Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs plan to have competition for quarterback Cassel - Page 6

**Tribal Warfare** · 02-25-2012, 01:06 AM

Chiefs plan to have competition for quarterback Cassel
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Of the players who served as a backup quarterback for the Chiefs the last three seasons, none could be considered a serious candidate to take Matt Cassel’s starting job.

General manager Scott Pioli said he couldn’t promise the Chiefs would find a more significant challenge for Cassel this year. But he indicated that if the Chiefs failed, it wouldn’t be for a lack of trying.

Just as it wasn’t, Pioli said, the last three seasons.

“The answer is yes, there’s going to be competition at quarterback,” Pioli said Thursday at the NFL scouting combine. “But that doesn’t make it different from any other year. That’s not different from the past.

“I don’t think we haven’t tried (to bring in competition for Cassel). Part of it was circumstances. When we traded for Matt, he was coming to a program that had two starting quarterbacks here already. It’s easy to sit here now and say, ‘You can’t say player X wasn’t competition.’ That’s not fair. Look at it in the snapshot of that place and time. It certainly appeared there was going to be competition.”

Tyler Thigpen and Brodie Croyle were the Chiefs’ quarterbacks when they traded for Cassel three years ago. Neither has been a productive player since leaving the Chiefs.

Matt Gutierrez, Tyler Palko, Ricky Stanzi and Kyle Orton have been quarterbacks who have come, and in some cases gone, since.

Stanzi, who was drafted last year, is the only Chiefs quarterback other than Cassel under contract for next season. Orton played in four games for the Chiefs last season after Cassel injured his hand and was lost for the year.

“Last year, free-agency never started (until training camp),” Pioli said. “We had Matt on the roster. We had Tyler on the roster. We had Ricky, who we drafted. We didn’t draft someone high who was perceived as competition, but I’ll say this: I think Ricky is competition. Let’s not get lost in where a guy was drafted as to whether or not he’s a player. This league has shown time and time again at many positions, including this particular position, that where a player is drafted doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with how good he is or how good he becomes.

“You just don’t wave a wand and magically say, ‘There’s competition.’ We drafted a quarterback last year who I truly believe has good ability and has the potential to start in this league. I really do believe that.”

With only Cassel and Stanzi signed for 2012, the Chiefs will add at least one quarterback and probably two before training camp starts in July. Veteran possibilities include Peyton Manning, if he’s released by Indianapolis.

Two other free-agent possibilities are Chad Henne, who played for Miami last year with new Chiefs offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, and Jason Campbell, who played two seasons for Washington under Jim Zorn, now the Chiefs’ quarterbacks coach.

“You don’t know what’s going to happen in free-agency and you don’t know what you’re going to be able to get done,” Pioli said. “Quarterback seems to be one of those positions where there’s pretty good ones, veteran guys who are cut and have outpriced their role.

“So you don’t know about quarterbacks (in free-agency). You can’t create a person out of nothing. Availability and circumstances are (key factors in acquiring a quarterback). You can only work with the pool of players you can work with even though you might have certain intentions.”

The draft is another option for the Chiefs to add a quarterback.

“My hope and strong desire is to draft a quarterback every single year,” Pioli said. “There’s great value in that. Last year I didn’t know if we were going to draft (a quarterback) in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth round, but we ended up drafting a guy who a number of us really like and really think can be a starter in the National Football League.”

One of Pioli’s first moves after joining the Chiefs three years ago was to trade for Cassel, who was coming off a strong season as a starter for New England. Cassel had a big season for the Chiefs in 2010, when he made the Pro Bowl.

Otherwise, he has struggled to fulfill Pioli’s vision for him. Last year, the Chiefs struggled at the start after losing running back Jamaal Charles and tight end Tony Moeaki for the season with injuries.

Cassel’s season ended after nine games because of the broken hand.

“In 2010, Matt was certainly on his way to becoming that player, on his way to becoming a good NFL quarterback,” Pioli said. “He was winning games and he was producing and he was a reason good things were happening.

