Mellinger nails it. Great article.

[RunKC]

Sam Mellinger | One team looks better at QB, and it’s not Chiefs
BY SAM MELLINGER
The Kansas City Star

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/08/24...#storylink=cpy

You could run your finger up and down the Chiefs roster and wherever you choose to stop be fairly certain it will be on a player who looked rotten in what is traditionally the least unimportant preseason game. The frustration is real but might be fleeting.

Fifteen days separate the despair of this morning from the hope of the season opener, and that’s like two months in NFL time. But the Chiefs were absolutely throttled by the Seahawks, 44-14, and whatever the maximum amount of concern you think is appropriate for a preseason game that included no torn knees is appropriate for this one.

This was embarrassing, but there’s time for much of it to fade.

Here’s something that’s not going anywhere before the season opener, and probably not for long after: the Chiefs are four years into making up for a limited quarterback in a league full of better options.

Like, you know, Russell Wilson.

Six months ago, Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli made a point to promise better quarterback competition.

Five months ago, the Seahawks signed free agent Matt Flynn to a $19 million contract.

Four months ago, the Seahawks drafted Wilson in the third round.

They did it one pick after the Chiefs took an offensive lineman they think might play — next year. In other words: the Chiefs talked it, and the Seahawks walked it.

At a time like this, you can focus on any one of a million things to be ticked off about with the Chiefs. Brandon Flowers’ injury is showing no signs of healing, and Jalil Brown is showing no signs of being up to the job. The Chiefs didn’t force as much as one punt in until Tarvaris Jackson played the fourth quarter. Tamba Hali was called for two personal fouls. Dwayne Bowe didn’t impress, Tony Moeaki whiffed on some catches, and Andy Studebaker whiffed on some tackles.

But as much as Matt Cassel looked comfortable in the first two preseason games, he took a significant jump back in what’s supposed to be the preseason game that matters — a little bit, at least.

He completed virtually nothing but short passes, got points just once in seven possessions, and turned the ball over twice. Even when he threw a touchdown to Dexter McCluster, the celebration jump left him landing on his rear. It was like an entire evening spent highlighting his biggest weaknesses.

On the other side, Wilson was everything the Chiefs haven’t had in a quarterback in the better part of a decade. He completed 13 of 19 passes for two touchdowns and no interceptions and two brilliant scrambles for 58 yards. Even if you take away the throw to Kellen Winslow on a blown coverage, it was a terrific night.

It was the kind of night Chiefs fans thought they might get more of when Pioli talked about improving the quarterback situation.

Those hopes went from Peyton Manning to someone in the draft to signing Brady Quinn — who replaced Cassel midway through the Chiefs’ eighth possession — as some sort of stand-in for legitimate competition.

Pioli did a lot of good in the offseason. Most around the team agreed Romeo Crennel was the right choice as permanent head coach. Eric Winston is an enormous improvement at right tackle. Peyton Hillis, Kevin Boss and Stanford Routt are all promising additions.

But there was effectively nothing done at quarterback — the Chiefs actually took a step back losing Kyle Orton to free agency.

And that, again, will be a major takeaway for Chiefs fans when the team fails like this.

If Wilson wins the Seahawks’ job — and the Chiefs gave him a highlight tape — he would be one of 15 quarterbacks drafted after Pioli took over in Kansas City to be a starting quarterback when the season starts. The Chiefs passed over five of those quarterbacks.

So much of what we saw on Friday night is light enough to blow in the NFL’s temperamental breeze. What looked promising two weeks ago looks awful right now and might look promising again two weeks from now.

But games like this, when Cassel fails and quarterbacks the Chiefs passed over succeed will weigh around this team’s neck like an anvil.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/08/24...#storylink=cpy

[JohnnyHammersticks]

Originally Posted by Cassel>Manning

I still can't believe Pioli left the booth less than a minute after Cassel fumbled. He was sitting in the booth bragging about Cassel for 8 or 9 plays and then as soon as Cassel fumbles they cut to commercial and Pioli leaves as soon as the game came back on.

That would have pissed me off.

We Chiefs fans can only hope that Pioli left the booth so quickly last night because his realtor called with an offer on his ****ing house. The bald headed prick can leave on the next ****ing train for all I care. Has he built a good roster other than QB? Possibly, although it's certainly debatable. But building a good roster at every position besides QB doesn't matter much when having a good QB is the single most important item for a team to possess in today's NFL. It's like having a mechanic who's good at everything but working on motors. Pioli made his bed with Marc Kasl and he'll hopefully be sleeping in it on the ****ing unemployment line as soon as the season ends.

[ChiefsCountry]

Cassel shows how big Piolis ego really is.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Skyy God]

Originally Posted by Tuckdaddy

This place would have melted down if we took a 5 foot nothing QB in the third. If Wilson turns out to be anything but ok for a little while I will be shocked.

Credit the Seahawks. They recognized Jackson was a terribly mediocre QB (who, I might add, has a higher QB rating than Cassel). So they went out and picked up the best non-Manning FA and drafted a lottery-pick type player in Wilson.

We didn't do dick.

[chiefzilla1501]

Pioli is basically resting his legacy on a so far mediocre qb. Its one thing to make a mistake. It's another to arrogantly defend your mistake.

What's compelling about russell Wilson is NOT that he is a lower drafted qb the chiefs passed up, as much as it is that the Seahawks made a move for Matt Flynn and still drafted a rookie and still gave that rookie a chance to win the starting job.

