Cassel and Whitlock = BFF's

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Sorry if repost:

Let the hate begin!

Posted on Tue, May. 26, 2009
I’m starting to get cold feet about Cassel
JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY

If this is an audition, it’s a very expensive one.

When Scott Pioli struck the deal for Tom Brady understudy Matt Cassel, the experts lauded Pioli for acquiring the one-year wonder for such a “reasonable” price, a second-round pick.

Three months later — with Cassel still unsigned to a long-term deal — the price tag is losing quite a bit of its discount value. In fact, you could argue that Cassel inked a rather generous prenuptial agreement and Bill Belichick unloaded a potential headache.

It appears the Chiefs have little interest in signing Matt Cassel to a long-term contract before the start of the season. Or, more likely, Pioli lost interest in signing Cassel to a long-term contract once Kansas City’s first-time general manager learned Cassel and agent David Dunn’s asking price.

Given Cassel’s and Pioli’s New England relationship, I just assumed when the Chiefs traded for Cassel, the parameters of a long-term deal were agreed upon before the trade. I assumed wrong. Or, more likely, Cassel and Dunn elevated their contract demands after perusing the Chiefs’ roster and salary-cap situation.

The Chiefs have enough salary-cap room to house, feed, clothe and entertain most of Canada. And Kansas City’s current offensive personnel would make any rational QB demand hazardous-work pay.

Whatever the cause, Pioli and Dunn can’t agree on Cassel’s worth. The rumor around the Loch Lloyd golf course is the Cassels are renting, not buying.

Can you really blame them in this economy and with a fickle housing market?

But whom should we blame for this expensive experiment?

As of right now, Cassel is scheduled to earn nearly $15 million for the 2009 season. That’s his franchise-tag number.

Had we known in February that Cassel would cost $15 million and a second-round pick for one season of play, would we still regard his acquisition as a wise move?

Of course, if he plays lights-out and proves that his one good, Randy Moss-Wes Welker-fueled season was no fluke, no one will complain about the acquisition price and no one will care what the Chiefs have to pay next season to keep him.

The problem is, I just can’t imagine him putting together a magnificent or even solid season in 2009.

Tony Gonzalez is gone. Larry Johnson is still here. Brian Waters is somewhere brooding. The Chiefs drafted a bunch of defensive linemen.

The way Pioli has assembled offensive talent (36-year-old Bobby Engram is the big-ticket free-agent signing) makes me believe he’s negotiating with Dunn and Cassel.

No offense to Cassel, but he’s a college and NFL bench-warmer who had the luxury of playing quarterback alongside the greatest offensive force (Moss) the league has seen since Jim Brown.

Last season Cassel stepped into a moving vehicle and did a good job of not running off the road. Kansas City’s offense has been stuck in neutral since Dick Vermeil left. And now the one reliable tire left on KC’s car moved to Atlanta.

This smells like 15 TDs and 20 interceptions, doesn’t it? Or maybe seven TDs, 12 interceptions and a season-ending injury halfway through the season.

It’s not even June, and I can already hear the Tyler Thigpen chants in the distance. By October, the talk-radio shows will be filled with Grbac-Gannon analogies.

The official Vegas over-under line on when I’ll write my first Jeff George column is Oct. 3. I’m playing the under if you must know.

For the record, my official position is I’d prefer to see the Chiefs draft and develop a quarterback. The Chiefs keep trying to convert backups — even Joe Montana was Steve Young’s backup in San Fran — into Super Bowl quarterbacks.

You ever break up with a girlfriend/boyfriend, date their best friend and then complain about the same problems? It’s stupid. It’s just as stupid to keep dating the exact same quarterback.

Most backup quarterbacks are backups for a good reason. They don’t marinate on the bench for eight years waiting to be discovered.

My problem with Cassel is he didn’t transfer out of USC when he was stuck behind Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart. The great ones generally have massive egos that can’t be satisfied riding the pine.

Man, I hope I’m wrong about this $15 million audition.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by The Bronco Rob

Orton takes over the 2nd ranked offense in the NFL

cassel takes over the 26th ranked offense WHO BTW lost their best weapon in Tony Gonzalez...


hehheheheeee

And again, it's hilarious that you think losing a TE is a big deal.

And yet you don't think it's a big deal that you lost an entire offensive coaching staff and a 4,500 yard passer.

The Chiefs upgraded their coaching staff and QB position. Those two are very hard to deny.

It will be very hard for McDaniels to live up to Shanahan, no matter how good he is. And it is very doubtful that Orton comes even remotely close to 4,500 yards.

But again... you're right. The Broncos' #2 offensive ranking had nothing to do with Shanahan or Cutler.

[Halfcan]

I actually liked this article-the cap room we have and the people we have got-just dont match. We won 2 fuggin games and lost to the Faders at home-what in hell are we saving money under Clarks matress for?????

