Chiefs Mellinger nails it. Great article. - Page 3

RunKC · 08-25-2012, 12:48 AM

Sam Mellinger | One team looks better at QB, and it’s not Chiefs
BY SAM MELLINGER
The Kansas City Star

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/08/24...#storylink=cpy

You could run your finger up and down the Chiefs roster and wherever you choose to stop be fairly certain it will be on a player who looked rotten in what is traditionally the least unimportant preseason game. The frustration is real but might be fleeting.

Fifteen days separate the despair of this morning from the hope of the season opener, and that’s like two months in NFL time. But the Chiefs were absolutely throttled by the Seahawks, 44-14, and whatever the maximum amount of concern you think is appropriate for a preseason game that included no torn knees is appropriate for this one.

This was embarrassing, but there’s time for much of it to fade.

Here’s something that’s not going anywhere before the season opener, and probably not for long after: the Chiefs are four years into making up for a limited quarterback in a league full of better options.

Like, you know, Russell Wilson.

Six months ago, Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli made a point to promise better quarterback competition.

Five months ago, the Seahawks signed free agent Matt Flynn to a $19 million contract.

Four months ago, the Seahawks drafted Wilson in the third round.

They did it one pick after the Chiefs took an offensive lineman they think might play — next year. In other words: the Chiefs talked it, and the Seahawks walked it.

At a time like this, you can focus on any one of a million things to be ticked off about with the Chiefs. Brandon Flowers’ injury is showing no signs of healing, and Jalil Brown is showing no signs of being up to the job. The Chiefs didn’t force as much as one punt in until Tarvaris Jackson played the fourth quarter. Tamba Hali was called for two personal fouls. Dwayne Bowe didn’t impress, Tony Moeaki whiffed on some catches, and Andy Studebaker whiffed on some tackles.

But as much as Matt Cassel looked comfortable in the first two preseason games, he took a significant jump back in what’s supposed to be the preseason game that matters — a little bit, at least.

He completed virtually nothing but short passes, got points just once in seven possessions, and turned the ball over twice. Even when he threw a touchdown to Dexter McCluster, the celebration jump left him landing on his rear. It was like an entire evening spent highlighting his biggest weaknesses.

On the other side, Wilson was everything the Chiefs haven’t had in a quarterback in the better part of a decade. He completed 13 of 19 passes for two touchdowns and no interceptions and two brilliant scrambles for 58 yards. Even if you take away the throw to Kellen Winslow on a blown coverage, it was a terrific night.

It was the kind of night Chiefs fans thought they might get more of when Pioli talked about improving the quarterback situation.

Those hopes went from Peyton Manning to someone in the draft to signing Brady Quinn — who replaced Cassel midway through the Chiefs’ eighth possession — as some sort of stand-in for legitimate competition.

Pioli did a lot of good in the offseason. Most around the team agreed Romeo Crennel was the right choice as permanent head coach. Eric Winston is an enormous improvement at right tackle. Peyton Hillis, Kevin Boss and Stanford Routt are all promising additions.

But there was effectively nothing done at quarterback — the Chiefs actually took a step back losing Kyle Orton to free agency.

And that, again, will be a major takeaway for Chiefs fans when the team fails like this.

If Wilson wins the Seahawks’ job — and the Chiefs gave him a highlight tape — he would be one of 15 quarterbacks drafted after Pioli took over in Kansas City to be a starting quarterback when the season starts. The Chiefs passed over five of those quarterbacks.

So much of what we saw on Friday night is light enough to blow in the NFL’s temperamental breeze. What looked promising two weeks ago looks awful right now and might look promising again two weeks from now.

But games like this, when Cassel fails and quarterbacks the Chiefs passed over succeed will weigh around this team’s neck like an anvil.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/08/24...#storylink=cpy

**Dave Lane** · 08-25-2012, 07:05 AM

Bare our buttholes for Barkley?

Hell I think I'd get an anal tat for a stud QB if that's what it took.

**notorious** · 08-25-2012, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie007

Mellinger is such a blah sports writer. Whitlock would have concocted some racial undertone to grab attention

We need Whitlock back. He would be shredding (rightfully so) the garbage we have at QB.

**notorious** · 08-25-2012, 07:11 AM

A hard decision needs to be made. We need to at least try to play our garbage backups in hope that something clicks during the regular season.