Pioli took 5 years to draft a fifth rounder. And he declared his starter before the preseason even started.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Pioli is basically resting his legacy on a so far mediocre qb. Its one thing to make a mistake. It's another to arrogantly defend your mistake.

What's compelling about russell Wilson is NOT that he is a lower drafted qb the chiefs passed up, as much as it is that the Seahawks made a move for Matt Flynn and still drafted a rookie and still gave that rookie a chance to win the starting job.

Pioli took 5 years to draft a fifth rounder. And he declared his starter before the preseason even started.

This - All day long...

The Chiefs should be farther along in year 4 of Pioli. They're not because of the QB. Most teams that hit rock-bottom the way the Chiefs did get themsles a young franchise QB. The Chiefs didn't.

[BoneKrusher]

Originally Posted by TEX

This - All day long...

i second it.

[PRIEST]

Originally Posted by TEX

This - All day long...

The Chiefs should be farther along in year 4 of Pioli. They're not because of the QB. Most teams that hit rock-bottom the way the Chiefs did get themsles a young franchise QB. The Chiefs didn't.

This

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by TEX

This - All day long...

The Chiefs should be farther along in year 4 of Pioli. They're not because of the QB. Most teams that hit rock-bottom the way the Chiefs did get themsles a young franchise QB. The Chiefs didn't.

Unfortunately for the Chiefs they were rock bottom when there were only 2 QBs considered to be franchise guys in 2 years and they both went #1.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by Pittsie

Credit the Seahawks. They recognized Jackson was a terribly mediocre QB (who, I might add, has a higher QB rating than Cassel). So they went out and picked up the best non-Manning FA and drafted a lottery-pick type player in Wilson.

We didn't do dick.

Yep. And most teams do recognize when they have poor QB play and go out and do something about it. I'd bet there isn't a team in the league that would have stuck with Cassel as ther starter as long as KC. Pathetic.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by jd1020

Unfortunately for the Chiefs they were rock bottom when there were only 2 QBs considered to be franchise guys in 2 years and they both went #1.

Yeah, but there were others out there. Just look at this year. The Chiefs could have had one. There's a kid down in Miami right now who has more pocket presense than Matt Cassel.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Cassel>Manning

I still can't believe Pioli left the booth less than a minute after Cassel fumbled. He was sitting in the booth bragging about Cassel for 8 or 9 plays and then as soon as Cassel fumbles they cut to commercial and Pioli leaves as soon as the game came back on.

That would have pissed me off.

Do you really think SP hasn't learned at least a few lessons from the Hunts? When the heat is on, leave! That's why God invented Fiji.... Soon enough SP might move away from KC too; it's simpler to make bad decisions when you don't have to face your fans. A lesson the Hunts continue to teach the globe. Even if you show - don't "show" for long! RUN AWAY!!!

No matter what - at least for the Hunts - they will make so much coin for not producing on the field, FOREVER (!!!!), that it makes producing ON THE FIELD a a financial liability when the final numbers are tallied. IOW, whatever they'd spend in a cast of players who could win and bring in a little extra coin would FAR exceed the raw profits generated by doing nothing. They all know this, and they know the occasional bone, the occasional nugget, thrown to the crowd of starving fans will keep some of the seats filled. And, like getting congress to limit terms and eliminating retirements, you'll never get the consortium of owners to fix the bad owners. Those owners who care don't mind those who don't not fielding a team that might get in the way of their team's desires to win it all. Unfortunately for the fine people of Kansas City, we have two examples of such "uncaring" teams in one parking lot...

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by TEX

Yeah, but there were others out there. Just look at this year. The Chiefs could have had one. There's a kid down in Miami right now who has more pocket presense than Matt Cassel.

They passed on Tannehill?

[L.A. Chieffan]

Yawn, you don't like it? Root for the Seahawks.

[JD10367]

What's sad is this: Ryan Mallett looked much improved for my Pats last night. We could trade you a backup QB again and send you Brian Hoyer, who sucks balls. And I think Hoyer would still probably step in and play better than Cassel.

Wilson may or may not be the real deal. He might be another Doug Flutie, a guy who manages to play taller than his size and win a lot of games on sheer talent and will, but who may never lead you to the Promised Land. But that's not the point; this is. And it's staggering when you think about it.

"If Wilson wins the Seahawks’ job — and the Chiefs gave him a highlight tape — he would be one of 15 quarterbacks drafted after Pioli took over in Kansas City to be a starting quarterback when the season starts. The Chiefs passed over five of those quarterbacks."

[L.A. Chieffan]

Originally Posted by JD10367

What's sad is this: Ryan Mallett looked much improved for my Pats last night. We could trade you a backup QB again and send you Brian Hoyer, who sucks balls. And I think Hoyer would still probably step in and play better than Cassel.

Wilson may or may not be the real deal. He might be another Doug Flutie, a guy who manages to play taller than his size and win a lot of games on sheer talent and will, but who may never lead you to the Promised Land. But that's not the point; this is. And it's staggering when you think about it.

"If Wilson wins the Seahawks’ job — and the Chiefs gave him a highlight tape — he would be one of 15 quarterbacks drafted after Pioli took over in Kansas City to be a starting quarterback when the season starts. The Chiefs passed over five of those quarterbacks."

Yeah, and out of those FIVE whole quarterbacks, Dalton MIGHT be the only one worth a shit.

Thanks for playing.