Chiefs Teicher: Cassel says he’s preparing as if he’ll play against Rams - Page 4

**Tribal Warfare** · 12-14-2010, 01:04 AM

Cassel says he’s preparing as if he’ll play against Rams
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Left at home in Kansas City to watch on TV the Chiefs’ miserable performance in San Diego, Matt Cassel had that sinking feeling he said he never wanted to experience again.

Toward that end, Cassel said he would prepare this week as if he would quarterback the Chiefs in Sunday’s game against the Rams in St. Louis.

“That’s why I’m here,” said Cassel, who was with his teammates at the Chiefs’ practice facility Monday as they reviewed the San Diego game. “I’ll do what I normally do. It will be a normal week of preparation. It will be a better week for me.”

That doesn’t necessarily mean Cassel, who had an appendectomy last Wednesday, will play against the Rams. The Chiefs don’t hold their first practice of the week until Wednesday, and the first public indication of whether Cassel will play would probably come then.

Until then, all Cassel can do is remain hopeful.

“I honestly can’t say,” he said about his recovery process. “They just said day-to-day. It’s all about reviewing it each and every day, seeing my progress and how I feel, everything like that. I don’t think it’s anything set in stone.”

The Chiefs left Cassel behind when they went to San Diego. They didn’t want to subject him to the rigors of travel since he wasn’t going to play.

They suffered one of the most lopsided losses in franchise history in their 31-0 loss to the Chargers. With Brodie Croyle playing quarterback, the Chiefs didn’t convert on any of their 11 third-down tries and neared team-record lows with 67 yards and five first downs.

“That was more of a medical staff/coaching staff/training staff decision,” Cassel said. “I would have loved to go and been on the plane, but they made the decision very clear that they wanted me to stay and rest and be off my feet as much as possible.”

The Chiefs played so poorly, it couldn’t have made much of a difference whether they were quarterbacked by Croyle or Cassel. Between the Chiefs’ worst rushing game of the season, constant pass-rush pressure on Croyle and several dropped passes, nothing worked offensively.

The Chiefs thought they didn’t give Croyle a chance and were disappointed about that.

“We should have come through for Brodie,” running back Jamaal Charles said. “Things just got out of control.

“It wasn’t even about Matt. Some people have to step up, step their game up. It’s football, and guys didn’t step up. I didn’t step up. We didn’t step up as a team on offense.”

Guard Brian Waters said, “We didn’t do what we needed to do as a football team to make his job easier.”

A more urgent issue for the Chiefs now is whether they can do those things for Croyle if he plays in St. Louis. The 8-5 Chiefs are trying to protect their one-game lead over San Diego in the AFC West.

“I have the utmost confidence in our players, in Brodie,” coach Todd Haley said. “He’s disappointed because he’s worked awfully hard.

“Of all the players on our team, the backup quarterback is the one that really hasn’t gotten to play much at all. So he got an opportunity, and I know he wanted it to go better. But make no mistake, it was (the fault of) an 11-man offensive operation and it was not Brodie Croyle. That was not the difference. It didn’t matter who was in there (at quarterback). The result was not going to be good.”

Kansas City’s conservative game plan made it appear the Chiefs lacked confidence in Croyle. Despite the fact the Chiefs fell behind early and never caught the Chargers, Croyle tried just 17 passes before he was pulled from the lineup in favor of Tyler Palko late in the game

Haley defended the game plan and the play-calling.

“When you have a guy that hasn’t played quarterback in an extended amount of time, I don’t think you can just plug him in and expect him to do the job,” he said. “That’s not going to happen very often.

“We were unable to get any kind of rhythm going offensively that would have enabled Brodie to have a chance to succeed.”

-King- · 12-14-2010, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

If they allow Croyle to throw the ball like he did against the Ravens then everything will be fine

He ****ing sucks. He treats a 5 yard throw the same as he treats a 30 yarder.
Posted via Mobile Device

Chiefs Pantalones · 12-14-2010, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Yeah, if you want to go on a parade how Cassel is an efficient as QB, then don't forget the Raven game where Croyle did a good job also.

