Chiefs Whitlock: Seeds have been planted for a QB controversy

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-20-2009, 11:55 PM

Seeds have been planted for a QB controversy
JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY

You don’t need a legitimate backup to manufacture a quarterback controversy.

What you need is an overpriced starter, a reckless head coach, a frustrated fan base and bored, ratings-starved journalists and broadcasters.

Without question, the necessary ingredients are in play in Kansas City.

OK, Matt Cassel, The Sixty Million Dollar Man, is the Chiefs’ unquestioned starting quarterback. First-time head coach Todd Haley might be disappointed by Cassel’s training-camp play, but Cassel and his bionic contract will take the opening snap on opening day.

Brodie Croyle is not going to beat out The Sixty Million Dollar Man. Haley’s lip-flapping about all positions being competitive is just that — meaningless lip-flapping.

That does not mean we won’t be treated to a quarterback controversy.

The seeds have been planted, and they can take root tonight when the Chiefs take on the Minnesota Vikings in KC’s second preseason game.

Thanks to Haley’s immature decision to play Kansas City’s best offensive player, receiver Dwayne Bowe, with the second unit last weekend, the door has been opened for reporters, fans and players to wonder about The Sixty Million Dollar Man.

Haley followed up Cassel’s mediocre performance against the Texans by acknowledging that Cassel has done nothing to distinguish himself from the Chiefs’ injury-prone, winless former quarterback of the future, Brodie Croyle.

You can call me a pot-stirrer, but Haley brought the pot from the pantry and placed it on the stove. Forgive me for reaching to turn the fire on.

We can put the pot away if Cassel puts together a decent showing tonight against one of the league’s top defenses.

Oh, boy. Cassel’s first important game in a Chiefs uniform is at the Metrodome on Brett Favre Night, featuring Jared Allen, The Williams Wall and Vikings fans believing tonight is the launching of their Super Bowl bandwagon.

Oh, boy. Quarterback controversies start out tiny, build a life of their own and become these all-encompassing, massive, uncontrollable snowballs.

It’s tiny right now. All it will take is a tiny nudge to get this thing really rolling.

I can’t for the life of me understand why Haley sent The Sixty Million Dollar Man out into Arrowhead Stadium without his best weapon. It was foolish.

Did ABC ever send Steve Austin out on camera without his bionic right arm and left eye? If the network had, the show would’ve been called The Two Million Dollar Man.

Matt Cassel without a No. 1 or No. 2 receiver is a career backup. What we might learn this season is that Matt Cassel without Randy Moss and Wes Welker is a career backup.

We’ll have a little bit more information after tonight’s game. We might get an early indication on whether The Sixty Million Dollar Man is overpriced.

If he is, that’s a strike against Scott Pioli, not Todd Haley. Pioli masterminded the Cassel acquisition.

Last week, when Bowe made Brodie Croyle look like a competent NFL quarterback, I wondered what Pioli thought of Bowe’s use. More than likely, Pioli agreed with Haley’s get-tough policy with Bowe.

But there’s a chance Pioli was most interested in how Bowe’s use influenced the play of the quarterback Pioli sweet-talked Clark Hunt into giving $30 million in guarantees.

Football teams operate like every other business. The people in charge largely do what’s in their own best interest. If they hire someone and their credibility is attached to the new hire’s success, then they’ll do whatever is ethical or unethical to see that their new hire shines.

If it would help Cassel, Pioli would spring O.J. Simpson from the joint and line him up 7 yards deep. It’s hard for me to believe that Pioli thinks Bowe’s practice habits are so poor that the only way to get him to perform is demote him to third team, especially when The Sixty Million Dollar Man is stuck throwing to Terrance Copper.

Cassel doesn’t need to post big numbers tonight. He just has to sustain a drive or two, put a couple of field goals on the board. The Minnesota defense is really good. And the Metrodome is going to be electric with Favre in the house.

Hammock Parties · 08-20-2009, 11:57 PM

This is just ****ing reeruned.

There was nothing mediocre about Cassel's performance. He threw five passes and hit four receivers right in the ****ing hands.

Quote:

What we might learn this season is that Matt Cassel without Randy Moss and Wes Welker is a career backup.

"Hi, I'm Jason Whitlock! I watched about three Patriots games last year."

