Clark Judge loves Matt Cassel, and so should you.

[Hammock Parties]

Cassel proving to be difference-maker in K.C.

By Clark Judge CBSSports.com Senior Writer Nov. 30, 2010

Let's get this out of the way up front and admit what we should know -- namely, that the Kansas City Chiefs made the right move when they acquired quarterback Matt Cassel.

Matt Cassel's 2010 numbers put him among the league's elite passers. (Getty Images)

They thought they were getting someone who could stabilize the most important position in the game, and they did. They thought they were getting someone who was smart, accurate and reliable, and they did. They thought they were getting someone who could win, and they did. In short, they thought they were getting a quarterback they could trust. And they did.

Matt Cassel is having the best season of his career a year after he, the Chiefs and general manager Scott Pioli took heat for Cassel's underwhelming play -- with one local columnist so outraged that he characterized Cassel as "horrible."


Um, maybe not. Cassel has the Chiefs on top of the AFC West. He's won more games (7) in 11 starts than the club won the past two seasons (6). He hasn't lost at home. He leads the league in touchdown percentage. He's second only to Tom Brady in ratio of touchdowns-to-interceptions. And he's fourth overall in passer rating, ahead of luminaries like Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan.

"Matt Cassel keeps setting the bar higher and higher," coach Todd Haley said after Kansas City's latest victory.

I'll second that. It's not just that the Chiefs continue to win under Cassel's direction; it's what Cassel's done to put them in that position, and the envelope, please: Over his last seven starts Cassel has 18 touchdown passes and one interception. Let me repeat: 18 and 1, a ratio that is better than anyone -- including Tom Brady -- over that period, and tell me that shouldn't put this guy front and center of the national spotlight.

It should. Only it hasn't. And one reason it hasn't is because there's a lingering feeling that Kansas City is overachieving and, well, that the Chiefs will eventually get caught by San Diego anyway. I don't buy into the overachieving argument, but after watching San Diego dissect Indianapolis the other night I do believe the Chargers, not the Chiefs, are the team to beat in the AFC West -- basically because the schedule falls their way in December, a month where they have won their last 18.

But that's a projection. Let's look at what we know, and what we know is that Matt Cassel is everything Pioli and the Chiefs envisioned when they acquired him. OK, so it took offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and a system with which Cassel was comfortable for him to flourish. But that happens. It took Brees four seasons before he started to feel comfortable in San Diego.

No question about it, Cassel struggled last season, but let's be honest: There were an abundance of reasons. One was the change of offensive coordinators immediately prior to the season, with Cassel forced to learn on the fly. Another was the Chiefs' mistake-prone receivers, with Kansas City two flubs away from tying an unofficial record for most drops in a year (51). Still another was the team's inability to run the ball until Jamaal Charles stepped into the huddle midway through the schedule.

Now fast forward to 2010, with Weis refining Haley's system to add a few wrinkles that Cassel might have known or practiced when he was with New England. It was there that Cassel first became a starter, stepping into the lineup for the first time in nine years when Brady was hurt in the 2008 opener. And it was there he was supposed to flop. Only he didn't, leading the Patriots to an 11-5 finish.

Surprising? Yes. But that was the guy Kansas City thought it was getting when it traded for Cassel. And that is the guy it has.

Look, I don't know that kicked in this season, but it's hard to ignore the results. What I do know is that Haley worked with Cassel on being more precise in his drops within the pocket, and Cassel has responded. I also know that having the league's top-ranked running game -- with the Chiefs shredding Seattle for 270 yards -- has helped. And I know the emergence of wide receiver Dwayne Bowe -- one of those guys who last season looked more like a backboard than a pass catcher -- has been a huge plus.

In the end, though, it comes back to Matt Cassel. The Chiefs had Larry Johnson to run the ball in 2007-08, and they couldn't win. They had Tony Gonzalez to catch it then, too, and they couldn't win. And they couldn't win because they didn't have someone, anyone, at quarterback to throw the right passes, avoid the big mistakes and make the smart decisions.
Now they do.

"I think he's an NFL starting quarterback you can win with and win championships with," Pioli said at training camp last summer. "Matt adjusted to a lot of change, showed his competitiveness, resiliency and his ability. Beyond the mental and emotional (aspect) and his competitiveness, he showed the physical ability to be able to win."

