Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs plan to have competition for quarterback Cassel - Page 10

**Tribal Warfare** · 02-25-2012, 01:06 AM

Chiefs plan to have competition for quarterback Cassel
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Of the players who served as a backup quarterback for the Chiefs the last three seasons, none could be considered a serious candidate to take Matt Cassel’s starting job.

General manager Scott Pioli said he couldn’t promise the Chiefs would find a more significant challenge for Cassel this year. But he indicated that if the Chiefs failed, it wouldn’t be for a lack of trying.

Just as it wasn’t, Pioli said, the last three seasons.

“The answer is yes, there’s going to be competition at quarterback,” Pioli said Thursday at the NFL scouting combine. “But that doesn’t make it different from any other year. That’s not different from the past.

“I don’t think we haven’t tried (to bring in competition for Cassel). Part of it was circumstances. When we traded for Matt, he was coming to a program that had two starting quarterbacks here already. It’s easy to sit here now and say, ‘You can’t say player X wasn’t competition.’ That’s not fair. Look at it in the snapshot of that place and time. It certainly appeared there was going to be competition.”

Tyler Thigpen and Brodie Croyle were the Chiefs’ quarterbacks when they traded for Cassel three years ago. Neither has been a productive player since leaving the Chiefs.

Matt Gutierrez, Tyler Palko, Ricky Stanzi and Kyle Orton have been quarterbacks who have come, and in some cases gone, since.

Stanzi, who was drafted last year, is the only Chiefs quarterback other than Cassel under contract for next season. Orton played in four games for the Chiefs last season after Cassel injured his hand and was lost for the year.

“Last year, free-agency never started (until training camp),” Pioli said. “We had Matt on the roster. We had Tyler on the roster. We had Ricky, who we drafted. We didn’t draft someone high who was perceived as competition, but I’ll say this: I think Ricky is competition. Let’s not get lost in where a guy was drafted as to whether or not he’s a player. This league has shown time and time again at many positions, including this particular position, that where a player is drafted doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with how good he is or how good he becomes.

“You just don’t wave a wand and magically say, ‘There’s competition.’ We drafted a quarterback last year who I truly believe has good ability and has the potential to start in this league. I really do believe that.”

With only Cassel and Stanzi signed for 2012, the Chiefs will add at least one quarterback and probably two before training camp starts in July. Veteran possibilities include Peyton Manning, if he’s released by Indianapolis.

Two other free-agent possibilities are Chad Henne, who played for Miami last year with new Chiefs offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, and Jason Campbell, who played two seasons for Washington under Jim Zorn, now the Chiefs’ quarterbacks coach.

“You don’t know what’s going to happen in free-agency and you don’t know what you’re going to be able to get done,” Pioli said. “Quarterback seems to be one of those positions where there’s pretty good ones, veteran guys who are cut and have outpriced their role.

“So you don’t know about quarterbacks (in free-agency). You can’t create a person out of nothing. Availability and circumstances are (key factors in acquiring a quarterback). You can only work with the pool of players you can work with even though you might have certain intentions.”

The draft is another option for the Chiefs to add a quarterback.

“My hope and strong desire is to draft a quarterback every single year,” Pioli said. “There’s great value in that. Last year I didn’t know if we were going to draft (a quarterback) in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth round, but we ended up drafting a guy who a number of us really like and really think can be a starter in the National Football League.”

One of Pioli’s first moves after joining the Chiefs three years ago was to trade for Cassel, who was coming off a strong season as a starter for New England. Cassel had a big season for the Chiefs in 2010, when he made the Pro Bowl.

Otherwise, he has struggled to fulfill Pioli’s vision for him. Last year, the Chiefs struggled at the start after losing running back Jamaal Charles and tight end Tony Moeaki for the season with injuries.

Cassel’s season ended after nine games because of the broken hand.

“In 2010, Matt was certainly on his way to becoming that player, on his way to becoming a good NFL quarterback,” Pioli said. “He was winning games and he was producing and he was a reason good things were happening.

“This past year was a tough set of circumstances to measure and evaluate his progress. I don’t ever want to make excuses for a team or a player, but playing without one of the best young running backs in the National Football League and playing without one of the

tredadda · 02-25-2012, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

I think they drafted Rivers after Brees injury? Or atleast I thought, I coudl be wrong though.

No, they drafted Rivers pre injury because Brees was a late bloomer and still looked like a bust at the time. SD started to give up on him and decided to get Rivers. Then suddenly the light came on for Brees, but he ended the season with a shoulder injury. He was all but gone before the injury. After the injury it was an easy decision for SD. Their loss, NO's gain.

milkman · 02-25-2012, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

I think they drafted Rivers after Brees injury? Or atleast I thought, I coudl be wrong though.

