Chiefs Cassel Succeeds Despite Chiefs - Page 4

Hammock Parties · 08-22-2009, 10:05 AM

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.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 08-22-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDB

Cassel is horrible. Chiefs are going to be a easy out again this year. Thank god they are in the AFC West. shitiest franchise in the league and a good punching bag for the Broncos.

Look; another Donkey wanting to abandon ship! You can become a Chiefs fan, but only if you survive the beat down.

We're gangsta' like that.

Toad · 08-22-2009, 08:13 PM

The entire right side of the o-line starting from Waters over were not good. I still have the visual of Niswager getting shoved back like a little girl into Cassel's face. Here's to hoping Richardson has a fast learning curve and Goff and Waters are shaking off some old man rust.

And re LJ, someone needs to tell him to take off the diapers or something to piss him off to make him run mad again. It appears we do not have a suitable backup.

Sully · 08-22-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDB

Cassel is horrible. Chiefs are going to be a easy out again this year. Thank god they are in the AFC West. shitiest franchise in the league and a good punching bag for the Broncos.

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

Oh...

...and you're a moron.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 08-22-2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sully

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

Oh...

...and you're a moron.

I wonder if he has a little dick head-looking head like Twiki as well?

MadMax · 08-22-2009, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDB

Cassel is horrible. Chiefs are going to be a easy out again this year. Thank god they are in the AFC West. shitiest franchise in the league and a good punching bag for the Broncos.

As much as I think Mike Castle**** is mediocre, I bust out laughing at the mention of Kyle Orton

salame · 08-23-2009, 12:16 AM

Chiefshrink · 08-23-2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Let me put it another way.

You are a ****ing idiot.

JFC!

Elway.

Moron.

Dumbaass

Let me think.

I'll come up with more.

Damn milk! Did you run out of prozac??? What did you do to yourself start drinking that 'fat free milk'

Chiefshrink · 08-23-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pittsie

Yours posts: hyperbole: Seurat: pointillism

Yeah how bout those "hope and change knee pads" you got on for PeeBO? How's that workin for ya?

beach tribe · 08-23-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDB

Cassel is horrible. Chiefs are going to be a easy out again this year. Thank god they are in the AFC West. shitiest franchise in the league and a good punching bag for the Broncos.

Cutler. Orton.

You Lose.

Pioli Zombie · 08-23-2009, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

I'm sorry, where are we again? Oh yeah; a hardcore football board. It doesn't matter if this team wins 20 Championships, there will always be analysis and the picking apart of players and coaches because, well, we're football fans and that's what we do.

No go post me a mobile slab o' ribs; I'm hungry.

Yeah, but 7 or 8 times??? Sheesh. A playoff game maybe.
Posted via Mobile Device

Sweet Daddy Hate · 08-23-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

Yeah, but 7 or 8 times??? Sheesh. A playoff game maybe.
Posted via Mobile Device

You have to know who is what so when the team cuts or demotes the wrong guy, you can properly get your shit-fit on.

KCBOSS1 · 08-23-2009, 03:12 PM

I have to admit that I thought that Cassel was very cool and made the best out of a collapsing pocket. he made accurate passes and took them down the field.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 08-23-2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCBOSS1

I have to admit that I thought that Cassel was very cool and made the best out of a collapsing pocket. he made accurate passes and took them down the field.

He's doing what the others before him couldn't; making the Chicken Salad.

It's gonna' be a tough year for him, but he's doing the most important thing so far in not turning the ball over with shit-throws.

**banyon** · 08-23-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

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.

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."

KCBOSS1 · 08-23-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

He's doing what the others before him couldn't; making the Chicken Salad.

It's gonna' be a tough year for him, but he's doing the most important thing so far in not turning the ball over with shit-throws.

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.

08-22-2009, 10:05 AM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4810478	Cassel Succeeds Despite Chiefs 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.
Posts: 277,445

08-22-2009, 08:13 PM	#47
Toad Pepsi, cheeburger, chip Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Location: Location Casino cash: $2174810	The entire right side of the o-line starting from Waters over were not good. I still have the visual of Niswager getting shoved back like a little girl into Cassel's face. Here's to hoping Richardson has a fast learning curve and Goff and Waters are shaking off some old man rust. And re LJ, someone needs to tell him to take off the diapers or something to piss him off to make him run mad again. It appears we do not have a suitable backup. __________________ Pepsi, cheeburger, chip
Posts: 1,226

08-23-2009, 12:16 AM	#51
salame Under the Sofa Join Date: Apr 2009 Casino cash: $10010607
Posts: 4,907

08-23-2009, 03:12 PM	#57
KCBOSS1 RAISE EM RIGHT Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Arkansas Casino cash: $10005366	I have to admit that I thought that Cassel was very cool and made the best out of a collapsing pocket. he made accurate passes and took them down the field.
Posts: 1,927

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