With each day it seems more and more likely that the Kansas City Chiefs are going into Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers without QB Matt Cassel. He hasn't practiced this week and head coach Todd Haley has indicated he would likely need to practice in some fashion before the game. That leaves him two opportunities -- Friday and Saturday.
The Chiefs are coming down to the wire here and I think they're playing with fire if they don't sign a veteran quarterback to come in behind QB Brodie Croyle, assuming he's the starter this weekend.
On Wednesday -- the same day Cassel's appendectomy came -- the Chiefs signed QB Tyler Palko off the practice squad. That means if Cassel can't go, the Chiefs are one snap away from Palko playing. With the division far from wrapped up, and in December, I don't like that scenario.
This isn't a knock on Croyle or Palko. Past history has shown with Croyle that the risk of injury is there -- maybe a higher risk than others. Palko just doesn't have a lot of experience and I don't think you can realistically count on him right now. If it comes down to it, I hope he can prove me wrong.
The Chiefs often say they'll do whatever gives them the best chance to win. Having a veteran quarterback, in my opinion, would give them a better chance to win in the instance Croyle goes down. Again, it's not a knock on Palko but given his game experience I would feel more comfortable with a veteran signed off the street.
Charlie Weis and his offensive system have been around for a while. There are quarterbacks who know the system or can learn enough of it in time. The Chiefs have said a number of times that they went back and looked at their offensive philosophies and broke things down into the basics. That would tell me that, relative to other NFL jobs, this one would be easier to walk into and quickly pickup.
It's Friday and we've heard nothing about a veteran quarterback which suggests this isn't happening. But it should because the Chiefs are playing with fire.