Chiefs Matt Cassell -- My Assessment - Page 7

Amnorix · 02-28-2009, 04:15 PM

I've posted at some length about Cassell before in some no doubt long forgotten threads. Given the latest developments, however, I'll try to repeat my thoughts.

I think Matt Cassell has a better than average opportunity to succeed as a starting QB in the NFL. I think, therefore, he represents a much lower risk than nearly any pick that is taken in the draft.

Cassell's season with the Patriots last year showed much about him. It was really a tale of two seasons -- the early part, when he more or less stunk, and the latter part when he came into his own, the coaches and team played to his strengths and stayed away from his weaknesses, and the game clearly slowed down for him and he became more confident and capable in his position and play.

The GOOD:

1. Cassell CLEARLY has all the physical skills. He is big, tall, strong and tough. He takes a wallop and gets right back up. He has the arm strength to throw all the passes -- the deep out or the deep ball. He is reasonably shifty in the pocket (but note pocket presence/timing below) and has good speed in running out of the pocket. There is no physical limitation in his game.

2. Cassell appears to have good leadership skills. Everything I saw/read about Cassell suggests a mature and intelligent individual to whom the team responded. A veteran team, the Patriots players could have folded their tent on him, but he appeared to get the team to buy into him -- both coaches and other players.

3. He isn't a rookie. You may not appreciate this much, but rookies, whether QBs or any other NFL position players, take a hell of a lot of time to understand what the NFL is all about. It's relatively rare for players to have tremendous impact in their first years for precisely this reason. He not only isn't a rookie, but he has been well coached and has seen the best in the game conduct his business.

4. Patience/coachability. He clearly is very coachable. His tremendous improvement as 2008 went along is evidence of that, as well as all the statements made by the Patriots coaches and other players. He also took a beating early in the season, which was partly his fault and partly the fault of the OLine, but continued to progress and elevate his game.

The BAD:

1. He had no touch on the long ball. None. Whenever he went deep to Moss or anyone else, whether they were open or not, they were completely incapable of hooking up. I imagine that was a timing thing as much as anything, and it may be that having a full training camp/preseason to work on this will help tremendously, but I can't tell you how aggravating it was to see Moss 5 yards behind the entire defense running free and to have the ball overthrown, or whatever. It happened time and time again.

2. Timing/pocket presence. Although it got better as the year went along, Cassell took far too many sacks, held the ball too long, and didn't seem to have a good feel for the pocket. Note that this DID get better as teh year went along, and my main source of comparison was Tom Brady, who has about the best pocket presence since Dan Marino, so I may be a bit unreasonable here.

3. Needs the shotgun. As a result of item 2, above, the Patriots starting putting Cassell into the shotgun. ALOT. A whole lot. That definitely helped him quite a bit in terms of seeing/processing the field of play, making quicker decisions, avoiding sacks, etc., but the shotgun also limits the offensive playcalling a fair bit.

In summary, I think he has a better than average chance to be a high quality NFL starting QB. His ceiling is not yet determined, but I think it is quite high.

unlurking · 02-28-2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth CarlSatan

How many GAMES did Thigpen start in 2008 again? He basically played half a season, you say?

EPIC, I TELL YOU!

How did we EVER get along in this world without Matt Cassel?!

The difference in number of snaps is what makes the completion percentage such an important stat. Cassel is consistently a more accurate passer.

But I'm guessing you know this, and are just pissed not to be getting your draft pick?

Sweet Daddy Hate · 02-28-2009, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

You started by pointing to passer rating, and completely screwed the pooch on that one, so you moved the goalposts and switched your argument.

You truly are an idiot.

WHAT ****ING GOALPOST?!!? It is what it is!!! I'm sorry your so butt-hurt over it, but if it means that much to you; go bitch to ESPN!

Just Passin' By · 02-28-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth CarlSatan

WHAT ****ING GOALPOST?!!? It is what it is!!! I'm sorry your so butt-hurt over it, but if it means that much to you; go bitch to ESPN!

