Chiefs Teicher: Cassel on possibility of benching: ‘You can’t play scared’ - Page 3

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-03-2012, 04:34 PM

Cassel on possibility of benching: ‘You can’t play scared’
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Facing the biggest crisis of his career, Matt Cassel showed no weakness Wednesday when he answered questions about his tenuous hold on the Chiefs starting quarterback position. Cassel said if he fails in Sunday’s game against Baltimore, and the Chiefs have to replace him with Brady Quinn, it won’t be because of any lack of confidence.

“Throughout my career I’ve always had ups and downs,” Cassel said. “Everybody knows that I’m a grinder. I’m going to go out and grind each and every day and I’m going to try to get better.

“I try not to focus on what’s being said on the outside and I try to focus on how I can get better as a player. I know there’s room for improvement and I’m going to give everything I can to make those improvements and get better.”

Coach Romeo Crennel has said that while Cassel will start against the Ravens, Quinn may at some point replace him. Crennel also suggested he might give Quinn some first-team snaps in practice, though Quinn said his workload didn’t increase Wednesday.

“My reps have been the exact same as they had before,” Quinn said.

Until this week, the Chiefs had shown unfailing loyalty to Cassel since trading for him in 2009. He was handpicked by general manager Scott Pioli, who was then new to the Chiefs and had worked with Cassel when they were together in New England.

The Chiefs haven’t acquired a strong challenger to Cassel and there’s never been any suggestion he might get benched at any point in his four seasons.

That changed this week with Crennel and the Chiefs facing desperate times. They are 1-3 and haven’t had a lead during a game yet.

“I’m going to do what I think gives us the best chance to win,” Crennel said. “Hypotheticals about what if this happens or what if that happens, I don’t know what if anything happens. I’m going to wait until we get to the game and we’ll see what happens and then we’ll go forward.”

Cassel’s play in no small factor in the Chiefs’ dismal record. His 10 turnovers are tied for the NFL high with Dallas quarterback Tony Romo.

Cassel has had some rough times as Chiefs quarterback, most notably his first season as their starter in 2009 and a miserable ending to the 2010 season. His popularity in Kansas City among Chiefs fans has dipped — he was loudly booed during a celebrity softball game last summer at Kauffman Stadium — this is the first time Cassel’s play has been publicly questioned by someone affiliated with the Chiefs.

Crennel met with Cassel this week to discuss the issue.

“Matt is a professional,” Crennel said. “He takes it to heart. He understands we need to get better as a football team and we need to play better.”

Cassel indicated he wouldn’t be distracted in his preparation or during Sunday’s game.

“I don’t look over my shoulder,” he said. “You can’t do that. As a quarterback, you go out there and compete each and every day and you try to get better each and every day. For me, I don’t look over my shoulder. I just go out there and try to play my position.

“You can’t play scared. You can’t play tentative. I have tunnel vision. I go out and try to get better each and every day. I know as the quarterback of this team I’ve got to do a better job of taking care of the football. That comes first. I take full responsibility for that. We all need to take better care of the football and if we do, then we’ll be in more of these football games and we’ll be a better football team because of it. It starts with me, like I’ve said. I’m working each and every day to get better and I will get better.”

Quinn is familiar with the feeling. He was Cleveland’s starting quarterback for parts of the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

Then he was traded to Denver, where he didn’t play in a game during either of the last two seasons. He then signed with the Chiefs in the spring, but hasn’t played in any of their four games.

“That’s what you have to do,” Quinn said. “If you’re a quarterback a lot of times when things aren’t going well, you get more blame than you should and when you throw six touchdown passes, you get more credit than you should take.”

listopencil · 10-03-2012, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Arrowhead

Nuff Said

I would do exactly the same thing in that situation, but I'm not getting paid tens of millions of dollars.

htismaqe · 10-03-2012, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannibal

Im sick of this **** saying he needs to get better. He's speaking like he's a 2nd year player. He's been in the league over 7 seasons. He should be peaking at this point!

QFFT

FAX · 10-03-2012, 06:44 PM

Well, at least the subject is coming up in the Chiefs piss conferences ... that's progress, I suppose.

But, here's the part that really, really bugs me ... I mean, really, really bugs me ... with bugs ... really ...

"... I know as the quarterback of this team I’ve got to do a better job of taking care of the football. That comes first. I take full responsibility for that. We all need to take better care of the football ..."

He deploys this technique without fail. Every time it's obvious he's done something stupid and finally called out on it (usually having to do with turnovers or the inability to score or get a first down or something), he says, "I've got to do a better job ..." then without taking another breath he adds, "We all need to do a better job ..." (or whatever).