Quote:

featuring Jared Allen,

"Hi! I'm Jason Whitlock! I'm a complete hack who didn't even bother to do research. If I had bothered to do research, I would have discovered Jared Allen ISN'T PLAYING TONIGHT."

smokeymcpot · 08-20-2009, 11:57 PM

Geezuz Whitlock...is there really nothing else to write about?

**DaneMcCloud** · 08-21-2009, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

If he is, that’s a strike against Scott Pioli, not Todd Haley. Pioli masterminded the Cassel acquisition.

JWhit is Hamas!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hammock Parties · 08-21-2009, 12:05 AM

Clearly Pioli will undermine this quarterback controversy when Croyle is traded to Denver.

Titty Meat · 08-21-2009, 12:06 AM

The KC media is just doing this so they'll have something to write about. Pioli doesn't give them any inside info.

Sure-Oz · 08-21-2009, 12:10 AM

Someone i think blew their seed on whitlocks face when he wrote this

08-21-2009, 12:11 AM

That's an awful effort, Jason. Bit premature as well, no?

Chan93lx50 · 08-21-2009, 12:15 AM

Christ he has only thrown 5 passes in one preseason game and this is what Fatlock has to write about?

**J Diddy** · 08-21-2009, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Clearly Pioli will undermine this quarterback controversy when Croyle is traded to Denver.

clearly

BigRock · 08-21-2009, 12:19 AM

I especially like the part where he implies Pioli and Haley may not be on the same page. As if Pioli's sitting there going "You know, Todd helping turn Bowe into a top receiver would be great for this team over the long haul. But screw that, I'm just worried about Cassel looking good in the preseason".

**BigMeatballDave** · 08-21-2009, 12:20 AM

I see JW is hard up for material...

**Slainte** · 08-21-2009, 12:36 AM

Just like last week - Overblown. Can we at least see Cassel in a couple regular season games before we pronounce him dead in the water?

Saccopoo · 08-21-2009, 01:06 AM

Blah, blah, blah.

Jesus.

Can't he write anything other than the same cut and paste mindless, virulent blather?

I know he's in the "schtick" mode at this point in his career, but this article is just ****ing stupid.

**Lumpy** · 08-21-2009, 01:09 AM

Can anyone PLZ translate this JW Commentary for me? For some reason, I am having trouble reading stupid.

08-20-2009, 11:55 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $882813	Whitlock: Seeds have been planted for a QB controversy Seeds have been planted for a QB controversy JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY You don’t need a legitimate backup to manufacture a quarterback controversy. What you need is an overpriced starter, a reckless head coach, a frustrated fan base and bored, ratings-starved journalists and broadcasters. Without question, the necessary ingredients are in play in Kansas City. OK, Matt Cassel, The Sixty Million Dollar Man, is the Chiefs’ unquestioned starting quarterback. First-time head coach Todd Haley might be disappointed by Cassel’s training-camp play, but Cassel and his bionic contract will take the opening snap on opening day. Brodie Croyle is not going to beat out The Sixty Million Dollar Man. Haley’s lip-flapping about all positions being competitive is just that — meaningless lip-flapping. That does not mean we won’t be treated to a quarterback controversy. The seeds have been planted, and they can take root tonight when the Chiefs take on the Minnesota Vikings in KC’s second preseason game. Thanks to Haley’s immature decision to play Kansas City’s best offensive player, receiver Dwayne Bowe, with the second unit last weekend, the door has been opened for reporters, fans and players to wonder about The Sixty Million Dollar Man. Haley followed up Cassel’s mediocre performance against the Texans by acknowledging that Cassel has done nothing to distinguish himself from the Chiefs’ injury-prone, winless former quarterback of the future, Brodie Croyle. You can call me a pot-stirrer, but Haley brought the pot from the pantry and placed it on the stove. Forgive me for reaching to turn the fire on. We can put the pot away if Cassel puts together a decent showing tonight against one of the league’s top defenses. Oh, boy. Cassel’s first important game in a Chiefs uniform is at the Metrodome on Brett Favre Night, featuring Jared Allen, The Williams Wall and Vikings fans believing tonight is the launching of their Super Bowl bandwagon. Oh, boy. Quarterback controversies start out tiny, build a life of their own and become these all-encompassing, massive, uncontrollable snowballs. It’s tiny right now. All it will take is a tiny nudge to get this thing really rolling. I can’t for the life of me understand why Haley sent The Sixty Million Dollar Man out into Arrowhead Stadium without his best weapon. It was foolish. Did ABC ever send Steve Austin out on camera without his bionic right arm and left eye? If the network had, the show would’ve been called The Two Million Dollar Man. Matt Cassel without a No. 1 or No. 2 receiver is a career backup. What we might learn this season is that Matt Cassel without Randy Moss and Wes Welker is a career backup. We’ll have a little bit more information after tonight’s game. We might get an early indication on whether The Sixty Million Dollar Man is overpriced. If he is, that’s a strike against Scott Pioli, not Todd Haley. Pioli masterminded the Cassel acquisition. Last week, when Bowe made Brodie Croyle look like a competent NFL quarterback, I wondered what Pioli thought of Bowe’s use. More than likely, Pioli agreed with Haley’s get-tough policy with Bowe. But there’s a chance Pioli was most interested in how Bowe’s use influenced the play of the quarterback Pioli sweet-talked Clark Hunt into giving $30 million in guarantees. Football teams operate like every other business. The people in charge largely do what’s in their own best interest. If they hire someone and their credibility is attached to the new hire’s success, then they’ll do whatever is ethical or unethical to see that their new hire shines. If it would help Cassel, Pioli would spring O.J. Simpson from the joint and line him up 7 yards deep. It’s hard for me to believe that Pioli thinks Bowe’s practice habits are so poor that the only way to get him to perform is demote him to third team, especially when The Sixty Million Dollar Man is stuck throwing to Terrance Copper. Cassel doesn’t need to post big numbers tonight. He just has to sustain a drive or two, put a couple of field goals on the board. The Minnesota defense is really good. And the Metrodome is going to be electric with Favre in the house.
Posts: 42,087

