line
Linebacker
Safety
by Bleedingredandgold on Feb 25, 2010 9:30 AM CST up reply actions
I don't see it happening...
Pioli has already said himself this year that he believes the game is won in the trenches. That being said, the Chiefs will most likely look to improve in the trenches with the #5 pick, unless by some miracle their able to solve this problem through FA, but considering the slim pickings this year, that looks unlikely too
i don't have a problem with this.
if weis, haley, and pioli like claussen, i’m 100% fine with it. Other than him, if we’re going to draft offense in the first round, it has to be a freakishly talented and consistent receiver. period. so either Claussen or a better version of randy moss.
otherwise, we go D.
"We're not losers, we just can't win!"
Drafting Clausen...
Would be one of the stupidest moves the Chiefs could make, and nothing in Pioli’s history suggests that he’s going to take a quarterback in the first round, much less with the 5th pick when he’s already got Cassel and Charlie Weis is on board to work his magic on Cassel like he’s done with every quarterback he’s coached… Cassel, Brady and Gutierrez were all drafted in later rounds, and when you have a team that needs players to plug in now – what sense does drafting a quarterback make..? You don’t draft a quarterback with the idea that you might trade him later, and making the argument that Cassel didn’t improve when Chris Chambers was brought on is statistically wrong. In fact, Cassel had his best game of the season throwing the ball in Chambers first game against Jax, and aside from a horrible showing against Denver in KC, Cassel was in the 58% completion range and threw for more than 200 yards in four of the team’s last eight games. Granted, he threw 11 picks after the bye week, but seven of those came during a horrific three-game stretch for Cassel…
Cassel’s a baller, first and foremost, and sure, his numbers weren’t gaudy last season, but for a 4-12 team that should’ve went 7-9 or 8-8, the guy played his tail off while getting knocked around and watching his WRs drop 50 passes… He needs to work on his accuracy, and with another year working with his WRs, plus he’s going to get the undivided attention of Charlie Weis, plus you add a healthy Jamaal Charles, another WR through the draft, free agency or both, plug a hole or two on the line, and I guarantee Cassel puts up 3500 yards, 20 TDs and 10 picks…. Drafting Clausen makes no sense and I’m not sold on the kid going that high anyway.
www.missourisportsreport.com
by FredThreezy on Feb 25, 2010 10:10 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Lets say
Cassel gets hurt, two or maybe three series later Croyle is on a cart (surprize), then who? and who is behind him? Oh yeah some more of somebody’s scraps all over again.
Just look at the last 30+ years at QB for KC and push the repeat button.
"It aint what happens it's how you react to it that makes all the difference." I'm sure it was somebody wiser than me that said it first. I coach girls softball and use that line all the time.
statistics are overrated
First off I want to say that I’m a big Cassel fan. I watched the games last year and Cassel didn’t improve much when things settled down at the end of the season. He had a running back that wasn’t averaging 2.7 yards a game, and he wasn’t getting hit on every play, but he still held on to the ball too long, still couldn’t get the deep ball to the receivers, still threw behind the receiver, and was inaccurate more than Id like to admit. The guy is tough of nails and I love how he keeps getting back up, and how he leads this team. I just hope Weis can make him a star, but the idea of Croyle not being our #2 doesn’t bother me at all.
by groundedchevy on Feb 26, 2010 7:11 AM CST up reply actions
Well
Is it Possible? Yes.
Is it likely to get him? No.
True and Valuable Quotes:
"Charles In Charge"
"Defense Wins Championships"
"The Battle is Won and Lost in the Trenches"
(which for the most part we are currently loosing).
The absolute earliest the Chiefs would consider drafting a QB in the 1st round...
Would be 2011, and that would be if Cassel looks really bad this year.
I also don’t think Claussen is a top 5 value. Not really close.
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