Quote:
Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58
Just to play Devil's Advocate, since there's no way to know without watching every pass Cassel threw last year, but...
How accurate do you have to be when a WR is WIDE open?
When I think of YAC due to hitting guys in stride, I think of Warner and the Rams "Greatest Show on Turf."
I didn't really see anything resembling that in the 8-10 Patriots games I watched last year. I saw a lot of separation from the WR's, and I saw guys making a move, a defender missing, and 20+ yards being picked up.
FWIW, I do agree that Cassel is much more accurate than Thigpen. That's a given, IMO.
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I'm sure you've already seen the youtube clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ctvPzDMfp0
Half of those plays are definitely short, gimme passes to a wide open receiver (usually Welker). But pay attention to the other half. For as good as the receivers are, the majority of the passes were perfectly placed balls. I was especially impressed with his command of when to lead a receiver and when to get it into his back shoulder.
I realize it's a highlight reel and you see the good, but not the bad. But it should be reassuring that there are enough highlights where you can clearly see his ability to put the ball in a perfect spot. I still believe that his offensive line handicapped him a lot more than people realize and I still believe that if the Chiefs can one day put a real offensive line in front of him and he can consistently step into his throws, he will have tremendous upside.
I don't buy into the inaccuracy stuff. I think people say that because he doesn't throw a real pretty deep ball. But from what I've seen, when he has an opportunity to set his feet, he throws a really hard, accurate ball.