Pioli was right. Kansas City is not where it is today without Matt Cassel, and it's high time the club, its G.M., its head coach, its assistants and Matt Cassel himself are recognized for what is working with the Chiefs. And what is working is their quarterback.

Adding Matt Cassel not only was a good move; it was a necessary one. And it has the Chiefs where they haven't been in years. Good for them. Good for Pioli. And, most important, good for Matt Cassel.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Dane, I agree with everything but the bolded text.

I don't see how playing two games like a legit, franchise QB means he has a "very good chance" he ascends to being a legit, franchise QB consistently.

I "hope" he continues to ascend, but I need to see a lot more evidence, primarily against good teams, on the road, carrying the team, etc before I claim he will.

I definitely think he will continue to ascend. He's improved exponentially over the course of this season and as long as Charlie Weis returns, I expect him to continue to get better.

Will he be a guy that can carry a team week in and week out? At this point, I think the answer is "no" but I think that's difficult to predict. He has shown the capacity to become a very, very good game manager, which is something I didn't think he was capable of doing in September.

So I guess the question at this point is, how high is his ceiling? I don't have that answer but I have far more confidence in his abilities than I ever expected after his last two showings, despite the level of defensive talent he faced.

He did all the "right" things, which was really cool to see.

[Pants]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

He was good against Arizona as well.

Let's face it, guy: Matt Cassel is NOT the same player in Week 12 as he was in Week 1. He has improved throughout the season and as I've said in the past few days, at times it's been one step forward and two steps back.

But on Sunday, he looked off receivers, wasn't worried about the pass rush and play a nearly perfect game, which is something I thought he'd never accomplish. And I don't mean stats, I mean watching him play with my eyes.

I think there's a very good chance that he continues to ascend, thus proving he's a late bloomer. Worse things could happen than Matt Cassel growing into a Franchise QB at age 28.

Goddamn it. I'm just so reluctant to let my hope for him swell... I really don't want it to come crashing down on me and crushing me once again.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Last year he couldn't make those plays against anyone. Even if it is the Donkeys, Cards and Seahags, he's still making considerable progress.

And I've said as much. He has made progress.

Is it enough?

We won't know until he either plays at this level in a huge game, or on the road, without a running game, etc.

Otherwise, we're right back to square one:

Originally Posted by Detoxing

But he's getting better, and hopefully next season, he'll be ready.

I don't want to HOPE this team can count on its QB.

I want to KNOW if this team can count on its QB.

[007]

Originally Posted by kcxiv

we were playing with back ups at the RT and LT and he not only avoided terible blocking but made HUGE plays out of them. The spin out and the TD pass to Bowe. Seattle's Defense isnt that terrible and they supposedly have a good line. Cassel handled the pressure and made plays. Early in the season he wasnt really doing that. It didnt mattter who it was against. Early in the season we were winning in spite of Matt. Now its not like that.

NO one is crowning anyone yet. At least i am not, I am just saying he has played way way way above what i thought he would be at.

Meh, the crown his ass comment was really just tongue in cheek. I'm not trying to discount his progression, just that we haven't exactly been playing teams with outstanding defense.

The pressure is on Matt now, and so far he seems to be handling it well. These next 5 games will tell us all we need to know about him.

[jd1020]

Yes the Chiefs are 7-4. Yes if they win their division they deserve a playoff spot. But look at who their wins have come against. Chargers, Browns, SF, Jags, Bills, Cards, Seahawks. Both the Chargers and Browns were not the same team they are today and we barely won both of those games. I think this team is getting alittle overhyped thanks to their easy schedule.

[kcxiv]

Originally Posted by Gif Horse

It's awful.

One of the worst in the league.

hmmm.. its now what i been hearing from various pod casts. I havent looked up any stats, but supposedly they weren't that terrible and the Chiefs were going to lose going into Seattle because thier 12 man and how hard it was to win there. They have only lost one another game at home this year and that was due to them having a 3rd stringer at QB that game. Was against the Giants i believe.

[DeezNutz]

No question that this league is schedule driven.

Winning begets confidence, so this might off-set some of the challenges that are bound to occur next year. Plus, we're still allowed to participate in the draft, and I believe we're allowed to be involved in FA, possibly (with many variables here).

