Cassel Succeeds Despite Chiefs

[Hammock Parties]

http://kan.scout.com/2/890791.html

Now you know why Scott Pioli decided Matt Cassel was worth a second-round draft choice and $63 million of Hunt money. He can make the best out of a horrible situation and look pretty calm doing it, as if it was business as usual. You saw it Friday night against the Minnesota Vikings.

Honestly, I hate to impugn the 10 other Chiefs who lined up with Cassel for a half. Football is the ultimate team game. But there’s no question about it – Cassel was the driving force. He was the engine that made the offense go, that directed two scoring drives.

The rest of his teammates? They tried to throw a monkey wrench into the machine more often than not.

On the first play from scrimmage, tight end Sean Ryan horribly blew a block on Minnesota’s Ray Edwards while Cassel carried out a play fake. But the Chiefs got a first down because Cassel had both the presence of mind to avoid Edwards and the burst to outrun Chad Greenway to the sticks.

One snap later, Mike Goff let Kevin Williams blow right past him and straight into his quarterback’s face. Not only did Cassel dodge Williams, he ducked under a Fred Evans tackle attempt and managed to ignore Ben Leber sprinting at him, hitting tight end Jake O’Connell for a first down. Oh, why was O’Connell open? Because Leber left coverage to try and stop the scrambling quarterback.

At this point, the Chiefs were past midfield with a promising drive going. After a dive play was stuffed and Jamaal Charles fumbled, any hope of a score was completely snuffed out, of course. Cassel can't do everything.

On the Chiefs’ next drive, Cassel fired a pass down the field towards Dwayne Bowe. It was fairly obvious the ball was thrown right where it needed to be – had it been thrown further to the outside, it was an easy interception for Antoine Winfield. But Bowe slowed his route coming out of the break and the ball sailed through the window, in and out of the hands of a safety backing up the play. Snaps like that may be why Bowe still hasn’t started a game this season.

But that’s OK – on the next play, Cassel was forced to run again, this time because of Edwards (Barry Richardson’s man). The progression of the play was blown, but as he ran, Cassel not only kept his eyes downfield, he sucked up the coverage and hit Bowe in stride for another first down.

There was some issue on this play as to whether or not Cassel was over the line of scrimmage. Perhaps he was. But what’s good enough for John Elway is good enough for another guy wearing #7. A few plays later, after Cassel ran around and completed another pass, the Chiefs got on the board with a field goal.

Later, the Chiefs had a third-and-15 after Devard Darling dropped a pass and Barry Richardson was flagged for a false start (two more monkey wrenches). The Vikings pushed the pocket right into Cassel’s face, but he acted as if he were standing alone in the middle of the Metrodome and hit Charles in stride for a first down. Of course the drive was doomed by a penalty and two sacks on the next series of downs. Cassel can’t do everything.

Alright, I’ll guess I’ll give credit to Larry Johnson for an 18-yard burst and Quinten Lawrence for a 14-yard end around. It’s amazing what happens when the Chiefs run the ball a little – Cassel leads a touchdown drive.

We probably shouldn’t be too hard on the Chiefs’ offensive line and running backs. After all, it was just a week ago that the Vikings got to Peyton Manning and the Colts in the worst way. Manning was sacked three times in five dropbacks. The Colts didn’t crack the end zone and totaled just 142 yards of offense for the entire game.

What the Chiefs did – or rather, what Cassel did, mostly - looks impressive by comparison. Think about this – what happens if Damon Huard, Brodie Croyle or Tyler Thigpen are under center? Most likely, Huard curls up into a little ball as Minnesota’s pass rush crushes him like a tsunami and Croyle leaves the game after something else breaks. Thigpen, while desperately looking for Tony Gonzalez, would likely escape only to chuck the ball into the ground, at a fan or a defensive back.

I could go on, talk about how Cassel was constantly turning his head, going through his progressions like a robot and throwing with consistent accuracy, but you get the idea. It’s nothing new, however. It’s all on tape, 16 games of it, from a year ago in New England. It’s the same player, doing the same things, leading his team down the field and into the end zone.

Oh, and speaking of New England, there was one other monkey wrench in the machine Friday night – the Chiefs placed Randy Moss and Wes Welker on their inactive list. Cassel looked totally helpless without them, didn’t he?


