***Official Pioli Media Tour Thread***

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Originally Posted by Micjones

It's never scientific though Mr. Fax.
Coaches swoon over players routinely. Players who never quite perform in a way that justifies such an endorsement. GM's are no different.

I think he genuinely believes that Cassel has the potential to be "the guy".
He was invested in the guy though and let his attachment to him inform his business. That's always a mistake. A wiser GM would've let Cassel play through the season under the tag.

I grant you all of that. And well said.

I would simply add that, his "genuine belief" in Cassel was sufficiently flawed and so grossly mistaken as to allow for (demand, even) legitimate questioning of Pioli's basic evaluation abilities.

Regardless of how his opinion might have been colored by emotion or affection or history or relationship, he is paid to "get it right" and be objective in his player assessments.

I have, obviously, believed from the outset that Cassel's contract terms were nothing less than absurd and my prior posts will prove that out. It made far more sense to give him a short-term deal and go from there. But the issues are really separate. Cassel's contract terms don't negate the fact that Pioli should have been able to better anticipate the ability and ultimate potential of his quarterback of choice ... especially given his prior, intimate experience with the player.

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