The Cassel's Been Breached!

by The Gentry on Nov 13, 2011 4:09 PM CST

I'm typically a fanshot kind of a guy, but today's offensive performance was so atrocious, I'm actually going to back up my complaints with statistics.

Who do we call for? Stanzi? Palko? A new offensive line? I don't know. But I do know that the QB is where it starts. There have been plenty of great QBs who have had poor offensive lines that have been able to make something...anything...happen with their team.

So I want to talk about the notorious, infamous, oft-heralded, despised, loved, and despite it all extremely important statistic: Yards Per Attempt.

Prior to this debacle at home against the Broncos, Matt Cassel had a YPA of 6.72, good enough to be ranked #24 in for NFL QBs. In case you can't figure this out, that sucks! That put a bevy of underwhelming QBs, including the likes of Matt Moore, Rex Grossman, Tarvaris Jackson, and the always underwhelming Mark Sanchez ahead of Cassel. The good news, Tim Tebow had a 5.52 coming into this game. Only Blaine Gabbert was lower with a 5.24.

But then Cassel and Tebow play each other. A battle of the ages one might say!

Cassel has 28 attempts for only 93 yards. 93?!!!! (That's feigned shock. The announcers said it so many times at the end of the game that I know it's true.) That's a YPA of 3.32. That is equivalent to a 3 and out every time. Barely better than having LJ or TJ run the ball.

Tebow throws 8...yes only 8...times for 69 yards. That means he has a YPA of 8.63. Disgustingly that's off of 2 completions.

YPA isn't everything, but it matters. To be in the top 10, you need a YPA above 7.75.

So what does this mean? Tebow leaps up to YPA of 5.76, while Cassel's YPA falls to 6.37. Cassel falls 6 spots to be #30 in the league. He falls below Flacco, Dalton, McNabb, Freeman, Beck, and just barely beats out Orton. Tebow jumps up a spot to surpass Colt McCoy as #33. (These numbers don't factor in any other QB stats from today so I might end up being off by a spot here or there come Tuesday morning)

Even the Broncos know that Tebow is NOT an NFL QB. Today's game plan would have only worked against a really bad team...and it did. Anyone know the last time a QB played a full game and only threw 8 times? (Don't think Cassel beat Tebow in yards of offense. Passing & rushing, Tebow gave them 112 to Cassel's 109.)

But as much as we like to bag on Tebow for not being an NFL QB, Cassel ranks only 3 spots higher than Tebow now. If Tebow is not an NFL QB, how can one continue to argue that Matt Cassel is either?

I'm not going to argue Palko's YPA today, because it was garbage time, but kudos to him for making the most of less than 2 minutes of action!

There's plenty of blame to go around today. But it starts with the QB and our QB couldn't make anything happen.

It's time for a change. Kansas City wants a QB who we can be excited about. While we still are in the playoff hunt, give us a guy who might go out and win the game (Palko? Stanzi? I don't care, just choose one!) rather than a bottom of the barrel passer.

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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Comments

Agree!

Stanzi Time! Powe Time! Time to Sit T-Jones! I just posted my solution to the problem! Think you will enjoy the read brother!

"Stay Classy Kansas City"

by Mas Cervezas on Nov 13, 2011 4:35 PM CST reply actions

I like where you're at on this one Mas!

Let’s give some of those boys some playing time

Huzzah! Fantasy football has returned, allowing me to slap my opponents (family members) across the face with my favorite pair of white satin gloves. En garde, monkeys!

by The Gentry on Nov 13, 2011 6:40 PM CST up reply actions

O-line was terrible

Barry Richardson needs replaced.

I really thought 2011 was going to be our Chiefs breakout year. Injuries to key players has hurt us bad, but I have hope we will see growth and a few surprising wins this year. GO CHIEFS !!!!!!!!

by KC-Murdock on Nov 13, 2011 4:39 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

We have an offensive line?

Yes, it was truly offensive.

Wasn’t much of a defensive line either.

Blame my wife!
Just because I haven't responded, doesn't mean you won the argument!

by sir eccles on Nov 13, 2011 5:57 PM CST up reply actions

This

Gaither is a better pass blocker.

by MjrMajor on Nov 13, 2011 4:40 PM CST reply actions

Stanzi. Gaither. Powe. Bair. Bring them all out please

all those who should be getting some PT at this point.

Team Pioli/Haley. Decade of the Chiefs.
Team Colquitt

by SDChief on Nov 13, 2011 4:50 PM CST reply actions

Yes yes and YES!!

We ain’t going nowhere play em now!!!

"Stay Classy Kansas City"

by Mas Cervezas on Nov 13, 2011 5:02 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

You've had to much Cerveza if you think Haley will let someone else play.

I’ve been preaching that Cassel should be benched for three years. He has always been bad. But don’t hold your breath if you think he will be replaced. The only way is if he is injured. Today was Palko’s lucky day. He won’t get another snap as long as Cassel can hobble onto the field.

