Chiefs Clark Judge loves Matt Cassel, and so should you. - Page 12

Hammock Parties · 11-30-2010, 04:40 PM

Cassel proving to be difference-maker in K.C.

By Clark Judge
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
Nov. 30, 2010

Let's get this out of the way up front and admit what we should know -- namely, that the Kansas City Chiefs made the right move when they acquired quarterback Matt Cassel.


Matt Cassel's 2010 numbers put him among the league's elite passers. (Getty Images)

They thought they were getting someone who could stabilize the most important position in the game, and they did. They thought they were getting someone who was smart, accurate and reliable, and they did. They thought they were getting someone who could win, and they did. In short, they thought they were getting a quarterback they could trust. And they did.

Matt Cassel is having the best season of his career a year after he, the Chiefs and general manager Scott Pioli took heat for Cassel's underwhelming play -- with one local columnist so outraged that he characterized Cassel as "horrible."

Um, maybe not. Cassel has the Chiefs on top of the AFC West. He's won more games (7) in 11 starts than the club won the past two seasons (6). He hasn't lost at home. He leads the league in touchdown percentage. He's second only to Tom Brady in ratio of touchdowns-to-interceptions. And he's fourth overall in passer rating, ahead of luminaries like Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan.

"Matt Cassel keeps setting the bar higher and higher," coach Todd Haley said after Kansas City's latest victory.

I'll second that. It's not just that the Chiefs continue to win under Cassel's direction; it's what Cassel's done to put them in that position, and the envelope, please: Over his last seven starts Cassel has 18 touchdown passes and one interception. Let me repeat: 18 and 1, a ratio that is better than anyone -- including Tom Brady -- over that period, and tell me that shouldn't put this guy front and center of the national spotlight.

It should. Only it hasn't. And one reason it hasn't is because there's a lingering feeling that Kansas City is overachieving and, well, that the Chiefs will eventually get caught by San Diego anyway. I don't buy into the overachieving argument, but after watching San Diego dissect Indianapolis the other night I do believe the Chargers, not the Chiefs, are the team to beat in the AFC West -- basically because the schedule falls their way in December, a month where they have won their last 18.

But that's a projection. Let's look at what we know, and what we know is that Matt Cassel is everything Pioli and the Chiefs envisioned when they acquired him. OK, so it took offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and a system with which Cassel was comfortable for him to flourish. But that happens. It took Brees four seasons before he started to feel comfortable in San Diego.

No question about it, Cassel struggled last season, but let's be honest: There were an abundance of reasons. One was the change of offensive coordinators immediately prior to the season, with Cassel forced to learn on the fly. Another was the Chiefs' mistake-prone receivers, with Kansas City two flubs away from tying an unofficial record for most drops in a year (51). Still another was the team's inability to run the ball until Jamaal Charles stepped into the huddle midway through the schedule.

Now fast forward to 2010, with Weis refining Haley's system to add a few wrinkles that Cassel might have known or practiced when he was with New England. It was there that Cassel first became a starter, stepping into the lineup for the first time in nine years when Brady was hurt in the 2008 opener. And it was there he was supposed to flop. Only he didn't, leading the Patriots to an 11-5 finish.

Surprising? Yes. But that was the guy Kansas City thought it was getting when it traded for Cassel. And that is the guy it has.

Look, I don't know that kicked in this season, but it's hard to ignore the results. What I do know is that Haley worked with Cassel on being more precise in his drops within the pocket, and Cassel has responded. I also know that having the league's top-ranked running game -- with the Chiefs shredding Seattle for 270 yards -- has helped. And I know the emergence of wide receiver Dwayne Bowe -- one of those guys who last season looked more like a backboard than a pass catcher -- has been a huge plus.

In the end, though, it comes back to Matt Cassel. The Chiefs had Larry Johnson to run the ball in 2007-08, and they couldn't win. They had Tony Gonzalez to catch it then, too, and they couldn't win. And they couldn't win because they didn't have someone, anyone, at quarterback to throw the right passes, avoid the big mistakes and make the smart decisions.
Now they do.

"I think he's an NFL starting quarterback you can win with and win championships with," Pioli said at training camp last summer. "Matt adjusted to a lot of change, showed his competitiveness, resiliency and his ability. Beyond the mental and emotional (aspect) and his competitiveness, he showed the physical ability to be able to win."

Pioli was right. Kansas City is not where it is today without Matt Cassel, and it's high time the club, its G.M., its head coach, its assistants and Matt Cassel himself are recognized for what is working with the Chiefs. And what is working is their quarterback.

Adding Matt Cassel not only was a good move; it was a necessary one. And it has the Chiefs where they haven't been in years. Good for them. Good for Pioli. And, most important, good for Matt Cassel.

Pants · 11-30-2010, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

31 i believe

Exactly. So I guess the shitty defense only applies to Cassel in your logic, is that correct? What did Schaub do? He ****ing carried the team, and MADE the huge plays to win the game (granted the PI call helped). Cassel didn't and therein lies the difference.

