An unbiased look at the QB position, and what the future may hold.

The point of this was to never say that Matt Cassel was Peyton Manning. The point was that he may not be as bad as we thought, and if he can become a serviceable QB like Dilfer, and we can surround him with the right pieces then that at least is one piece we dont have to find.

Sidenote, Trent Dilfer is hands down my favorite football analyst ever. If he had more athletic talent who knows what he could have done.

and Haley was said to of flipped off a fan that was mouthing him after the Browns game which is NOT true b/c I was right there and the fan is lying. Haley didnt even acknowledge him

I feel like Cassel could have a much better season throwing long. We probably haven’t seen much in preseason because Weis is trying to not show much of the playbook. Throwing long passes in the NFL in my opinion would primarily depend on two things. 1) Knowing what coverage the safeties are playing/ the QB reading what they are doing and 2) developing a chemistry with your WR to know where you need to place the ball where only he can make a play on it. It seems to me thus far, that we never truly had a “deep threat” last year till we picked up Chambers. The guy has OK speed for a “deep threat” but he is not a true blazer like McCluster. It seems like Cassel never really developed the chemistry with his receivers to put the pass right where it needs to be, while also having the WR adjusting their route slighty to make a play on it. That is what the true great QB/WR hookups due on a regular basis ( Manning to Harrison ). These guys both have an innate ability to know what the other person is going to do/think when passing the ball/adjusting routes. It seems that Cassel and Bowe are working on this trust. You can see prove in the GB game with the interception. Cassel’s pass to Bowe last week should have been to his outside shoulder, which wouldn’t have allowed the DB to make a play. Bowe saw this and adjusted his route to an hook out instead of a hook in, and Cassel threw the pass called in the huddle (hook in). I hope Cassel can get on the same page with our WRs, it will make our offense much more fun to watch!!

As for the topic of arm strength, Cassel doesn’t seem to be able to throw the long ball on a line. The majority of his long passes tend to have more of an arch to it and allows the DB to catchup/chance for deflection. It is ok for them to have an arch, if he can lead the WR perfectly where only he can make a play on the ball. If he could zip the ball to open WR downfield (Croyle), we wouldn’t have the minor qb controversy that we have now. I’m not saying Cassel can’t throw the deep ball. Hell every QB in the NFL can probably throw a ball 70yds +, but that doesn’t mean he can throw a line 40yds +, hitting a WR in stride sprinting down the sideline. Thats what seperates the true long passers, from the guys who give their WR a chance to make a play.

“Yes, agree, true, THIGPEN?!?!?”

Ok, I’m not sure I’d stick Eli or McNabb as elite. And agree Favre is too old. McNabb is getting there.

I’d take Flacco and Ryan for sure.

he will be done. he better stay away from suh. lol

he says that football outsiders say that drops are on the QB, not the receiver. His info, and “unbiased” opinion don’t mesh.

I was merely pointing that out, and pointing out that his inferred position isn’t the only one. That another interpretation isn’t that it is receivers running wrong routes or not knowing routes, but bad QB play.

If anything, the above numbers I just posted could be used to say that Cassel can be successful when he has tools around him.

But that was the point of the post. I’m just offering up another suggestion. you know, because the title said it was unbiased, but yet all alternatives weren’t provided. Just the author’s “unbiased” biased opinion.