If it doesn't we get to pick high which will allow us to at least take a shot at a QB that has talent.

Playing Cassel will just put us in the 11-20 range every year. We know what he is, and it is nothing special.

Red Dawg · 08-25-2012, 07:15 AM

This place would have melted down if we took a 5 foot nothing QB in the third. If Wilson turns out to be anything but ok for a little while I will be shocked.

**notorious** · 08-25-2012, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuckdaddy

This place would have melted down if we took a 5 foot nothing QB in the third. If Wilson turns out to be anything but ok for a little while I will be shocked.

I think we would have been optimistic, yet pissed that we only take late round QB's.

I am grasping for anything but Cassel. He is shit, and always will be.

acesn8s · 08-25-2012, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

Bare our buttholes for Barkley?

Hell I think I'd get an anal tat for a stud QB if that's what it took.

Oh god NO. Barkley=Cassel=Sanchez

Coogs · 08-25-2012, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

A hard decision needs to be made.

The decision is not really that hard. It just needs to be made.

**notorious** · 08-25-2012, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

The decision is not really that hard. It just needs to be made.

You are right.

I should have stated,"A hard decison for Pioli". Any other normal human would have been finished with him a long time ago.

Red Dawg · 08-25-2012, 07:22 AM

Pioli is destined to go down with the ship. I bet he was pissed they played so shitty last night.

**bevischief** · 08-25-2012, 07:26 AM

Who to suck for this year?

milkman · 08-25-2012, 07:30 AM

I would have been pissed if the Chiefs had selected Drew Brees in 01.

I'm pretty sure I would have gotten over it by now.

Coogs · 08-25-2012, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILChief

He would be my pick. I bet he goes #2 overall

Preseason or not, our varsity has just been bitched slapped hard by the Rams and the Seahawks. #2 may not be out of the question.

stonedstooge · 08-25-2012, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

Preseason or not, our varsity has just been bitched slapped hard by the Rams and the Seahawks. #2 may not be out of the question.

Pioli would probably trade down

Saccopoo · 08-25-2012, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acesn8s

Oh god NO. Barkley=Cassel=Sanchez

Actually, he doesn't. Barkley is a pretty damn good quarterback who has elevated his play every single year even after Carroll left. The guy has all the intangibles and tools.

That being said, he won't be there when the Chiefs pick and, besides, I think that for this system, the guy who the Chiefs should really look at in the 2013 draft is Geno Smith of West Virginia. Freaking stud.

Saccopoo · 08-25-2012, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

Preseason or not, our varsity has just been bitched slapped hard by the Rams and the Seahawks. #2 may not be out of the question.

Yes it has. Our varsity defense actually.

Be prepared for Manti Te'o in the first and Tyrann Mathieu (who is very Brandon Flowers-ish in all aspects of his game and even better at the same level) in the second.

Pioli will pick up Dayne Crist in the 6th round as the Chiefs QBOTF.

