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

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

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

Thanks for playing.

Thanks for your crystal ball gaze, Zoltan. Did you ignore the part about 15 starters drafted? And do you know those five aren't worth a shit? Because Chiefs fans can sadly say that, while they don't know if those five will be shit, they certainly know their one IS shit.

Thanks for playing.

[el borracho]

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."

Mallet should have been the choice in 2011. Two touchdowns and a QB rating of 107.7 last night.

Of course, he had a stinker of a game against New Orleans two weeks ago but he is unquestionably more talented than Matt Cassel.

[NWTF]

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.

Not to mention they let go of Orton (who isnt the answer but a decent backup) and signed Brady Quinn - a downgrade. Pioli did not want a controversy at any point during the season. Cassel is clearly the best QB on this roster and Pioli made sure he would be. While on most other NFL rosters Cassel would fall to the #2 position.

Like Jack Harry said Cassel is here to stay. Pioli is not interested in upgrading the position at this time.

[el borracho]

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

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

Thanks for playing.

Be serious for one moment and tell me, truthfully, that you are satisfied with Matt Cassel as your QB.

[Lex Luthor]

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

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

You deserve whatever abuse you get on this forum. I would love to see Cassel succeed, but that was one of the dumbest ****ing posts I've ever seen.

[L.A. Chieffan]

Originally Posted by JD10367

Thanks for your crystal ball gaze, Zoltan. Did you ignore the part about 15 starters drafted? And do you know those five aren't worth a shit? Because Chiefs fans can sadly say that, while they don't know if those five will be shit, they certainly know their one IS shit.

Thanks for playing.

Wrong. I do know that they aren't worth a shit because either

A: They're not starting anymore

OR

B: THEY JUST AREN'T WORTH A SHIT.

Meanwhile our guy has played in a PROBOWL.

Go back to your clam chowder and old man pervert fantasies and leave the sport talk to people who actually know shit ok?

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

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

Thanks for playing.

This avatar is awesome.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by jd1020

They passed on Tannehill?

No - I meant they didn't do what it took to try and get him. I just mean they haven't done anything except draft a guy in the 5th round, who will be out of the NFL in 2 yeras, and sign a back-up from Denver to "compete" with Cassel. Shoot Orton was the best QB they've had since Pioli got here and they were never serious about signing him.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

Baldwin - the guy who was the 'star' of camp and the reason we don't need Bowe - averaged 6 yards per catch...less than McCluster


just think about how ****ing stupid that is...

we don't even try - as a goof - to go deep to our WRs

We don't try because we know we can't.

Casshole was throwing high for most of the first half.

ON SHORT ROUTES...

[L.A. Chieffan]

Originally Posted by Brainiac

You deserve whatever abuse you get on this forum. I would love to see Cassel succeed, but that was one of the dumbest ****ing posts I've ever seen.

About as dumb as saying Wilson will be a better qb based on a preseason game where their two respective teams played against each other.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by Rausch

We don't try because we know we can't.

Casshole was throwing high for most of the first half.

ON SHORT ROUTES...

It reminds of that movie "Friday Night Lights" when the mom was telling the QB to just "throw it up to Boobie Miles and let that boy go after the ball".

Haha. That's Cassel. "Hey, i got these big fast black guys, ima just gonna throw it up there and hope they can come down with it". I wouldnt doubt it if that's what the coaches are telling him to do.

It's no wonder Baldwin looked great in camp. He's been catching overthrown passes for the past month

[go bo]

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

Bare our buttholes for Barkley?

Hell I think I'd get an anal tat for a stud QB if that's what it took.

you're a brave man dave lane...

[In58men]

Great article. It's embarrassing to he a chiefs fan. Todd Blackledge haunts us

[In58men]

Originally Posted by go bowe

you're a brave man dave lane...

Say no to Barkley. If you seen one USC QB you've seen them all. I'm a USC fan too.

[BoneKrusher]

Originally Posted by Inmem58

Say no to Barkley. If you seen one USC QB you've seen them all. I'm a USC fan too.

yeah, i've yet to see a good QB from USC.