Chiefs Mellinger nails it. Great article. - Page 10

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

philfree · 08-25-2012, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoman69

The good news is if the Chiefs keep playing like this, they'll have a good shot at a frachise QB in the draft.

Com'on man, don't start stuff till we are at least 0-2.

RunKC · 08-25-2012, 01:31 PM

What's sad is this team would win this division if we had a quality QB and a good pass rusher on the DL.

**gblowfish** · 08-25-2012, 01:43 PM

PUT....THE HAND GUN.....DOWN!

jspchief · 08-25-2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd1020

So meaningless we were a Bowe TD drop away from the playoffs. Or a blocked FG away from the playoffs.

Clark Hunt loves you. He loves that fans like you think that making or almost making the playoffs means the Chiefs are a playoff team.

Every year a team or two makes the playoffs by default. That team gets totally outclassed when they face off against real playoff teams. And ****ing rube fans like you cling lovingly to the notion that we only missed out by a blocked FG.

NWTF · 08-25-2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

What's sad is this team would win this division if we had a quality QB and a good pass rusher on the DL.

This team can win THIS division and I think they will. Its just highly unlikely they would advance past that point.

RunKC · 08-25-2012, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NWTF

This team can win THIS division and I think they will. Its just highly unlikely they would advance past that point.

Care to tell how we're gonna stop Manning when we can't get any pressure on QB's? Or how Cassel is gonna score on Denver's defense with Von and Dumberverille shitting down his face every snap?

Marcellus · 08-25-2012, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

Care to tell how we're gonna stop Manning when we can't get any pressure on QB's? Or how Cassel is gonna score on Denver's defense with Von and Dumberverille shitting down his face every snap?

Hi Clay.

WilliamTheIrish · 08-25-2012, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

I don't believe even for a second that Pioli's job is on the line in any way, shape or form.

Not in the least. He'll be here as long as he wants.

L.A. Chieffan · 08-25-2012, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

Are you sure about that?

Vince Young's stats...

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...Y/YounVi00.htm

Matt Cassel's stats...

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...C/CassMa00.htm

Vince Young won/wins more often than Cassel. I think Tennessee/Jeff Fisher realized they/he was not going to win it all with Young. And Young can not find a starting job anywhere else in the NFL. If the Chiefs were to finally figure that out with Cassel, I would assume he will not find starters work anywhere else either.

Who has a job and who doesn't. Young just couldn't hack it. Case closed.

L.A. Chieffan · 08-25-2012, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el borracho

Still waiting for a sincere response to this post, L.A.Chieffan. Are you satisfied with Matt Cassel as the starting QB for the KC Chiefs?

Over whom?

ILChief · 08-25-2012, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philfree

Com'on man, don't start stuff till we are at least 0-2.

We would win a few meaningless games down the stretch to drop us down enough to miss out on a qb like usual

JD10367 · 08-25-2012, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

Wrong. I do know that they aren't worth a shit because either

A: They're not starting anymore

OR

B: THEY JUST AREN'T WORTH A SHIT.

Meanwhile our guy has played in a PROBOWL.

Go back to your clam chowder and old man pervert fantasies and leave the sport talk to people who actually know shit ok?

You must be a troll mult because, if you're serious, it's too pitiful to even comprehend. As a troll mult, kudos. If you're serious... please don't reproduce.

mcaj22 · 08-25-2012, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

Who has a job and who doesn't. Young just couldn't hack it. Case closed.

Oh and Matt Cassel can hack it?

guy cant even put on a hat or celebrate in the endzone without sucking at it.

JD10367 · 08-25-2012, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NWTF

This team can win THIS division and I think they will. Its just highly unlikely they would advance past that point.

I was watching or listening to some football show recently and they were discussing the AFC quarterbacks and how tough/easy the divisions were. They rightly pointed out that the AFC West could be the toughest division due to their QBs. They said, "Philip Rivers is still very good. Carson Palmer is bouncing back in Oakland. If healthy, Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning. And Matt Cassel... well, I guess he's a veteran QB, right?"

**ChiTown** · 08-25-2012, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

Not in the least. He'll be here as long as he wants.

Yep. The Chiefs ownership likes them a lot of dumbass and incompetence in their President/GM roles.

08-25-2012, 12:48 AM
RunKC Andy Reid Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $-1410389	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: 52,063

08-25-2012, 01:31 PM	#137
RunKC Andy Reid Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $-1410389	What's sad is this team would win this division if we had a quality QB and a good pass rusher on the DL.
Posts: 52,063

08-25-2012, 01:43 PM	#138
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $16896178 VARSITY	PUT....THE HAND GUN.....DOWN!
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