**007** · 11-30-2010, 06:33 PM

I think everyone has backed Cassel 100% this year. Some are just more critical than others is all.

I want everybody on the team to do well. I certainly do hope that Pioli turns out to be spot on about Cassel when it is all said and done.

stevieray · 11-30-2010, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Nope.

Anyone who hasn't backed Cassel 100% the entire year is not allowed to enjoy it if we win.

Please return all un-used enjoyment to the ChiefsPlanet Customer Service Department via this handy, pre-paid shipping label.

Thank you.

you can enjoy it..but part of it will ring hollow...even to you..

**Ming the Merciless** · 11-30-2010, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pants

Exactly. And what did he do? He ****ing carried the team, and MADE the huge plays to win the game (granted the PI call helped). Cassel didn't and therein lies the difference.

You're right, Cassel sucks and is the reason we lost that game. I really don't know what I was thinking...boy your 'logic' really is awesome.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 11-30-2010, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pants

Exactly. And what did he do? He ****ing carried the team, and MADE the huge plays to win the game (granted the PI call helped). Cassel didn't and therein lies the difference.

The PI call wouldn't have mattered if Schaub had just pussied out and not made the plays prior to that.

Guy was nails the last 20 minutes of that game. Clutch.

Pants · 11-30-2010, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

you can enjoy it..but part of it will ring hollow...even to you..

That is just a stupid thing to say, lol. Stupid - no way around it. You don't think everyone on this board who is a Chiefs fan wants to see Cassel succeed? You think like a child.

**Ming the Merciless** · 11-30-2010, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pants

That is just a stupid thing to say, lol. Stupid - no way around it. You don't think everyone on this board who is a Chiefs fan wants to see Cassel succeed? You think like a child.

There have been multiple people come out and say they want the chiefs to lose so that Cassel gets cut. SO no, not everyone wants to see Cassel succeed. Most, sure....But not everyone.

Pants · 11-30-2010, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

You're right, Cassel sucks and is the reason we lost that game. I really don't know what I was thinking...boy your 'logic' really is awesome.

No, my logic applies to the same rules to both sides of the equation. Your 'logic' chooses to ignore the rules in order to make a case for your argument.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 11-30-2010, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

You're right, Cassel sucks and is the reason we lost that game. I really don't know what I was thinking...boy your 'logic' really is awesome.

I guess this is what you resort to when you have no rebuttal?

Making arguments that aren't there?

No one said Cassel sucks. No one said Cassel is the sole reason we lost that game.

His job was to run the 4:00 offense and wind down the clock. He failed.

After that, the defense's job was to keep Houston from scoring. They failed.

They both failed, and are both partly to blame.

**DeezNutz** · 11-30-2010, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

you constantly compare him to franchise qb's, and expect him to be one in year two (mainly based on contract).. then don't hold franchise qb's to the same standard.

just like you claimed they were gonna suck, and now expect them to be playoff contenders.

laughing so hard it hurts?

oh snap.

I expected it because of his age, too.

Pants · 11-30-2010, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

There have been multiple people come out and say they want the chiefs to lose so that Cassel gets cut. SO no, not everyone wants to see Cassel succeed. Most, sure....But not everyone.

Jesus Christ. They don't want the Chiefs to win in SPITE of Cassel. They don't want to be stuck with a shitty QB. EVERYONE wants Cassel to succeed, because if Cassel succeeds, the whole team succeeds and not just in the short term, but also in the future. Another logic fail, bro. You just need to stop talking.

**Ming the Merciless** · 11-30-2010, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pants

No, my logic applies to the same rules to both sides of the equation. Your 'logic' chooses to ignore the rules in order to make a case for your argument.

That is not true...You are making shit up...ANY time an offense Scores 30 points or more and the team loses, I would tend to blame the defense for the loss...I dont know where you came up with the idea that it only applied in some cases...I think you seriously are making shit up.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 11-30-2010, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

you can enjoy it..but part of it will ring hollow...even to you..

Wow.

How's everyone look from way up there?

Brock · 11-30-2010, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

There have been multiple people come out and say they want the chiefs to lose so that Cassel gets cut. SO no, not everyone wants to see Cassel succeed. Most, sure....But not everyone.

Yeah, no.

MadMax · 11-30-2010, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pants

Jesus Christ. They don't want the Chiefs to win in SPITE of Cassel. They don't want to be stuck with a shitty QB. EVERYONE wants Cassel to succeed, because if Cassel succeeds, the whole team succeeds and not just in the short term, but also in the future. Another logic fail, bro. You just need to stop talking.

Thank you...You said what I believe...

11-30-2010, 06:33 PM	#167
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $12130126 VARSITY	I think everyone has backed Cassel 100% this year. Some are just more critical than others is all. I want everybody on the team to do well. I certainly do hope that Pioli turns out to be spot on about Cassel when it is all said and done. __________________ My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
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