Richardson’s Opportunity

I could probably write an entire column about the disappointing play of right tackle Barry Richardson, but a blurb will do for now. Rarely, if ever, do you actually see an attached blurb in this space, but this is a special situation.

In River Falls this past week, Richardson received extensive snaps with the first-team offensive line. The Chiefs, like most of us, apparently aren’t huge Damion McIntosh fans, and knowing the youth, size and talent Richardson brings to the table, decided to give him an opportunity by starting him against the Vikings.

I’m no offensive line coach, but it’s doubtful Richardson impressed his too much Friday night. The Chiefs were counting on him to be the point man as they ran to the strong side in the first half, but all you really have to do is look at the box score – apart from one burst from Larry Johnson, KC’s running game ran into a brick wall and fell down, dazed.

When the Chiefs ran a stretch play on Johnson’s first carry, Richardson couldn’t seal Ray Edwards to the inside. Guess who dumped LJ for a two-yard loss? Edwards. Later, NFL Network’s Mike Mayock commented on how Richardson’s inability to pin Edwards to the inside made Johnson cut a run back up inside, into pursuit.

In pass protection, it was pretty clear Richardson struggled with Edwards’ speed. Cassel constantly had to step up in the pocket to avoid pressure to his right. But Edwards, who is only 268 pounds, even managed to embarrass Richardson with pure brute strength.

On the play in question, the Chiefs were in third and long, with an empty backfield. After setting up well initially, Richardson went flying and landed on his side after one well-timed shove from Edwards. Fortunately for Richardson, his quarterback was throwing the ball as this happened.

There were other things to dislike – Richardson had a false start, and looked a little slow getting off the ball on certain snaps. Immediately after Richardson was replaced by McIntosh in the second quarter, Johnson ripped off an 18-yard gain and the Chiefs scored a touchdown a few plays later.

Gee, I wonder why?

What happens if Richardson has to block Shawne Merriman? Yikes.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by banyon

Well this first sentence doesn't make any sense. Pioli decided to get Cassel because he saw that he could make the best of a bad situation?

"Cassel- Yeah, I'm 2nd string on one of the top offenses in NFL history and have two pro bowl receivers, I'm going to try to make the bestof this bad situation. Oh, Brady went down. Well I'd rather holeup in the locker room with a bottle of Jack Daniels, but I'll see if I can make it work"

"Pioli- Wow, watch that kid make the best of a bad situation, chucking it up to Randy Moss and Wes Welker. After I sign with the Chiefs, I'm going to have an extra-bad situation, it's good that I've seen Cassel perform under these adverse conditions because I know that he'll do the same in Arrowhead with one of the league's worst offenses."

Banyon, with all due respect. Let's look at the flip side of your argument. What you are saying is that any or most QB's could or should have performed 'great' with that supporting cast in NE.

Respectfully, I disagree . E.G. You take the Chiefs of the early to mid 90's-all that supporting talent on both sides of the ball but average QBs in Deberg and Krieg. Montana was great for a time but past his prime with the Chiefs-only to show a glimpse of past brilliance on a Monday night against the Broncos). Deberg and Krieg could not get past their mediocrity and Marty for that matter.

The positive I see with MC is he not only performed well given a great supporting cast but towards the end of last season was performing 'great' IMO. Bottom line: When given the great cast MC took advantage of this great cast and actually got better as the season went along. What you worry about is when a QB stays mediocre with a great cast around him(ala Tavaris Jackson-Vikes). 3 examples(Deberg,Krieg and Jackson) and many more I'm sure if I took the time think about them.

Look how well MC played against the Vikes with at best mediocre O-line and still was able to move the ball and score. This shows you his potential greatness against a top rated D (granted 1 of the Williams boys and Allen didn't play but still you are talking the Vikes D) MC will be a top 3 QB in 2yrs and will be in the top 10 this yr IMO.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

Wtf??? You watched every play of the first half of a preseason game, sometimes 7 or 8 times??????

Jason, you too? And you aren't on the Kansas City Chiefs coaching staff?

Ok, you people need a ****ing life.
Posted via Mobile Device

damn man i think i have a pretty good lfe, i watched the game with my daughters and my wife, they dont know too much about football and watching the plays let them get a feel for the game AND let ME see specific players and how they are doing their jobs. i also have many friends own my own business spent the night last night out of town with the wife and three other couples had a REAL good time. AT LEAST im not hung up on some woman that screwed me over at some point in my life like you. maybe you are the one that needs to GET A LIFE.