He always appends any mea culpa with an immediate blanket statement that "everybody" or "the whole team" or "we" screwed up.

It's peculiar and bothersome. I suppose as the quarterback, he's the de facto "leader" so it's appropriate for him to represent the entire team, but I don't hear other quarterbacks doing this. (Of course, maybe I just haven't paid much attention to other guys).

Anyhow, I would respect him a whole lot more if he were to take responsibility for his mistakes without mitigating his shortcomings by dragging everybody else into the mud hole he created as the worst offender on the entire team.

FAX

BillSelfsTrophycase · 10-03-2012, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R8ers

Your sig is disturbing man

It came from a Charger fan

No surprise

CoMoChief · 10-03-2012, 06:58 PM

"I have tunnel vision."

Probably the only thing I like about Cassel....at least he finally admits it, because it sure as **** shows on the field.

whoman69 · 10-03-2012, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Cassels biggest flaw is that he has ALWAYS played "scared".

Bingo. That might work for Stink Schlareth, but not for a QB.

saphojunkie · 10-03-2012, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Arrowhead

Nuff Said

Come at me, bro. Come at me. OH SHIT! PLEASE DON'T COME AT ME, BRO!

el borracho · 10-03-2012, 07:40 PM

Cassel to Teicher: "You can't play scared"
Teicher to Cassel: "You can't play"

Valiant · 10-03-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by listopencil

I would do exactly the same thing in that situation, but I'm not getting paid tens of millions of dollars.

Really?? Most QBs just step to the side when someone is coming at them and they see it.. I see it hundreds of times a season.. Just not from the Chiefs QB..

milkman · 10-03-2012, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el borracho

Cassel to Teicher: "You can't play scared"
Teicher to Cassel: "Your performance on the field perfect illustrates that "

FYP

**Easy 6** · 10-03-2012, 08:05 PM

Matt, **** you & all of the tired, trite sloganeering, dude.

You're not getting it done, you never WILL get it done... you're a very wealthy man no matter what happens, no sympathy needed... so please just go the **** away.

scho63 · 10-03-2012, 08:20 PM

When Cassel looks in the mirror everyday he sees Joe Montana, what he should see is Joe Pesci

**BossChief** · 10-03-2012, 08:33 PM

With all the "work" he puts in to "try to get better every day, grinding and trying to get better" how is it possible that he has not improved even a little since 2008?

Answer: he is a scared pussy and every defense knows it.

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-03-2012, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

Come at me, bro. Come at me. OH SHIT! PLEASE DON'T COME AT ME, BRO!

He was just protecting the ball.

The guy HATES turnovers.

suzzer99 · 10-03-2012, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R8ers

Your sig is disturbing man

What's disturbing is that any regular wouldn't hide sigs.