08-20-2009, 11:57 PM	#3
smokeymcpot Starter Join Date: Aug 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	Geezuz Whitlock...is there really nothing else to write about?
Posts: 31

08-21-2009, 12:05 AM	#5
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4680478	Clearly Pioli will undermine this quarterback controversy when Croyle is traded to Denver. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,977

08-21-2009, 12:06 AM	#6
Titty Meat Inmem 2.0 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: My house Casino cash: $2247558	The KC media is just doing this so they'll have something to write about. Pioli doesn't give them any inside info.
Posts: 75,177

08-21-2009, 12:10 AM	#7
Sure-Oz Stay positive, don't give up Join Date: Dec 2001 Casino cash: $3389383	Someone i think blew their seed on whitlocks face when he wrote this
Posts: 46,182

08-21-2009, 12:11 AM	#8
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	That's an awful effort, Jason. Bit premature as well, no?
Posts: n/a

08-21-2009, 12:15 AM	#9
Chan93lx50 Veteran Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Casino cash: $10004900	Christ he has only thrown 5 passes in one preseason game and this is what Fatlock has to write about? __________________
Posts: 1,847

08-21-2009, 12:19 AM	#11
BigRock Pritay Pritay Pritay Good Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The State of Euphoria Casino cash: $3395412	I especially like the part where he implies Pioli and Haley may not be on the same page. As if Pioli's sitting there going "You know, Todd helping turn Bowe into a top receiver would be great for this team over the long haul. But screw that, I'm just worried about Cassel looking good in the preseason".
Posts: 6,777

08-21-2009, 12:20 AM	#12
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	I see JW is hard up for material...
Posts: 59,997

08-21-2009, 12:36 AM	#13
Slainte Please speak your mind Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $10010402	Just like last week - Overblown. Can we at least see Cassel in a couple regular season games before we pronounce him dead in the water? __________________ And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations Revelation 22:2
Posts: 3,251

08-21-2009, 01:06 AM	#14
Saccopoo Kindness in words... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Zion Casino cash: $10025483	Blah, blah, blah. Jesus. Can't he write anything other than the same cut and paste mindless, virulent blather? I know he's in the "schtick" mode at this point in his career, but this article is just ****ing stupid.
Posts: 15,450

08-21-2009, 01:09 AM	#15
Lumpy Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: On a yellow brick road. Casino cash: $9444900	Can anyone PLZ translate this JW Commentary for me? For some reason, I am having trouble reading stupid.
Posts: 8,901