Quote:
I'll start with Cassel, Kansas City’s quarterback.
I’m not calling for Cassel to throw multiple touchdown passes or for 300 yards or a completion percentage approaching 70. I’m calling for the continuation of the courage Cassel displayed after he nearly fumbled the Pittsburgh game away.
Cassel was a different player after his fourth-quarter fumble. He looked like a QB worth the $63 million Scott Pioli gave him.
Starting with a huge strike to Lance Long down the middle of the field, Cassel led the Chiefs on a game-tying, overtime-forcing TD drive and then hit Chris Chambers with a big pass that set up KC’s game-winning, overtime field goal.
Before those two drives, Cassel appeared to be intimidated by Pittsburgh’s pass rush. He was the total opposite of Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger, one of the league’s most courageous quarterbacks.
The fumble and circumstance triggered a resolve to make plays that we hadn’t seen from Cassel. I want to see that resolve again today.
If we see that, then the victory over the Steelers has long-lasting value. The Chiefs might have a leader at quarterback.
|
#1: It's not simply a question of "Cassel playing sucky" vs. "Cassel playing better". It also involves the O-line, the pass-catchers getting open and/or hanging onto the ball, the runners actually getting positive yardage, etc.,.
#2: I don't think it's a coincidence that when they simplify things, Cassel looks great. When they're behind, and go to a quick offense, he looks like Tom Brady's "Mini-Me". When they slow down and start calling plays and huddling, they stagnate. Here's a clue: take the leash off the kid. Slim down the playbook, give him more shotgun, let him make a few more decisions, and play to his strengths. You know, all that shit Belichick mentioned in that quore from a few weeks ago that was around here. You've got a guy you paid to be the leader, so stop acting like he's Thigpen.