“This past year was a tough set of circumstances to measure and evaluate his progress. I don’t ever want to make excuses for a team or a player, but playing without one of the best young running backs in the National Football League and playing without one of the

Titty Meat · 02-25-2012, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Gunther didn't even name names like Romeo did and he did it in a random interview.

He just said that if Kansas City releases a couple if his old players that he would love to have them.

He lost a 7th rounder for that and had to swap fifths with us as punishment.

Romeo apparently went in front of a lot of reporters at the combine and said he would love to sign Peyton if he got released.

Peyton is still an employee of Indy.

I'd be willing to bet that we lose a pick for this that is something like a 4th rounder and that we don't even sign Manning.

They better ****ing sign him then.

bricks · 02-25-2012, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

Just goes to show how stupid this franchise is.

I don't think its their fault.

They are caught in a trap.

Fescoe is a douche for opening his mouth.

We all know how the media is, they want to make a story out of everything.
This, to me, is an example of trying to dig for as much info as possible out of the organization in an attempt to intensify rumours and float sh*t around.

Its quite obvious that the Chiefs are trying to dodge around this thing as much as they can.

RustShack · 02-25-2012, 03:02 PM

I do enjoy this so much. Everyone talks about how God awful Cassel is like hes the worst QB in the league, but then just downtalks all the other QB's hes had "competition" with even though at one point everyone here loved either Croyle or Thigpen.

Also fail to recognize we haven't been in a position to bring in a QB better than Cassel yet.

But I understand. Grass is always greener on the other side, and blind reerun rabble rabble hate.

**BossChief** · 02-25-2012, 03:04 PM

If we end up signing PM, I really don't care if we get a penalty for tampering...but after reports of us already talking money with his agent and then Romeo making this mistake....we almost assuredly will get a pick taken from us.

It BETTER be worth it.

FAX · 02-25-2012, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bricks

I don't think its their fault.

They are caught in a trap.

Fescoe is a douche for opening his mouth.

We all know how the media is, they want to make a story out of everything.
This, to me, is an example of trying to dig for as much info as possible out of the organization in an attempt to intensify rumours and float sh*t around.

Its quite obvious that the Chiefs are trying to dodge around this thing as much as they can.

I don't know, Mr. bricks. The media are always asking questions designed to elicit information they don't currently possess. That's kind of what they do ... or, more accurately, what they're supposed to do.

Crennel could have said, "We all know what the NFL rules are and I won't comment on any individual player. But, we'll be active in free agency just as everyone else and that doesn't exclude any position or potential player."

Done. No tampering. No problem.

One would think that Dr. Evil has explained to Crennel that any public discussion of another team's player is off-limits.

FAX

BoneKrusher · 02-25-2012, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

If we end up signing PM, I really don't care if we get a penalty for tampering...but after reports of us already talking money with his agent and then Romeo making this mistake....we almost assuredly will get a pick taken from us.

It BETTER be worth it.

to get Peyton, i'd give half the draft.
(assuming Manning is anything close to his play over the last 10 years.) and and it means we're getting rid of Castle.

ChiefRocka · 02-25-2012, 03:43 PM

Call me a forward thinker but maybe this is part of the incentive for Indy to release Manning for us??

Okie_Apparition · 02-25-2012, 04:03 PM

Crennel talks Manning, RG3 and other QBs

February, 25, 2012 Feb 254:35PM ET
By Bill Williamson

INDIANAPOLIS -- On Friday, Kansas City Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli said that the team’s quarterback job is not open and Matt Cassel is the starter.

However, Pioli said, there will be competition at the position.

Saturday, Kansas City coach Romeo Crennel also said that Cassel is the starter. But he made it clear that the team will explore all options.

Most interestingly, Crennel made it clear that if a certain future first-ballot Hall of Famer who resides in this city becomes available, the Chiefs coach will then become interested in him. Crennel acknowledged the league’s tampering rules, but he did say this when asked if he’d have interest in Peyton Manning if he is cut by the Colts as expected: “With a talent like that, I would be crazy not to consider it if he’s available. I’ll leave it at that.”

