Chiefs Matt Cassel is trying to be Drew Brees, not Tom Brady - Page 5

KCrockaholic · 11-30-2010, 11:07 PM

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/footb...t-cassel_N.htm

Quote:

By Jim Corbett, USA TODAY
Matt Cassel has numbers like Tom Brady, but his coach says his real comparison should be to Drew Brees.

Cassel, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, has thrown 22 touchdowns and four interceptions this season — just one fewer touchdown and the same number of picks as Brady, his former New England Patriots teammate.

He fired four touchdowns in Kansas City's 42-24 blowout of Seattle on Sunday, posting a season-best 129.3 passer rating. Over the past nine games, Brady and Cassel have the league's highest passer ratings, according to STATS, LLC.

Brady has a 108.2 rating with 18 touchdowns and two interceptions the last nine games, while Cassel has a 107.7 rating with 21 touchdowns and two interceptions.

POWER RANKINGS: Chiefs climbing as they cling to AFC West

Yet the quarterback Cassel is emulating most isn't Brady. It's Brees, the New Orleans Saints signal-caller.

Chiefs coach Todd Haley had a Week 2 epiphany, creating a color-coded, key-read grading system during practices that fast-tracked Cassel's improvement. He now emulates Brees as a quick-drop, blitz-beating passer.

All the grinding Cassel has done honing his footwork and field vision on days off, before and after practice is paying off for the 7-4 Chiefs, who lead the AFC West by a game over San Diego.

He's thriving off play-action provided by a top-ranked rushing attack featuring Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones.

But Cassel's made his biggest strides by taking quicker ones away from center, shedding his habit of staring down the middle the duration of his drop backs.

"He's growing up before our eyes," Haley said of his quarterback. "The easy thing is to look at Matt and say, 'Well, let's try and make him like Tom Brady.'

"But his foot speed and athleticism is so much better. Drawing the parallel to Drew has been a huge key because of Matt's foot speed.

"I've charted Drew. He gets back faster and deeper than anybody in the league."

Brees shredded Seattle's blitz in a 34-19 win the week before Cassel followed suit.

"Drew pushes himself so far away from the line of scrimmage so quick that the pressure just can't get to him," Haley said.

"Matt did some real similar things. The Seahawks brought some pressure. He kept his cool and made real good decisions."

A combined 241 yards rushing by Charles and Jones against Seattle — 173 and a touchdown by Charles — opened the passing lanes that triggered Dwayne Bowe's 13-catch, 170-yard, three-touchdown explosion.

"The sky's the limit for Matt Cassel," says former Patriots receiver and current New England Comcast SportsNet analyst Troy Brown. "He always had the skills. They just had to be sharpened."

If it's a repost, Cassel doesn't suck.

Hammock Parties · 12-01-2010, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philfree

Even when Cassel hasn't played well he still threw TDs which something I saw as an important part of his progress.

PhilFree

You like those garbage-time TDs, eh?

Were you a big fan of Bill Kenney?

TheGuardian · 12-01-2010, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gif Horse

Derek Anderson went to the Pro Bowl.

So did Chris Miller, Mark Rypien, Neil O'Donnell, Bobby Hebert, Jeff Hostetler, Jim Harbaugh, Jeff Blake, Gus Frerrote, Trent Dilfer, Brian Griese, Jake Delhomme, STEVE BONO AND ELVIS GRBAC.

Using exceptions never supports the rule. The pro bowl is littered with more great QB's than 1 year wonders. Please give it a ****ing rest.

Hammock Parties · 12-01-2010, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

Using exceptions never supports the rule. The pro bowl is littered with more great QB's than 1 year wonders. Please give it a ****ing rest.

Great quarterbacks go to Pro Bowls MULTIPLE TIMES.

Using one Pro Bowl appearance - WHICH HASN'T EVEN HAPPENED YET- as some kind of proof of Cassel's greatness is premature.

As is lauding him for beating up on NFC West defenses.

All this shit is premature. All of it.

zonachief · 12-01-2010, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcrockaholic4life

You can't teach accuracy or arm strength. I've read it here.

Yeah you can.. Its called footwook and mechanics.

Rasputin · 12-01-2010, 06:05 PM

Cassel has been most impressive his last few outings. He still has lots to prove imo but, he is on the right track now. I think the Dungver game made him grow into his job and accountability. I'm encouraged by his play, but still think of him as a retread QB and untill he wins against Dungver, Oakland, and play offs I will hold researve before I start liking him more. At this time he has proved his worth this season, hope he continues to improve. I still want us to draft a QBotf this offseason draft, but not hold my breath.

Rasputin · 12-01-2010, 06:08 PM

Cassel running down the field to help block for JC was just bad ass!!! That was cool and he made some other kick ass plays in sundays game that produced firts downs or touch downs!!!!! That's what I expect from our QB.

KCrockaholic · 12-01-2010, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zonachief

Yeah you can.. Its called footwook and mechanics.