Cassel is a sacred cow and there will never be any competition. Get used to it…I have.

I am here to answer those who mock me scorn for scorn.

by choirboy on Nov 13, 2011 6:02 PM CST reply actions

I think you meant "scared cow". You spelled it "sacred"

Huzzah! Fantasy football has returned, allowing me to slap my opponents (family members) across the face with my favorite pair of white satin gloves. En garde, monkeys!

by The Gentry on Nov 13, 2011 6:42 PM CST up reply actions

He's not playin if he has a broken hand

I can promise you that

In nomeni parti et fili spiritus sancti

by saints_chiefsfan1979 on Nov 13, 2011 8:48 PM CST up reply actions

Just a thought.....

I’m not sure YPA is the stat to be used when looking at a QB’s game.

I mean it does give some measure of a QB’s performance but. it also hurts a QB for things that aren’t his fault like, dropped passes, plays called back via penalty, failed protection causing him to throw too soon, etc.

I can understand wanting to blame the QB, but from what I saw of the game, I’m more likely to blame the receivers and whoever committed the penalties killing big plays. (Specifically the Baldwin catch.)

by Rocky Mountain Chiefs Fan on Nov 13, 2011 11:53 PM CST reply actions

Cassel wasn't accurate all day

He missed short, long and in the middle. The Baldwin pass was way too short as well.

The whole offense goes through the QB. If the team is not confident in the QB that will show. It is showing now. Give someone else a chance and just see how it will work. We have nothing to lose by changing QBs and maybe a division title to gain with a new QB.

by chief66 on Nov 14, 2011 10:55 AM CST up reply actions

What makes you say that?

If the team is not confident in the QB that will show. It is showing now.

by Rocky Mountain Chiefs Fan on Nov 14, 2011 11:31 AM CST up reply actions

I was at the game yesterday

Watching the body language of the players. WR’s are frustrated and at times couldn’t hide it. The team walks on and off the field looking beat even early in the game when the offense isn’t going well.

Denver’s players were inspired and it showed in how they interact with one another. Eddie Royal is playing his butt off and isn’t getting any passes thrown his way. Why? WR’s want to be involved in the game with more than just blocking, but this guy is giving his all and not getting his name in the paper. Why?

It is easier to replace one guy than 10. Cassel has had 3 seasons to overcome his problems. He hasn’t. Time for a change.

by chief66 on Nov 14, 2011 11:53 AM CST up reply actions

I honestly do not know why everyone on AP is riding stanzi's jock.

I understand that people are tired of cassel, yes I get it. But it doesn’t matter who throws the ball, if the WR core is going to drop balls that hit them DIRECTLY in the hands, or line up blocking the TE. These are atrocious fundamental mistakes, not to be blamed on cassel. Those mistakes are to be blamed on the WR core, and haley. Haley is a freaking WR coach, and this shit should not be happening. Back to stanzi,this man has yet to take a real NFL snap yet. I don’t get the hype. If anything, Palko should get a run at the starting job. He is 1000 times more mobile than cassel, and doesn’t get as easily flustered in the pocket. Although it was garbage time today, he looked good.

by Chef's Kitchen on Nov 14, 2011 1:12 AM CST reply actions

Palko is also what, like 30 years old...that is NOT a QBoTF

Stanzi is our best (and only) bet to replace Cassel with someone who is already on our roster. With that said, I don’t want Stanzi to start this season (or next year if I had my way). In an ideal world, Stanzi would get a full 2 season carrying a clipboard before we toss him to the lions.

by DivineGrace on Nov 14, 2011 2:45 AM CST up reply actions

Negative Sir, Palko is a very young fresh 28.

For comparison, Peyton manning is 35, and Aaron Rodgers is 27. How is stanzi our best bet? We have yet to see this man play a real game in the NFL. Until he does, saying he is our best bet holds no weight. Palko should be starting.

by Chef's Kitchen on Nov 14, 2011 3:22 AM CST up reply actions

If Cassel is hurt I would be fine with Palko (really thought he was older).

As stated, I would rather have Stanzi hold a clipboard for his first season (at least).

by DivineGrace on Nov 14, 2011 5:01 AM CST up reply actions

Stanzi and Palko

are more comfortable in the pocket than Cassel. Matt has his days, but most of the time he is seeing ghosts and is ready to move at the slighest hint of pressure. Matt won’t let the ball go, meaning he will not lead his receiver. He is waiting til the WR is too far into the route to let the ball go. He had Breaston breaking open early in the game, but would not let go of the ball choosing to simply dump it off short and that pass wasn’t accurate.

Stanzi and Palko will at least give the team hope. They are more confident than Cassel and the team needs a new leader to inspire them to play better.

Haley has much invested in Cassel. He needs to admit the mistake and move on, or he his career in KC will be bound with Cassels.

by chief66 on Nov 14, 2011 10:38 AM CST up reply actions