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.

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

Jesus, you'd think Moeaki was a wide open Greg Jennings on that play against the Texans.

[KcFanInGA]

Originally Posted by Gif Horse

Wins over NFC West teams do not prove that the Chiefs are not frauds.

They remain frauds until they make the playoffs and prove they belong in the playoffs.

Why does it matter what division we were playing? We looked good out there. This is the NFL. Any team can win on any given Sunday. There are no sure bets. A 32 ranked D can dominate a 1 ranked Offense at any time. 7 and 4 is our record. It is what it is. I'm just glad we are winning games.

[Hootie]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Yeah, he's been terrible.

Like that game where he drove the field in Indy to force OT, then went and won it.

Like that game where he played with a torn ACL.

For the most part, he's played pretty damn well in the playoffs.

Last three years he's completed 61%, thrown for 320 a game, and has a level TD/INT ratio.

Again, Rivers has proven he's a franchise QB.

Another reeruned comparison.

whoa whoa whoa whoa

but has he won the big one?

because that's what everyone used to say about Manning and why he was a choker...

so why isn't Philip a choker then?

[tonyetony]

Originally Posted by The Meat Dragon

whoa whoa whoa whoa

but has he won the big one?

because that's what everyone used to say about Manning and why he was a choker...

so why isn't Philip a choker then?

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...0_playoffs.htm


Because OTW can cherry pick his stats from the last 3 playoff years. When the Chargers made the AFC championship game Rivers had a great line and lots of weapons surrounding him. Football is the ultimate team sport and even franchise QB's need all the pieces to compete in the Super Bowl. I don't think we're there yet but it sure looks like we're headed in the right direction.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

This thread is like beating your head against a brick wall expecting the wall to budge.

[Chief Henry]

1993 is the last year this team has won a Playoff game.

How old is Joe Montana today ?

The brain trust of this team sees the big picture imo.

[Chief Henry]

Originally Posted by PGM

This thread is like beating your head against a brick wall expecting the wall to budge.

17 seasons w/o a playoff win will tend to get fans edgy. All of us want the same thing. Lets hope like hell we have the QB and the coaching staff to put all 3 areas of a great football team togeather in the same season, soon.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by jd1020

Oh thank you masterful one. You proved me wrong. Cassel actually got 1 first down... Hit the showers Cassel, you've done your job.

Even if we limit ourselves to the first three drives (which you didn't in your original, woefully inaccurate statement), Cassel got 2 first downs, not 1.

Please try to check your own facts. I'm not your mommy.

[Extra Point]

Having a running game always helps. Crennel is going to have to get his crew to fit into some tights and put on capes, so Cassel can stay on the field.

[TheGuardian]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Yeah, he's been terrible.

Like that game where he drove the field in Indy to force OT, then went and won it.

Like that game where he played with a torn ACL.

For the most part, he's played pretty damn well in the playoffs.

Last three years he's completed 61%, thrown for 320 a game, and has a level TD/INT ratio.

Again, Rivers has proven he's a franchise QB.

Another reeruned comparison.

Rivers in the playoffs -

2006 - 0-1

2007 - 2-1

2008 - 1-1

2009 - 0-1

That's a 3-4 playoff record. So he has a losing record in the playoffs.

His combined playoff numbers -

58% completion percentage - not good

8 TD's 9 picks - not good

79 QB rating - not good

So "for the most part" he has NOT played pretty well in the playoffs.

But again, as noted by others, you love to cherry pick your stats. Rivers has been, for his career, a below average playoff QB. Fact. stfu about it.

[zonachief]

Originally Posted by kcxiv

the thing with Brady Manning and Orton is they dont have good run games. At least nothing close to what the Chiefs have. Indy and Denver i know for a fact have crappy running games. Not to sure on N.E, but since Danny Woodhead is their running back, i am sure its pretty much all Tom. We have a running back that is doing something that no one since what Jim Brown is doing with a 6.2 ypc.

We have another demension them teams dont have right now imo. Are they going to stack the box are are they going to double on Bowe? hmmm..

Brady has BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Who is top 5 in rushing TD's.

[Hootie]

Originally Posted by tonyetony

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...0_playoffs.htm


Because OTW can cherry pick his stats from the last 3 playoff years. When the Chargers made the AFC championship game Rivers had a great line and lots of weapons surrounding him. Football is the ultimate team sport and even franchise QB's need all the pieces to compete in the Super Bowl. I don't think we're there yet but it sure looks like we're headed in the right direction.

It's funny that the same Manning bashers on this board tell us how great Philip Rivers is in the playoffs and what not!

Christ almighty.

[Hootie]

that's classic...

I think Rivers is a great QB...a great, great QB...

but the reason why Brady was so much "better" than Manning was because he STRIVED in the playoffs...and his numbers got so much better (myth)...

yet those same bashers are here to tell us how clutch Philip Rivers has been in the playoffs...and how much success he's had despite the fact they were probably favorites to win it all JUST last year...

but yeah...

Rivers is A CLUTCH GOD!

(and it has nothing to do with the play of Rivers...just goes to show that you can win or lose despite the play of your franchise QB...)

[Ming the Merciless]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Cassel has looked like a completely different QB starting with the 2nd half of the Denver game.

Anyone who knows anything about football and the QB position can determine this easily.

I guess those in charge of AFC Player of the month don't know shit about football?

[Hootie]

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

I guess those in charge of AFC Player of the month don't know shit about football?

only OTWP, Mecca, Hamas and Dane know anything about football...Milkman is the only "true fan" they'll acknowledge.