Blame Haley For Cassel’s Struggles

[Hammock Parties]

Blame Haley For Cassel’s Struggles

The Chiefs’ offensive troubles continued to linger Sunday as the team failed to put up a single touchdown drive. As the team progressively moves further towards obscurity, who should we point the finger at?

The most likely candidate to feel the wrath of a frustrated Chiefs fan base is starting quarterback Matt Cassel, who in no way resembles the quarterback who led a similar Kansas City offense to the playoffs en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance a year ago.

Did Cassel over achieve in 2010 or is there another problem that hasn’t been brought to light?

After watching his performance the past two weeks, I have to say it is the latter.

It’s hard to sugarcoat the statistics Cassel has put up over the past two weeks, but I will try to make the case. Through two weeks, Cassel has gone 37 of 58 for 252 yards with one touchdown, four interceptions and a quarterback rating of 54.5. He finished the 2010 season with 27 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a quarterback rating of 93.

Say what you want about Cassel, but last year his numbers were not only acceptable for a third-year starter, but undeniably good. So, is Cassel really the one who deserves the finger to be pointed at him or is it the management around him?

Shane Williams, of Warpaint TV, recently pointed out to me that although Cassel had a strong 2010 showing, he made a drastic downhill turn after his performance against the Tennessee Titans in Week 16.

What was the significance of that game? It was the last time former offensive coordinator Charlie Weis was making the play calls. According to Warpaint Illustrated sources, Weis was relieved of his play calling duties during the Chiefs’ victory over the Titans and coincidentally, Weis announced the next week he was leaving the Chiefs to take a job in Florida.

Cassel hasn’t been the same since.

In the Chiefs’ final two games of 2010, Cassel was a forgettable 20 of 51 with no touchdowns, five interceptions and a quarterback rating of 19.75. Through two regular season games in 2011, Cassel is looking less like the quarterback we saw in the first 15 games of 2010 and more like the quarterback we saw the final week against the Raiders and in the playoff game against the Ravens.

Cassel is not blameless in his regression but you can’t ignore the fact that Weis turned Cassel into a Pro Bowl quarterback. In return for his efforts he was relieved of his duties and shipped down to Florida for some family bonding.

The fact that Weis got more out of Cassel than any other coach he’s worked with is undeniable. The fault of letting that coach leave (assuming you believe the Chiefs explanation for the Weis “resignation”) lies at the feet of either Todd Haley or Scott Pioli (or both of them).

Anyone who made the drive to St. Joseph, MO for Chiefs training camp this summer could tell you that Cassel receives little to no support from his head coach. In watching the Chiefs through the preseason, it was apparent that new quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn was doing all he could to shield Cassel from Haley’s negative reinforcement.

Cassel has not been good through two games but the lion’s share of this team’s problems are not at the quarterback position. Cassel threw three interceptions Sunday (although two hit his receivers square in the hands) but how could you blame the guy for taking those kinds of risks?

Haley, who is supposed to have his starter’s back, undermined Cassel’s quarterbacks coach (Weis) during Cassel’s best season. He also seems eager to give the starting job to a journeyman named Tyler Palko.

Cassel is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Until his head coach gets back to coaching receivers instead of trying to be an offensive coordinator/quarterback repressor, Cassel’s production in Kansas City will be limited.

[lcarus]

We have a coach that drove off an apparently genius offensive coach. After we lost Weis, this offense has been dreadful. We also have a coach/GM that our opponents have it out for. We've played 2 games and the opposing teams really wanted to stick it to us. For whatever reason. I don't want my team represented like that. We have enough issues already, we don't need teams circling us on their schedule.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by lcarus

We have a coach that drove off an apparently genius offensive coach. After we lost Weis, this offense has been dreadful. We also have a coach/GM that our opponents have it out for. We've played 2 games and the opposing teams really wanted to stick it to us. For whatever reason. I don't want my team represented like that. We have enough issues already, we don't need teams circling us on their schedule.

I absolutely want people circling us on their schedule. That means one thing... that we are good. You think teams arent circling the Patriots, Packers, Steelers, or Saints on their schedule?