Cassell will be running for his life this year. With us signing Zero talent to help him out and Not fixing the O line-it makes it look like they are setting him up (which would be reeruned)-and I think that is what JWit is saying.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by The Bronco Rob

What on earth does Cutler have to do with cassel?

cassel played on a team that went 18-0 the season before & went to the Superbowl...

The Broncos did have the 2nd ranked offense in the NFL last season...

What don't you understand?

The Pats put up that record with one of the best players and highest level of play and execution in NFL history. It would have been difficult for them to repeat that success even with Brady. To try and knock Cassel by basically saying he's not as good as Brady is pretty dumb. Pretty much every QB is going to fall short in that regard. Cassel hadn't started a game in 8 years, but in the 2nd half of the season he was playing at a pretty high level himself.

The Broncos had the 2nd ranked offese last season....with Jay Cutler running the show and helping keep his team in games. Ole neckbeard is not capable of doing that even with all those "weapons". A game manager without the luxury of a defense is not going to be pretty.

[Halfcan]

by screwing the Cheatin Donks out of Cutler-the Cassel trade was worth it

[TEX]

Had we known in February that Cassel would cost $15 million and a second-round pick for one season of play, would we still regard his acquisition as a wise move?

IMO, he's right about this point. When we made the trade, this concerned me as well. I assumed that a long term deal was in the works. Our offense is gonna BLOW so if I were in his shoes, I'd want BIG BUCKS too.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

by screwing the Cheatin Donks out of Cutler-the Cassel trade was worth it

You know - you're right! I never thought of it that way.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by TEX

You know - you're right! I never thought of it that way.

that is twice a year we don't have to hear comparisons about ****ler and Horseface.

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by notorious

Ah Hell. We have a one year deal to see what Cassel has. Reading debate between Brady and Cassel has lowered my already low IQ into the negative. Brady is a HOFer, Cassel is a flash in the pants SO FAR. Based on the history of similar situations with backups signing with other teams, I am not expecting much from Cassel.


PLEASE stop comparing the two. Brady went 16-0 with the team that Cassel filled in on. There is NO comparison between the two.

If that's really what you think of him we got ripped off because we gave up a 2nd round pick and also passed on a QB.

[Chiefaholic]

I swear that the collective IQ's of all the Bronco fans in this thread wouldn't equal that of a kid in Special Ed class. Are you REALLY that stupid, or just ignore the obvious in a weak attempt to stir up crap?

I don't think there's a Chief fan out there who believes Cassel will come in here next year tear up opposing defenses. We have multiple issues that need addressed which can't be addressed in one offseason. The lack of pass protection, combined with the lack of a recieving threat outside Bowe doesn't bode well for Cassel. If Matt can finish the season healthy and average stats, I'de be ecstatic. Give the guy better protection and at least one more legitimate offensive weapon to throw to, I believe he can be another Trent Green type of prospect.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by The Bronco Rob

The matt cassel situation is nothing more than mere speculation...

A red herring at best....

the only interest with cassel was with his familiarity of the Amoeba Offense.

Cause lets face it...

With all the offesive weapons in Denver any QB will do at this point.

When you finally go back home to your hut on the Nile River, go swimming with an AIDS Crocodile, please.

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

Man, I'm not even a Chiefs fan.

Oh how lucky we are to get so many non-Chiefs fans on this board.

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by beach tribe

Uhhh Gannon marinated on the bench before emerging.

And stop me if I'm wrong, but I hope they don't sign his ass this season. He's not gonna have that great of a season, and his price is coming down after it.

I wouldn't even be negotiating with him right now. Give him his 15 mil, and see what he's got. Are we even above the Cap floor??

This here.

Why would they even really want to sign him to a long-term contract for big money? See if he's the real deal. If he is, then he's worth more money. If he isn't, then you took the bath on this one season and he's gone. Isn't that better than signing him to a longer-term deal, and THEN finding out he's a sham, Mr. Whitlock? If the Chiefs needed the cap space, different story. The Pats needed the cap space, or else they would've kept Cassel themselves, IMO.

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

Oh how lucky we are to get so many non-Chiefs fans on this board.

Ehhh..... I think I've been pretty fair and objective about the Chiefs while I've been posting on this board.

[BarrySPAMAID]

I have absolutely ZERO concerns about Matt Cassel. Zero. Zip, nothing, Nada. Pioli likes him, therefore, I like him. Also 11 wins, and handling almost 50 sacks as a rookie looks pretty solid on paper too. PLUS the fact that he was coached by a superior system.

Same goes for Tyson Jackson, Alex Magee, Tamba Hali standing up on the outside, Glenn Dorsey playing a little end, Tank handling the middle. ZERO.

If I have one concern, its who plays fullback. Cox is not the guy. Battle is.

How's that for an entrance ROR?

[doomy3]

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

Ehhh..... I think I've been pretty fair and objective about the Chiefs while I've been posting on this board.

You have.

Don't worry about that douchebag.

[StcChief]

I guess Fatlock gave up on George ever becoming a Chiefs so time to move on.