08-25-2012, 12:48 AM
RunKC Andy Reid Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $-1420389	Mellinger nails it. Great article. Sam Mellinger \| One team looks better at QB, and it’s not Chiefs BY SAM MELLINGER The Kansas City Star Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/08/24...#storylink=cpy You could run your finger up and down the Chiefs roster and wherever you choose to stop be fairly certain it will be on a player who looked rotten in what is traditionally the least unimportant preseason game. The frustration is real but might be fleeting. Fifteen days separate the despair of this morning from the hope of the season opener, and that’s like two months in NFL time. But the Chiefs were absolutely throttled by the Seahawks, 44-14, and whatever the maximum amount of concern you think is appropriate for a preseason game that included no torn knees is appropriate for this one. This was embarrassing, but there’s time for much of it to fade. Here’s something that’s not going anywhere before the season opener, and probably not for long after: the Chiefs are four years into making up for a limited quarterback in a league full of better options. Like, you know, Russell Wilson. Six months ago, Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli made a point to promise better quarterback competition. Five months ago, the Seahawks signed free agent Matt Flynn to a $19 million contract. Four months ago, the Seahawks drafted Wilson in the third round. They did it one pick after the Chiefs took an offensive lineman they think might play — next year. In other words: the Chiefs talked it, and the Seahawks walked it. At a time like this, you can focus on any one of a million things to be ticked off about with the Chiefs. Brandon Flowers’ injury is showing no signs of healing, and Jalil Brown is showing no signs of being up to the job. The Chiefs didn’t force as much as one punt in until Tarvaris Jackson played the fourth quarter. Tamba Hali was called for two personal fouls. Dwayne Bowe didn’t impress, Tony Moeaki whiffed on some catches, and Andy Studebaker whiffed on some tackles. But as much as Matt Cassel looked comfortable in the first two preseason games, he took a significant jump back in what’s supposed to be the preseason game that matters — a little bit, at least. He completed virtually nothing but short passes, got points just once in seven possessions, and turned the ball over twice. Even when he threw a touchdown to Dexter McCluster, the celebration jump left him landing on his rear. It was like an entire evening spent highlighting his biggest weaknesses. On the other side, Wilson was everything the Chiefs haven’t had in a quarterback in the better part of a decade. He completed 13 of 19 passes for two touchdowns and no interceptions and two brilliant scrambles for 58 yards. Even if you take away the throw to Kellen Winslow on a blown coverage, it was a terrific night. It was the kind of night Chiefs fans thought they might get more of when Pioli talked about improving the quarterback situation. Those hopes went from Peyton Manning to someone in the draft to signing Brady Quinn — who replaced Cassel midway through the Chiefs’ eighth possession — as some sort of stand-in for legitimate competition. Pioli did a lot of good in the offseason. Most around the team agreed Romeo Crennel was the right choice as permanent head coach. Eric Winston is an enormous improvement at right tackle. Peyton Hillis, Kevin Boss and Stanford Routt are all promising additions. But there was effectively nothing done at quarterback — the Chiefs actually took a step back losing Kyle Orton to free agency. And that, again, will be a major takeaway for Chiefs fans when the team fails like this. If Wilson wins the Seahawks’ job — and the Chiefs gave him a highlight tape — he would be one of 15 quarterbacks drafted after Pioli took over in Kansas City to be a starting quarterback when the season starts. The Chiefs passed over five of those quarterbacks. So much of what we saw on Friday night is light enough to blow in the NFL’s temperamental breeze. What looked promising two weeks ago looks awful right now and might look promising again two weeks from now. But games like this, when Cassel fails and quarterbacks the Chiefs passed over succeed will weigh around this team’s neck like an anvil. Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/08/24...#storylink=cpy
Posts: 52,064

08-25-2012, 07:05 AM	#31
Dave Lane Space Cadet and Aczabel Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kanab, UT, USA Casino cash: $9333275 VARSITY	Bare our buttholes for Barkley? Hell I think I'd get an anal tat for a stud QB if that's what it took. __________________ Thanks, Trump for the civics lesson. We are learning so much about RICO, espionage, sedition, impeachment, the 25th Amendment, order of succession, nepotism, separation of powers, 1st Amendment, obstruction of justice, the emoluments clause, conflicts of interest, collusion, sanctions, oligarchs, money laundering and so much more.
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08-25-2012, 07:11 AM	#33
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $-754116	A hard decision needs to be made. We need to at least try to play our garbage backups in hope that something clicks during the regular season. If it doesn't we get to pick high which will allow us to at least take a shot at a QB that has talent. Playing Cassel will just put us in the 11-20 range every year. We know what he is, and it is nothing special.
Posts: 88,495

08-25-2012, 07:15 AM	#34
Red Dawg Going home eventually Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $1452858	This place would have melted down if we took a 5 foot nothing QB in the third. If Wilson turns out to be anything but ok for a little while I will be shocked. __________________ If you're not first you're last!
Posts: 33,091

08-25-2012, 07:22 AM	#39
Red Dawg Going home eventually Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $1452858	Pioli is destined to go down with the ship. I bet he was pissed they played so shitty last night. __________________ If you're not first you're last!
Posts: 33,091

08-25-2012, 07:26 AM	#40
bevischief .... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somewhere Kansas Casino cash: $7759352 VARSITY	Who to suck for this year?
Posts: 27,771

08-25-2012, 07:30 AM	#41
milkman Dumbass! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Leading the Marty bashing Casino cash: $10029395	I would have been pissed if the Chiefs had selected Drew Brees in 01. I'm pretty sure I would have gotten over it by now. __________________
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