Of all the current head coaches in the NFL, Denver Broncos Josh McDaniels might know the most about quarterback Matt Cassel. Yep, that includes Chiefs head coach Todd Haley, who has only had Cassel for nine months and 10 games.
McDaniels was Cassel's position coach for four years including 15 starts last year.
The Broncos coach talked this week about his renunion with Cassel and noted it wasn't just his arm that could beat you. It's his legs, too.
"It's going to be a little bit different defending him rather than being on the other side of it which I've been on in the last four years here. Difficult preparation, can do things with his legs, can beat you with his arm and his legs which is unique to a few quarterbacks in this league and he certainly is one of them."
Over a four game stretch in 2008, Cassel ran for 126 yards including one game where he went for 62 yards and threw for over 400, an NFL first. This season he's rushed for over 20 yards in five of his 1o starts. Last season he went over 20 yards in seven of his 15 starts.
McDaniels says Cassel's opportunity with the Chiefs is "well deserved" and that no matter the circumstances, he'll come to play.
"He's very bright, mobile, athletic, a big kid and he is a good leader. I know that just from being around him for four years and having the opportunity to coach him. I'm sure you can see the way the team responds to him in Kansas City and the way he plays. He always plays very hard. He's always going to be ready to go and he does a lot for their team and their offense."