Chiefs Mellinger nails it. Great article. - Page 11

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

L.A. Chieffan · 08-25-2012, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

Oh and Matt Cassel can hack it?

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

When all else fails bring out the hat smack.

Death2CasselFans · 08-25-2012, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NWTF

They are very selective on calling for Cassel to go deep. Its just not his game and will never be. They say he has the weakest arm among the 32 starting QBs.

Via Bleacherport

Power Ranking the Arm Strength of All 32 NFL Starting QBs

The weakest arm among the starting NFL quarterbacks belongs to Kansas City Chiefs' passer Matt Cassel.

This will surely catch some flack from Chiefs fans, but Cassel has never had a strong arm. Going back to his success in New England, he's had trouble throwing the deep ball. His lack of arm strength has hampered the Chiefs offense.

milkman · 08-25-2012, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd1020

A lot would have to go right for them to win a SB but that doesn't mean there's absolutely 0 chance they could.

Not saying we should keep him and not look for a QB but the 2011 Chiefs were 3 too many Palko starts, 2 blocked FG's, and a Bowe TD drop away from the playoffs. Anyone who thinks making the playoffs is meaningless is an idiot.

Sit through 43 years of mediocre to crappy football, and tell me that just making the playoffs is meaningful.

In58men · 08-25-2012, 02:45 PM

@JasonLaCanfora: Redskins take a 50 yard shot on each of first two drives; RG3 overthrew Garcon on both attempts. Good to see the intent is there

Even RG3 will throw deep. When was the last time Cassel tried for a 50 yarded? He doesn't even attempt in preseason.

Matt "CheckDown" Cassel

L.A. Chieffan · 08-25-2012, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Death2CasselFans

Via Bleacherport

Power Ranking the Arm Strength of All 32 NFL Starting QBs

The weakest arm among the starting NFL quarterbacks belongs to Kansas City Chiefs' passer Matt Cassel.

This will surely catch some flack from Chiefs fans, but Cassel has never had a strong arm. Going back to his success in New England, he's had trouble throwing the deep ball. His lack of arm strength has hampered the Chiefs offense.

Arm strength is extremely overrated.

Kyle Boller and jamarcus Russell had elite arms.

Joe Montana had an average arm.

jd1020 · 08-25-2012, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Sit through 43 years of mediocre to crappy football, and tell me that just making the playoffs is meaningful.

Sit through 43 years of non playoff years and see how many championships a team wins.

milkman · 08-25-2012, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd1020

Sit through 43 years of non playoff years and see how many championships a team wins.

Wow Carl.

It's kinda cool that you are still so invested in the Chiefs that you are now posting on a Chiefs forum to keep up, even though Clark Hunt fired you.

Red Dawg · 08-25-2012, 02:56 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?

I am assumining that we do have blockers, or do those guys get sacks every play? I also recall us having Tamba who last time I checked could get a sack or two.

You went full reerun. Manning is not the guy he use to be.

JohnnyHammersticks · 08-25-2012, 02:56 PM

Basing one's support for Cassel on the fact that he made the Pro Bowl is like waving a big flag that says "I don't know my ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to the NFL".

**Bugeater** · 08-25-2012, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBob

Watch this

http://www.kcchiefs.com/media-center...0-3fbbbaae1523

I'm not interested in watching a 22 minute blah-blah session, can you point to something specific that was mentioned in there that would indicate that Pioli's job is on the line?

**Bugeater** · 08-25-2012, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyHammersticks

Basing one's support for Cassel on the fact that he made the Pro Bowl is like waving a big flag that says "I don't know my ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to the NFL".

There's only one person here that does that here, and he/she isn't even worth acknowledging any more.

In58men · 08-25-2012, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyHammersticks

Basing one's support for Cassel on the fact that he made the Pro Bowl is like waving a big flag that says "I don't know my ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to the NFL".

If I remember right a couple QBs dropped out of the pro bowl making Cassel last resort.

jd1020 · 08-25-2012, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Wow Carl.

It's kinda cool that you are still so invested in the Chiefs that you are now posting on a Chiefs forum to keep up, even though Clark Hunt fired you.

Good one!

You have to make the playoffs before you can win a championship. Once you make the playoffs anything can happen. I'm sure there were a lot of people laughing at the Seahawks for making the playoffs at 7-9... until they beat the SB favorites.

Anyone rooting for the Chiefs to tank a season are idiots.

L.A. Chieffan · 08-25-2012, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

There's only one person here that does that here, and he/she isn't even worth acknowledging any more.

And why is that? Because I'm always right?

**ChiTown** · 08-25-2012, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Death2CasselFans

Via Bleacherport

Power Ranking the Arm Strength of All 32 NFL Starting QBs

The weakest arm among the starting NFL quarterbacks belongs to Kansas City Chiefs' passer Matt Cassel.

This will surely catch some flack from Chiefs fans, but Cassel has never had a strong arm. Going back to his success in New England, he's had trouble throwing the deep ball. His lack of arm strength has hampered the Chiefs offense.

He's got a weak-assed arm, but NEVER quote Bleacher Report. That place is for reeruns and people who are trying to become reeruns.

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, 02:45 PM	#154
In58men I didn’t say mud, I said crud. Join Date: Jan 2012 Casino cash: $-1361974	@JasonLaCanfora: Redskins take a 50 yard shot on each of first two drives; RG3 overthrew Garcon on both attempts. Good to see the intent is there Even RG3 will throw deep. When was the last time Cassel tried for a 50 yarded? He doesn't even attempt in preseason. Matt "CheckDown" Cassel
Posts: 30,789

08-25-2012, 02:56 PM	#159
JohnnyHammersticks MVP Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Chandler AZ Casino cash: $-349996	Basing one's support for Cassel on the fact that he made the Pro Bowl is like waving a big flag that says "I don't know my ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to the NFL".
Posts: 14,581