Mellinger nails it. Great article.

[RunKC]

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

[el borracho]

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

Uh yeah, if you asked about 90% of team's fans if they would take their starting quarterback over Rodgers theyre probably going to say NO. I never said Cassell was an elite guy. But so what, Matt Hasselbeck and Rex Grossman aren't elite guys. Alex Smith isnt an elite guy. Brad Johnson wasnt an elite guy. Just because your team doesnt have an elite guy doesnt mean your team is ****ed.

Well, I wouldn't guess it at 90%.
By my reckoning...

Top tier:
Rogers
Brady
Brees
E. Manning
Roethlisberger

2nd tier:
Stafford
Romo
Rivers
Ryan
Flacco
(arguably) P. Manning

Potential
Luck
Newton
Bradford
Dalton
Griffin III

That is right at half the league's teams who are most likely satisfied with their starting QBs. If the goal is to win one or more Super Bowls, then everyone else should be looking for a franchise guy. IIRC, building a dynasty is one of Pioli's stated goals. Coincidentally, I would very much like to see the Chiefs build a dynasty which is where the frustration comes in.

Like you and Stevie, I can enjoy seasons like we had in the 90s but at some point I would like to see the Chiefs contend for something more than that. After a couple of decades, my patience is worn thin. What's more, I see Cassel as an impediment to achieving even the mediocre success of the 90s. I see Cassel as a weight that the rest of the team has to bear.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by el borracho

Well, I wouldn't guess it at 90%.
By my reckoning...

Top tier:
Rogers
Brady
Brees
E. Manning
Roethlisberger

2nd tier:
Stafford
Romo
Rivers
Ryan
Flacco
(arguably) P. Manning

Potential
Luck
Newton
Bradford
Dalton
Griffin III

That is right at half the league's teams who are most likely satisfied with their starting QBs. If the goal is to win one or more Super Bowls, then everyone else should be looking for a franchise guy. IIRC, building a dynasty is one of Pioli's stated goals. Coincidentally, I would very much like to see the Chiefs build a dynasty which is where the frustration comes in.

Like you and Stevie, I can enjoy seasons like we had in the 90s but at some point I would like to see the Chiefs contend for something more than that. After a couple of decades, my patience is worn thin. What's more, I see Cassel as an impediment to achieving even the mediocre success of the 90s. I see Cassel as a weight that the rest of the team has to bear.

Thing is, your top tier guys have all won Super Bowls. And one of your 2nd tier guys has.

You have enough guys listed that are all Super Bowl caliber QB's in your bottom 2 categories that some will never get the job done. Yet we are saddled with a guy who is not even on the list.

Chiefs Super Bowl chances... next to nil right now.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by el borracho

Well, I wouldn't guess it at 90%.
By my reckoning...

Top tier:
Rogers
Brady
Brees
E. Manning
Roethlisberger

2nd tier:
Stafford
Romo
Rivers
Ryan
Flacco
(arguably) P. Manning

Potential
Luck
Newton
Bradford
Dalton
Griffin III

That is right at half the league's teams who are most likely satisfied with their starting QBs. If the goal is to win one or more Super Bowls, then everyone else should be looking for a franchise guy. IIRC, building a dynasty is one of Pioli's stated goals. Coincidentally, I would very much like to see the Chiefs build a dynasty which is where the frustration comes in.

Like you and Stevie, I can enjoy seasons like we had in the 90s but at some point I would like to see the Chiefs contend for something more than that. After a couple of decades, my patience is worn thin. What's more, I see Cassel as an impediment to achieving even the mediocre success of the 90s. I see Cassel as a weight that the rest of the team has to bear.

Stafford will become elite and Luck will become 2nd tier during the season.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Stafford will become elite and Luck will become 2nd tier during the season.

Possible. But bottom line is that he has enough QB's listed that can legitimly win Super Bowls over the next 10 to 12 years that there will not be that many left to go around for QB's not on that list. We are not on that list.

[Quesadilla Joe]

Originally Posted by el borracho

Well, I wouldn't guess it at 90%.
By my reckoning...

Top tier:
Rogers
Brady
Brees
E. Manning
Roethlisberger

2nd tier:
Stafford
Romo
Rivers
Ryan
Flacco
(arguably) P. Manning

Potential
Luck
Newton
Bradford
Dalton
Griffin III

.

Peyton is still top tier and you know it.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Cassel>Manning

Peyton is still top tier and you know it.

NFL

Not For Long

He hasn't played for a year and people are already writing him off. He's gotta prove it this year if he wants back into the club.

Hasn't done it this preseason so far. We'll see in a few weeks what he's made of.

[Quesadilla Joe]

Originally Posted by SNR

NFL

Not For Long

He hasn't played for a year and people are already writing him off. He's gotta prove it this year if he wants back into the club.

Hasn't done it this preseason so far. We'll see in a few weeks what he's made of.

He was top tier in 2010 and he is healthier right now than he was then. He may not have 100% of his arm strength back but he is close and people in the know are expecting Peyton to be at 100% by October.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Cassel>Manning

He was top tier in 2010 and he is healthier right now than he was then. He may not have 100% of his arm strength back but he is close and people in the know are expecting Peyton to be at 100% by October.

That's why we play the game, n00b. Manning has to PROVE to us that he still has it, to be reconsidered a top tier.

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by Dylan

What's sad is this: Who wants to trade for your garbage?

What's sad is this: shut your whore mouth and mind your own business, douchebag.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by Cassel>Manning

Peyton is still top tier and you know it.

No, he really isn't. Damon Huard.

Healthier than 2010 lol stop with the trolling dude.

[ILChief]

Originally Posted by Coogs

Possible. But bottom line is that he has enough QB's listed that can legitimly win Super Bowls over the next 10 to 12 years that there will not be that many left to go around for QB's not on that list. We are not on that list.

The upside is that QBs may start to fall in the draft if most teams have starters they like

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by ILChief

The upside is that QBs may start to fall in the draft if most teams have starters they like

That only matters if the chiefs try to get a guy to compete for a starting job. They never will. They could have made a reasonable trade up for osweiler. Or grabbed cousins or Russell Wilson at a ridiculously nice value. But the chiefs have zero interest in bringing in competition. Pioli is al in with cassel. It is an absolute shame that a man as gifted as pioli with talent evaluation is this stubborn when it comes to the qb position. There is simply no explanation. Even if you support cassel, there is no reason t go 4 years without a strong backup plan.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

Could've been even worse. Leadership oozes out of the guy.

170 1 and 1 in two and a half quarters ain't that bad. You guys are acting like he looked like Ryan Leaf out there.

Thanks, KnowMo