Cassel and Whitlock = BFF's

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Sorry if repost:

Let the hate begin!

Posted on Tue, May. 26, 2009
I’m starting to get cold feet about Cassel
JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY

If this is an audition, it’s a very expensive one.

When Scott Pioli struck the deal for Tom Brady understudy Matt Cassel, the experts lauded Pioli for acquiring the one-year wonder for such a “reasonable” price, a second-round pick.

Three months later — with Cassel still unsigned to a long-term deal — the price tag is losing quite a bit of its discount value. In fact, you could argue that Cassel inked a rather generous prenuptial agreement and Bill Belichick unloaded a potential headache.

It appears the Chiefs have little interest in signing Matt Cassel to a long-term contract before the start of the season. Or, more likely, Pioli lost interest in signing Cassel to a long-term contract once Kansas City’s first-time general manager learned Cassel and agent David Dunn’s asking price.

Given Cassel’s and Pioli’s New England relationship, I just assumed when the Chiefs traded for Cassel, the parameters of a long-term deal were agreed upon before the trade. I assumed wrong. Or, more likely, Cassel and Dunn elevated their contract demands after perusing the Chiefs’ roster and salary-cap situation.

The Chiefs have enough salary-cap room to house, feed, clothe and entertain most of Canada. And Kansas City’s current offensive personnel would make any rational QB demand hazardous-work pay.

Whatever the cause, Pioli and Dunn can’t agree on Cassel’s worth. The rumor around the Loch Lloyd golf course is the Cassels are renting, not buying.

Can you really blame them in this economy and with a fickle housing market?

But whom should we blame for this expensive experiment?

As of right now, Cassel is scheduled to earn nearly $15 million for the 2009 season. That’s his franchise-tag number.

Had we known in February that Cassel would cost $15 million and a second-round pick for one season of play, would we still regard his acquisition as a wise move?

Of course, if he plays lights-out and proves that his one good, Randy Moss-Wes Welker-fueled season was no fluke, no one will complain about the acquisition price and no one will care what the Chiefs have to pay next season to keep him.

The problem is, I just can’t imagine him putting together a magnificent or even solid season in 2009.

Tony Gonzalez is gone. Larry Johnson is still here. Brian Waters is somewhere brooding. The Chiefs drafted a bunch of defensive linemen.

The way Pioli has assembled offensive talent (36-year-old Bobby Engram is the big-ticket free-agent signing) makes me believe he’s negotiating with Dunn and Cassel.

No offense to Cassel, but he’s a college and NFL bench-warmer who had the luxury of playing quarterback alongside the greatest offensive force (Moss) the league has seen since Jim Brown.

Last season Cassel stepped into a moving vehicle and did a good job of not running off the road. Kansas City’s offense has been stuck in neutral since Dick Vermeil left. And now the one reliable tire left on KC’s car moved to Atlanta.

This smells like 15 TDs and 20 interceptions, doesn’t it? Or maybe seven TDs, 12 interceptions and a season-ending injury halfway through the season.

It’s not even June, and I can already hear the Tyler Thigpen chants in the distance. By October, the talk-radio shows will be filled with Grbac-Gannon analogies.

The official Vegas over-under line on when I’ll write my first Jeff George column is Oct. 3. I’m playing the under if you must know.

For the record, my official position is I’d prefer to see the Chiefs draft and develop a quarterback. The Chiefs keep trying to convert backups — even Joe Montana was Steve Young’s backup in San Fran — into Super Bowl quarterbacks.

You ever break up with a girlfriend/boyfriend, date their best friend and then complain about the same problems? It’s stupid. It’s just as stupid to keep dating the exact same quarterback.

Most backup quarterbacks are backups for a good reason. They don’t marinate on the bench for eight years waiting to be discovered.

My problem with Cassel is he didn’t transfer out of USC when he was stuck behind Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart. The great ones generally have massive egos that can’t be satisfied riding the pine.

Man, I hope I’m wrong about this $15 million audition.

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

Again, substitute Cutler for Cassel. Are you really this stupid, or is it just part of the troll act?

Hey..

It's not my fault that the cheefs paid 15 million dollars for a guy who didn't even start in college.

Seriously the cheefs offensive cupboard is bare...

Do you expect cassel to carry the offense..

Do you think he is even capable?

Originally Posted by Claythan

I'm getting really tired of Cassel being dismissed just because he played with Moss and Welker.

The guy can play, period.

The NFL has seen many a "one season wonder"...

Not to mention that the team cassel played for went undefeated in the regular season the year before....

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by The Bronco Rob

Hey..

It's not my fault that the cheefs paid 15 million dollars for a guy who didn't even start in college.

Seriously the cheefs offensive cupboard is bare...

Do you expect cassel to carry the offense..

Do you think he is even capable?

Man, I'm not even a Chiefs fan. My point is simply about the Grade "A" manure you're spreading about Cassel and the offense he was in. Broncos fans are pimping the Marshall/Royal/etc. combo as among the very best in the league, but you weren't claiming Cutler was a product of his supporting cast.

I don't mind trolls, but you suck at it. Frankly, while I oppose banning people because they are critical of the team, I have no problem banning people who are incompetent in their trolling attempts, and you fit that description.

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

Man, I'm not even a Chiefs fan. My point is simply about the Grade "A" manure you're spreading about Cassel and the offense he was in. Broncos fans are pimping the Marshall/Royal/etc. combo as among the very best in the league, but you weren't claiming Cutler was a product of his supporting cast.