[Molitoth]

Originally Posted by lcarus

We have a coach that drove off an apparently genius offensive coach. After we lost Weis, this offense has been dreadful. We also have a coach/GM that our opponents have it out for. We've played 2 games and the opposing teams really wanted to stick it to us. For whatever reason. I don't want my team represented like that. We have enough issues already, we don't need teams circling us on their schedule.

Nobody really knows if Haley "drove off" Weis. It's all media speculation, so just stop. Weis was stuck with Cassel, and has already won super bowls.... I would want to go coach my kid also.

Teams have it "out for us"??? lol. Every team should have it out for other teams. I wish we "had it out" for the fucking Bills and Lions.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by Molitoth

Nobody really knows if Haley "drove off" Weis. It's all media speculation, so just stop. Weis was stuck with Cassel, and has already won super bowls.... I would want to go coach my kid also.

Teams have it "out for us"??? lol. Every team should have it out for other teams. I wish we "had it out" for the fucking Bills and Lions.

I dont think its speculation. The dude wanted control. Haley doesnt give it.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by splatbass

Remember Todd Blackledge? Ryan Leaf? Rick Mirer? And a whole bunch more? Why is Luck different?

None of them were #1 overall. You should have gone with, "Remember Tim Couch? David Carr? JaMarcus Russell?

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

i am dumber for having read that crap.....

impossible

spin all the bullshit you want but the offense has done nothing but get worse since Weis stopped being in control.

Make up whatever reason you want for Weis leaving, makes no difference.

since Weis stopped calling plays we've scored ...

faiders - 10
ravens - 7
buffalo - 7
Detroit - 3

[Molitoth]

Originally Posted by jd1020

I dont think its speculation. The dude wanted control. Haley doesnt give it.

Did you see Weis at the grocery store and he told you this?

C'mon man, if you were in Weis' shoes, what would you do? Ruin your reputation with Cassel as your QB knowing you have very little chance at even a playoff spot, or head down to a school where you can coach your son and spend more time with your family?

I'm sure Weis and Haley could've done fine with Manning, Rodgers, or Brady behind center... regardless of their differences, because they would both be thinking Super Bowl.

[Brock]

So Cassel heard Weis was leaving and is so mentally weak and pussified that that affected his play negatively. Got it. He's vindicated.

[Molitoth]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

None of them were #1 overall. You should have gone with, "Remember Tim Couch? David Carr? JaMarcus Russell?

Couch couldn't pass, and Russell was a terrible prospect anyway. They got drafted because of their college team success.

The thing about Luck is that he has everything teams are looking for in a franchise QB.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by Molitoth

Did you see Weis at the grocery store and he told you this?

C'mon man, if you were in Weis' shoes, what would you do? Ruin your reputation with Cassel as your QB knowing you have very little chance at even a playoff spot, or head down to a school where you can coach your son and spend more time with your family?

I'm sure Weis and Haley could've done fine with Manning, Rodgers, or Brady behind center... regardless of their differences, because they would both be thinking Super Bowl.

If I were Weis I would have left too. Why stay in KC and be miserable with an idiot HC when you could enjoy coaching while watching your son play in Florida?

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by Molitoth

Couch couldn't pass, and Russell was a terrible prospect anyway. They got drafted because of their college team success.

The thing about Luck is that he has everything teams are looking for in a franchise QB.

Luck is Awesome. I was just saying if you're going to pull out busts, at least go with #1 overall busts.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by jd1020

If I were Weis I would have left too. Why stay in KC and be miserable with an idiot HC when you could enjoy coaching while watching your son play in Florida?

Weis' son isn't playing at Florida. His son is a student at UF and is a student team assistant. He's learning to coach, not play.

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by Laz

impossible

sick burn dude....in my face...you got me...hey brah did you see what i said...sucker...hahahahahahahahah

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Weis' son isn't playing at Florida. His son is a student at UF and is a student team assistant. He's learning to coach, not play.

W/e. Hes with his son enjoying life with family rather than arguing with a moron who bathed in the success of a HoF QB throwing to Fitz and Boldin.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by jd1020

If I were Weis I would have left too. Why stay in KC and be miserable with an idiot HC when you could enjoy coaching while watching your son play in Florida?

His son doesn't play.