There was a report out of Kansas City that said the Chiefs have already talked to Manning’s agent. That is against league rules. The Chiefs do, though, have the financial means to sign Manning. Friday, Pioli did not address the subject because of the tampering rules.

Friday night, Crennel said the Chiefs talked to the three top quarterback prospects, Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Ryan Tannehill. The interviews with Luck and Griffin were likely due diligence efforts because the Chiefs won't be in position to draft either man. Tannehill will likely be available in the second half of the first round, so Kansas City, which has the No. 11 pick, could potentially trade down and get him. Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler said he met with the Chiefs. He is likely to be taken in the second or third round.

Crennel raved about Griffin and said the time with the Baylor player was “special.”

Like Pioli, Crennel said the team would like to have Kyle Orton back. Crennel made Orton the starter when he took over as the interim coach in Week 15. The Chiefs were 2-1. Once again, Crennel credited Orton for helping him get the permanent job.

I get the feeling -- and it is just a feeling -- that Crennel would like to re-sign Orton and give him every opportunity to beat out Cassel.

Crennel did acknowledge that the relationship between new Kansas City offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and Miami free agent Chad Henne could make Henne a potential target if he hits free agency. Daboll was the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator last year.

Don’t discount the possibility of Brady Quinn being a backup option in Kansas City. The free agent played for Crennel in Cleveland.

There are a lot of moving parts in Kansas City at this position and it will be fascinating to see how it all plays out.

**007** · 02-25-2012, 04:09 PM

If RAC Cleveland Browns this team I will be so ****ing pissed. That would show that he didn't learn a god damned thing from his failure there.

boogblaster · 02-25-2012, 04:14 PM

bye casshole .. hello anybody else ......

Bewbies · 02-25-2012, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

If RAC Cleveland Browns this team I will be so ****ing pissed. That would show that he didn't learn a god damned thing from his failure there.

My bro-in-law is a die hard Browns fan. What he says is the signature of a RC team is lack of discipline. He hated him, but admits that his roster was shit while he was there...

Extra Point · 02-25-2012, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Excuses excuses for the golden boy.

Whats this years excuses gonna be?

"Well, we got a little screwed in that it was a little too cold on some of the Sundays, then warm the next week. Thats tough on anyone".

New Arrowhead in Olathe?

Titty Meat · 02-25-2012, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoneKrusher

to get Peyton, i'd give half the draft.
(assuming Manning is anything close to his play over the last 10 years.) and and it means we're getting rid of Castle.

whoman69 · 02-25-2012, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustShack

I do enjoy this so much. Everyone talks about how God awful Cassel is like hes the worst QB in the league, but then just downtalks all the other QB's hes had "competition" with even though at one point everyone here loved either Croyle or Thigpen.

Also fail to recognize we haven't been in a position to bring in a QB better than Cassel yet.

But I understand. Grass is always greener on the other side, and blind reerun rabble rabble hate.

So much fail in this post. There have been other options, we just haven't taken them. The fact that Palko was the prime competition for Cassel last year shows how deeply he has been entrenched. In many ways, he is the worst QB in the league. Even in his best season here, the Chiefs were 30th in passing yards. He's below average in YPA, completion % and in avoiding sacks. All that points to a big pile of suck. The only blind reerun rabble is you pretending that all the if only's in his career are just excuses.

qabbaan · 02-25-2012, 05:43 PM

Under no circumstance will there be true competition. Either the job will be Cassel's or it will be Manning's. In either case there will be no question about it