I'm not butt-hurt over anything. You're the one who keeps looking for things to bitch about. You were wrong, which seems to be your normal state.

Admit it and stop acting like such a pussy. Did Sanchez say he wouldn't let you drink from his 'bottle' if he didn't become the QB for the Chiefs or something?

Sweet Daddy Hate · 02-28-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unlurking

The difference in number of snaps is what makes the completion percentage such an important stat. Cassel is consistently a more accurate passer.

But I'm guessing you know this, and are just pissed not to be getting your draft pick?

The deal ain't done yet. Remember, we're STILL holding that 3rd overall, and I don't see Thigpen as the guy to be groomed. Do you?

Sweet Daddy Hate · 02-28-2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

I'm not butt-hurt over anything. You're the one who keeps looking for things to bitch about. You were wrong, which seems to be your normal state.

Admit it and stop acting like such a pussy.

ALL HAIL "JUST PASSING BY"; MASTER OF ALL THAT IS WISE AND CORRECT!

MAY WE PRAISE HIS NAME NOW AND FOREVERMORE!!!!

BradyFTW! · 02-28-2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth CarlSatan

The deal ain't done yet. Remember, we're STILL holding that 3rd overall, and I don't see Thigpen as the guy to be groomed. Do you?

Matt Cassel is. The guy's 26 years old- we're not talking about some 30something veteran here.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 02-28-2009, 06:41 PM

Enough of this shit: Unsubscribe.

unlurking · 02-28-2009, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth CarlSatan

The deal ain't done yet. Remember, we're STILL holding that 3rd overall, and I don't see Thigpen as the guy to be groomed. Do you?

No, and I don't see Cassel as the QBOTF, but the QBOTN as someone else mentioned. Then again, I don't see Stafford or Sanchez being "the best QB prospect in half a decade" either. I think Cassel gives us stability in the QB position so we can build a team, and then pluck a QBOTF in the next few years.

Gravedigger · 02-28-2009, 06:52 PM

Thank god for every single time someone believes that since their comments come on page 4 of a post last updated 1 hour ago they deserve to be analysts. This doesn't deserve ten threads saying the same exact thing. Threads of this nature deserve the same hostility as a repost regardless of the poster imo.

I dont mean to be hateful but there comes a point where its just monotonous.

unlurking · 02-28-2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravedigger

Thank god for every single time someone believes that since their comments come on page 4 of a post last updated 1 hour ago they deserve to be analysts. This doesn't deserve ten threads saying the same exact thing. Threads of this nature deserve the same hostility as a repost regardless of the poster imo.

I dont mean to be hateful but there comes a point where its just monotonous.

The thread was posted because as our resident "tolerated" Pats fan, he got asked for his opinion by MANY people in MANY threads and simply posted it separately in one place.

Your post = FAIL

StcChief · 02-28-2009, 06:59 PM

Nice assessment. yet Again from our resident Pats fan.

QBOF? Hope so. very happy with Pioli's moves and the way he's handling Chiefs thus far

**ChiefGator** · 02-28-2009, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unlurking

Your post = FAIL

This. I, for one, was quite happy to see Amnorix had posted this and was actually looking for it when I logged on. (he has promised it yesterday or earlier or something)

Oh yeah, thanks for the good analysis (again).

bdeg · 02-28-2009, 07:01 PM

Other pats fans said he locks onto targets- how bad is he about this?

bdeg · 02-28-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I doubt that'll be an issue here. I mean, I think the normal response for any KC QB when they see one of our receivers 5 yards behind anybody is shock and disbelief, followed by a fainting spell.

You'd be surprised how many times it happened and Thigpen underthrew it. I bet it's near 20. Although the safeties were probably playing aggressive because it's Thigpen.

rad · 02-28-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

I guess the only question I have for Amnorix and the rest of the Pats fans is this - are you pissed that's he's not on your team anymore?

IMO they're more pissed about Vrabel.