[kcxiv]

Originally Posted by jd1020

Yes the Chiefs are 7-4. Yes if they win their division they deserve a playoff spot. But look at who their wins have come against. Chargers, Browns, SF, Jags, Bills, Cards, Seahawks. Both the Chargers and Browns were not the same team they are today and we barely won both of those games. I think this team is getting alittle overhyped thanks to their easy schedule.

We arent the same team as when we played the Chargers and Browns. So now what?

[Ming the Merciless]

Originally Posted by jd1020

Yes the Chiefs are 7-4. Yes if they win their division they deserve a playoff spot. But look at who their wins have come against. Chargers, Browns, SF, Jags, Bills, Cards, Seahawks. Both the Chargers and Browns were not the same team they are today and we barely won both of those games. I think this team is getting alittle overhyped thanks to their easy schedule.

I don't see anyone overhyping the team...Is it the local media? Certainly national media is not. Most people I know and things I read describe the Chiefs as what they are - rebuilding, no real chance in the playoffs but might make it TO the playoffs...if they can fend off SD down the stretch.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

When I was making assertions that this team needed to be 8-8 or GTFO, many said these expectations were unreasonable.

Now, we have an opportunity to do much, much more and our expectations should accelerate, too.

That said, we've already met expectations of where this team should be in year 2, and we're almost certainly poised to exceed them.

Exactly.

Which is why is drives me nuts to see people say, "no one expected us to be 7-4. No one expected us to be in 1st place."

And?

That doesn't mean that because I mis-judged their abilities, that whatever happens from here on out is gravy because they've met/exceeded expectations.

[kcxiv]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Exactly.

Which is why is drives me nuts to see people say, "no one expected us to be 7-4. No one expected us to be in 1st place."

And?

That doesn't mean that because I mis-judged their abilities, that whatever happens from here on out is gravy because they've met/exceeded expectations.

For me it does. I didnt expect this to be a fun season to watch. It hass been. We have been in every single game going into the 4th quarter, hell we been tied or had the lead in every single game outside of the Denver game going into the 4th quarter.

Do i want this team to do more? absolutely, am i going to rant moan and groan if they dont? Nope.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by kcxiv

We arent the same team as when we played the Chargers and Browns. So now what?

How arent we? We've played 2 terrible teams 2 weeks in a row and we ran it down their throat. Thats how we've won all year.

[007]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

When I was making assertions that this team needed to be 8-8 or GTFO, many said these expectations were unreasonable.

Now, we have an opportunity to do much, much more and our expectations should accelerate, too.

That said, we've already met expectations of where this team should be in year 2, and we're almost certainly poised to exceed them.

Hell, I already consider this a successful season regardless of whether we make the playoffs or not. We have made huge strides. all they have to do now is back it up and improve on it.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

He was good against Arizona as well.

Let's face it, guy: Matt Cassel is NOT the same player in Week 12 as he was in Week 1. He has improved throughout the season and as I've said in the past few days, at times it's been one step forward and two steps back.

But on Sunday, he looked off receivers, wasn't worried about the pass rush and play a nearly perfect game, which is something I thought he'd never accomplish. And I don't mean stats, I mean watching him play with my eyes.

I think there's a very good chance that he continues to ascend, thus proving he's a late bloomer. Worse things could happen than Matt Cassel growing into a Franchise QB at age 28.

I agree with everything you say here.

I think we'll see a step back when the Chiefs face a team that puts pressure on Cassel early. I think that's the kind of thing that affects him and reverberates for the rest of the game. My game plan for facing Cassel would be to come hard at him early in the game and make him feel the heat.

I think that over time, this can be remedied both through improvement in the pass protection and continued toughening of Matt Cassel's mind, but I don't think it's completely accomplished yet. What the past few weeks have done though is demonstrate that it's not a matter of a weak arm or poor mechanics or inability to process more than one receiver.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

I don't see anyone overhyping the team...Is it the local media? Certainly national media is not. Most people I know and things I read describe the Chiefs as what they are - rebuilding, no real chance in the playoffs but might make it TO the playoffs...if they can fend off SD down the stretch.

Are you kidding?

People here were talking playoffs weeks ago.

People said there was no way we'd lose to Oakland or Denver.

People continue to think our remaining home games are gimmes.