02-25-2012, 01:06 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $902813	Teicher: Chiefs plan to have competition for quarterback Cassel Chiefs plan to have competition for quarterback Cassel By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Of the players who served as a backup quarterback for the Chiefs the last three seasons, none could be considered a serious candidate to take Matt Cassel’s starting job. General manager Scott Pioli said he couldn’t promise the Chiefs would find a more significant challenge for Cassel this year. But he indicated that if the Chiefs failed, it wouldn’t be for a lack of trying. Just as it wasn’t, Pioli said, the last three seasons. “The answer is yes, there’s going to be competition at quarterback,” Pioli said Thursday at the NFL scouting combine. “But that doesn’t make it different from any other year. That’s not different from the past. “I don’t think we haven’t tried (to bring in competition for Cassel). Part of it was circumstances. When we traded for Matt, he was coming to a program that had two starting quarterbacks here already. It’s easy to sit here now and say, ‘You can’t say player X wasn’t competition.’ That’s not fair. Look at it in the snapshot of that place and time. It certainly appeared there was going to be competition.” Tyler Thigpen and Brodie Croyle were the Chiefs’ quarterbacks when they traded for Cassel three years ago. Neither has been a productive player since leaving the Chiefs. Matt Gutierrez, Tyler Palko, Ricky Stanzi and Kyle Orton have been quarterbacks who have come, and in some cases gone, since. Stanzi, who was drafted last year, is the only Chiefs quarterback other than Cassel under contract for next season. Orton played in four games for the Chiefs last season after Cassel injured his hand and was lost for the year. “Last year, free-agency never started (until training camp),” Pioli said. “We had Matt on the roster. We had Tyler on the roster. We had Ricky, who we drafted. We didn’t draft someone high who was perceived as competition, but I’ll say this: I think Ricky is competition. Let’s not get lost in where a guy was drafted as to whether or not he’s a player. This league has shown time and time again at many positions, including this particular position, that where a player is drafted doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with how good he is or how good he becomes. “You just don’t wave a wand and magically say, ‘There’s competition.’ We drafted a quarterback last year who I truly believe has good ability and has the potential to start in this league. I really do believe that.” With only Cassel and Stanzi signed for 2012, the Chiefs will add at least one quarterback and probably two before training camp starts in July. Veteran possibilities include Peyton Manning, if he’s released by Indianapolis. Two other free-agent possibilities are Chad Henne, who played for Miami last year with new Chiefs offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, and Jason Campbell, who played two seasons for Washington under Jim Zorn, now the Chiefs’ quarterbacks coach. “You don’t know what’s going to happen in free-agency and you don’t know what you’re going to be able to get done,” Pioli said. “Quarterback seems to be one of those positions where there’s pretty good ones, veteran guys who are cut and have outpriced their role. “So you don’t know about quarterbacks (in free-agency). You can’t create a person out of nothing. Availability and circumstances are (key factors in acquiring a quarterback). You can only work with the pool of players you can work with even though you might have certain intentions.” The draft is another option for the Chiefs to add a quarterback. “My hope and strong desire is to draft a quarterback every single year,” Pioli said. “There’s great value in that. Last year I didn’t know if we were going to draft (a quarterback) in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth round, but we ended up drafting a guy who a number of us really like and really think can be a starter in the National Football League.” One of Pioli’s first moves after joining the Chiefs three years ago was to trade for Cassel, who was coming off a strong season as a starter for New England. Cassel had a big season for the Chiefs in 2010, when he made the Pro Bowl. Otherwise, he has struggled to fulfill Pioli’s vision for him. Last year, the Chiefs struggled at the start after losing running back Jamaal Charles and tight end Tony Moeaki for the season with injuries. Cassel’s season ended after nine games because of the broken hand. “In 2010, Matt was certainly on his way to becoming that player, on his way to becoming a good NFL quarterback,” Pioli said. “He was winning games and he was producing and he was a reason good things were happening. “This past year was a tough set of circumstances to measure and evaluate his progress. I don’t ever want to make excuses for a team or a player, but playing without one of the best young running backs in the National Football League and playing without one of the
Posts: 42,081