02-28-2009, 04:15 PM
Amnorix In BB I trust Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, Mass. Casino cash: $10029808	Matt Cassell -- My Assessment I've posted at some length about Cassell before in some no doubt long forgotten threads. Given the latest developments, however, I'll try to repeat my thoughts. I think Matt Cassell has a better than average opportunity to succeed as a starting QB in the NFL. I think, therefore, he represents a much lower risk than nearly any pick that is taken in the draft. Cassell's season with the Patriots last year showed much about him. It was really a tale of two seasons -- the early part, when he more or less stunk, and the latter part when he came into his own, the coaches and team played to his strengths and stayed away from his weaknesses, and the game clearly slowed down for him and he became more confident and capable in his position and play. The GOOD: 1. Cassell CLEARLY has all the physical skills. He is big, tall, strong and tough. He takes a wallop and gets right back up. He has the arm strength to throw all the passes -- the deep out or the deep ball. He is reasonably shifty in the pocket (but note pocket presence/timing below) and has good speed in running out of the pocket. There is no physical limitation in his game. 2. Cassell appears to have good leadership skills. Everything I saw/read about Cassell suggests a mature and intelligent individual to whom the team responded. A veteran team, the Patriots players could have folded their tent on him, but he appeared to get the team to buy into him -- both coaches and other players. 3. He isn't a rookie. You may not appreciate this much, but rookies, whether QBs or any other NFL position players, take a hell of a lot of time to understand what the NFL is all about. It's relatively rare for players to have tremendous impact in their first years for precisely this reason. He not only isn't a rookie, but he has been well coached and has seen the best in the game conduct his business. 4. Patience/coachability. He clearly is very coachable. His tremendous improvement as 2008 went along is evidence of that, as well as all the statements made by the Patriots coaches and other players. He also took a beating early in the season, which was partly his fault and partly the fault of the OLine, but continued to progress and elevate his game. The BAD: 1. He had no touch on the long ball. None. Whenever he went deep to Moss or anyone else, whether they were open or not, they were completely incapable of hooking up. I imagine that was a timing thing as much as anything, and it may be that having a full training camp/preseason to work on this will help tremendously, but I can't tell you how aggravating it was to see Moss 5 yards behind the entire defense running free and to have the ball overthrown, or whatever. It happened time and time again. 2. Timing/pocket presence. Although it got better as the year went along, Cassell took far too many sacks, held the ball too long, and didn't seem to have a good feel for the pocket. Note that this DID get better as teh year went along, and my main source of comparison was Tom Brady, who has about the best pocket presence since Dan Marino, so I may be a bit unreasonable here. 3. Needs the shotgun. As a result of item 2, above, the Patriots starting putting Cassell into the shotgun. ALOT. A whole lot. That definitely helped him quite a bit in terms of seeing/processing the field of play, making quicker decisions, avoiding sacks, etc., but the shotgun also limits the offensive playcalling a fair bit. In summary, I think he has a better than average chance to be a high quality NFL starting QB. His ceiling is not yet determined, but I think it is quite high.
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02-28-2009, 06:41 PM	#97
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	Enough of this shit: Unsubscribe. __________________ 1. Merciless, severe. 2. Given freely and generously. 100% refusal to overrate 20 year Head Coaches with ZERO **ing rings as a Head Coach. CP's Official Professor of 'Dem Blues for 2019/2020!**
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02-28-2009, 06:52 PM	#99
Gravedigger Plays to win the game! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lees Summit Casino cash: $7293101	Thank god for every single time someone believes that since their comments come on page 4 of a post last updated 1 hour ago they deserve to be analysts. This doesn't deserve ten threads saying the same exact thing. Threads of this nature deserve the same hostility as a repost regardless of the poster imo. I dont mean to be hateful but there comes a point where its just monotonous.
Posts: 7,560

02-28-2009, 06:59 PM	#101
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $10004900	Nice assessment. yet Again from our resident Pats fan. QBOF? Hope so. very happy with Pioli's moves and the way he's handling Chiefs thus far __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,901

02-28-2009, 07:01 PM	#103
bdeg Veteran Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: iowa Casino cash: $10004900	Other pats fans said he locks onto targets- how bad is he about this?
Posts: 2,987