I'm not gonna go on like the other posters do and try and defend Cassel. He's the starting QB, he has his ups and downs and he has 23tds and 4 ints. I don't have to defend him.

Croyle is the backup for a reason; for many reasons. Duh. It's not rocket science.

stevieray · 12-14-2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Yeah, if you want to go on a parade how Cassel is an efficient as QB, then don't forget the Raven game where Croyle did a good job also.

that's almost thirty games ago..of not being on the field.

Brodie had his chance, he couldn't stay healthy.

Chiefs Pantalones · 12-14-2010, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

that's almost thirty games ago..of not being on the field.

Brodie had his chance, he couldn't stay healthy.

I wonder if other fanbases have this much of a hard on for their backup QB. I'd understand if the backup was actually good, but Croyle is shit.

Pablo · 12-14-2010, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GREAT Warrior

CHIEFS vs rammies. Battle of Missouri, now that we know we need CASSEL, he'll be back and we will go to ST louie and WIN that Govenor's Cup, WIN the rest of the games and ROCK ON through the playoffs and then WIN the SUPER CUP.

Rock ON!!! GO CHIEFS!!!

Yeah man.

I hope we can compete for the Super Plate and the Super Fork as well. That would be sweeeeeeeet.

Reerun_KC · 12-14-2010, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanilla Thunder

I wonder if other fanbases have this much of a hard on for their backup QB. I'd understand if the backup was actually good, but Croyle is shit.

Its been this way since I can remember and I have been watching since 1987/1988....

Chiefs fans are pretty sure that there is a HOF QB on the bench if the Coaching staff would just run the right plays for him and give him a shot...

We need to stop hand cuffing our backup players...

crossbow · 12-14-2010, 06:58 PM

Is this another "Chiefs hope to win more games" article? Naw, it is a smoke screen by Haley. Matt is realy prepairing for the Giants who were stranded in KCI.

milkman · 12-14-2010, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

If they allow Croyle to throw the ball like he did against the Ravens then everything will be fine

You mean the game where he barely averaged 5 yards per attempt and 4 yards per completion?

That game?

milkman · 12-14-2010, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Its been this way since I can remember and I have been watching since 1987/1988....

Chiefs fans are pretty sure that there is a HOF QB on the bench if the Coaching staff would just run the right plays for him and give him a shot...

We need to stop hand cuffing our backup players...

Chiefs fan were pining for Lenny's backup to play back in the day.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 12-14-2010, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

You mean the game where he barely averaged 5 yards per attempt and 4 yards per completion?

That game?

Yep. There's no point in even discussing Croyle. He's had his chances.

"Gannon-lite" FTW.

GREAT Warrior · 12-15-2010, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROR

Yep. There's no point in even discussing Croyle. He's had his chances.

"Gannon-lite" FTW.

I wish Croyle would've showed us something, but nothing is all we got. You could blame the game plan, but when time comes to perform, you must perform. I question him as a backup now.

Reerun_KC · 12-15-2010, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthews1733

i swear to GOD, Chiefs fans are the most hilarious people on earth. haha

Stick around for the months leading up to the draft, if you want to see comedy at its finest...

**HemiEd** · 12-15-2010, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

If they allow Croyle to throw the ball like he did against the Ravens then everything will be fine

As long as they don't wait until he is in huge hole.

Reerun_KC · 12-15-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HemiEd

As long as they don't wait until he is in huge hole.

Thankfully, that will probably be the last time ol Croyle is handcuffed in an offense...

**HemiEd** · 12-15-2010, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Thankfully, that will probably be the last time ol Croyle is handcuffed in an offense...

He took most of the sizzle out of my support for him, but it isn't totally dead.

It is really hard for me to feel too sorry for him, he has a lot money, he is young, and is married to hot woman.