No, Rivers was drafted before that injury occurred.

If Rivers wasn't late to camp, then hurt, in all likleyhood, he would have been given the keys to the franchise before Brees had the chance to put his progress on display.

stonedstooge · 02-25-2012, 09:53 PM

Anyone know the story on Brees and New Orleans? Franchise tag?

tredadda · 02-25-2012, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonedstooge

Anyone know the story on Brees and New Orleans? Franchise tag?

I think they will franchise him until they work out something long term. He will retire a Saint.

**Easy 6** · 02-25-2012, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tredadda

And he punched it in the end zone about as frequently as Cassel. TD's, not yards wins games in the NFL. There is a reason that very few teams went after him when Denver cut him. There is a reason that he is on team 3 and was beat out by Tebow. Just because he is better than Cassel does not mean he is either

A. Good
B. Good enough to win a SB with

Yep, his redzone play was similar AND he equaled him at it within just a few short weeks prep time, not three freaking years... i swear i'd bet my next paycheck that i know who the WR's would privately choose.

People need to get off the kick that prefering Orton to other options = OTRON DA SABIOR, no... he's not all world, but is atleast capable of keeping you in the hunt, good enough to make D's worry about your receivers, until The Dude arrives.

BryanBusby · 02-25-2012, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonedstooge

Anyone know the story on Brees and New Orleans? Franchise tag?

He will end up with the exclusive franchise tag, because there would be teams willing to give up 2 first round picks to get Brees.

tredadda · 02-25-2012, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

Yep, his redzone play was similar AND he equaled him at it within just a few short weeks prep time, not three freaking years... i swear i'd bet my next paycheck that i know who the WR's would privately choose.

People need to get off the kick that prefering Orton to other options = OTRON DA SABIOR, no... he's not all world, but is atleast capable of keeping you in the hunt, good enough to make D's worry about your receivers, until The Dude arrives.

And "The Dude" never will arrive as long as we keep slinging QBs like Orton out there. He is better than Cassel, but that does not make him good. I agree the WRs would prefer him over Cassel, that is a no brainer. Also Orton's redzone play was sub par in Denver as well.

FAX · 02-25-2012, 10:21 PM

I have a question ... it's crazy, I know ... but, well ...

Can we franchise tag Orton?

FAX

**Easy 6** · 02-25-2012, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tredadda

And "The Dude" never will arrive as long as we keep slinging QBs like Orton out there. He is better than Cassel, but that does not make him good. I agree the WRs would prefer him over Cassel, that is a no brainer. Also Orton's redzone play was sub par in Denver as well.

I'm not stuck on the idea that winning your way to atleast some level of respectability, equals never landing a keeper qb.

By definition, the improved offensive production means that he's good enough to help the team improve, thats all i'm looking for right now, improvement.... 3 weeks in town, he's already slinging up more plays for a talented WR group... thats good enough for now.

And i'm tired of hearing this line thats trolled by disgruntled donx fans that says 'haha his redzone sucks'... whats Tebows redzone %?

Mr_Tomahawk · 02-25-2012, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

I have a question ... it's crazy, I know ... but, well ...

Can we franchise tag Orton?

FAX

Yes...for ~$14.4M

FAX · 02-25-2012, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Tomahawk

Yes...for ~$14.4M

Ah ... well, never mind.

FAX

Tombstone RJ · 02-25-2012, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satanic Goat

Scott Pioli is a fat piece of shit and a ****ing liar.

He is lying out his ****ing ass.

The minute he gave up that pick for Cassel, there was no competition for the starting position. Cassel was the unquestioned starter. Brokie was a joke and Thigpen was on his way out the door in a trade.

How dumb do you think your fanbase is, Scott Pioli?

Well, guess what you fat piece of overpaid franchise-killing shit: some of us see through your lies and bullshit, and we are telling you to go and **** yourself. Literally rip your dick off and shove it up your fat New England ass you piece of shit. We don't want your dumb ass here because you are incompetent, and now we wish suffering upon you because you are a ****ing lying piece of shit.

please don't sugar coat it. tell us how you really feel.

**The Bad Guy** · 02-25-2012, 11:29 PM

Why does 50/50 and GoChiefs have to start every Pioli rant with "he's a fat piece of shit"?

Hammock Parties · 02-25-2012, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Why does 50/50 and GoChiefs have to start every Pioli rant with "he's a fat piece of shit"?

Because he's getting fatter off Hunt's dime.

**The Bad Guy** · 02-25-2012, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satanic Goat

Because he's getting fatter off Hunt's dime.

Yeah, I'm sure that's the reason you write it.