02-25-2012, 03:02 PM	#78
RustShack **** That Noise Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Jack Trice Casino cash: $4686954	I do enjoy this so much. Everyone talks about how God awful Cassel is like hes the worst QB in the league, but then just downtalks all the other QB's hes had "competition" with even though at one point everyone here loved either Croyle or Thigpen. Also fail to recognize we haven't been in a position to bring in a QB better than Cassel yet. But I understand. Grass is always greener on the other side, and blind reerun rabble rabble hate. __________________
Posts: 15,049

02-25-2012, 03:04 PM	#79
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1864088	If we end up signing PM, I really don't care if we get a penalty for tampering...but after reports of us already talking money with his agent and then Romeo making this mistake....we almost assuredly will get a pick taken from us. It BETTER be worth it. __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,129

02-25-2012, 03:43 PM	#82
ChiefRocka Veteran Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: DE Casino cash: $9785019	Call me a forward thinker but maybe this is part of the incentive for Indy to release Manning for us??
Posts: 3,805

02-25-2012, 04:03 PM	#83
Okie_Apparition Banned Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: floatin cobwebs n the sky Casino cash: $10004900	I'll Q this here because there are QB names I've not heard attached to the Chiefs Crennel talks Manning, RG3 and other QBs February, 25, 2012 Feb 254:35PM ET By Bill Williamson INDIANAPOLIS -- On Friday, Kansas City Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli said that the team’s quarterback job is not open and Matt Cassel is the starter. However, Pioli said, there will be competition at the position. Saturday, Kansas City coach Romeo Crennel also said that Cassel is the starter. But he made it clear that the team will explore all options. Most interestingly, Crennel made it clear that if a certain future first-ballot Hall of Famer who resides in this city becomes available, the Chiefs coach will then become interested in him. Crennel acknowledged the league’s tampering rules, but he did say this when asked if he’d have interest in Peyton Manning if he is cut by the Colts as expected: “With a talent like that, I would be crazy not to consider it if he’s available. I’ll leave it at that.” There was a report out of Kansas City that said the Chiefs have already talked to Manning’s agent. That is against league rules. The Chiefs do, though, have the financial means to sign Manning. Friday, Pioli did not address the subject because of the tampering rules. Friday night, Crennel said the Chiefs talked to the three top quarterback prospects, Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Ryan Tannehill. The interviews with Luck and Griffin were likely due diligence efforts because the Chiefs won't be in position to draft either man. Tannehill will likely be available in the second half of the first round, so Kansas City, which has the No. 11 pick, could potentially trade down and get him. Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler said he met with the Chiefs. He is likely to be taken in the second or third round. Crennel raved about Griffin and said the time with the Baylor player was “special.” Like Pioli, Crennel said the team would like to have Kyle Orton back. Crennel made Orton the starter when he took over as the interim coach in Week 15. The Chiefs were 2-1. Once again, Crennel credited Orton for helping him get the permanent job. I get the feeling -- and it is just a feeling -- that Crennel would like to re-sign Orton and give him every opportunity to beat out Cassel. Crennel did acknowledge that the relationship between new Kansas City offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and Miami free agent Chad Henne could make Henne a potential target if he hits free agency. Daboll was the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator last year. Don’t discount the possibility of Brady Quinn being a backup option in Kansas City. The free agent played for Crennel in Cleveland. There are a lot of moving parts in Kansas City at this position and it will be fascinating to see how it all plays out.
Posts: 7,012

02-25-2012, 04:09 PM	#84
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $14060126 VARSITY	If RAC Cleveland Browns this team I will be so ****ing pissed. That would show that he didn't learn a god damned thing from his failure there.
Posts: 65,554

02-25-2012, 04:14 PM	#85
boogblaster MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Verdigris Valley Campsite Casino cash: $10004900	bye casshole .. hello anybody else ...... __________________ WR or S please
Posts: 10,305

02-25-2012, 05:43 PM	#90
qabbaan Veteran Join Date: Jan 2012 Casino cash: $10004900	Under no circumstance will there be true competition. Either the job will be Cassel's or it will be Manning's. In either case there will be no question about it
Posts: 2,973