10-03-2012, 04:34 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $1032813	Teicher: Cassel on possibility of benching: ‘You can’t play scared’ Cassel on possibility of benching: ‘You can’t play scared’ By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Facing the biggest crisis of his career, Matt Cassel showed no weakness Wednesday when he answered questions about his tenuous hold on the Chiefs starting quarterback position. Cassel said if he fails in Sunday’s game against Baltimore, and the Chiefs have to replace him with Brady Quinn, it won’t be because of any lack of confidence. “Throughout my career I’ve always had ups and downs,” Cassel said. “Everybody knows that I’m a grinder. I’m going to go out and grind each and every day and I’m going to try to get better. “I try not to focus on what’s being said on the outside and I try to focus on how I can get better as a player. I know there’s room for improvement and I’m going to give everything I can to make those improvements and get better.” Coach Romeo Crennel has said that while Cassel will start against the Ravens, Quinn may at some point replace him. Crennel also suggested he might give Quinn some first-team snaps in practice, though Quinn said his workload didn’t increase Wednesday. “My reps have been the exact same as they had before,” Quinn said. Until this week, the Chiefs had shown unfailing loyalty to Cassel since trading for him in 2009. He was handpicked by general manager Scott Pioli, who was then new to the Chiefs and had worked with Cassel when they were together in New England. The Chiefs haven’t acquired a strong challenger to Cassel and there’s never been any suggestion he might get benched at any point in his four seasons. That changed this week with Crennel and the Chiefs facing desperate times. They are 1-3 and haven’t had a lead during a game yet. “I’m going to do what I think gives us the best chance to win,” Crennel said. “Hypotheticals about what if this happens or what if that happens, I don’t know what if anything happens. I’m going to wait until we get to the game and we’ll see what happens and then we’ll go forward.” Cassel’s play in no small factor in the Chiefs’ dismal record. His 10 turnovers are tied for the NFL high with Dallas quarterback Tony Romo. Cassel has had some rough times as Chiefs quarterback, most notably his first season as their starter in 2009 and a miserable ending to the 2010 season. His popularity in Kansas City among Chiefs fans has dipped — he was loudly booed during a celebrity softball game last summer at Kauffman Stadium — this is the first time Cassel’s play has been publicly questioned by someone affiliated with the Chiefs. Crennel met with Cassel this week to discuss the issue. “Matt is a professional,” Crennel said. “He takes it to heart. He understands we need to get better as a football team and we need to play better.” Cassel indicated he wouldn’t be distracted in his preparation or during Sunday’s game. “I don’t look over my shoulder,” he said. “You can’t do that. As a quarterback, you go out there and compete each and every day and you try to get better each and every day. For me, I don’t look over my shoulder. I just go out there and try to play my position. “You can’t play scared. You can’t play tentative. I have tunnel vision. I go out and try to get better each and every day. I know as the quarterback of this team I’ve got to do a better job of taking care of the football. That comes first. I take full responsibility for that. We all need to take better care of the football and if we do, then we’ll be in more of these football games and we’ll be a better football team because of it. It starts with me, like I’ve said. I’m working each and every day to get better and I will get better.” Quinn is familiar with the feeling. He was Cleveland’s starting quarterback for parts of the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Then he was traded to Denver, where he didn’t play in a game during either of the last two seasons. He then signed with the Chiefs in the spring, but hasn’t played in any of their four games. “That’s what you have to do,” Quinn said. “If you’re a quarterback a lot of times when things aren’t going well, you get more blame than you should and when you throw six touchdown passes, you get more credit than you should take.”
Posts: 42,015

10-03-2012, 06:44 PM	#33
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	Well, at least the subject is coming up in the Chiefs piss conferences ... that's progress, I suppose. But, here's the part that really, really bugs me ... I mean, really, really bugs me ... with bugs ... really ... "... I know as the quarterback of this team I’ve got to do a better job of taking care of the football. That comes first. I take full responsibility for that. We all need to take better care of the football ..." He deploys this technique without fail. Every time it's obvious he's done something stupid and finally called out on it (usually having to do with turnovers or the inability to score or get a first down or something), he says, "I've got to do a better job ..." then without taking another breath he adds, "We all need to do a better job ..." (or whatever). He always appends any mea culpa with an immediate blanket statement that "everybody" or "the whole team" or "we" screwed up. It's peculiar and bothersome. I suppose as the quarterback, he's the de facto "leader" so it's appropriate for him to represent the entire team, but I don't hear other quarterbacks doing this. (Of course, maybe I just haven't paid much attention to other guys). Anyhow, I would respect him a whole lot more if he were to take responsibility for his mistakes without mitigating his shortcomings by dragging everybody else into the mud hole he created as the worst offender on the entire team. FAX
Posts: 44,492

10-03-2012, 06:58 PM	#35
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $8062254	"I have tunnel vision." Probably the only thing I like about Cassel....at least he finally admits it, because it sure as **** shows on the field. __________________
Posts: 39,153

10-03-2012, 07:40 PM	#38
el borracho In Pat We Trust Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Albuquerque, NM Casino cash: $6499148	Cassel to Teicher: "You can't play scared" Teicher to Cassel: "You can't play"
Posts: 11,808

10-03-2012, 08:05 PM	#41
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $3847775	Matt, ** you & all of the tired, trite sloganeering, dude. You're not getting it done, you never WILL get it done... you're a very wealthy man no matter what happens, no sympathy needed... so please just go the ** away.
Posts: 91,559

10-03-2012, 08:20 PM	#42
scho63 Politically Incorrect Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Casino cash: $2891110	When Cassel looks in the mirror everyday he sees Joe Montana, what he should see is Joe Pesci __________________ *"The only difference between sex for free and sex for money is that sex for free costs you a WHOLE LOT more!"* ~Redd Foxx~ ~~2018 2019 2020 20212022 2023~~ 2024 Adopt a Chief - Clark Hunt and Brett Veach "The men who drafted Patrick Mahomes"
Posts: 50,390

10-03-2012, 08:33 PM	#43
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1974088	With all the "work" he puts in to "try to get better every day, grinding and trying to get better" how is it possible that he has not improved even a little since 2008? Answer: he is a scared pussy and every defense knows it.
Posts: 47,091

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