Nope. Noooope. I've read it on CP. You can't.

zonachief · 12-01-2010, 06:30 PM

Nope. Noooope. I've read it on CP. You can't.[/QUOTE]

HAHA

Sandolf · 12-01-2010, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcrockaholic4life

A tall Drew Brees would be the prototype QB IMO.

A.J. Smith realized he had one, so he could afford to let Brees hit the road.

FAX · 12-01-2010, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

I'll keep asking this question......

Did the guy throw 22 TD's and 4 picks in 2.5 games?

It's like people are ignoring the fact that he's putting together a pro bowl season. That doesn't happen in 2.5 games for the love of God.

Just going by what I have observed, Mr. TheGuardian. That's all.

Dirt balls. Crazy eyes. Satellite launchings. Whirling Buzz Saw Surrenders. Pee stains. Stuff like that.

Then, there came the goat game followed by Arizona and Seattle in which he really looked like a true, talented, NFL quarterback.

It reminds me of that old, Belgium proverb; "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times and I'm kicking you square in the nads, man. Belgium style."

FAX

Marcellus · 12-01-2010, 08:13 PM

I think at this point is is reasonable to assume that not playing in college and not playing his first what 4 years or so in the NFL slowed his growth.

He played well but looked like a young backup or so playing with talent in 2008 with NE, made use of his play makers but didn't do anything awe inspiring.

2009 not as much talent, new team, sophomore starters slump etc....

2010 starts slow but starts to build on it. Playing well now.

Sounds like a lot of young players only Cassel isn't as young but has the actual game experience of a younger player or even less counting college.

Maybe he is making the big step. Gannon, Young, Green, several young players didn't light it up early on.

milkman · 12-01-2010, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gif Horse

Great quarterbacks go to Pro Bowls MULTIPLE TIMES.

Using one Pro Bowl appearance - WHICH HASN'T EVEN HAPPENED YET- as some kind of proof of Cassel's greatness is premature.

As is lauding him for beating up on NFC West defenses.

All this shit is premature. All of it.

Yes it is premature.

However the observations of his footwork are not.

His footwork has been stellar in these last two games, and that (his poor footwork) was a huge part of the reason for his inconsistency, lack of accuracy, and even his lack of pocket presence.

It looks as though it has just clicked for him finally.

I said in another thread that I have never seen him with this kind of footwork in any of the game I have watched before, not in KC or in New England.

This article supports that claim.

JD10367 · 12-01-2010, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcrockaholic4life

Nope. Noooope. I've read it on CP. You can't.

Can't post that one without the much-improved followup.

Frankie · 12-01-2010, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gif Horse

Great quarterbacks go to Pro Bowls MULTIPLE TIMES.

Using one Pro Bowl appearance - WHICH HASN'T EVEN HAPPENED YET- as some kind of proof of Cassel's greatness is premature.

As is lauding him for beating up on NFC West defenses.

All this shit is premature. All of it.

Well this is surprisingly a mature post by GoChiefs.

Frankie · 12-01-2010, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cool han Luke

I still want us to draft a QBotf this offseason draft, but not hold my breath.

That possibility is being relegated to the late rounds now, if at all.

12-01-2010, 06:05 PM	#65
Rasputin Tip of the hat LIV Champs Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: ks Casino cash: $95421	Cassel has been most impressive his last few outings. He still has lots to prove imo but, he is on the right track now. I think the Dungver game made him grow into his job and accountability. I'm encouraged by his play, but still think of him as a retread QB and untill he wins against Dungver, Oakland, and play offs I will hold researve before I start liking him more. At this time he has proved his worth this season, hope he continues to improve. I still want us to draft a QBotf this offseason draft, but not hold my breath.
Posts: 56,920

12-01-2010, 06:08 PM	#66
Rasputin Tip of the hat LIV Champs Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: ks Casino cash: $95421	Cassel running down the field to help block for JC was just bad ass!!! That was cool and he made some other kick ass plays in sundays game that produced firts downs or touch downs!!!!! That's what I expect from our QB.
Posts: 56,920

12-01-2010, 06:30 PM	#68
zonachief Starter Join Date: Nov 2010 Casino cash: $10004955	Nope. Noooope. I've read it on CP. You can't.[/QUOTE] HAHA
Posts: 439

12-01-2010, 08:13 PM	#71
Marcellus Diablo Negro Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $-447338	I think at this point is is reasonable to assume that not playing in college and not playing his first what 4 years or so in the NFL slowed his growth. He played well but looked like a young backup or so playing with talent in 2008 with NE, made use of his play makers but didn't do anything awe inspiring. 2009 not as much talent, new team, sophomore starters slump etc.... 2010 starts slow but starts to build on it. Playing well now. Sounds like a lot of young players only Cassel isn't as young but has the actual game experience of a younger player or even less counting college. Maybe he is making the big step. Gannon, Young, Green, several young players didn't light it up early on.
Posts: 74,365