I don't mind trolls, but you suck at it. Frankly, while I oppose banning people because they are critical of the team, I have no problem banning people who are incompetent in their trolling attempts, and you fit that description.

What on earth does Cutler have to do with cassel?

cassel played on a team that went 18-0 the season before & went to the Superbowl...

The Broncos did have the 2nd ranked offense in the NFL last season...

What don't you understand?

[Kyle DeLexus]

Originally Posted by The Bronco Rob

Hey..

It's not my fault that the cheefs paid 15 million dollars for a guy who didn't even start in college.

Seriously the cheefs offensive cupboard is bare...

Do you expect cassel to carry the offense..

Do you think he is even capable?

Did anyone say we were going to win the Superbowl next season? Our team needs work and we know that, but I think we are on the right track.

[orange]

Originally Posted by crazychiefsfan

How many college back ups get drafted.... non that i know of

Cassel has great measurables and he had a huge workout.

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

Again, substitute Cutler for Cassel. Are you really this stupid, or is it just part of the troll act?

Not sure I get your point. The Bronco Rob is on record thinking Cutler is going to drop off in Chicago.

Originally Posted by crazychiefsfan

Hey Yoda was a good actor!!!!!!

I'm a little so-so on his acting; but damn that little troll is one hell of a martial artist!

Originally Posted by milkman

However, regardless of the compensation that your dumbass HC was willing to give up for Cassel, he was willing to give up Cutler to get him.

... him and other picks/players; ALMOST willing that is.

As for being a dumbass - if he had gone through with it, I would happily agree that he is a one. But he didn't go through with it.

He certainly had no reason to believe talking about a trade would end up the way it did. The whole thing was orchestrated by Cutler/Bus Cook. They either wanted a trade or a new contract. Either that or Cutler is truly the sorest vagina on the planet.

As it is, the Broncos got a lot more for Cutler than any of the trade speculation, so IF they really weren't sold on him, perhaps things worked out for the best.

And as important as anything else, the Broncos DIDN'T get saddled with Matt "Half-a-Second" Cassel!

Originally Posted by Kyle DeLexus

Did anyone say we were going to win the Superbowl next season? Our team needs work and we know that, but I think we are on the right track.

Agreed...

The best think the cheefs did was to can Carl...

And after going 6-26 there is only one way to go..

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by The Bronco Rob

What on earth does Cutler have to do with cassel?

cassel played on a team that went 18-0 the season before & went to the Superbowl...

The Broncos did have the 2nd ranked offense in the NFL last season...

What don't you understand?

I understand perfectly well, thank you. And, again, the Broncos were the #16 offense in the NFL last year.

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

I understand perfectly well, thank you. And, again, the Broncos were the #16 offense in the NFL last year.

16th in "SCORING"

2nd in TOTAL offense...

my word do the math

[orange]

Originally Posted by The Bronco Rob

16th in "SCORING"

2nd in TOTAL offense...

my word do the math

It's not math, it's lying with statistics. The only statistics that matter are the ones that advance your point.

For example: when Cutler was a Bronco (i.e. bad, here) they had the #16 offense. When Cutler is not a Bronco (i.e. good, here) he carried the #2 offense.

See how easy it is?

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by The Bronco Rob

16th in "SCORING"

2nd in TOTAL offense...

my word do the math

I did. TOTAL offense means just about nothing. Scoring, on the other hand, matters. Denver was a middle of the pack offense last year.

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by orange

It's not math, it's lying with statistics. The only statistics that matter are the ones that advance your point.

For example: when Cutler was a Bronco (i.e. bad, here) they had the #16 offense. When Cutler is not a Bronco (i.e. good, here) he carried the #2 offense.

See how easy it is?

The last time I checked, games were won and lost based upon points scored, not yards gained. Again.... I'm not a Chiefs fan. I don't care what ranking Denver had. The only ranking that really mattered by the end of the season was the "Not in the playoffs" ranking. However, they were the #16 offense last season.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by orange

... him and other picks/players; ALMOST willing that is.

No, willing.

The fact that things didn't work out in the trade only means that he was willing but not able.

And as important as anything else, the Broncos DIDN'T get saddled with Matt "Half-a-Second" Cassel!

And equally as important, you did get saddled with a guy that barely beat out Rex Grossman for the job in Chicago.

I was pissed when Pioli traded for Cassel, but that was nothing to the meltdown that you would have seen from me if he had tradeed for Orton.

You guys are ****ed.

Originally Posted by orange

It's not math, it's lying with statistics. The only statistics that matter are the ones that advance your point.

For example: when Cutler was a Bronco (i.e. bad, here) they had the #16 offense. When Cutler is not a Bronco (i.e. good, here) he carried the #2 offense.

See how easy it is?

[orange]

Originally Posted by Claythan

I'm getting really tired of Cassel being dismissed just because he played with Moss and Welker.

The guy can play, period.

Preparing to transfer your man-crush already? Fickle.

Some things to contemplate - is a floating, innaccurate deep ball that misses its target more beautiful when it's thrown by Matt Cassel or Damon Huard? Is a quarterback who cannot function lined up under center better when he's Matt Cassel or Tyler Thigpen? Is a $15 million guaranteed contract a better value when it's for Matt Cassel or, well, anyone not named Brady or Manning?