EDIT: and you had it wrong it wasnt just the first half, it was the whole game

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by Sully

When I read your name, all I can think of is Twiki from Buck Rogers.

We pardon the interruption of this thread for a great reason to post a pic of Erin Gray, who initiated many a young-boy fantasy for yours truly. Thanks for the memories, Erin. And the sticky sheets.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by JD10367

We pardon the interruption of this thread for a great reason to post a pic of Erin Gray, who initiated many a young-boy fantasy for yours truly. Thanks for the memories, Erin. And the sticky sheets.

"BDBDBD"!

[Pioli Zombie]

Originally Posted by KCBOSS1

I don't know that Brodie wouldn't do the same thing with a much stronger, capable arm. But Cassel has a really good touch and throwing on the run and laying it out there smooth is tough. Brodie has a tendency stick it in their throat from 10 yards. I was impressed yesterday. I would still like to see him sling a little more, but smart with the ball is good. I was impressed.

When will people ****ing understand the most important ingrediant of what makes a great QB is not arm strength? Jeff George had arm strength. More than Montana or Brady.
Football smarts, pocket presence, leadership, poise, toughness,determination and a decent arm means more than who can throw the ball through a wall.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Pioli Zombie]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

damn man i think i have a pretty good lfe, i watched the game with my daughters and my wife, they dont know too much about football and watching the plays let them get a feel for the game AND let ME see specific players and how they are doing their jobs. i also have many friends own my own business spent the night last night out of town with the wife and three other couples had a REAL good time. AT LEAST im not hung up on some woman that screwed me over at some point in my life like you. maybe you are the one that needs to GET A LIFE.


EDIT: and you had it wrong it wasnt just the first half, it was the whole game

Your wife and friends watched the game 7 or 8 times with you? Because that's what you said.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

When will people ****ing understand the most important ingrediant of what makes a great QB is not arm strength? Jeff George had arm strength. More than Montana or Brady.
Football smarts, pocket presence, leadership, poise, toughness,determination and a decent arm means more than who can throw the ball through a wall.
Posted via Mobile Device

I agree, and class is in session tomorrow evening.

(take a deep breath, I'm just ****in' with ya')

[Pioli Zombie]

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

I agree, and class is in session tomorrow evening.

(take a deep breath, I'm just ****in' with ya')

That's right! Jets on MNF. Jesus riding in on the donkey
Posted via Mobile Device

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

That's right! Jets on MNF. Jesus riding in on the donkey
Posted via Mobile Device

Oh, you should see some of the NY Press; they can't WAIT to turn this kid in to a cult of personality. I hope has a good showing tomorrow, he's gonna' need it to sustain the NY hype-machine.

[Pioli Zombie]

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

Oh, you should see some of the NY Press; they can't WAIT to turn this kid in to a cult of personality. I hope has a good showing tomorrow, he's gonna' need it to sustain the NY hype-machine.

Well at least he doesn't have a tough act to follow. If he has a lot of tipped passes and stupid interceptions they can call him the next Favre.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

Well at least he doesn't have a tough act to follow. If he has a lot of tipped passes and stupid interceptions they can call him the next Favre.
Posted via Mobile Device

Favre was intercepted three times.

By the astro-turf.

ASTRO-TURF FTW!!!

[Pioli Zombie]

Did you ever see the sack last year Adalius Thomas had in NY when he sacked Favre AND the running back trying to block him? He just threw both of them to the ground. Favre had a terrified look on his face. Hilarious.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Psyko Tek]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

that is an excellent point

....opportunity costs don't show up in the box score....you see poor running stats and assume there were no holes, but in the case of Blind Larry Johnson...

not having watched it closely i'll take your more hopeful (than mine) assessment of richardson's performance...

BLJ


blues singer

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

Did you ever see the sack last year Adalius Thomas had in NY when he sacked Favre AND the running back trying to block him? He just threw both of them to the ground. Favre had a terrified look on his face. Hilarious.
Posted via Mobile Device

That's awesome.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by banyon

Well this first sentence doesn't make any sense. Pioli decided to get Cassel because he saw that he could make the best of a bad situation?

Sure. The Patriots had protection problems last year. Cassel frequently had to run.

I am sure the fact that Cassel can make a play when things break down factored into Pioli's decision.