02-25-2012, 01:06 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $492813	Teicher: Chiefs plan to have competition for quarterback Cassel Chiefs plan to have competition for quarterback Cassel By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Of the players who served as a backup quarterback for the Chiefs the last three seasons, none could be considered a serious candidate to take Matt Cassel’s starting job. General manager Scott Pioli said he couldn’t promise the Chiefs would find a more significant challenge for Cassel this year. But he indicated that if the Chiefs failed, it wouldn’t be for a lack of trying. Just as it wasn’t, Pioli said, the last three seasons. “The answer is yes, there’s going to be competition at quarterback,” Pioli said Thursday at the NFL scouting combine. “But that doesn’t make it different from any other year. That’s not different from the past. “I don’t think we haven’t tried (to bring in competition for Cassel). Part of it was circumstances. When we traded for Matt, he was coming to a program that had two starting quarterbacks here already. It’s easy to sit here now and say, ‘You can’t say player X wasn’t competition.’ That’s not fair. Look at it in the snapshot of that place and time. It certainly appeared there was going to be competition.” Tyler Thigpen and Brodie Croyle were the Chiefs’ quarterbacks when they traded for Cassel three years ago. Neither has been a productive player since leaving the Chiefs. Matt Gutierrez, Tyler Palko, Ricky Stanzi and Kyle Orton have been quarterbacks who have come, and in some cases gone, since. Stanzi, who was drafted last year, is the only Chiefs quarterback other than Cassel under contract for next season. Orton played in four games for the Chiefs last season after Cassel injured his hand and was lost for the year. “Last year, free-agency never started (until training camp),” Pioli said. “We had Matt on the roster. We had Tyler on the roster. We had Ricky, who we drafted. We didn’t draft someone high who was perceived as competition, but I’ll say this: I think Ricky is competition. Let’s not get lost in where a guy was drafted as to whether or not he’s a player. This league has shown time and time again at many positions, including this particular position, that where a player is drafted doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with how good he is or how good he becomes. “You just don’t wave a wand and magically say, ‘There’s competition.’ We drafted a quarterback last year who I truly believe has good ability and has the potential to start in this league. I really do believe that.” With only Cassel and Stanzi signed for 2012, the Chiefs will add at least one quarterback and probably two before training camp starts in July. Veteran possibilities include Peyton Manning, if he’s released by Indianapolis. Two other free-agent possibilities are Chad Henne, who played for Miami last year with new Chiefs offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, and Jason Campbell, who played two seasons for Washington under Jim Zorn, now the Chiefs’ quarterbacks coach. “You don’t know what’s going to happen in free-agency and you don’t know what you’re going to be able to get done,” Pioli said. “Quarterback seems to be one of those positions where there’s pretty good ones, veteran guys who are cut and have outpriced their role. “So you don’t know about quarterbacks (in free-agency). You can’t create a person out of nothing. Availability and circumstances are (key factors in acquiring a quarterback). You can only work with the pool of players you can work with even though you might have certain intentions.” The draft is another option for the Chiefs to add a quarterback. “My hope and strong desire is to draft a quarterback every single year,” Pioli said. “There’s great value in that. Last year I didn’t know if we were going to draft (a quarterback) in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth round, but we ended up drafting a guy who a number of us really like and really think can be a starter in the National Football League.” One of Pioli’s first moves after joining the Chiefs three years ago was to trade for Cassel, who was coming off a strong season as a starter for New England. Cassel had a big season for the Chiefs in 2010, when he made the Pro Bowl. Otherwise, he has struggled to fulfill Pioli’s vision for him. Last year, the Chiefs struggled at the start after losing running back Jamaal Charles and tight end Tony Moeaki for the season with injuries. Cassel’s season ended after nine games because of the broken hand. “In 2010, Matt was certainly on his way to becoming that player, on his way to becoming a good NFL quarterback,” Pioli said. “He was winning games and he was producing and he was a reason good things were happening. “This past year was a tough set of circumstances to measure and evaluate his progress. I don’t ever want to make excuses for a team or a player, but playing without one of the best young running backs in the National Football League and playing without one of the
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02-25-2012, 09:53 PM	#138
stonedstooge Arf! Arf! Arf! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Casino cash: $5684173	Anyone know the story on Brees and New Orleans? Franchise tag? __________________ 2013 ADOPT A CHIEF Eric Kush "Often is a word I seldom use"--JP
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02-25-2012, 10:21 PM	#143
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	I have a question ... it's crazy, I know ... but, well ... Can we franchise tag Orton? FAX
Posts: 44,492

02-25-2012, 11:29 PM	#148
The Bad Guy Scott Pioli Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: The Copacobana Casino cash: $9363645	Why does 50/50 and GoChiefs have to start every Pioli rant with "he's a fat piece of shit"? __________________
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