Chiefs Whitlock: Seeds have been planted for a QB controversy - Page 5

**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.

Quesadilla Joe · 08-21-2009, 09:13 AM

Best offseason ever!

Brock · 08-21-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

Best offseason ever!

Agreed, watching your team melt down has been great.

**TrebMaxx** · 08-21-2009, 09:29 AM

"bored, ratings-starved journalists"

More like bored, in need of ratings fat arse hack columnist.

CaliforniaChief · 08-21-2009, 09:30 AM

No offense to Kansas Citians, but this article is a great example of why he's writing for the Kansas City Star. He's the Ryan Shealy of sportswriting...people in high places have their eyes on him and give him his occasional shot until he takes a dump on himself in front of everyone and gets sent back to the minors.

I think the seeds have been planted for a sportswriter's controversy.

CaliforniaChief · 08-21-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

Best offseason ever!

I guess you define a QB controversy differently than we do.

KC QB Controversy: A spirited but respectful competition to see who is the best player at QB regardless of contract.

Denver QB Controversy: Sending the franchise QB to another team and bringing in a QB who throws the ball to the other team.

**Lzen** · 08-21-2009, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Haley’s immature decision to play Kansas City’s best offensive player, receiver Dwayne Bowe, with the second unit last weekend,

JW is riding the short bus now.

FringeNC · 08-21-2009, 09:37 AM

I just don't see a QB controversy developing with Brodie Croyle. Nobody believes he could last a season taking every snap. If Thigpen was firmly entrenched as #2 and on the heels of Cassel, then perhaps you have a controversy.

**Lzen** · 08-21-2009, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

I guess you define a QB controversy differently than we do.

KC QB Controversy: A spirited but respectful competition to see who is the best player at QB regardless of contract.

Denver QB Controversy: Sending the franchise QB to another team and bringing in a QB who throws the ball to the other team.

DBOSHO · 08-21-2009, 10:10 AM

cassel threw 5 passes in a preseason game. shouldve been 4 out of 5, but hes a bust and we wasted money on him. bring in brokie...

Fish · 08-21-2009, 10:11 AM

It's great to see the Chiefs administration finally making the sports media do their jobs. Carl would practically do their jobs for them back in the day with the way he loved to hear himself talk. I think Carl enjoyed floating rumors and controversy to the media. Now the media can't squeeze a story out without exposing what crappy journalists they are.....

Warrior5 · 08-21-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

Best offseason ever!

Wow. The difference here is that Whitless is trying to invent controversy where none exists.

Just imagine JW as a sports writer in Donkland right now...

LaChapelle · 08-21-2009, 10:23 AM

It won't sell papers, but LJ is the better story. He's been the invisible man for a hard ass coach who loves to push buttons. No amount of money can quell a brewing storm.

Mr. Krab · 08-21-2009, 10:26 AM

Blah,Blah,Blah

It's difficult for lazy writers to find something to write about so they just manufacture stuff.

beach tribe · 08-21-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

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

That would be real funny if we traded Croyle to Denver, and he became their Rich Gannon.

Whoops quoted the wrong post somehow.

SenselessChiefsFan · 08-21-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaChapelle

It won't sell papers, but LJ is the better story. He's been the invisible man for a hard ass coach who loves to push buttons. No amount of money can quell a brewing storm.

LJ is proving the public wrong every day. LJ has hit the ground running with the new staff. I am as suprised as anyone... but I think this is just what he needed.

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

08-21-2009, 09:13 AM	#61
Quesadilla Joe Abolish The Salary Cap! Join Date: Mar 2008 Casino cash: $4068675	Best offseason ever!
Posts: 19,708

08-21-2009, 09:29 AM	#63
TrebMaxx Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Peoples Republic of CoMo Casino cash: $1447252	"bored, ratings-starved journalists" More like bored, in need of ratings fat arse hack columnist.
Posts: 4,322

08-21-2009, 09:30 AM	#64
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $12412899	No offense to Kansas Citians, but this article is a great example of why he's writing for the Kansas City Star. He's the Ryan Shealy of sportswriting...people in high places have their eyes on him and give him his occasional shot until he takes a dump on himself in front of everyone and gets sent back to the minors. I think the seeds have been planted for a sportswriter's controversy.
Posts: 17,319

08-21-2009, 09:37 AM	#67
FringeNC MVP Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: NC Casino cash: $1766014	I just don't see a QB controversy developing with Brodie Croyle. Nobody believes he could last a season taking every snap. If Thigpen was firmly entrenched as #2 and on the heels of Cassel, then perhaps you have a controversy.
Posts: 10,172

08-21-2009, 10:10 AM	#69
DBOSHO trap champ Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	cassel threw 5 passes in a preseason game. shouldve been 4 out of 5, but hes a bust and we wasted money on him. bring in brokie...
Posts: 5,445

08-21-2009, 10:11 AM	#70
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2248919	It's great to see the Chiefs administration finally making the sports media do their jobs. Carl would practically do their jobs for them back in the day with the way he loved to hear himself talk. I think Carl enjoyed floating rumors and controversy to the media. Now the media can't squeeze a story out without exposing what crappy journalists they are..... __________________
Posts: 47,528

08-21-2009, 10:23 AM	#72
LaChapelle Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	It won't sell papers, but LJ is the better story. He's been the invisible man for a hard ass coach who loves to push buttons. No amount of money can quell a brewing storm.
Posts: 8,588