Spinoff: Is the Chiefs organization distancing itself from Matt Cassel?

[Dante84]

Here's the facts:

- The Chiefs have never touched the subject of acquiring a new starting Quarterback outside of Matt before this offseason.... last week, even.

- Pioli reiterated that there "will be competition at the quarterback position. (That being said, he also said that Brodie, Thigpen, and Palko were 'competition' in the past).

- Romeo has spoken out twice in the past week about potential game changers like RG3, and Peyton Manning. He has also beat the drum for Kyle Orton and what he did last season.

- A story leaked last week regarding the Chiefs' rumored interest in acquiring Peyton Manning should he be available.

- The Chiefs interviewed the top 3 QB's at the combine (Luck, RG3, Tannehill).

- On the front page of the official Chiefs website, there is an interview with Greg Cosell, who essentially says that the Chiefs can't fully compete with Cassel at the helm. Again, this is on the Chiefs website...


Those facts considered, it appears that the organization might be attempting to untie the knot between Cassel and the starting QB spot. This is a major shift from the past. It brings to light a few questions:

1. Why?
- To win the media/public back?
- To attract/retain potential free agents that don't want to play with Cassel? (Bowe, TE's, Oline)

2 Why NOW?
- What strategic advantage does it pose to float these thoughts to the public?
- Does this hurt our case in FA or the draft, by showing our hand early?

And finally,

3. Will Pioli actually sack up and make a game-changing move?

[spanky 52]

Originally Posted by FringeNC

There is no game that needs to be played. Pioli can sign Orton anytime he wants. Or draft a QB. Or sign Manning. In fact, giving public signals seems contrary to Pioli's M.O. It's more likely that the talk is propaganda for the fans' sake.

I think there's a lot of truth in this. They know the fan's aren't happy and I suspect season ticket sales are lagging or down. Can't think of any other entertainment business where they blow so much smoke like they do in the NFL.

[BoneKrusher]

Originally Posted by Bwana

I would hope so, but I highly doubt it.

yep, that's pretty much how i see it as well.

[InChiefsHeaven]

I do think it's quite telling that they post an interview on the front page of KCCHiefs.com in which Greg Cosell basically dismisses Cassel as a QB who you can't "sling it around 40 times a game" with and have any success. I mean, that says right there that the Chiefs are willing to admit that Cassell isn't anything more than a game manager and he isn't going to be what the Chiefs need to win in today's NFL, at least if they want to be more than a running team. Interesting interview and frankly surprising that they have it on their website.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by beach tribe

You just gave yourself away dude.
I was actually buying it for a while.

His new McCluster jersey with fake dreads didn't give it away

[Okie_Apparition]

& when you add in Daboll's introductory press confrence about slinging it down the field. Which can't be to far down on the CHief's website

THey have also interviewed Osweiler & perhaps another QB or two at the Combine
You don't hear about it unless the player mentions it in an interview

[Mr_Tomahawk]

To date, what is Cassel's W-L record with the Chiefs as a starter and how much of the $62M has been paid thus far?

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Mr_Tomahawk

To date, what is Cassel's W-L record with the Chiefs as a starter and how much of the $62M has been paid thus far?

ALL of the guaranteed money has been paid. He's essentially on a day-to-day contract at this point. They could cut him at any time.

[Mr_Tomahawk]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

ALL of the guaranteed money has been paid. He's essentially on a day-to-day contract at this point. They could cut him at any time.

I know.

I am using this for argument's sake to put things into perspective for a friend and didn't know if anyone had the numbers on hand...

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Laz

still doesn't address the "why" about them talking to/about other QB's


in fact, if they are keeping Cassel, talking about other QB's is a bad thing. It creates a possible QB controversy. A controversy that imo Pioli has avoided at all cost so far.

I had to find this post to give me hope.

We all know how Matt tends to react under pressure - he's kind of a pussy. If they were REALLY keeping him, this is the last kind of thing they should be doing.

Mark it down, I've officially come to believe the days of Cassel are over.

[The Iron Chief]

Originally Posted by O.city

Chiefs will have a new qb next year. Mark it down.

Possibly new in a sneaky kind of way.

Maybe Pioli and crew out of desperation secretly had Cassels hand replaced with bionic parts..if found out it could be the biggest NFL scandal of all time.
Cassel takes the Chiefs to the big game!

The 63 million dollar man!

[durtyrute]

To win, All of this "Pioli is tied to Matt Cassel" bullshit is just that. Do you really think that if his choices are: stick with Matt and Never EVER win anything big, or dump his ass and have a much better shot at winning it all, that because of ego or whatever dumb thing that he will pick option A?

[InChiefsHeaven]

Originally Posted by durtyrute

To win, All of this "Pioli is tied to Matt Cassel" bullshit is just that. Do you really think that if his choices are: stick with Matt and Never EVER win anything big, or dump his ass and have a much better shot at winning it all, that because of ego or whatever dumb thing that he will pick option A?

I think the problem may be that Scott truly DOES believe we can win with Cassell. Now, whether that's because of his ego,or incompetence or whatever is up for debate. I can't believe that Scott DOESN'T want to win (just like I can't believe that Clark doesn't want to win) but I don't know if he knows how. At least with this team.

Myself personally, I give him the benefit of the doubt. 5 years. We should be a SB contender (ie playoff game winners) within the next 2 years or he's a failure.

[durtyrute]

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell

I think the problem may be that Scott truly DOES believe we can win with Cassell. Now, whether that's because of his ego,or incompetence or whatever is up for debate. I can't believe that Scott DOESN'T want to win (just like I can't believe that Clark doesn't want to win) but I don't know if he knows how. At least with this team.

Myself personally, I give him the benefit of the doubt. 5 years. We should be a SB contender (ie playoff game winners) within the next 2 years or he's a failure.

Yea, this offseason and the next one will pretty much tell us which way we are going. I like alot of the moves they've made so far. Now, let's just "fix the QB". 5 years sounds about right to me.

[Sofa King]

To be completely honest, I've already moved on from Cassel in my head.

I honestly believe Matt will not be the starting QB for the chiefs this year.


Orton 85%
Manning 13%
RGIII < 1%
Stanzi < 1%

[durtyrute]

Originally Posted by Sofa King

To be completely honest, I've already moved on from Cassel in my head.

I honestly believe Matt will not be the starting QB for the chiefs this year.


Orton 85%
Manning 13%
RGIII < 1%
Stanzi < 1%

After seeing how Orton moved the team in Cassel's absence, the availability of Manning, and the possibility of RG, I don't see how in the world the "timid dork" could be the starter.