WTF is up with all the national analyst saying good things about Cassel?

When you're calling short routes and screens to backs and receivers, that's generally the way it's going to average out. They aren't calling a lot of slow-developing pass plays, neither straight drops nor play action. I do think he's reading through his progressions when a slower play is called; I don't think he's coming out of the huddle with his target already in mind the way it seemed last year.

I'm not saying you're wrong, by the way. All I'm saying is that I have no way of knowing why they're calling the plays they're calling. You're assuming it's Cassel, and it may well be, but there are a number of other reasons why they could be calling those plays. It's just impossible for me to sit here watching the games at home and say definitively "they're doing this because..."

What? I'm basing my observations on the entire season. Even in our wins he has looked like crap.

I think they are coaching Cassel to get rid of the ball quickly to help the offensive line. They've been great in the run game, but still a little questionable in pass protection at times.

Also, quick throws allow playmakers like Bowe and Charles to run after the catch. We would rather throw 5 yard routes on 3rd and 10 and rely on guys running than rely on our line to block for Cassel to scan the field and find a guy past the sticks.

pioli's pockets run deep

The poor passing attack is a result of several factors:
1. It seems to take Cassel a while to warm up.
2. Cassel seems to play better in games where he is given a little more freedom to make things happen.
3. The passing gameplan has been - no turnovers, no negative plays, take the first read.
4. The WRs are generally poor. They have no legitimate #2 or #3 receiver.
5. The passing gameplan is designed in part to protect the OL. They aren't being asked to block for a long time. That's because they can't.

I know it's chic to blame everything on Cassel. That's okay, he makes the big $. I still don't understand the infatuation with repeating every single day all of the guys shortcomings.

Cassel made all of one throw on the first drive.

Overall, we're talking about four completions on two drives to receivers that were wide the **** open.

These were not difficult throws, Cassel was not being rushed.

Let's take a look at Cassel's other two overtime drives.

Cassel KILLED this drive after Charles and Jones got it going and moved the ball to the 46. If Cassel does his job on this drive the game is OVER and the drive at the end of the game is not needed.

Second drive:

Wow, Cassel sure can lean on a running game. Weis learned something from the first overtime drive - STOP PUTTING THE GAME IN CASSEL'S HANDS!!! As soon as Cassel made his one contribution they handed the ball off to the running backs again.

I think the arm strength thing is probably the single biggest misconception about anyone on the team. He can put plenty of juice on the ball, he just can't do it accurately. People talk like he's Damon Huard.

Well, unlike myself, you have standards about making accurate and well-though-out statements, Mr. keg in kc. Some of us are unburdened by such concerns.

You're right, of course. I'm assuming that they're taking the first read on account of Cassel. It could be that they're doing it for other reasons.

However, think about this ... there are some game excerpts on the "gif'd up" thread, for example, that clearly show an open receiver as Cassel is throwing to a well-covered man. In at least two of those cases, the open guy was in the same line of sight as the covered player. To me, that has to be a "first read" type of deal and has little to do with the line (since the pass protection had already occurred), or the defense, or any other reason I can think of ... other than the fact that Cassel took his first option.

Personally, I think he has target fixation. Plus, he's probably being coached to either take the first option or get rid of the ball - to avoid sacks, I mean (a real problem he's had in the past). Just a guess, though.

FAX

Cassel is 24th in the league in passing yards. And a lot of the guys ahead of him have only started a handful of games. He's on pace to barely crack 2700 yards. That's not even a game manager.

yup, this thread is just another rinse and repeat...all it took was Simms being positive about Cassel...are people really going to do this every day for ten more games, even if we're winning?

...one of two things will happen, a lot will eat crow, or eventually turn on Haley for sticking with Matt as QB..

What about the drive at the end of regulation?

Cassel does his job on first down and hits Bowe for 7 yards. Our awesome running game fails hard on 2nd down and gets stuffed for 2 yards. Then, for some reason, we put Cassel in shotgun on 3rd and 1. Incomplete. But, Cassel calls his OWN number and sneaks for the first down on 4th down. Haley nullifies it with the timeout and then decides to punt. That could have been the game winning drive.

ROFL

Give me a break.

First off, that wasn't a "drive". It was four ****ing plays.

Second, the entire need for a fourth down gamble shows how awful Cassel is. He freakin' threw the ball at Tucker's feet on third and 1. Why? Because he sucks.

Third, the entire idea that they would run the ball on 2nd down shows how much the coaches don't trust Cassel. There's less than 2 minutes left in the game, why are you running the ball? Because you know your quarterback sucks ass and you're desperately hoping your running back can break a long run.

It just tells me enough about Cassel when I watch Sam Bradford & you can tell he is already twice the QB that Cassel is after one has started 30+ games & the other 8.

Hell, I support this team 100% but that doesn't mean I have 100% confidence in Cassel. If people like him and think he is the man, I certainly hope they are right. I just happen to disagree with the assessment and hope I am wrong.