12-14-2010, 01:04 AM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2797187	Teicher: Cassel says he’s preparing as if he’ll play against Rams Cassel says he’s preparing as if he’ll play against Rams By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Left at home in Kansas City to watch on TV the Chiefs’ miserable performance in San Diego, Matt Cassel had that sinking feeling he said he never wanted to experience again. Toward that end, Cassel said he would prepare this week as if he would quarterback the Chiefs in Sunday’s game against the Rams in St. Louis. “That’s why I’m here,” said Cassel, who was with his teammates at the Chiefs’ practice facility Monday as they reviewed the San Diego game. “I’ll do what I normally do. It will be a normal week of preparation. It will be a better week for me.” That doesn’t necessarily mean Cassel, who had an appendectomy last Wednesday, will play against the Rams. The Chiefs don’t hold their first practice of the week until Wednesday, and the first public indication of whether Cassel will play would probably come then. Until then, all Cassel can do is remain hopeful. “I honestly can’t say,” he said about his recovery process. “They just said day-to-day. It’s all about reviewing it each and every day, seeing my progress and how I feel, everything like that. I don’t think it’s anything set in stone.” The Chiefs left Cassel behind when they went to San Diego. They didn’t want to subject him to the rigors of travel since he wasn’t going to play. They suffered one of the most lopsided losses in franchise history in their 31-0 loss to the Chargers. With Brodie Croyle playing quarterback, the Chiefs didn’t convert on any of their 11 third-down tries and neared team-record lows with 67 yards and five first downs. “That was more of a medical staff/coaching staff/training staff decision,” Cassel said. “I would have loved to go and been on the plane, but they made the decision very clear that they wanted me to stay and rest and be off my feet as much as possible.” The Chiefs played so poorly, it couldn’t have made much of a difference whether they were quarterbacked by Croyle or Cassel. Between the Chiefs’ worst rushing game of the season, constant pass-rush pressure on Croyle and several dropped passes, nothing worked offensively. The Chiefs thought they didn’t give Croyle a chance and were disappointed about that. “We should have come through for Brodie,” running back Jamaal Charles said. “Things just got out of control. “It wasn’t even about Matt. Some people have to step up, step their game up. It’s football, and guys didn’t step up. I didn’t step up. We didn’t step up as a team on offense.” Guard Brian Waters said, “We didn’t do what we needed to do as a football team to make his job easier.” A more urgent issue for the Chiefs now is whether they can do those things for Croyle if he plays in St. Louis. The 8-5 Chiefs are trying to protect their one-game lead over San Diego in the AFC West. “I have the utmost confidence in our players, in Brodie,” coach Todd Haley said. “He’s disappointed because he’s worked awfully hard. “Of all the players on our team, the backup quarterback is the one that really hasn’t gotten to play much at all. So he got an opportunity, and I know he wanted it to go better. But make no mistake, it was (the fault of) an 11-man offensive operation and it was not Brodie Croyle. That was not the difference. It didn’t matter who was in there (at quarterback). The result was not going to be good.” Kansas City’s conservative game plan made it appear the Chiefs lacked confidence in Croyle. Despite the fact the Chiefs fell behind early and never caught the Chargers, Croyle tried just 17 passes before he was pulled from the lineup in favor of Tyler Palko late in the game Haley defended the game plan and the play-calling. “When you have a guy that hasn’t played quarterback in an extended amount of time, I don’t think you can just plug him in and expect him to do the job,” he said. “That’s not going to happen very often. “We were unable to get any kind of rhythm going offensively that would have enabled Brodie to have a chance to succeed.”
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12-14-2010, 06:58 PM	#52
crossbow King of Sarcasm Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: at home Casino cash: $10004900	Is this another "Chiefs hope to win more games" article? Naw, it is a smoke screen by Haley. Matt is realy prepairing for the Giants who were stranded in KCI. Last edited by crossbow; 12-14-2010 at 06:59 PM.. Reason: corrected my bad spelling
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